What is News Worthy

  • Is Musk the new Murdoch?
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  • FTX & Bankman-Fried: Is Silicon Valley Responsible?
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  • Google Search Result: A cluttered Maze
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  • Stanford Hospital Acquires Fremont based Washington Hospital - Obamacare effect?
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  • Bond King is Back and Has a message to Powell: STOP RAISING RATES!
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  • Average selling price of GM has reached BMW, Benz Territory- Legalizing Cannabis effect or just another bubble market?

Silicon Valley Vibes!

  • Tesla & SpaceX didn’t listen to WS and Pundits …Should Twitter & Musk Now?
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  • Would you allow Siri to drive you around?
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  • Finally Adobe is Discounting its products and services
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  • SalesForce departure….is it voluntary or…?
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  • Dot Com burst brought Java Programmers to earth…..are we there yet?
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  • Contract Workers: Secret for Google & Apple not reducing headcounts?

FANG News:

  • Not A Royalty …Just the Benefits, Please! Harry, Megan & Netflix
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  • Where is Bezos….enough Romance & Honeymooning..Amazon shareholders need you!
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  • Is Google missing Eric Schmidt?
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  • World minus USA wedded to WhatsApp more than any other platform.. should FB reap the benefits soon?
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  • When Microsoft drops its subscription fees will it feel the pain? As the new generation does not know Office, Really!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Universal Chargers!

WOW - Finally EU championed something that consumers can benefit from.

A Universal Charger for Cell Phones!

Compatibility!

Great Job - EU!

Madoff and 150 Years!

Is this the beginning or just a Feel Good for those victims?

Is Madoff the Poster Boy for the Wall Street Excesses?

Or it is just a side show that won the Pitch?

Iraq walks away finally!

As Iraq begins to walk without life support - Finally!

America under the New Administration's philosophy is demonstrating what is to come in the Future!

A forced 9-1-1 for the world NO-MORE!

As MR O takes a softer look at Iran, Russia and Venezuela .... it is getting clear where the focus will be on-

On rebuilding America 2.0

May Be, Just May Be - we are entering a phase of American politics where the energy and resources will be spent on establishing leadership in Innovation and productivity like how the foundation for America 1.o was built!

Madoff and Stanfords....!

Clock ticking closer to the judgement day for Bernie Madoff and Stanford...as we fade away fast from the Financial Whatever of the century!

Even as feel good about the speed at which these unruly individuals to justice it hurts to see the others who made this Financial Whatever happen walk away silently with no recourse what so ever.

Mandoffs and Stanfords even as their fate is being written in the courts of law- it is being painted as part of the scripts from the Financial Whatever.

One fails to understand that these are not the root cause of the Financial Whatever- these are a totally different type of isolated frauds which had nothing to do with the current financial disasters caused by those White shoe criminals of Wall Street who are hiding behind their well mannered and polished degrees from the Harvards and Columbia schools! Madoffs and Stanfords are those typical crooks who get away through their high pitch salesmanship that one sees every day in a small scale targetted towards middle class and old age population- only these were targetted to rich and high net worth individuals!

It is a shame that these two mild mannered crooks didn't go to Harvard or Wharton - and that might also explain their quick meeting with the judgement days - even as the other crooks , alumni of top Business Schools , who made this Financial Whatever - walk away free!

That Annoying Voice....!

Best Ad voice on TV...No matter where you are and how far away you are from the TV ..one could never miss that screaming voice!

Yes- Billy Mays!

That urge to buy the moment you see that product in any shop - with that unique voice from yinside your head-

Its as if it never goes away!

His departure will certainly leave a void in TV infomercias for some time!

May his soul rest in Peace!

An NBC Moment: Dylan Ratigan stays with the Family!!

Even As GE is holding on to a thin wire in this Financial Whatever..Jeff Immelt and NBC score a win!

Dylan Ratigan, often controversial in the final moments of his stay at CNBC with his very polarised views on Wall Street and Corporate shenanigans , quietly lands at MSNBC....as a Morning Joe!!

Sheepish and quiet - very opposite his what appeared to be an authoritative and may be a tad arrogant air on CNBC - Mr Ratigan seems to have shed his opinionated views on MSNBC - atleast for Today!

Good luck Mr Ratigan!

Another indication that Jeff Immelt and GE is good at what they do- build a strong and profitable American Corporation- and this ability to keep Ratigan in the family and still manage his larger than life Persona withine the GE image- takes more than money!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Fear and Greed!

As Fear fades to the background - Greed steps out for a spin!

As the Volatility Index - a proxy for Trading fear - starts to roll back slowly into its usual trading range- the power struggle between the vigilantes and the policy makers around the globe seems to be slowly disappearing at least for NOW!

As Noise of Hyper Inflation and other monetary problems are being thrown at the press from Greenspan to Rogers - the money managers and the press are slowly pushing them away from the headlines.

Is there anything that can be learned in this Financial Whatever that we just witnessed?

When the Lords are at War stay on the sidelines till one side starts rolling over!

Terminator! WoolWorth ,Sears , WalMart and ....?

Even as the Global Economy reels in its past excesses - California and its Terminator are approaching a double digit Tax rates!

Reason for Amazon to not just fight its distribution model but also to educates people on their capabilities.

From WoolWorth to Sears several decades were lost and hanging those Sears Catalogue in toilet as a multi-purpose aid - might have helped the transition but to grab that from Sears and build the largest retail model by WalMart again took several decades.

In every one of these transition in retail industry - consumers and conveniences were leading the pack with innovation.

Again it is time for the Retail Industry to Innovate and bring consumerism to a new level of shopping.

Amazon with its limited spread in products has the incentives given by states and governments all over with climbing sales taxes - to lead that charge and bring down the barriers of wall and take retail to a main stream internet mall. If the fight against North Carolina is a first step - there are several others that Amazon needs to address to make this opportune moment-

- Educate consumers of what a close to 10% taxation really means to their bottom line

- Expand Amazon's offering to every major retail category from indulgences to must have daily consumables

- Move away fro being another Microsoft type of Management and learn from other successful retail leaders to make its brand an every day utterances

May Be, Just May Be JB of Amazon could leave the eBook venture as just a pet project and focus on this enormous opportunity to redefine retail - Again! As this is once in a several decades opportunity!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Amazon and North Carolina!

Is this the first round?

Starting regional and might go all the way to the Capitol Hill?

With Deficit & credibility far from near - this could be a recurring one int he near future - not just limited to the on-line world!

Mr Deepak lashed out on MDs and Doctors!

Even as the World is waiting for the Coroner's office to open to the world what in the heck happened to King of Pop- there are enough individuals pointing fingers - rightly or wrongly!

Couldn't help but notice Mr Deepak Chopra's emotional out pour in CNN with the Situation Room and the Wolf!

Blaming the death on Drugs and accusing all those Hollywood MDs who prescribe for celebrities. Though clear on his accusation initially on MJ's drug addiction and the cause of his death - when asked pointedly he back pedalled and said it was just a hear say!

Understandable about his emotional out pour given his 20 something years of relationship with MJ - However it is difficult to ignore some professional pointers:

- 21 Years with MJ and still could not help MJ out of his emotional trauma and issues? Certainly questions the capability of therapy!

- lashing out on other Doctors and MDs : is it a competitive effort or just an emotional outburst due to loss- but for a seasoned professional who addresses the very same issue ...is difficult to digest

- blaming hte death on Drugs and MDs when the World is still waiting ont he Coroner's report is certainly very amateurish!

Well it looks like just a sample fo what MJ's disappearance will do to people while his Music lovers mourn his death.

Net Mania...! Or just Web 2.0 & America 2.0!

Sites crash!

Text Messages set record pace!

Twitter , Google , ....!

MJ and the world tweets and screams in the cyber world!

IS the World Ready for Web 2.0?

A Resounding Yes! And TEchnology is here for Good!

America 2.0 and TEchnology plays well in the resurgence of post Industrial Era growth for American Corporation!

Dollar , Iran , Nigeria and Oil!

Event after Event an attempt to push Oil higher.....the wounds from the previous speculation is still hurting those speculators - including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley who pushed Oil to its previous speculative highs- Appears it will take something more than evenst already tried to push the oil higher from here!

China and its voice on Sovereign Currency!

Even as Mr O plays his card carefully in rebuilding America 2.0 - China speaks!

Replacing Dollar with a super Currency!

Coming from someone whose market is Closed, Manipulates its currency to help it EXPORT TO USA , encourages hoarding , ...on and on and on!

This can only be a negotiations tactic to establish a better hand in trading Globally!

Lookinga t what happened to Japan , Yen and their cyber rattling after they reached a pinnacle with their American supported Export Economy .....one can only imagine the imact of this!

Even as Consumers begin to Walk...!

Is the capital market ready for a sustained rally?

Looking at reports every where when people are going beyond the Green shoots - if the strike of the money holders fade to the back ground this bottoming process has the legs to attempt to move to a incremental growth path-

Growth might be scattered in Developed economies - but the emerging markets have a bigger and better future if this continues.

Mr O's warmth to Germany & Ms Merkel!

SMART PRACTICAL AND I CAN TRUST HER WHEN SHE TALKS! said Mr O about MS Merkel!

Says it All!!

This is a major change in American Policy towards a new and stronger global Economy!

It is a revolutionary shift that will rebuild America 2.0 to a level that will not only bring prosperity to America but will also ensure a global uplift of socio-economic issues every where!

Jackson's Tune!

Even as the World is shocked and mourns the premature death of Mr Jackson- there are opportunities for companies which have been aligned with Mr Jackson's talent-

Apple and iTunes

Amazon and its collections of Jacksons

MTV and its innovations around MJ

Sony

And then there are some losers - those who underwrote the London Concert series & those who paid enormous black market rates for those tickets!

Germany & Ms Merkel

As Ms Merkel faces the American Administration & White House- It is very encouraging and heart warming to see a change in outlook from both sides to take this relationship to a different level.

A new relationship like nothing before since the WWII will open new opportunity for a Global Economy which relies on Innovation and Productivity & not on Financial ingenuity like the last several decades championed by Wall Street and head quartered out of London!

A new era in this relation is a step removed from the English solidarity established during the WWII.

This is a new beginning &

May Be , Just May Be - a New Era for a well managed global economy with a level playing field for every one!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson - Pop King is no more!

It is a shock & a Sad truth!

He changed the music lovers!

He will be Missed!

May his sould rest in Peace!

Beginning of the Exit...?

Or is the Federal Reserve playing ball to the PIMCO's of the world to keep the game into overtime?

Looking at he Dollar and the recent auction reslts from 2, 5 and 7Y - it seems to be working!

IBM and the Outsourcing Myth!

Even as American corporationsa are fighting the Image fallout of Outsourcing - IBM is capitalizing and winning over its competition - on being just American!

Winning several F500 accounts since the Financial Fallout - capitalizing on keeping American Jobs at home - it leaves the details to the fine prints-

With over 80,000 employess based in India - it is very close to becoming one of the top employers in India!As it keeps hiring in India and China!

May Be, Just May Be - IBM should be I(ndian) Business Machines? And American companies should pay attention to the details as well!

While that happens - it is a good stock to invest in and participate in the price appreciation!

Tesla's New life!

As Tesla gets a second life from Mr O - clean energy rolls without thunder paving the way for a new generation of innovators!

Creating new technology to create , store and distribute energy - America will reinvent what was invented during the first hundred years of Industrialization - bringing back new jobs and prosperity to the world, Once Again!

Intel and the Quest for that evasive hand!

Another year and another relationship!

This time with Nokia who just called it quits fighting with Qualcomm!

Can two bruised Giants join and create the break throughs that is needed for the next generation communication devices?

With the likes of Apple and Palm creating the motivation for the new generation to move to an ever connected world - can Intel use its manufacturing capabilities and mighty power of Nokia's presence int he low cost hand helds - provide Wi-Max and similar -platform for the new world?

May BE , Just May BE - Mr Otellini might have just found the right partner to go for the Dance!

Roubini Calls it Bottom!

Still negative - but the operative is bottom and anemic recovery!

Not collapse and no recovery that he has used for the past several quarters.

An early indication that the battle is over but the war is not!

The agencies and policy makers around the world - if smart could use this opportunity to adjust the monetary and fiscal policies to cope with the modern economic conondrums driven by globalization and economic velocity augmented by technological innovations.

2y , 5Y and Now 7Y!

Demand for American paper is enjoying an upswing - giving an indication that the money flow is slowly willing to accept a closure to the Financial Whatever we witnessed the last couple of years.

100 plus bIllion dollars in auction in 2 Years , 5years and 7 years - every one of them accepted with a warm reception!

A couple of more months and we should be back on track for a normal economic cycle -with the money makers calling off the strike!

Swiss Intervening to support Currency?

What has been a Black Box for hiding black money - seems to be losing its magic touch.

Even as we recover from this Financial Whatever - Swiss is finding difficult to keep its lustre.

Can Swiss maintains its magic wand it keeping other people's money when EU and US are trying hard at breaking the Swiss code?

What is with these Governors?

From New York to Illinois and now South Carolina?

Is there a conspiracy or just a mere coincidence?

Every one falling from grace just after opposition to political forces?

Who will be next?

Where is China spending its Money?

2.1 M for a Lunch date with the Omaha?

Its not a Buffet but a Steak!

Well Done Mr Buffet to keep a premium on American Intelligence!

Ben & Lewis Show!

Aftermath of Financial Whatever is still being felt- only this time the actors are Bernanke and Lewis!

Soft spoken, mild mannered - BUT Vicious!

Now that the Financial Whatever is taking a back seat - the politicans are back at what they are good at - Humilite those who are not!

Monday, June 22, 2009

PIMCO and Bernanke sing same tune!

No rate raise for another 18 Months - say Mr McCulley of PIMCO!

No Inflation!

No Bond Worries!

No Immediate Currency problem- just a nudge on Fed on housing!

From Soros to McCulley - looks like they have changed sides , FOr the Good - Atleast for NoW!

Lawn Tennis getting Green Shoots in England!

Even as Sir Richard and the Queen are looking squarely at the worst end of the Financial Whatever - the English have something to cheer at their Tea Time!

Yes - this time Lawn Tennis and Wibmledon has something to offer - their very own PRide Andy Murray!

Yes - they could keep the Cup and possibly bring back another beginning!

Retired Soros Talk Bottom!

Fourteen years of reitrement- after Greenspan burned his last attempt at breaking teh Financial Market , and still having the magic touch during the recent Financial Whatever - Mr Soros successfully made over a Billion dollars working hard voicing revolution in Political Governances and Free market Economics.

Now on Retirement again - this time on a positive note , is back on the circuit calling a bottom to the market!

What a Billion makes in Attitude!

The British Virgin!

Let the British Airway Fail - So says Virgin's Chief Sir Richard!

Thats a first time A British Icon - for that matter anyone , who spoke like an American in UK.

Change of time to come? Or Just Srir Bronson being himself?

I think its the change of things to come in this currently distrupted and technologically driven Economy!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Iran & Media Black out!

Reporting through organized media has taken a back seat in the current turmoil in Iran!

Editing and controlling has meaning when it is channeled and organized by a handful for careful creation and delivery of message or News!

We have entered a new medium where communication is free and delivery is instantaneous - and the common man's voice is omnipresent!

Blocking communication whether it is organized media or the free format internet media does not prevent the ability of people to express, organize and succeed in fighting force be it religion or politics.

Internet and Media is only the messenger! And cannot supress the voice for long in this Twitter era where every face has a story be it via facebook or blog expressing solidarity and freedom of choice!

Internet's Influence on Modern Communication & Evolution!

Much has been talked about Left Brain and Right Brain!

Every one wants to live in the Now!

Education to a large extent has defined the mix of a society - Every country has an education system which has an evaluation/comparison based growth or progression through the defining ages of a person. This leaves a fear of failure in almost every individual as the person is growing and builds a life style which has an insecure and linear side which rows with time- irrespective of the profession the individual chooses.

This type of education system makes everyone compete in the level and success is measured accordingly. This results in a sought after successful line and least sought after and less popular - which is more often equated to winner and loser! This exaggerate the class system in the society and develops discontent and unhappiness through out based on relative performance and not on individual need.

Most of this behaviour is having a system which has the society develop into a left brain dominant society. It is not a conscious effort by an individual to become left brain or right brain. Thinking linear on everything makes it difficult to not compare and get aggitated. Education system play a major role in the evolution of the behaviour o fhte society.

American Education system has avoided such development by creating a voluntary mechanism for choosing what line to progress a person wants and gets- allowing a balanced society with a predominant right brain oriented thinking- this voluntary mechanism has enabled people to be happy and content on what they do irrespective of what others have or do. Occassionally media and news might exaggerate the mob mentality in choice - but to a large extent this is limited to insignificant part of the day to day life.

In an economy the balance between left brain and right brain dominant profession has to be carefully managed to establish harmony between policies that are political and that are socio-economic in nature. This balance is not very apparent and can not be changed over night- takes decades of change in education and government policies.

With th eadvent of Internet and the progress on availablity of content and reach of the same at a close to zero cost - the whole population has access to knowledege and education in an informal set up with no performance or failure pressure making it more rewarding and successful.

Ability to communicate in a large scale with absolutely no effort - instantaneously - brings in the ability to organize and express likes and dislikes has become even more real.

This development brings the society even closer to being left brain dominant - making it easier to instigate and cause disruptions- as linearity is volutanry and addictive.

What is happening around the globe - with Iran being the latest example - will redefine the way we evolve as a society...and American society so far has stayed safe as the balance is still well within the proportion that the economy can handle! The education system and the job opportunities need to be planned carefully to let this voluntary choice continue and yet accomodate the involuntary movement towards linearity to maintain a harmony in the society.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Peek-A-Boo!

Fed Meeting next Week!

No Expectation going into a meeting - which has been the most tracked even of the past couple of years!

No Photo-op for anyone with a couple of days left for the meeting?

Is there a feel of comfort?

Is Growth Relevant?

A few months back on a totally unrelated conversation a friend of mine quoted a well noted Professor from Georgia questioning the overplay of Growth in Corporate world. Though I disagreed at that time , I was willing to give it a second thought when another famous Professor Dr Peik A Monei supported that observation.

Looking at the current state of Economy & the Financial affairs -

Near Bottom , Bottom , Almost Botttom, etc from the Bullish camp while the Bearish camp saying Bottom doesn't mean Growth , recovery is still far away , printing money for growth and similar arguments!

At 14 plus Trillion in Size if people are generally happy with the state of economy and general life style - does it really have to grow?

Is there a reason for it to keep growing if it is not causing pain and anger in the society?

Just another irrational thought which had an academic spin from a totally different time and subject - by intellectuals of different caliber!

Largest Regulated Free Capital Market!

ECB & EU concerned that EU will lag US in Regulation!

From Free Wheeling Market to the Largest Regulated Free Capital Market! What a change in outlook!

Another Negative Article..?

Looking at this mornings headlines - my own - looks more negative than I would have liked them to be!

Looked a bit out of sink when there is so many nuetral to good news going around- made me think- what makes a news newsworthy & commentable?

Is it the headline or the reporting and the medium which is used to propogate?

Couldn't think of a clear answer - other than to decide to be a bit more carefull in chosing what to comment on going forward! May be Not as FAIR & Balanced like some!!!

A new life to Microsoft by Goldman Sachs!

Market up 40 some percent!

Some individual stocks including Microsoft is up much higher than the market!

For most of this time Goldman Sachs has stayed on the side lines or throwing stones at Microsoft!

And Now they add it to Conviction Buy List! WOW!

Lets look at what is driving the Technology these days:

- cell Phone

- social networking

- digital music

- digital video

- search

- gaming

- web publishing

And corporate Computing - Enterprise Applications to Desktop Automation.

Microsoft does not figure in any of the top three positions in all those categories!

Microsoft - is a monopoly in the categories in which it does well - Desktop Automation from OS to Productivity software at the desktop level. And they make a ton of money!

Microsoft coming of a blotched attempt at Vista!

As Oracle and others takinga serious job at Deskless Corporations - the future for Windows without Walls(!!!) looks a bit fogged at this juncture! Can it happen - may be not in the near future!

But to be in a conviction Buy List after being bearing for most of the recent run up and having stayed out of the biggest bullish run & being bearing on the company - mmmmm - hope they are right this time!

May Be , Just May Be - the GS analyst just like Ms Cohen has a bit more than the market wind to make this call-!

iPhone & AT&T - Redefining Speed?

AT & T screaming through all corners and in all forms of Tubes from Net to Cables - touting about the best and fastes speed in the country!

Apple claims time and time again that the new Apple is the BEST ever! Super fast!!

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to find that AT&T 3 G and Apple's iPhone is one of the slowest implementations in the Cell world - behind Japan, Behind Verizon & even the lowly Sprint!

Shouldnt some one from FCC or some other acgency Bar these companies from spending millions and millions touting about a capability as a primary benefit on a false statement?

I gues this is a Free market economy & every thing goes!

Even as Apple gives free Bagels and Donuts for those individuals standing in lines to get a hold of the NEW SUPERFAST iPHONE 3G S(speed as in slow speed) one can only wonder -

Why , Why & Why!!!

1300 Hedge Funds Closed in the last 2 Quarters!

Yet the greed breeds with high velocity!

Government Healthcare - Is it a Misnomer?

In the middle of a major Healthcare reform - initiated by Government: Opposition from major participants - From Doctors,Insurance Companies to policy makers!And by more participants & people!

Is it about providing Free Healthcare or providing Affordable Insurance for Healthcare?

If it is about providing Affordable Healthcare Insurance - And the participants are paying insurance - is it about subsidy for insurance premium? When scale is what decides the premium rate or bulk discount & not the individual's eligibility - where is the equality in free market principles?

It certainly not marketed by either party as Affordable Insurance - it is led to believe that it is Free Healthcare - by both the parties! And certainly Press is not doing a good job about it!

May BE , Just May BE - everyone- from Politicians to Executives of the Corporate World and every common man and woman - should have an opportunity to hunt for their Insurance policies every 2 or 3 years to see what it takes to not just get the policy but what control they have in what kind of services they get and then come for a referendum on this!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Wal-Mart and Affordable Healthcare!

It is a shame when the whole country is anxiously look at the Administration's foray into the most controversial initiative - afforable Healthcare- One leader Exits!

Walmart quietly started phasing out o fits most innovative and bold initiative ever ventured by any corporation.

Affordable Healthcare using Telemedicine and other innovative mechanism to reach and offer day to day medical needs at a very reasonable prices.

It is a mystery that Wal-Mart would exit at this juncture when delivery of any healthcare depends on reach and network and scaleability- WHich Wal-Mart has it. It can even extend its care to its employees - giving it the scale that is needed to make it a viable business- with half a million employees in every nook and corner of the country-

Having hte vision to roll out such a grand scheme to take medicine to the masses where it is needed - falling short of implimentation.

May BE , Just MAy BE - some one from Mr O's administration would pay attention to this and see if they can leverage the lessons learned by a private sector entity - and may be join forces with the corporate entities in offering practical and afordable Healthcare to the nation.

Nearing Bottom , At Bottom , Far From Bottom ....!

What is better?

Fat Bottom?

May be Fat Bottom Line?

Backward Compatibility!! Apple & iPhone 3.0

Apple's new iPhone is backward compatible!

Amazing! How great such a capability is for consumers!

Microsoft & Intel for a couple of decades have managed to maintain their installed base happy by providing innovation and backward compatibility not just from their offerings but also ensuring all third party applications also comply with the same policy!

Does Innovation always come with a price ? Yes!

But the consumers were protected from such a price by Intel & Microsoft-

May Be, Just May BE - Apple is seriously thinking about BIG league, Now that they have learned a new concept - Backward Compatibility!!

Goldman Sachs and Abby Cohen calls end of RecessioN!

Goldman Sachs and the very soft spoken and ever optimistic Ms Cohen sees an end to this recession - NOW!

Ms Cohen popular during the dot com boom for being bullish for the better part of the dot com boom was put in the dog house for missing the turn & being adamant and sticking to her target even after the collapse of the tech bubble!

She has started hitting the road with a bullish assessment!

I might be still waiting for her targets from a decade ago - but this time we might be wise to listen to her assessment on the current economy!

May BE , Just May BE - Ms Cohen has learned a bit from her Bubble mistake & we should listen to her words of Wisdom!

GE and Immelt!

Jeff Immelt's GE is not your father's GE!

Mr Immelt has resaped GE that was the talk of town during the flamboyant Jack Welsch! It is sitting way back and not even in the 5th page on Wall Street!

GE and Mr Immelt escaped the Finanacial Whatever!

Shows the foundation that GE has put itself on during the Immelt era- very different and very sobre - not Jack Style -but plain common sense.

GE has positioned itself very well for any recovery - with the new emphasis not just on traditional Industrial base but also on Industries being brought to the forefront by the emerging American Economy 2.0

The price does not reflect the full potential of GE in a bottomed out economy- GE is a steal at these levels and can bring back retirement opportunity for those who lost it int he past couple of years!

A confident Geithner!

A few months into the job & he has emerged as a confident and possible authoritative voice for the new Administration.

With a stronger Dollar in the back drop - MR Geithner is looking more and more mature in steering the policy makers and money hawkers globally - to where he wants them to go!

With Mr O and his Chicago Style management finding very little opposition - things are looking a bit easy for Mr Geithner.

This could help the Fed and Dollar in the near term and give the much needed breathing room for getting things in order and get the Economy back on a recovery path.

Internet & the new Power of People!

First Mr O capitalises the reach and effectiveness of Internet and emerging omni present cell to sweep into power!

Next China builds the New Wall - going beyond the Great Wall of China - reaching well within to protect itself from the uproar of people's voice-

Now it is playing out in 3D in Iran!

From Wall Street to Main street the voice can be heard with a thunder - only without the latency of a thunder from the lightning!

Technology & Internet in its varous form is reshaping the way the society has evolved for decades if not centuries! From Tribal leaders to modern day policy makers - the leaders and kings have relied on lack of co-ordination and fear with uncertainity to build an inefficient and moderately self-fish administration.

May Be, Just May Be - A new Sheriff with a new set of rules and policies is about to arrive in this connected Global village!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

134 Billion crossing Borders!

Japan Supports US dollar before G8!

And now two Japanese carrying undocumented bonds worth 134 Billion Dollars!

May be headed to Germany hearing that they have ATM machines that dispenses Gold!

Microsoft and EU!

Microsoft takes a typical Mr Balmer Move in Europe!

As the fight with Ms Kroes reaches a pinnace -as Ms Kroes enters her final stretch in her career as a EU police Mr Balmer refuses to open!

No Soup for Europe!

A bold Move!

Might come at a cost at a time when Microsoft is struggling hard elsewhere to the recent innovation engine coming from Valley & the 2.0 Gangs!

Made in China!

As more and more shelves of Wal-MArt are filled with products made in China- China is learning from Wal-Mart executives!

Buy China!

BRIC finishes its meeting with borderline support for Dollar & American Free market Capitalism!

Understandably!!

Iran & Twitter!

Democracy hangs on Twitter!

Twitter asked by Government Agency to postpone routine shut down for maintenance to help flow of information!

mmm- Amazing Technology!

Germany & the Golden ATMs!

Retail demand for Gold in Germany jumps 200 percent! Inflation wary Germans & Ms Merkel are looking at the newest innovation in retail distribution of Gold since Slice Bread!

Yes- Since Slice Bread!

A German company is planning to install ATM style machine to vend and distribute Gold in small quantities. They will be located in Malls, Train Stations and Airports!

Now people can buy Gold in small quantities from vending machines - upto $500 dollars! And get a mint from the same machine?? At a $30% premium to Gold'sspot price!

Either Ms Merkel & the Germans are planning something the others don't see yet or the pain from the past is still fresh in memory!

May Be , Just May BE we are the end of Gold's inflationary pricing!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Change of Tune for Dollar?

Timothy G- Is he taking iPOd to the Summit?

First the Japanese- then came the Russians, Chines & the G8 - so did the rest of G8.

The relevance of IMF for Dollar has been felt never like this before!

Appears the Governing agencies are united against the Vigilantes - For now!

Friday, June 12, 2009

As you paint your FaceBook...!

Not far back - we had to pay to keep us off the White Pages!

A few years back we fought to get that DO NOT CALL list!

Companies make money blocking Caller-IDs!

Lawyers make money for invasion of Privacy!

But We are entering the most hyped up event of the Internet days - Having vanity labels to expose everything on the Net - making it easy for every one in the connected world to pry into our personal details - ALL FOR FREE!

Yes $500 Million in Revenue and growing in repid clip - FaceBook gives the privilege for users to attaching their own Names as an identifier!

For every Ying there is a Yang trying to make money!

Yes - I will stand in line to get my name too!

Yes - I will call all my telephone companies and stop paying for blocking my number & printing my name!

What a decade does to privacy!

Is Conan Late for the Show?

As the Tonight Show does a transition to Mr Conan- it sure does look more crisp , more funky and a bit over the edge!

Looks more and more like Mr Letterman!

Who Blinked at the Golden Quarters as Fink stole the base!

BlackRock running home with Barclays Crown Jewel to make it the largest Money Managers in the World - controlling $2.7 Trillions!

Goldman Sachs while trying to return well timed TARP money & controversial AIG & other Bail out benefits- looking dazed and sugared from Washington.

Even as Mr.Lewis of Bank America gets drilled and fights for his life at Bank OF America - one of his own - rises to the top!

As BlackRock bubbles to the top & CountryWide - not too far behind with the Government bailout - With Merrill already making money....retail Banking holding Steady, Mr Lewis did well afterall for the shareholders- looking at the price - it may not look like it!

Another BRIC in the Wall?

G8 meet warming for a potential strong arm from the BRIC nations!

As China & Russia playing strong trying to deal a hand that is hard to digest by the free world- open market philosophy with a close door politics!

Japan - having learnt its lessons from the fall from power - looking at its neighbors stealing what has once been a safe haven for the Japanes manufacturers!

As the BRICs bicker prior to the G8 - with a stronger push for concessions - Japan standing by American Dollar is major set back for not Just the BRICs but also the bond vigilantes.

May be , Just May be - this is just another BRIC in the Wall - and the wind blowing from Japan might keep the G8 sailing for a while!

As the Summer Rolls....Summers looks ahead!

It certainly is the end of another Financial Whatever, which is still trying to work on a name!

Summers of today is certainly not the Summers from the past!

Shaken & A bit out of touch with his own personal reach!

Reading from a well prepared & thought out notes - well coreographed for the G8 and the BRIC meeet by the Mr O administration - certainly looks far from the Summers we have known prior to the Harward experience!

As Mr Summers looks beyond the scripted thoughts into the pending appointment of the Federal Reserve at the end of Summer - thoughts do need to flow differently than what it is!

With so much of political agenda & polarised views - it will be difficult to head a position that is more of a poster boy post for the rest of the world - a proxy for Dollar & the Great American Capitalism!

May Be, Just May Be - this summer will pass and Mr Summers will have a better job elsewhere and express his originality and creativity right from his heart and not from a scripted notes.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Another Day in the Citi!

And Another Change!

Banks are not out of the woods & not out of the city - DC !

Bank of America & citibank still having teething problems with the new political climate that has swept the country! Mr Lewis - soft spoken been tarnished with the Merrill episode will not go down without a fix to the change in rule!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Citi & FDIC

Sheila Bair and Vikram Pandit!

It is a shame that the American Political Powerplay is coming to personal vendatta - between what was once the largest Financial Institues in the World & its leader on one side & the so called the last resort agency FDIC & its leader who managed to consolidate her position even after the political switch over in Washington!

If this gets any uglier than it has already - the intervention of the Administration in a politically neutral process could be impossible and will taint the way this recovery has been influenced by Mr O's administration!

Did Mr Pandit go over board in lashing out at Ms Bair during that late night/early morning conference call following the WellFargo ran away with Wachovia with FDIC playing what appears to be acheap shot at Citi?

Is Ms Bair going too far to act like a High school fued gone bad during the prom?

Is it time to put the cheap bikkering aside and work like professionals!

Payback Time!

Close to six months since we hit the eye of the storm!

From JP Morgan to Amex - they are back! This time to pay them with interest!

Amazing how six months will change the future of not jus these institutes but also America & the Dollar!

As Europe just went through a major Election which was to a large extent ignored by the market - shows how important American Politics and Economy play in the Global Enterprise!

If the current Administration follows through with its promises without getting into cheap politics - there is a good change we might start Growing Again!

May be , Just May Be - we are not too far from an economic growth cycle!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Tube Going Digital!

4 Days and the Nation goes digital!



Government supports in a very smooth transition for the telivision upgrade!



NEW Wireless services in the oven!

Comcast had one up on this transition - Amazing at such a smooth transition that Comcast managed to have- people winding down blocks to ge the converter in every Comcast office! All a few weeks ahead of the NAtion going digital!

AT&T's UVerse may be capitalized in switching a handful - but couldnt full realize the potential yet! May be At&T Wireless could feel the full potential from hogging the newly released spectrum!

The Great Wall of China!

Someone is really listening to Mr O!

Just a few days back Mr O moved Internet & Technology to be under the national Security threat category!

China - Listens to Mr O!

Is it the beginning of a new order in how the modern defense and trade need to work around?

NYT , Nobel Prize & Krugman!

Recession to end in September!

Speechless! Or is it Wordless!!

Difficult not to look at the rear view mirror - From Depression to End of Recession!

Must be a Short Squeeze!

Ireland and the Rating Agencies!

Another Week & Another Country!

S & P , Fitch , Moody's and the queue lengthens!

These are the same agencies who failed to see what the financial instruments were capable of doing to the Global Economy -

- for individuals

- for companies

- For Agencies/Institutions

- For Municipalities/Cities

And now at the tail end of the Financial Whatever they are going after the countries!

Brazil , England , Ireland & America in the wings!

As Prof Dr Peek A Monie of Harwood once said "If there are Suckers to pay for it - You don't need a Sales department"!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Reinventing the Wheels!

GM the way we know is over!

Chrysler and the influences of Iaccoca and Mercedes is taking a different shape!

Ford - still vintage Ford with someone up there smiling and saying You build the color you want and they will buy as long as it is Ford Black!

When it is all said and done - they all have fragments of each one of them taking roots in different soils and having their own innovative teams to grow into something bigger than what we have come to expect from Detroit!

Hummers in the hands of Chinese, Saturn in the hands of Penseke and may be a few more from Fiats to some one new to the industry- the American roads are ready for the change - and sure these new spin on the wheels will offer something new for the next 100 years!

The Queen's Dilema!

The British Empire extends in ethereal!

Every other dynasty fell in its own popularity over time- every ruler had a vision and willing to sacrifice for their visions!

A global reach beyond their means! A mighty ego which will eventually fall in the hands of their own people! From Taj Mahal's ShahJahan to modern Presidents & rulers!

Not the Queen & the British Empire!

Another agency downgrading the Country!

Another country balking at their excursiveness!

Another Chancellor humiliated by the British wickedness in managing Financial ingenuity!

Another political fall-out in Downing & the House of Cards!

But the Pound keeps marching up & so does the FTSE!

How does the Queen do it?

May Be they know how to influence the world beyond the borders? What is their weapons for Global success & mighty influence which is transparent but lethal?

- Language: From Education to current day business everything relies heavily on the Queen's language. If intelligence and its effect is based on language as its major component & as the Queen's language is deployed in a diluted form every where else- it certainly has its effect! IF not negative at least has a competitor whose capability is naturally tailored for excellence!

- Economics: From Adam Smith to Maynard - every aspect of monetary system is developed for a purpose! Leverage and the influence of the ruler or government in modern parlance in what is the underlying theme! Leverage and acceptable rates for success and failure alike in everything -for the better of the society, was hand crafted for prosperity - unfortunately not every agency is managed with a proper understanding of the foundation on which the modern global economics is laid on!

- Administration of the country : This is the only country no matter who is elected they always work for the Queen & the people are shielded from expressing their anger to the Queen - as they have an intermediary to blame it on! Making it easy to be loyal to their Real Ruler & Country! Have you seen a Brit ever curse his home land or the Queen?

The Modern financial conundrums and irrational exuberances might have their influences on global economy but the British Empire and its influences will not fade for a long time to come!

May Be, Just May Be - if we learn a bit more on the Queen's language we might have a better understanding of the current day Financial Whatever!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Job losses and the Long end of the curve!

345,000 Job losses - 9.4 Unemployment rate!

Long end of the curve still on strike!

Mr O's team quick on its heel to calm the market and show the Administration is still worried about the current state of the American Economy!

Good process to dampen the runaway train!

Market holding on to a modest gain and staying put at an elevated level from its Msrch lows and still not willing to give in!

Long end hedgng its bet on deficits and hyper inflation - for a good reason!

We will any day take this dilema to the one we faced the last couple of years!

Caterpillar - Ready with a lean cost structure!

Not too long ago Caterpillar embarrased MR O and the Whitehouse about recovery and rehire!

With the current printing machines around the world finally calming the world economy and paving the way for a growth once again - there is one company that is geared well for this renewed opportunity!

Caterpillar!

A Dow component which has shed thousands of jobs preparing for a major slow down and has its cost structure to manage at a very low fixed cost.

With any growth this will immensely show in its bootom line.

If this bottoming process is real - which it appears to be , Caterpillar shows a great for this global recovery!

Time for America to Switch Sides?

America has been a proxy for the Queen for quite some time!

Directly or indirectly the relationship has paved the way for modern economics and global market. The progress in any monetary system has always been initiated either in UK or US and the other endorsing and patting each other in the back.

Is it time to change it?

Change couldnt come at a much more important juncture in the global market that now!

Change has been overwhelmingly endorsed in America and has paved the way for another major overhaul to the way America does business!

Change is propogating through the corridors of Washington!

Changes has been reluctant to come in one major aspect that has been dragging the foreign relationships- being a proxy to the Queen!

Change is a good thing! It is time to embrace in everything- Its time to give Ms Merkel and her country a higher visibilty than she has been enjoying presently!

It is Time to look past the Ghostly images of the past and move on!

May be , Just May be - Mr O will change this for the Good! Hopefully This visit to Germany is more than a formality and paves the way for a stronger and closer ties with the most authoritative force in the post modern Industrial Economy who can contribute a whole lot than that meets the eye!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Countrywide Ponzi scheme & a Scapegoat!

Mozilo and the charges are a poor excuse to blame the Financial Whatever of the current millennium!

Looking at the root of the scam and the scam artists - from Wall street to Washington - CountryWide and Mr Mozilo was far from the cause.

From Goldman Sachs to JP Morgan - from Merrill lynch to Lehman brothers- whether it is the leverage or the synthetic products - it is a shame that SEC and the regulatory agencies are finding a scapegoat in Mr Mozilo! For not disclosing the risks? PLEASE!

It just shows how easy it is to have an industry wide ponzi scheme and find out who has the least popular vote and blame them and continue to do what burnt the house int eh first place.

If there is lack of understanding or need more clarity to what caused the current melt down - the least they could do is read just one book Fools' Gold by Financial Times columnist Gillian Tett- which digs deep into the origin and show how the plot evolved from the heart of Wall Street.

Duality at PIMCO Management helps in strong arming!

While Mr McCaully and Mr Gross are frequenting American tubes in expressing their views on what the fed should do and when they would support the fed and treasury - Mr El Erian have decided to cross the ocean and express and campaign PIMCO's agenda - unusually and Frequently!

The last last year saw how PIMCO - a Swiss controlled company managed to almost blackmail Treasury and the Federal Reserve when it came to bailing out the market!

This year as we start to hear Fed backing out of further support and propping up of the bond market - we start seeing the PIMCO Trio's conveying where theu stand on their expectations and keep sending a message to the Fed and Treasury!

Money power does shift - from dormancy to blackmail; In a normal economic cycle they are don ebehind the doors and in a subtle manner- but now in this internet age where global carnage is driven by financial egos- we see them play out realtime and live - and with higher frequency.

If the near term history were to be applied- it is no secret what Fed and Treasury would do!

Ms Merkel 1 - Mr Trichet 0

24 Hours after Ms Merkel expressed her opinion about the ECB and BOE - both the agencies left the interest rates unchanged- willing to take the risk of recession in better part of Eurore than face the wrath of GErmany and Ms Merkel.

Mr Trichett while emphasised his agency's independence was unconvincing in his arguments to leave the rates where they were!

Kudos ot Ms Merkel- her cheerleading did work in her country's favor!

RIO in the lime light again!

RIO a few weeks back was on the verge of folding after blowing away what could have been their dream offer! From BHP Billiton - How quickly those fantasy game ends!

As commodities caved in so did the fortune and survival of these suddenly glamourous companies! Multi-offer became close to auction block over night!

Almost a forced marriage when China came with the Dowry!

A couple of months later - after a major bailout and pump up by various government and government sponspored agencies - the game changes!

RIO from being a beggar has become the choser! From being abride on the block has become the Groom on the prowl!

What appears like a random transaction - actually shows where the future for the commodities is headed and where that could take the market along with it.

Inflation whether moderate or hyper might be at the end of the rainbow - but from here till there looks like a different cycle!

Intel and Wind River Acquisition!

Technology is gearing up for a new future!

The newly crowned Prince - Oracle of Software has just entered the fight with a new set of objectives! With road to thin client and Net Computing Real...

Apple redefining the game of software taking the thunder from Mr Softie with billion downloads of application

Facebooks and Twitters of the world laughing at the Unlisted Numbers and the charging for listing/unlisting era of privacy

Google with its every day dig at free sotware...

Palm , Google and Apple - not to mentions Blackberry trying their best ot steal that metal clunk from the consumer's lap and move it closer to the hand..

The New Age of Technology is being charted without the big boys?? Not So Soon says Intel- after all the current road to innovation was paved with the Intel Boys and Andy Grove!

Yes Andy Grove, A visionay who beleived on the great American theme of You Build and They will come - and took technology to places one could only dream of.

With the Wind River acquisitiona and a major push for Wi-Max - Intel is making a statement!

The future may not be dictated by one company - But does go through the Heart of Silicon Valley and that is Andy Grove's Intel!

Oil and the Golden Boys!

Oil creaping slowly to levels just before the speculative bubble of the commodoties! $67 and inching higher from hitting low $30s during hte middle of the Financial Whatever of the century!

Now comes our once popular Analysts who DID IT last time again with a call to the higher!

$85 by the end of the year and $95 Next year! And what is more remarkable is the reason for such rise is different than real Demand!

After indulging in Bailout money - Morgan Stanley is back int he business of Oil Hording and oil manipulation...and so are others who hedge and trade on commodoties with absolute no intention or knowledge of real use of such commodoties!

By not going through the real effect of a Financial Correction we dont give enough time to cleanse the excess and the raw elements that were part and parcel of such excesses!

If this trend really continues - what just happened in the last couple of years of sucking common man's money in what ever form of printing and bailout that global agencies did - could make the Dr Dooms heros in a couple of years!

The purpose is not to claim what is right or wrong - just to highlight the emerging rule sof the game!

May BE , Just May be - We didnt change the rules just took a pause during hte recent Financial Whatever and if continues the same strategies and game play will work for the next couple of years before we start labeling this Financial Whatever with a more meaningful Name!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Can He? Yes He Can!

Icahn and the Biotechs-

Yes he Can and Yes He Will! He has no time pressure! He has no capital pressure!

What makes him persistant? Focus on his objectives?

Management or Shareholders? Does it matter for Him?

Does he pick his winners? Is technology a mistake for his strategy or Just out of focus for him - looking at Motorola and Yahoo! Looks like BEA was in the crosswires of Mr Ellison even otherwise.

Everytime the Management fights and Fights! And this time Biogen Board and Management seems to be stretching hte battle beyond the usual proxy fights!

One more and we will count the tally!

Bond King Speaketh!

Another Day - And Another day closer to Market Stability!

If it recovers from this point forward - the pain inflicted from the fall out of the past will be in teh past and will not have an impact in implementing the lessons learnt from this Financial Whatever!

Making Risk appetite easy to come by fixed income returns difficult to comeby!

It was apparent from the stance the Bond King and the likes ae taking - trying to shun the long end of the curve at the risk of inflation, deficit & all those fundamentals which have been ingnored int he past decade!

Good to see the equity people and the fixed income people back in the ring fighting out attention for investors!

He Said, She Said: From Tiananmen to Capitalism!

A couple of days of differing events - which in a volatile global economy would have thrown fits not just in the fixed income market but also in the global equity market!

First Mr O talks about China's outlook on American Printing the Deficit! And closely followed by Mr Geithner from Beijing - closing in on claiming Gold from the Olympic village.

As we burn another candle zeroing in on the 20th Anniversary of Tiananmen Episode - we start hearing the rumlings from the red state - from cleansing the air and throwing out Internet and Blogs and Serches from reaching the common by banning the newly sensational Twitter to an upcoming intelligent Search - BING! As the ban extends to foreign press and any news coverage - on the anniversay - the pressis very effectively used to propogate China's displeasure in sponsoring American deficit and debt!

Right from the heart of Bailout Nation - where Capitalism is democratically implemented till its time for Bailout - looking at a strong handed Communism lead Capitalism where there is no market driven economic cycles, one wonders wether we are entering a new era where a common ground is planned with a Socialistic Capitalism which is a middle ground for both?

Looking at the extent of interventions and bailouts and forced implementation of policies in a Free Market Capitalism & comparing with a Communist Capitalism - may be we are headed for a middle ground- if we continue to move along the current path!

GE & Jeff Immelt's Answer for your Money Prayers!



On the Money with Carmen!
Mad Money with Cramer!
FastMoney with Whoever now!
Money 911 with the CloudMan Al Roker!

And ofcourse our always popular and recently crowned Q from the University of Illinois Dr Orman's :

The Suzy Orman Show!

I wonder what is in store for the newly Political MSNBC! which is already frequented by all their CNBC peers and some of them dont have a program on their own yet!

And if this isnt the end of the Financial Whatever - I dont want to think how much more of these shows can people take?

Scott , Larry & the Saga of NetBooks!



With JavaONE gaining more prominance with Oracle juggernaut behind it - it didnt go un-noticed when Mr Ellison and Mr McNealy joined at hips - not bad mouthing about their Northern nemesis - but talked about their often attempted but falling short objective of having a computing world with no desk top - a.la. Microsoft influence.

Will Mr Ellison talking about NetBook and NetTop - highlights the power of these two companies and what their combined power can bring to the combine entity!

With the current boom in innovation happening in the Internet driven consumer market & the corporate world more and more hesitant to have a loaded end user - we are looking at a very promising future! Coming from these duo!

Between Sun and Oracle they have the technology & the corporate reach to offer very innovative thin computing model which will suit the emerging Cloud computing - paving way for a new paradigm of enterprise computing.

May be , Just May Be this time NetComputing and Cloud Computing is ready and will reach critical mass with Mr McNeally and Mr Ellison spending more time talking and doing technology and less fighting Mr Gates & Mr Balmer!

Does the Citi ever sleep?

Dow booting Citi out as it starts courting new and glamorous companies!

As Citi loses its coverted Umbrella it is feeling naked in front of the new and improved audience of the financial world.

Is it time to move away from Citi?

IF we do it will be a shame as it will show our myopic outlook on corporations!

Outside North America - which is where the future of the global economy lies - CITI's reach is not just enviable but also something to commend!

It is not just the reach that is relevant - it is the premier image it has built around the world that will keep CITI the most sought after in the years to come as we start slowly moving away from the recent pain induced by the Financial Whatever!

Ben and the Hill!

Mr Bernanke's current trip to DC might reflect a deviation of his approach from his visits in teh last couple of years!

Deficit , Debt adn Inflation taking the lime light of the speech - certainly should highlight how far away we have come from the Financial Whatever!

Is it time to put a name or label to the recent Financial Whatever and move to addressing the next Economic cycle?

Inflation , Hyper-inflation and all Economic issues arising out of stimuls extended bottoming and recovery can become a problem if and only if we dont act on signals in a timely manner. Stimulus and Printing money in themselves dont result in Hyper-inflation - it is sleeping ont he wheels on its way to recovery & growth that will result in the next financial whatever!

May be , Just May BE - next time around we will be a bit more vigilant and have enough caffeine to keep our eyes open - and let short economic cycles to continue and not extend the economic cycles to extend beyond hte structural capability of the global market.

Who Crows Against the Germans & Ms Merkel?

As Ms Merkel starts voicing her intellectual interpretation of the modern era Money Machines of the world and tries to understand the underpinnings of the English invented & American endorsed Monetary systems- she is raising some eyebrows in her till now silent players in EU and the governing bodies.

Ms Kroes - known for her flirtatious behaviour with Mr Balmer in her fight against monopolistic behaviours of American Technology Giants like Microsoft & Intel - has started turning her eyes internally-

Ms Kroes' critical comment against the Most powerful and influential country and its banking system underscores the fragile nature of the EU.

As the American Economy stabilises and brings back prosperity to Emerging Markets - if EU does not move away from regional politics and start showing some solidarity that they have been showing during the recent excesses of the new milleium - Euro might be close to taking a back seat for a while.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Microsoft's Struggle against Silicon Valley!

All its life Microsoft went without Firing! or Major Lay-offs!

Even during the middle of the Financial Whatever - last year in a CNN interview Mr Gates talked highly of Microsft's achievements and talked about hiring in USA.

In the last 3 months Microsoft went through not 1 not 2 but three rounds of layoffs- some deep rooted!

Give that background - and looking at its struggle in the Internet World it has been a joke!

Even Ms Martha Stewart once when asked if she could compete with the likes of Mr Gates - she acidly pointed about how Mr Gates fully Wired $47M palace became a joke when in less that 2 years everything went wireless - in defending her foray into internet.

Now looking at the news rolling out the last few days -

BING and new Sensor technology for the Xbox platform- one word! Winner!

If this is not just an abberation - looking at the recent history of the Microsoft Money Machine- one can only feel skeptical about these launches as well- then we are in for a pleasant surprise going forward.

Microsoft finally deviating from its often famous Vapor Wear launches in killing competition - has kept the lid tight till just before the launch!

Bing is really the first real launch from anyone that can really make a fight for Google's near monopoly status!

Looking at the other launch of the Sensor based Gaming - the technology is amazing and its implementation & development platform appears geared for some very innovative applications that can really capitalize the surge in user base for the internet!

May BE, Just May be - This time around Microsoft and Mr Balmer might really have found the trick to Internet!

May be Ms Merkel is justified!

The headlines storming through the English Channel is about those cabinet shuffle winding out of 10 Downing mostly for pety thefts or as they are called expensing personal items on taxer payer money- from Glitttery Toilet seats to porno movies of spouse!

Now Looking at the other side of the tunnel French Bank offers 5 Year paid vacation and a guaranteed job after that in the name of cost cutting!

While Ms Merkel and her people are working hard at keeping their jobs the traditional way elsewhere we have some very creative ways - all in the name of greasing the economy!

May be, Just May Be - we should really listen to Ms Merkel!

Ms Merkel Upset with the English?

Lashing out on BOE , ECB and the Fed - Ms Merkel is showing Germany's vulnerability!

Call what you want if China back America and America supports UK - with a restricted & Helpless predicament ECB would have a tough time playing the Central Bank role without bringing EU to its knees.

Ms Merkel and Germany - having benefitted from a Unified Germany and a pseudo Unified Europe - have a difficult near term.

Is Europe ready for growth at the expense of Germany?

Ms Merkel might have very little leverage in controlling the printing machines around the globe!

Acer , Android & the NetBook!

Acer has found a neat little buzzword driven niche which is making people get into a laptop with very little capabilities and still pay close to a fully loaded laptop!

If only a person shops around and looks for sale - one can easily find a laptop with better capability that is not only cheap but also practical.

Recently I fell into the trap of Netbooks and bought a high end Acer for my kid- with the hope that I can carry around when I am driving without having to lug a heavy laptop or worry about being broken into in the bay area!

Big Mistake!

First my 6 year old returned the NEtbook saying it doesn't work! Later I find that it is not suited for thos Disney & NickJR websites! as it really is slow in those graphics intensive games!

Next everytime I need to do anything other than really browse the net (may be thats why it is a NetBook) - copy , load or backup - ofcourse I need the external drive which is mo money!

And ofcourse any added new applications like - adding music , photos & videos etc which is what is driving the current boom in consumer driven demand - fat chance with NetBook!

Add a another 50-100 bucks and you can really get a Laptop with full capability!

So Please know what you want and how you will use before you venture into a NEtBook!

Now coming into Google and its capability to write usable applications- they do have a lot to learn from Apple and Microsoft!

From email to Google Docs - its a real basic and unstructured form with a usablility that is at best vulgar - with very volative evolution history! What is there today will vanish tomorrow! No co-ordinated effort in building a platform- looks like a bunch of amateurs with good programming capability churning pieces out in the market without co-ordinated effort in development or product management to make them work with seamless interoperability-

So Android - might be a good incentive for people to really buy a Laptop with good capabilities and leave Netbook to that time in future when the world it ready for real net computing!

China playing a prudent Business partner!

Geithner's visit may not have the glamor of Olympian visit of the Bush-Paulson team- but certainly did drive home a bunt resulting in a triple!

With less rumblings coming from China and more Cisco-ish optimism from Geithner- we certainly might have a smooth transition of China dependent Debt to a more manageable and balanced America- atleast for the near term.

With China's immediate future dependent on American prosperity - and there being less open market outside the American Economy - it will take much longer for China spread its export driven economy unless it has the courage and will to open its domestic market and bring prosperity to its lopsided population at the low end of the pyramid. With India as the only major democracy with a significant drive towards a open door policy - hungry and able - China will see this as an opportunity to work even closer with America in building itself as a major force in the global economy.

Unlike Japan - China is chosing wisely in playing very diplomatically and gently nudging when appropriate in settling its concerns with Dollar exposure. With a controlled economy and currency as its weapon - it might have more incentive to support the dollar.

Any weakness in the treasury will be supported by the Administration and Geithner to help alleviate any inflation threat as the market starts moving away from deflation and starts building a case for hyper-inflation!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Mo Money Please!

JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs raising more money, Again!
This time to pay back TARP
As part of repayment requirements!

No Intervention? Just Nudging!

No Reason to Run GM!

Mr O emphasised Whitehouse is not interest in running GM!

Whitehouse has an army of people from Bernstein to GM's own Henderson speaking about the independence of GM's management!

Canada - a new minority shareholder - pledging to stay commited for atleast 8 years as shareholder!

mmm....60 percent owner saying not interested in influencing the management!

mmm.....looking back in the mirror, it is hard to digest the storyline and the plot!

May be, Just May be - Mr O , we will let this one pass!

Robert Reich - Changing Strategy?

Mr Reich has been a constant label in CNBC/Bloomberg & FBN all these days of Financial Whatever.

All along his theme has been defensive against all these channels and reporters who have been to a large extent - against the current Mr O's bull dozing effect on Wall Street and American Capitalism.

Every time he supported or defended Mr O's policies on camera - he was either spoken over or stampeded by the reported - which was very aparent when Mr Reich - though have very credible views and arguments - found himself getting the raw end! Some times he even was on the verge of losing it when he had to yell to get any time at all - where he harly had a chance to speak in a segment he was one of the spoken guest!

US Berkely has by far been an elite institute producing intellectuals and entrepreuners of a different class - but been behind the sheets and have restricted to a few news prints with targetted circulation. But MR Reich has changed that- but has found himself defend his opinions and expertise!

Till Now!

Yes - Mr Reich has changed his stance by writing a pure Capitalistic view on GM and American Auto Industry in Financial Times! Yes in FT!

His follow up on CNBC was even cleaner- YEs very Capitalistic - Never once did he defend the Administration or the Whitehouse!

Now he had all the time he wanted to express, talk and gain the support of the reporters!

A Change of Heart , Mr Reich or just plain being Smart?

And White House's Bernstein found himself defending himself on camera - and CNBC even made MR Reich take the opposing position!

And Mr Reich got more and more time on camera with a change of heart!

DOW JONES AVERAGE: GM & CITIGROUP

At one end GM is screaming through all TV channels and News wires as it is booted out of DJIA the other end Citi closes relationship with DJIA in a silent show!

Who will benefit from this? As Cisco and Travellers enter the elite club?

Is the relevance of more Technology an indication of how much technology is and will play in the post Industrialised world?

Or just a show of maturity for Technology and its common equity- where the power shift has to start moving up the pyramid?

Eitherway we are entering the new millenium - a decade later , with a new hope and order for not just America but the whole Global Capital MArket!
Slowing to Smell....!

After going through several blogs I came to the conclusion that it is very difficult to write about your day to day life!

Fascinating to see how creative people are and how so many people around the world are able to choose a variety of topic and pour their heart out and paint something so wonderful- full of life and color!

Need Humor! Need Depth and more than anything need perspective! I found it is easy to write about something substantial in which a person is well versed in. It made me think - I went around the last few days looking around and paying attention to everything from nature to relationships!

Now curiosity started posing a question - what is more important to writing? Chosing a topic or having the patience to research and articulate about the impressions that every day events brings to a person?

I thought I will try this every day! For 30 Days!

Impulsive and spontaneous
!

No research - just type as the feelings flow and as the words can portray! Thanks to the Blackberry - now I can try doing that the moment the urge happens without waiting!

As I was deciding on this I found myself in a shop - decided to pull my Blackberry and type what I saw around me...so begins my first piece.

PS. Since Blog has major restricitons on how many posting and what kind of flexibility one can have using the standard template I will try to find a work around using a couple of gadgets to display a couple of days posting at any given time till I figure out a way to display the history!

To avoid dilution of this site I have moved the experiment to another blog under

http://dailylifesigns.blogspot.com

The following is a sample on content with no photos- the Daily Life Signs posting will be more of a pictorial experience!






Walking around a woman's shop!

Looking at the colors in a woman's shop is like peeking into a kaleidoscope. However, one doesn't have to change to feel the vibrant mood.

Amazing styles and fascinating fashion! Trying to coordinate gives the several option that is needed to meet the day to day lifestyles of varying moods and differing ages.

Age appropriate colors! Shades for fading moods!

Bold red!

Sober red!

Flashy red!

Bland red!

Blood Red!

Romantic Red!

Decisions! Decisions! and Decisions!

Deciding the color at the time of shopping gives the option to choose and refine to the various rainbow moods that a person possibly can go through in a fast paced connected world!

Sizes and fits to match every form and need.

Having a choice helps in refinement!

And helps!

In Decisions! Decisions and Decisions!

Startup Wisdom!

May be there is a reason they want a Money Man to run the venture- but the following tip will save a buck or two! This will list a couple of grey hairs to keep!

  • Success is contageous- start it immediately!
  • Share the Vision but not Leadership!
  • Smart money is great - but Lucky Money is even better. Get some!
  • Being passionate is essential - but only after motivation to make money.
  • Establish the TRUE Pecking Order!
  • Let Sales be part of your core strategy- everything else can be bought!
  • If you havent done Selling START DOING IT NOW!

Building your 2nd Million!

Skip the first million and go straight to the second- as the first one is the most difficult one to bring home! The second one can be as tough as the first one but is never tougher than the first one! You can make money - working - investing in stocks/etc - real-estate - starting a business - others Choose your area of interest first as this will help you identify the opportunity and make you easily motivated to work on the 2nd million!

Not in any particular Order!

  • First lets know the facts: 1) Your work life is 40 something years (even at conservative estimate) so lets make sure we plan that Properly
  • 2) Lets identify opportunity to make money with out too much effort- living for Today is Good but lets not lose today's free money in the process like - benefits, tax breaks, sale,coupons,etc
  • 3) Lets not try to make ALL THE MONEY in the same way! Lets break the objective into smaller chunks and assign different ways to make them individually
  • 4) Put the 1st Million in Auto-pilot and set a 10 Years plus Time table
  • Convince yourself that you need the Money
  • Set a time line to achieve the goal.

Relationships - Learning to enjoy them!

Do we retain relationships? Expectations out of frienships vary from society to society & age group to age group. How long do we carry them? Some of them bring fond memories- and some not so pleasant! Here you can expect to see nuggets from my experiences and analysis!

Family & Friends: We spend less time with family than with friends- yet we feel more comfortable with family than friends- Why? Is it because we dont have expectations with family members but we have some on friends?

Allowing the other person to finish their train of thought builds a very long lasting relationship - as it makes you understand the other persons point of view fully & also to respond being aware making even an opposing point of view reasonable.


  • Cherry Pick your arguments - Left or Right Brained!
  • Make every encounter a transaction - this will make leaving baggages behind easy!
  • Qualify the type of relationship - however strange it might be
  • Chasing friendship is not always helpful as it leads to compromise.
  • Family circles - define it and accept it whether you like it or not!
  • Its ok to do different activities with different people!
Prof Dr Peik A Monie's Corner

  • if being number two is not enough go to a lower market
  • .
  • proceeds from a street dog dont bark
  • .
  • shooting the papparazi dont break cameras

DIGITAL IRIS - An inexcusable view of the photograpic world!

Let me see if I can add a few lines every week highlighting my 2 cents on photography- my experiences and desires

Things that make good photos -

- excellent and expensive set of lenses; in this digital era spend less on the body and keep investing in the high end lenses as the lenses will not lose value and the body is still under construction!

- accessories and the right tripod; never underestimate your advantage with a tripod

- plan & choose the subject and the location

- know your subject well!

- look and follow the calendars; simple things like a night with a Full moon- we dont realise that it does not happen every day - if you narrow it to the summer when the sky is still blue - I guess it becomes a couple of times a year- and if you factor n the location and your availability at that location and time...so Knowing the calendar and season helps for a good but not so common picture

- Take some luck with you!

  • Print and Enlarge Some Too
  • Delete Bad Pictures from Storage
  • Isolate Subject's color
  • Assess various profile
  • Add a subject to the frame
  • Take Nature after rain - they look better
  • Transparent Objects like flowers have creative effect with light behind them
  • If you want to enjoy the trip - leave the camera behind!
  • Define the subject for the shoot out trip
  • Take a survey trip before the real shoot out
  • Learn & Buy the Best Tripod
  • Always take a handy utility camera
  • Use Multiple exposure & shots in action oriented moments- this will help you pick the ideal snap - as even a fraction of a second makes a HUGE difference in photos.
  • Know your camers settings!
  • Understand Shutter Lag
  • Understand the camera shakes

AfterMarket Pulse- The boring Services Industry!

Keeping it inefficient is good for every one- A success story and why it will be restricted to a handful in the services Industry- A serious look at the Service Industry and my views on improving them. As a society we have accepted that everything breaks down and needs periodic maintenance. We are willing to pay both money and time to accomodate such services. What we have not done is define what is the service level that is needed for every such incident. From household appliances to industrial equipments we are forced to accept the cost and quality that the market offers. In such a sellers market room for mediocracy is enormous- giving way for opportunities. Yes predicatability is not always easy when it comes to failure or repair - or for that matter to identify what is wrong once the item is broke as it is not always possible to run the equipment ot see what is going wrong! And there are companies that can afford stupidity & those that cannot- if you want to change choose wisely!

  • Three steps: 1) Localize Failure 2) Response to Events 3) Time to Life
  • Inter-dependency at a higer level accelerates return
  • Resposiveness is rewarding - even if it is just to show on site of event!
  • Failure Prevention is difficult - yet possible
  • Know your Industry problems: Inventory, Turn time, Forecasting Failure, Estimating Cost, Finding Talent, Automation tools
  • Know your industry Practices- Swapping parts, using refurbished items, penalty
  • Define Quality of service
  • Attract talent - as service industry does not attract fresh talents
  • Innovote service packages

About Me

Seen me go through cycles driven by Age, Money, Deception, Affection, Success, Failure, Fear- etc. The current cycle puts me in a middle aged bucket with sculpted bitterness trying to tame it to embrace the sweet crime of success and affection.