Our Observation: “As A Ship Is No Better Than Its Crew, A Crew Is No Better Than Its Captain”; So It Goes For Vessels, Nations, And Businesses

We, in International Business, for a number of decades have witnessed, what we consider very poor leadership in many ‘Arenas’ by those who had been selected to lead. The adage: “God only made one Winston Churchill” is very applicable to many nations of the world today, unfortunately. As an example: It seems, as to politicians, once in office, for many, their country Treasury is their personal ‘Piggy Bank’; for them to use as they choose. So, they benefit family members and friends profusely, while their citizens ‘pay the tab’. A iteration of this situation has, and is taking place in America. It seems the son of the Selected President had, and is, using his birth connections to his father, for personal gain from foreign business interests [who desire entree into the White House in Washington, D.C.]; so it goes.

A deviation of the ‘Captain’ role, with politicians, are those seeking access to ‘ship navigators’. By having family members, to those in the House of Representatives and Senate, knowing which direction the ‘ship’ will be sailing, the information is passed along to husbands, et al for investment purposes. As we had mentioned in previous writings, those making roughly $200,000.00+ per year, and accumulate $100,000,000.00+/- before leaving office, are suspect. “Financial Acumen Extraordinaire” by family members, their Political Party ‘Germalists’ will assure the public: “There is nothing crooked with this play.” Sure.

The problem with ‘Miscreant Mediocre Minds’ enacting laws for countries, is the un-affordable accumulation of debt which can rise into many trillions of dollars over a couple of decades; so it has gone this way in America [$28,000,000,000,000.00+ to date], as an example of what we write.

Going past this ‘Greed for Self’ on a smaller level, as to them, was the gargantuan “Governatorship Scheme” contrived by a former U.S. President [‘Captain’] and his wife [‘First Officer’]. It was the conjunction of the power of the U.S. [perhaps to be duped: Members of Congress, several other U.S. Presidents, and Intelligence Agencies] with a number of cabalistic foreign leaders to aid and abet. Fortunately, ‘Fate’ has provided interstitial reinforcements to stop the cracking of the ‘big egg’ [for now].

In business, we often see ‘Captains’ of their corporations, not being innovators, but followers of the ‘business fleet’ of mere ‘dhows’; this to ‘groundings of their ‘vessels’. A unseemly, and unfortunately set of disasters occurred with a major American airframe deciding to have excellent ‘Apple I-Pads’ be the IT pilot training mechanisms for its ‘new’ aircraft, rather than flight simulators! The ‘ship hit the reef and sunk with this stupidity’ some sea-goers might opine. Obviously, ‘mental sea-sickness’ of the airframe’s administrators, allowed this to occur.

In Public Health, there are MANY Captains of ships. Yet, it appears, they were ALL sailing into ’10 meter fog’ with their transmissometers turned off [as to the Coronavirus CV19 threat which was ahead]. To immunologists and virologists nothing more important than ‘1000 meter fog’ lie ahead [if even that]. Without belaboring the point, we have previously written our thoughts about the published opinions of the “Medical Experts” who never saw pandemic awaiting the entire world [Such a embarrassment to those with integrity].

Perhaps the world needs to pay attention to the ‘Ship Captains of the past’ who sailed or caravaned from the Atlantic Ocean, to the Pacific Ocean and back again, over a period of about 500 years. Europe, North Africa, Central Asia, India, and China were their territories: The “Radhanim”. They were multi-lingual, vastly knowledgeable of their traded goods, amenable to the ideas of others cultures, and business practices, and perhaps wisest of all: ALWAYS TRIED TO LOOK BEYOND THE HORIZON for coming obstacles and opportunities [it has been written]. “Radhanim” acted as intermediaries for social communications and business negotiations. ‘Ship Captains’ they obviously were! They went east further than Seleucus I Nicator, not through the use of force, but by being tactful; Silk is smooth.

Reality: Being too cocksure of its abilities, can put even the wiliest of creatures into a snare.

Finland’s Small Construction Contractors: Tax Evasion Is Where Authorities Look

News Analysis: Finland’s Small Construction Contractors: Tax Evasion Is Where Authorities Look; some individuals say is really due to Tax Rates being too High. However, a Corporate Tax Rate of 20% along with a Maximum National Personal Tax Rate of 30% can hardly be designated to be ‘Draconian’.

Finnish Tax Authorities discovered approximately $200 Million Dollars of Tax Revenue Losses when inspecting the books of Small Construction Projects. This sum contributes to European Tax Authorities Estimate of almost $1 Trillion Dollars in Yearly Tax Revenue Losses through Evasion throughout Europe; no small sum.

Since the “Morality of the Marketplace” is so Low, one can presume Tax Evasion will continue to grow throughout Europe. The VERY SAME Tax Evaders will be the first to complain about: The Poor Conditions of their Country’s Roadways; Not Close-Enough Schools for their Children; Insufficient Fire and/or Police Protection; Shoddy Public Health Care; Etc.- All Paid For By Tax Revenues (which they Evade).

Financial Tax Hypocrisy is Alive and Well.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/qgbumd6

 

Honduran Tilapia Fish Are For Nutrition And Cosmetics

News Analysis: Honduran Tilapia Fish Are For Nutrition And Cosmetics as new avenues of marketing expand their Commercial Potential. As For the Cosmetic application, the “Skin” of Tilapia are utilized in Cosmetics created in Europe.

This ‘White Meat’ Fish is becoming a growing “Piscatorial Delight” for American Diners. This is shown by the approximately 18 Million Pounds of Tilapia purchased in America for $65 Million Dollars.

Honduran Fish Exports should double in size over the coming years through expansion of its Aquaculture Investments. Honduran Businessmen have been very wise in moving ahead with their Business Model; for Tilapia is a product with many inherent assets and very few liabilities.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.hondurasnews.com/honduras-tilapia-exports-grow-usa-consumes-fillets-europe-produces-cosmetics/

☆ European Unemployment Rate Was At 12.1 Percent Per “Eurostat”

News Analysis: The latest “Eurostat” European Unemployment Rates are for November, 2013. They evidence a 12.1% which consists of lowest rates in Austria (4.8%), Germany (5.2%) and Luxembourg (6.1%). The highest Unemployment Rates were in Greece (27.4% in September 2013) and Spain (26.7%).

November, 2013, had  the unemployment rate increased in fourteen Member States and fell in fourteen compared to November, 2012.

The approximately 6.7% Unemployment Rate in the First Quarter of 2008 compared to the 12.1% current  figure does not bode well for Europe. One must ask: “What Economic Policies have to change to gain Momentum in these Trying Financial Times?” and “Are Stock and Bond Investors REALLY aware  of the Enormous Number of Europeans (particularly under 25 Age Group) without Jobs?”

A person of Wisdom in any Manufacturing Business would realize that there are substantially fewer people financially capable of buying “Hard Goods” in particular and “Soft Goods” in general. Thus, the “Higher Price-Point” Manufactured Items get short shrift by the Public: Expensive Appliances, Automobiles,  Computers, Homes, Large Screen Televisions, Personal Pleasure Boats, Small Private Aircraft, and the like. Each of the aforementioned can contribute significantly to a Country’s Gross Domestic Product when produced and sold in large numbers; that scenario is not probable now in the slightest, many Economists declare.

It is an Economic Truism that: “Higher Government Tax Rates For Private Manufacturers Create Lower Profitable Production For Job Growth”. Corporations do not need their “Silent Partners” (Federal Governments) ‘extorting’ more money from them during these times of economic hardship. Instead, Tax Rates should be reduced so profitability can increase for growth of Manufacturers. “Lesser Is Better” applies to both Corporate Taxation Rates and well as Unemployment Numbers.

To also assist in Unemployment Reduction, those Manufacturers trying to sell the products in the Middle East and Asia should be encouraged to do so through additional Tax Incentives to help cover their added costs.

One must also ask: “Have the ‘Bubble Masters’ been working overtime to create the present Stock Market (Misplaced) Values when there is little substance to the Price/Earnings of most Corporations?”  A lot of the Stock Price Multiples are suspect. And, if one projects the present Unemployment Rates in Europe to be largely unchanged in 2014, a “Sham” Market is evidenced, (many Forensic Accountants would say). “The Stock Market Looks Six Months Ahead, Not At The Present” is the Mantra. In the present state of the various Stock Exchanges Prices, one might be wise to “Look for the ‘Bernie Madoffs’ out on their Floors”.

“Caveat Emptor.”

Reality.

Reference:  http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-08012014-BP/EN/3-08012014-BP-EN.PDF

Customs Union, Led By Russia, Increases Other Nations’ Interest

News Analysis:  Customs Union, led by Russia, increases other Nations’ interest by offering Economic Growth Possibilities not to be ‘matched’ by the European Union. The Voluminous Natural Resources of the Custom Union Signatories, if added to, by other interested countries, would be ‘One of a Kind’. The shared interests of China and India offer the Customs Union enormous business opportunities not available in Europe. A Economic Triumvirate as such, would be a Powerhouse second to none.

The Best Economic Future for the Nations contemplating the Customs Union lies in their becoming its Members. Reality.

Reference: http://www.bne.eu/storyf5521/Central_Asia_states_press_ahead_with_moves_to_join_Customs_Union