After one of the most important days in the history of our nation, I am still in awe over something I continued to see from the left: a complete and total lack of respect for the outgoing President.
I found it so appalling, that I felt ashamed of my fellow "enlightened" Americans.
Say what you want about the myriad of faults associated with the last eight years, but the one fact remains: You were kept safe. The threat level would vary depending on where you get your information (and I'm not going to debate you conspiracy theorists), but NO Americans were killed on our soil as attacks occurred in other parts of the globe.
The cost was high. As our ex completely took his attention away from domestic issues and allowed a Democratic led Congress to run wild over us as Frank, Pelosi, Reed, et. al. just could not help themselves. Unfortunately, it happened on his watch and he takes the fall for not controlling the children with the power of the pen. He SHOULD be held accountable for that unforgivable mistake.
The vilifying on the way out though is disgusting.
I'm ashamed to call these morons my countrymen.
As much as I think our current President is unproven, I am willing to reserve judgement until 12-18 months into the gig. I also RESPECT the Office. Even if I do not agree with the man, his politics, his seedy political background, and nebulous personal history, I cannot escape the fact he is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That in and of itself deserves your respect.
To all those "educated souls" who can only express themselves in four letter words and illogical emotion--good luck in the future.
History will judge everyone, and my belief is that our ex-President took it on the chin to combat a threat he believed to be priority #1. Strong is a man who can do so-- whether right or wrong.
I hope the current party has the same fortitude. Recent history shows it hasn't, but I hope I'm wrong.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Two Companies, Same Story.
My brother just got laid off yesterday. Actually, my brothers entire division got laid off yesterday. Seriously-- the entire sales force was told to hit the bricks. Things became "so bad" in the software business that an industry leader decided to axe its only real incoming source of new revenue. Talented individuals showed up Monday like everything was fine and were back at home by noon wondering "what next?".
An associate of mine has an issue. He's a one man shop. Built his business starting from the ground up in 2000. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but smart and dedicated enough to build a decent business with a "future". That was until the downturn came. Now he is stuck in the middle--can't afford a mortgage, can't expand the business (has nothing to offer except higher commission rates), and is like a hamster running on a wheel.
One is a 40 man shop, the other a 1 man shop. Both American backbones.
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I had to cut overhead, lay off employees, jump to just in time ordering, pare inventory down to nil, and be as lean and mean as possible. Mind you--this was during the "boom". Everyone else was knee deep in excess as we were bailing out the water from the sinking ship. Guess what--we held out for seven more years-- but then closed.
Eventually there was nothing more we could do-- it wasn't our fault-- markets change, conditions change, etc. Still we were forced to become innovative and aggressive as the market pared everyone out. We could have survived but we foresaw everything collapsing around us. We were just smarter than everyone else and ran out the door before it was slammed shut on us.
The two cases of companies I laid out in the beginning are in the exact same position: heading for closure. They just don't know it yet.
Everyone faced with paring back starts axing fixed costs: wages. Problem is you do not get the same productivity out of what or who you kept to replace what you have let go. I axed all my sales guys in 2005. Went Internet based and print based. The result: sales were off 20 %. They were down 15% industry wide so in reality I was only down 5 points, but it still was down.
Next I started axing crew. Soon 5 guys were doing the work of 15. Quality inevitably starts slipping, mistakes increase, product satisfaction decreases, and you are left asking "why" when you know damn well what the answer is: you are just trying to get by.
Soon you have no choice. It is made for you.
We made rational decisions over a period of years in a "good" economy and were forced to close.
Irrational decisions are being made now. Panic has set in.
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My brothers problem: His company fired all its bullets at the enemy and now the gun is empty as the enemy comes in for the kill.
My associates problem: He has no bullets to fire at the enemy.
Guess what--both companies are screwed. They will both close. It is inevitable.
That my friends is why the politicians need to be held accountable for their actions. Wars, Markets, Open Borders, Tort Law, Mismanagement of Tax Coffers, etc.etc.etc.
We were ready for the onslaught-- why wasn't everyone else?
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Let's leave on a good note though!!!!
Don't ever lose the ability to dream! It keeps us going against all that is evil and wrong with this world!
-The Cap'n
An associate of mine has an issue. He's a one man shop. Built his business starting from the ground up in 2000. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but smart and dedicated enough to build a decent business with a "future". That was until the downturn came. Now he is stuck in the middle--can't afford a mortgage, can't expand the business (has nothing to offer except higher commission rates), and is like a hamster running on a wheel.
One is a 40 man shop, the other a 1 man shop. Both American backbones.
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The Captain's old business was one that faced decline since 2001. We were saddled with a constricting marketplace, higher costs, declining margins, and an ever declining customers base. People just did not want to open their wallets for our product anymore.
I had to cut overhead, lay off employees, jump to just in time ordering, pare inventory down to nil, and be as lean and mean as possible. Mind you--this was during the "boom". Everyone else was knee deep in excess as we were bailing out the water from the sinking ship. Guess what--we held out for seven more years-- but then closed.
Eventually there was nothing more we could do-- it wasn't our fault-- markets change, conditions change, etc. Still we were forced to become innovative and aggressive as the market pared everyone out. We could have survived but we foresaw everything collapsing around us. We were just smarter than everyone else and ran out the door before it was slammed shut on us.
The two cases of companies I laid out in the beginning are in the exact same position: heading for closure. They just don't know it yet.
Everyone faced with paring back starts axing fixed costs: wages. Problem is you do not get the same productivity out of what or who you kept to replace what you have let go. I axed all my sales guys in 2005. Went Internet based and print based. The result: sales were off 20 %. They were down 15% industry wide so in reality I was only down 5 points, but it still was down.
Next I started axing crew. Soon 5 guys were doing the work of 15. Quality inevitably starts slipping, mistakes increase, product satisfaction decreases, and you are left asking "why" when you know damn well what the answer is: you are just trying to get by.
Soon you have no choice. It is made for you.
We made rational decisions over a period of years in a "good" economy and were forced to close.
Irrational decisions are being made now. Panic has set in.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My brothers problem: His company fired all its bullets at the enemy and now the gun is empty as the enemy comes in for the kill.
My associates problem: He has no bullets to fire at the enemy.
Guess what--both companies are screwed. They will both close. It is inevitable.
That my friends is why the politicians need to be held accountable for their actions. Wars, Markets, Open Borders, Tort Law, Mismanagement of Tax Coffers, etc.etc.etc.
We were ready for the onslaught-- why wasn't everyone else?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's leave on a good note though!!!!
Don't ever lose the ability to dream! It keeps us going against all that is evil and wrong with this world!
-The Cap'n
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Has it Been That long??
Wow!!!! Impending fatherhood can make the time fly like a mofo. Well here are some post 2008, not so pre 2009 thoughts:
* This year is going to suck if you let it. There will be many things to get you down this year- economy will not be better, housing market will still be weak, 15% unemployment, socialism pushes forward in the U.S., - but there is still much to be happy about!! You are not taking a dirt nap and Burn Notice is coming back on USA Network! Hooray!
* Where has the formality gone in this country? Damn the whole casual lifestyle attitude. How you dress has a lot in determining how you act, feel, and perform. Screw casual Friday and bring back business formal.
* Was I one of the few who saw Transporter 3 and thought it was just as good as the new Bond flick?
* Jameson 18 year is damn good. Sorry JW Blue--you gots some competition.
* A treat for you from the G.O.A.T!!!!!
* I'll be surprised if Bernie Madoff and Blagojevich make it to April....
* Is there anything better than warm Marion berry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?
Well, some more thoughts later--and remember especially this year to not bitch and moan when you got what you wanted and it turned out worse than you thought!!
* This year is going to suck if you let it. There will be many things to get you down this year- economy will not be better, housing market will still be weak, 15% unemployment, socialism pushes forward in the U.S., - but there is still much to be happy about!! You are not taking a dirt nap and Burn Notice is coming back on USA Network! Hooray!
* Where has the formality gone in this country? Damn the whole casual lifestyle attitude. How you dress has a lot in determining how you act, feel, and perform. Screw casual Friday and bring back business formal.
* Was I one of the few who saw Transporter 3 and thought it was just as good as the new Bond flick?
* Jameson 18 year is damn good. Sorry JW Blue--you gots some competition.
* A treat for you from the G.O.A.T!!!!!
* I'll be surprised if Bernie Madoff and Blagojevich make it to April....
* Is there anything better than warm Marion berry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?
Well, some more thoughts later--and remember especially this year to not bitch and moan when you got what you wanted and it turned out worse than you thought!!
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