Google Investing in Adaptations to Work Environment

Posted on by scott.hodges

Over the next five years, Google is putting $1 billion into nonprofit organizations in an effort to help people adjust to the changing nature of work.  This marks Google’s largest philanthropic pledge ever.

Part of the reason Google is  making this investment is due to its sense of responsibility of its part in advancements in technology have impacted industries, reshaping them and eliminating the need for various jobs throughout America and the world.  As Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google explained:

“The nature of work is fundamentally changing. And that is shifting the link between education, training and opportunity. One-third of jobs in 2020 will require skills that aren’t common today. It’s a big problem.”

The money will be split into three main areas: education, economic opportunity and inclusion. The largest single grant — $10 million — is going to Goodwill, for the establishment of the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator. Through this the non-profit will spend three years in an effort to provide “digital skills and career opportunities” to a million people.

West Lake Landfill

Posted on by scott.hodges

All landfills are different.  They are monitored differently and cannot be treated the same.

Take for example the West Lake Landfill.  Given that this particular landfill is one of the country’s “most monitored sites of its type,” the EPA have concluded that the best way to deal with remediation there is via a permanent cap at the site, as opposed to moving the landfill which will actually be “more dangerous to local communities than leaving it where it is.”

What should also be understood is that landfills were originally created as a solution to the fact that people were causing great harm to their areas by just dumping waste without any consideration for the public’s safety.  In addition, landfills such as West Lake Landfill (and it is important to remember all landfills must be assessed independently as no two are the same) are able to protect the ecosystem by containing waste that pose a hazard to the environment.

Financially, moving the West Lake Landfill is not good either. The cost of excavation would be over $600 million and at taxpayer expense.

Therefore, when looking at landfills, it is imperative to realize that each case must be regarded as a separate entity since there is just no “one size fits all solution when dealing with these types of sites containing our country’s legacy waste.”

 

The Face of Corporate America

Posted on by scott.hodges

Corporate America is in a great shape, at least when it comes to acquisitions, investments, and the face of its overall economy.  According to recent Federal Reserve Q2 data, non-financial companies’ liquid assets (currency, foreign deposits, money-market and mutual fund shares) reached a record of close to $2.3 trillion, marking a jump of nearly 60 percent since the middle of 2009 when the recession ended.

How does business today in the US impact this?  It is definitely evolving, today featuring many more types of businesses and companies (as well as startups). These comprise different types of executive leaderships and mission statements, as well as public organizations (interested in CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility) and community development.

We have also encountered a shift in the geopolitical business scene and all indicators point to our need to encourage democracy and diplomacy globally. This is not just for our economy though; it is also so that we don’t slip through the cracks of public policy. Things are good for the man on the street as well, with wages finally increasing and employers adding more than 2 million jobs a year.

It is absolutely not a bad time for America economically and developmentally.  Right now it is just a case of how much we’re prepared to put into our global advancement to ensure we have a presence around the world.  Because if that slips, it will negatively impact all the work we’ve done at home over the last few years.

Lucky iPhone 8 in China?

Posted on by scott.hodges

Apple Inc. is excited to be launching its iPhone 8 in China – but the Chines public isn’t jumping for joy. That’s because it has a price tag of as much as $1000 attached to it – and that’s about double the average Chinese monthly salary. The iPhone has slipped to the fifth position in China behind many other offerings, and Apple is trying to get its footing back.

Greater China did, however, account for about 18% of iPhone sales in the quarter that ended in July. This makes it the top market after the US and Europe but those sales have been declining and are now down 10% from a year earlier.

Time will tell if the Chinese will get behind the new phone or if it will be left in the dust.

 

Zalando Might Be Opening Stores

Posted on by Scott Hodges

If you’re a fan of the online fashion retailer Zalando, you may be able to shop with them in person soon. That’s because they are thinking about opening stores in major cities. As the co-chief executive Rubin Ritter told Germany’s Manager Magazin,
 “We have proper fans in the metropolises who spend much time with us and order a lot. It could be interesting for them to also experience the brand offline.”
Zalando has grown rapidly since it was founded in Berlin in 2008 and has become one of Berlin’s biggest employers. 


What’s the Best Way to Handle the West Lake Landfill?

Posted on by scott.hodges

Businesses and individuals are extremely impacted by landfills and waste management, albeit indirectly. The topic is often controversial, but limited options exist today. In Missouri, the West Lake Landfill has been cause for heated discussion in recent months, but experts have stated that moving the waste will prove more detrimental to the environment and locals.

For more information, see this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDZOBiil33wWWvRrCuyMSkw/videos

800 Losing Job with Caterpillar Inc.

Posted on by Scott Hodges


800 employees of Caterpillar Inc. are going to lose their jobs soon when the Aurora, Illinois plant closes. As Lisa Miller, the Caterpillar spokeswoman explained to Reuters,
“Out of about 800 production positions, about 500 positions would likely be added to Decatur and about 150 positions would be added in North Little Rock.”
This is only a small piece of the slashes that the company has had to take with the economy as it is. They have slashed over 16,000 jobs and they have said as recently as January that they are thinking of closing two major production facilities, one of which is in Aurora.
See more details and the full article.

Credit Card Wars

Posted on by Scott Hodges

Credit card companies are facing off in a potential war to try to keep their customers – and to keep them happy. American Express Co. will be offering $200 a year in Uber rides to their customers, along with other perks, on their Platinum charge cards. They are hoping to keep their high-end customers happy and keep them away from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc.

Other perks will include access to airport lounges, special dining and entertainment choices and more. The charge rate will be raised from $450 to $550 starting March 30.

JPMorgan started off this card war when they introduced their $450 a year Chase Sapphire Reserve card with a sign-up bonus that was worth as much as $1500. It also includes $300 in annual travel credits and high credits for spending. They bank even switched to making these cards out of metal so they have a heavier and more significant feel to them.

Interestingly, the card war has helped out sites like NerdWallet.com and ThePointsGuy.com wich compare card costs and help consumers to know where the best benefits are to be found.

Change in Prices at Disney

Posted on by Scott Hodges
Bad news for those of you who love going to Disney. Walt Disney Co. is raising the admission price for all of its theme parks by as much as $5 for some of the single-day tickets.
Now, a single-day pass to the Magic Kingdom will cost between $107 and $124 depending on the time of year. Last year, Disney started to use a three-tier system charging more during the peak period to try to spread out the crowds.
Now, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim will have a single-day price ranging from $97 to $124. 
The price hikes aren’t a surprise, as they have become an annual activity for the Disney parks.