You know you want it. (In response to Aislyn's post)

I just read and blogged about how Apple is using every trick in the book to dodge taxes, and I have to admit, I still want a new Mac. They are a guilty pleasure that I even relish. They rule the world through design. Their products are sleeker, sexier, better engineered, faster, and more reliable than any made by their competition. While their products show the responsibility of a sustainable business model, their corporate ethics do not. Do you think that multi-billion dollar corporation such as Apple has a responsibility to contribute a higher share of their earnings than 9.8%? April 28, 2012 9:11 PM

Is Apple investing in profitable businesses while maintaining the ethics of an evil corporation?

Wall street analysts predict that Apple could earn as much as $45.6 billion this year, and yet they are dodging taxes like they are ENRON. By setting up their subsidiary investments firm Braeburn Capital in Reno Nevada, they dodge California's 8.84% corporate tax rate. Apple also has subsidiaries set up in Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the British Virgin Islands. Apple's dealings make clear the glaring deficiencies in US tax code. They pioneered a technique called the "Double Irish With a Dutch Sandwich," which lowers taxes by routing profits through Irish Subsidiaries and then the Netherlands and the Caribbean. Hundreds of other corporations now use this scheme. It is estimated that Apple saved 2.4 billion in taxes with it's dastardly chicanery. Apple did pay $3.3 billion in taxes on its profits of $34.2 billion Last year. That comes out to a tax rate of 9.8%. Walmart, often ranked among top evil corporations paid 24% tax last year. How long can Apple conduct its operation in such a greedy irresponsible manner without repercussions? Does this knowledge affect your desire to buy Apple?

A widespread campaign of bribery orchestrated by Wal-Mart of Mexico has been reported on by the New York Times today. Wal-Mart sent investigators to Mexico following a tip off from a former Wal-Mart of Mexico executive. The former executive sent names dates and bribe amounts in a email to a Wal-Mart lawyer in September 2005. This executive had in fact been the lawyer in charge of obtaining the construction permits for Wal-Mart of Mexico. Wal-Mart's investigators were able to verify the whistle blower's claims in just days. They uncovered a paper trail involving bribes totaling more than $24 Million. They also became aware that Wal-Mart of Mexico had taken steps to conceal the illicit dealings from US headquarters. Wal-Mart's lead investigator, a former FBI agent reported that it was very likely that both US and Mexican laws had been broken, and went on to recommend that the investigation be expanded. Instead, Wal-Mart's top management shut it down. A great disparity between Wal-Mart's claims of a commitment to high moral and ethical standards, and actions taken in their quest for global domination has been revealed once again. Can such a massive corporate entity exist as a benevolent entity?

In response to Jaycelyn's post

I believe that Facebook will continue to grow. While there are people who still refuse to join Facebook, they are definitely dwindling in number. Everything that I have seen indicates that there is still plenty of room for Facebook to grow. As high speed internet and technology spread Facebook numbers will continue to grow. Google is trying to play catch-up by launching their own social media platform but it is catching on very slowly. My Space has been mostly forgotten. Facebook's expected IPO next month could put $100 billion in their pockets. With that kind of power, they will be nigh unstoppable. Have you signed up for any other social networking sites?

Nokia shares fall to 14 year low

Nokia fell dramatically this week following their stated expectations of not reaching their projected earnings. Nokia's stock fell 16% to close at $4.24, the lowest trading price since February 1998. Nokia was able to sell 2 million Lumia smartphones but still suffered losses due to heavy global competition. Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia in a prepared statement announced that Nokia would be dropping it's phone operating system and would begin shipping phones with Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. Adding significantly to Nokia's troubles were reports that Lumia 900 phones were shipped with a software error that made internet connection impossible. The company is offering a $100 credit to all customers. Elop in an attempt to reassure investors went on to say that they were acting quickly to ramp up marketing, make cost cuts, adjust prices, and even restructuring. Nokia is projecting further losses in the second quarter citing again the global competition, as well as bad product launch timing and the bad economy. Nokia is in a position of having to react to a market that is clearly driven by Apple. How can Nokia get off of the ropes?

In response to Dan Olivera

Great post Dan, I agree, this is a difficult call to make. It reminds me of the child labor issues faced in the developing world. Sometimes children have to work or they will starve. While the idea of children losing their childhood to a life of drudgery is terrible, I would say that a child dying due to malnutrition is an even greater tragedy. The junk-food advertising in schools issue is much less serious than the child labor issue, but it is certainly an important one. I guess that I would support the ads for the time being, but I would put pressure on the schools to seek out healthy sponsors. Who do you think would make a good sponsor?

In response to Matt's ipad posting

I believe that their record sales have been earned. Apple has been making the most reliable computers for decades. They have shown that their products are better built, faster, less susceptible to viruses and hacking, and they are much more attractive than their competition. All apple products that I have owned have lasted much longer than I would have expected a competing product to last. While Apple is more expensive than their competition, when you consider the high performance and long life, it really is worth it. I have owned 2 mac's several ipods, and about 4 PC's. The Mac's each lasted about as long as 2 PC's. I believe that Apple's stellar sales are the dividend of many many years of delivering on their promise. In times where money is tight, people look for products that they don't expect will need replacing. I am sure that their sleek modern design is helping as well. Do you think that Steve Jobs's death has had a significant impact on sales?

President Obama Soldiers on Despite Heavy Opposition to Solar Investment.

The President spoke Wednesday from the largest solar power plant in the United States. The Copper Mountain facility is one hours drive from the Las Vegas Strip. With a total of 1 million solar panels it provides energy to 17,000 homes. The President was unabashedly critical of his opposition referring to them as "Charter members of the flat earth society." “Now you’d think, given this extraordinary sight, given the fact that this is creating jobs, generating power, helping to keep our environment clean, making us more competitive globally. You’d think that everybody would be supportive of solar power, and yet, if some politicians have their way, there won’t be any more public investment in solar energy,” he said. Rep. John Fleming,R-La. is highly critical of the Presidents policies claiming that there is no benefit from subsidization of solar energy. Meanwhile some environmentalists are also against such desert installations as well. With gas prices on the rise, and resistance from both sides, our President continues to make the tough calls, and stands up for what he believes is right. Do you believe that investment in solar energy is necessary to strengthen the economy? Do you believe that protecting desert habitat is more important than reducing CO2 emissions? What impact will readily available renewable energy have on national security?

Response to Alex Purdy Philadelphia man uses a Jammer on a bus to stop phone chatter?

I find this story to be hilarious, and I can definitely sympathize with Eric. There have been many times when I have wanted to engage in electronic warfare myself. Especially on the Charismatic Narcissistic types that strut around yelling into their phones. I would love to have one of those devices! Of course I wouldn't want someone to cut off my calls, but I don't scream into my phone in restaurants either. I would not be surprised if there were many more such incidents. While I understand the need for regulation of radio transmission in order to protect aircraft and emergency responders etc. I think that the FCC has too much power there need to be changes in broadcasting laws, that open up the airwaves to public broadcasting.

Limbaugh's Sponsors Take Their Dollars Elsewhere, and He Rushes to Apologize.

There is no doubt that Rush has gone too far. He finally made a formal apology today for inappropriate remarks that he made on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, about Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University law student who was invited to speak to Congress by House Minority Leader Nanci Pelosi (D). Sandra had previously been denied the opportunity to speak at a committee hearing by Rep. Darrell Issa (R), who had invited all male religious figures to discuss President Obama's current push to require reproductive health needs to be covered by all employers. Rush called Sandra a "slut," a "prostitute," and a "feminazi," and suggested that she should make sex tapes "so we can all watch." It is astonishing to me that such a cold-hearted misogynistic person could have millions of followers. Every man has a mother and perhaps a sister, wife and daughter as well. If any of their family had been so insulted, Rush's followers would demand blood. I only make reference to his male followers as they make up 72% of his audience.

It is shocking to to me that he even has 28% female listeners. If these comments don't diminish that statistic dramatically it will be very sad indeed. What responsibility do sponsors have when choosing programming?

Apple in damage control mode.

Facing reports of worker abuse and suicide at eight of their top suppliers, Apple CEO Tim Cook agreed to let The Fair Labor Association conduct inspections at the suspect facilities. FLA president Auret van Heerden initially reported that the factories were "first class" and conditions were above average. At the time van Heerden cited alienation and boredom as the only significant issues for workers at the Foxconn facility. After spending several days there, van Heerden now says that there are many issues to be addressed. While he would not reveal any specifics, he did state that the FLA would reveal more information in the weeks to come.
The FLA has also been the subject of criticism from groups like SumOfUs.org. "Instead of actually solving the problem, they’re trying to whitewash it; hiring a business-funded group with a long track record of serving as a corporate mouthpiece,” said Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, Executive Director of SumOfUs.org.
The FLA will be interviewing 35,000 workers in the next three weeks.
The workers will be asked many questions such as:
-how they were hired.
-were they paid a fee.
-were they offered contracts and if so did they understand it.
-the conditions of their dorm rooms and food
-were their complaints acted on.
-their emotional well-being.
Apple is also facing a trademark dispute regarding the "ipad" name. This is clearly not a helpful distraction as Apple faces their public in an attempt to save face.
Do you think that the spotlight on worker conditions in China will affect Apple's brand?

In response to Brooke's Grocery Store Post

I owned a Pepperidge Farm distribution franchise for four years, and I became very aware of the importance of grocery/convenience store real estate. It is remarkable how much difference both the products location, and amount of shelf space can make.
Chain stores make deals with distributors for preferential placement and shelf space. This takes place at a corporate level and is the same at each location. Usually the bakery that makes the store brand also has the front of the aisle. I had some success in increasing my shelf space by 30% in one store and my sales were also increased by 30%. With that increase I believe that I hit the sweet spot. Additional space would not have produced more sales at that point.
In chain stores I was able to set up special displays at alternate locations in support of promotions. Sometimes this worked out, but people are creatures of habit and they are used to looking for products in certain places.
Owning a business in distribution definitely gave me some insights into marketing.

Google Online Marketing Challenge!

Google is currently running a marketing challenge for students. They are offering prizes to students and professors for using Google AdWords and Google+ to create a marketing campaign. Google provides a $250 budget for students in order to build a marketing strategy for a real business or a nonprofit organization that has not used AdWords in the last six months. The winners and their professor get a trip to Google Headquarters in Mountain View, California to meet with the AdWords team. Regional winners and their Professor win a trip to a regional Google office. Here is a link to last years winners: http://www.google.com/onlinechallenge/winners.html.

This Challenge is open to all Majors and teams are to be made up of three to six students. More information can be found at: http://www.google.com/onlinechallenge/about.html

Do you think this marketing challenge is also a marketing strategy? Do you believe that you would benefit from participation in this challenge?

Response to Alex Purdy

I am of the opinion that using corn based ethanol as a fuel is not a good idea. The only reason that ethanol is financially viable is that tax payers are funding these operations in the way of 6 billion in subsidies each year. This is no longer necessary as oil prices are high enough now to make ethanol competitive. There are many alternatives to gasoline/ethanol, but none share the vast infrastructure that has also been largely subsidized by taxpayers since the early 1900s. This of course results in a false picture as to the affordability of oil. Beyond the direct subsidization of oil there are tremendous external costs that we do not include in the price of a gallon of gas. Mostly these costs are related to pollution. The adverse effects of air pollution cost us over 50 billion each year in health costs by some estimates. Other costs relate to damage caused to the environment. These costs are massive and could lead to a change in life as we know it through global warming. It is time to measure the true cost of our system, and invest accordingly into renewable, clean energy.

Do you agree?

Marketing Me

I am a designer, as such I hope to find work at a design firm. I have many designs and ideas in a broad range of categories. I have a natural ability for spatial and engineering challenges. Design problems are of great interest to me. The process of solving a design problem is thoroughly engaging; the balancing of social, ecological, aesthetic, functional, and ergonomic considerations of a design’s lifecycle makes for a puzzle that is more satisfying than any other.

To date I have generated solutions for design problems ranging from simple human interfaces to complex solar systems. Renewable energy and it’s adaptation to current and future needs is my greatest interest. Through design many of our biggest problems can be solved.

In order to support my family and pay off my student loans I will need to make 50k+. I will earn that Salary by bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to your firm. I will satisfy your customers needs with thoughtful, attractive solutions to their needs.

Marketing, Advertising, and Propaganda, Oh My!

Marketing is the process of finding your audience, advertising is reaching that audience, and propaganda is the tool by which you manipulate that audience.