Pictures of Castel Sant'Angelo

Also known as Castle of Angels was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian and eventually used by Popes to garrison troops. As a tourist location it is well managed with easy access and improved walkways. You will notice the thickness of the walls and how it was designed more for medieval fighting and cannon ball versus the modern era of combat. 

These castles were purposely built on rivers and ports to protect commercial activity. While we believe they were often focused on people it was the commercial activity of the people that seem to be the main interest. Of course, there was also the need to control the population and ensure maintenance of one's power and position.

High Growth of 3% Expected in the US over 2018

According to the IMF we should have significant growth around the 3% range for 2018. A pretty good haul considering we haven't done that well in quite some time over a sustained period. In their quarterly World Economic Outlook they indicated that much of this is due to the corporate tax rate being cut from 35 to 21 percent. 

There are a few things we can expect from such growth. 

-Inflation will rise a little as growth often equals more return on investment and additional cash in the system. 

-Employment will likely improve. While we are working at a solid employment rate now we can expect a little tighter labor market. 

-New training to meet new jobs will likely increase. As the labor market gets tight and new jobs open up people will need additional training. 

While much of this growth is experienced world round and the tax credit is not the immediate direct cause we can expect it to make some influence. With returning investment back to the U.S. the trend of growth is likely to be longer. Not sure what that would be worth without significant investment of time in research previous trends under similar circumstances. 

Is Diligence and "Grit" the Key Factor for Success

The key difference between those who eventually succeed and those who don't is diligence. Of course there are lots of other personality traits, financial position, education, etc... but it is diligence and "grit" that determine the overall results. Most of us can achieve our goals if we just stay on task and keep "punching the bag" until we get the results we want.

It is easy to give up on stuff. No commitment and lack of effort means you didn't fail. Unfortunately, you also never really tried. Without consistent effort you won't accomplish your goals.

There are differences between those who give up and those who keep going. While the manly swagger is a sign of macho that doesn't mean such individuals have true self-esteem and self-efficacy. Putting on a "show" is very different than obtaining results day in and day out even when you don't feel like it at certain times.

We are not likely to succeed the first time we try something. There is a long learning curve that separates success from failure. If it was that easy we would all be successful. As humans we are not born with innate knowledge of our environment so we must learn.

There is no better recipe than time and learning. Our hearts should be open to learning, exploring new ideas, and adjusting our processes to master whatever business we are in. It doesn't matter if we are in college, working in a company or for ourselves. If you have high self-esteem, are passionate about your goals, and plug away at it everyday you are more likely to succeed. 

What type of skills are needed to manage a global firm?

We can't argue that business is becoming more global and interconnected but we can argue about what type of experiences are needed to effectively manage a global firm. There is experience and their is personality. In many cases, our personality will determine what type of experience we have. Global managers will have the ability to integrate new knowledge to understand things like culture while still being able to distribute products along a complex supply chain.

Personality: The first skill needed to success is one's personality. If you are not open to experience, can't empathize with other's culture, and are not willing to learn constantly you are not going to be an effective global manager.

Technology Oriented: Global managers will need to utilize and feel comfortable with emerging technologies they can apply to their business to track and manage global activities.

Scientific Thinking: The ability to investigate and understand problems from a micro and macro level will be important in creating competitive advantages.

Systems Thinking: Swoop above your business and you can see all of the working parts much like an Eagle Eye. The ability to see the entire picture from a systematic point of view is important.

Social and Emotional Intelligence: One will need to interact with people from various parts of the world. They should have the skill to understand how they feel and use the most appropriate methods of "connecting" with others.

Justice and Ethics: If you are going to be a global manager you will need to be trusted by people, employees, and governments. It will make a big difference in leading others, making contracts, and obtaining approvals. There will need to be a focus on one's global ethical system that most cultures agree with.

Experience: Of course there is always experience. Its hard to be global if you are not familiar with global companies and seen how things work on the "ground".

The Simplicity of Business and Its Complexity-Buy Low and Sell High

Business is about buying low and selling high. That seems straight forward enough but it really isn't when you start a business. Many small businesses go out of business relatively quickly because they are not able to master this problem. Actually, a lot of large businesses also close their doors when this issue arises.

What is the problem?

There are suppliers who give the best deals to those who purchase a lot. Unless you are a major company you are going to suffer from a lack of economies of scale. You will be buying from someone else who has purchased a large amount and then broke it apart. The price typically moves up as each supplier adds their profit margin.

Can this be solved?

It is important for businesses to continually think about their suppliers. Sometimes they negotiate other prices, they may need to look for cheaper alternatives overseas, and a few others get really unique and find whole new ways of doing business.

Is it always wise to sell what others are selling?

Yes and no. There are times when hot products are a great option because people purchase them at a premium rate. However, if you are a small store competing against a large chain you are going to need to do something else. Consider going niche, finding new types of products, or improving your service to add value.