Thought I would share a great article I read on the BBC called: "Can a company last forver"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16611040
We all know that when it comes to the product life cycle we sometimes have fads (which have very short lives) whereas classics such as Coca Cola seem to go on forever.
But can this idea be extended from products to actual companies themselves?
I found this incredible: "In Japan, there are more than 20,000 companies that are more than 100 years old, with a handful that are more than 1,000 years old, according to credit rating agency Tokyo Shoko Research."
I struggle to think what could be 1,000 years old in Japan! Possibly farming collectives? Or shipbuilders? I think I may investigate!
Friday, 20 January 2012
Thursday, 19 January 2012
In the News...
KODAK FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY
Eastman Kodak, the company that invented the hand-held camera, has filed for bankruptcy protection.
The move gives the company time to reorganise itself without facing its creditors, and Kodak said that it would mean business as normal for customers.
The company has recently moved away from cameras to refocus on making printers to stem falling profits.
The 133-year-old firm has struggled to keep up with competitors who were quicker to adapt to the digital era.
EXPORTS HELP UK CAR INDUSTRY
Car production in the UK rose by 5.8% in 2011, industry figures show.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said manufacturing had ended the year with a 1.6% rise in December, producing a total of 1,343,810 vehicles in the year.
The SMMT said record exports had been the main driver of growth, with more than 80% of vehicles exported.
Although production rose last year, the SMMT said last week that new car sales in the UK had fallen 4.4% in 2011.
Engine production also rose by 4.9% to just over 2.5 million, despite a modest 1.3% fall in December.
Sources: BBC Business News
Eastman Kodak, the company that invented the hand-held camera, has filed for bankruptcy protection.
The move gives the company time to reorganise itself without facing its creditors, and Kodak said that it would mean business as normal for customers.
The company has recently moved away from cameras to refocus on making printers to stem falling profits.
The 133-year-old firm has struggled to keep up with competitors who were quicker to adapt to the digital era.
EXPORTS HELP UK CAR INDUSTRY
Car production in the UK rose by 5.8% in 2011, industry figures show.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said manufacturing had ended the year with a 1.6% rise in December, producing a total of 1,343,810 vehicles in the year.
The SMMT said record exports had been the main driver of growth, with more than 80% of vehicles exported.
Although production rose last year, the SMMT said last week that new car sales in the UK had fallen 4.4% in 2011.
Engine production also rose by 4.9% to just over 2.5 million, despite a modest 1.3% fall in December.
Sources: BBC Business News
FIFA World Cup 2014 and the Power of Sponsors
Rea today an interesting article about a clash between FIFA and the Brazilian Government.
"Beer must be sold at all venues hosting matches in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, football's world governing body, Fifa, has insisted.
Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke said the right to sell beer must be enshrined in a World Cup law the Brazilian Congress is considering.
Alcoholic drinks are currently banned at Brazilian stadiums and the country's health minister has urged Congress to maintain the ban in the new law.
Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor.
Mr Valcke is visiting Brazil to press for progress on the much-delayed World Cup law.
Fifa has become frustrated, because voting on the legislation has been held up in Congress by the dispute over alcohol sales.
The Brazilian government has also failed to resolve differences with Fifa over cut-price tickets for students and senior citizens, and demands for sponsors of the World Cup to have their trademarks protected"
Source BBC News
It does make one wonder what would happen if Scotland did win a bid to co-host the Euros with one of our Celtic cousins... since Scotland has a ban on alcohol sales within stadia. I am unsure of the current law, but obviously in hospitality boxes drink can be sold to fans.
It will be of interest to see whether Brazil fall in line with FIFA.
"Beer must be sold at all venues hosting matches in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, football's world governing body, Fifa, has insisted.
Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke said the right to sell beer must be enshrined in a World Cup law the Brazilian Congress is considering.
Alcoholic drinks are currently banned at Brazilian stadiums and the country's health minister has urged Congress to maintain the ban in the new law.
Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor.
Mr Valcke is visiting Brazil to press for progress on the much-delayed World Cup law.
Fifa has become frustrated, because voting on the legislation has been held up in Congress by the dispute over alcohol sales.
The Brazilian government has also failed to resolve differences with Fifa over cut-price tickets for students and senior citizens, and demands for sponsors of the World Cup to have their trademarks protected"
Source BBC News
It does make one wonder what would happen if Scotland did win a bid to co-host the Euros with one of our Celtic cousins... since Scotland has a ban on alcohol sales within stadia. I am unsure of the current law, but obviously in hospitality boxes drink can be sold to fans.
It will be of interest to see whether Brazil fall in line with FIFA.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Skyscrapers 'linked with impending financial crashes'
There is an "unhealthy correlation" between the building of skyscrapers and subsequent financial crashes, according to Barclays Capital.
Examples include the Empire State building, built as the Great Depression was under way, and the current world's tallest, the Burj Khalifa, built just before Dubai almost went bust.
China is currently the biggest builder of skyscrapers, the bank said.
India also has 14 skyscrapers under construction.
"Often the world's tallest buildings are simply the edifice of a broader skyscraper building boom, reflecting a widespread misallocation of capital and an impending economic correction," Barclays Capital analysts said
Source BBC News
Examples include the Empire State building, built as the Great Depression was under way, and the current world's tallest, the Burj Khalifa, built just before Dubai almost went bust.
China is currently the biggest builder of skyscrapers, the bank said.
India also has 14 skyscrapers under construction.
"Often the world's tallest buildings are simply the edifice of a broader skyscraper building boom, reflecting a widespread misallocation of capital and an impending economic correction," Barclays Capital analysts said
Source BBC News
World's Most Famous Palindrome
Teaching S1 today in ICT we were doing our Citizenship challenge and one of the groups received Panama as their country. I used this to share an interesting piece of knowledge/trivia with my pupils!
Leigh Mercer published an excellent and world famous palindrome (a sentance or word that reads the same backwards as forwards) in 1948 on the topic of Panama.
A MAN
A PLAN
A CANAL
PANAMA!
Check it, it works!
Leigh Mercer published an excellent and world famous palindrome (a sentance or word that reads the same backwards as forwards) in 1948 on the topic of Panama.
A MAN
A PLAN
A CANAL
PANAMA!
Check it, it works!
Ten Great Predictions
A Happy New Year to everyone.
Here is an excellent BBC article on a man called John Elfreth Watkins who predicted 10 great inventions from over 100 years ago, though he did get a few wrong:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16444966
Here is an excellent BBC article on a man called John Elfreth Watkins who predicted 10 great inventions from over 100 years ago, though he did get a few wrong:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16444966
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