Merriam-Webster's dictionary states that a black hole is a celestial object that has a gravitational field so strong that light cannot escape it and that it is believed to be created especially in the collapse of a very massive star. Today's economic climate pretty much fits that description in my opinion and it is hard to not caught up in all the swirling bad news that surrounds it day in and day out. The 24-hr news continuously reports that this company is laying off thousands of people, that company is laying off thousands more, the other one is going bankrupt, and it seems to be an unstoppable force with no end in sight. And it's not like they are wrong - it is all true. Thousands of dollars are being lost, jobs are dropping out of sight, and people are feeling a strong pinch. What started as just a housing market problem has leaked over into the entire fabric of the American economy and there is not a sector that is feeling the pinch (with the exception of the dastardly Exxon Mobil).
The thing is, I think this is going to be a paradigm shift in the spending of the typical American consumer and that business needs to adjust to this new environment if it is ever to escape the black hole that it currently is in. I don't know if regular marketing ploys are going to work anymore and I believe that social media utilizing Web 2.0 marketing tactics is the way to go. It just makes sense. I am constantly bombarded day in and day out with advertisements toting how such and such product is going to change my life. And it's everywhere - TV, internet, magazines, billboards, vehicles, emails, sporting events, movies - the list goes on and on. Honestly, where can you go where you are not marketed to? And now, not only am I tired of being constantly sold to, but I don't even have the money in my pocket to buy what I am being promised will revolutionize my life. If I spend my hard-earned dollars, it is going to be on something that I am looking for and find attractive. I want to be in the driver's seat, not riding shotgun.
That is why I believe that Web 2.0 is the way the consumer is going to go. Web 2.0 is all about information and the onus is put on the consumer's own search and research. Selling your product is not going to be about the coolest ad - it is going to be about where I can find more information and what other people are saying about the product. And the companies that can figure this out are going to be the ones that make it through this black hole.
Because this isn't a real black hole - there will be an end at some point in time. But there is going to be a lot of pain and suffering by a lot of people for a while. And more companies and jobs will fall victim to bankruptcy and liquidation before we reach the bottom. For example, even with the complete devastation in the housing market, it is amazing that there is still a glut of builders and trade contractors out there - there has not been enough consolidation, mergers, and acquisitions happening in light of the economic conditions that we are facing. This will have to happen if we are ever going to get out of this mess.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the course of this year, both personally and from an outsider's perspective. In the meantime, I am taking a lot of deep breaths and remembering that there is a sovereign God who loves me and will take care of me, if I truly believe in Him and His promises.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
More Thoughts for a Wednesday
1 - Lost is the best mystery show on television. The acting, the stories, it's all amazing. One hour to go! Cannot flippin' wait.
2 - America's Best Dance Crew might be my all-time favorite TV show. I could watch the re-runs forever. The crews are just amazing, the dancing is out of this world, Mario Lopez is hilarious (and has had to have some plastic surgery) and actually a good reality TV host, JC Chavez has found a great second career, Lil' Mama is hilarious, and Shane Sparks is the shiznit. If you don't know, you don't know.
3 - Shoveling snow is not fun. Shoveling ice is less fun than shoveling snow. Yesterday and today's shoveling was like pushing on the end of a rope - an exercise in futility. The only redeeming quality that winter holds for me is the fact that my birthday is in February but even that is not much of a redeeming quality anymore. At least this is the last week of January!
4 - Cardinals v. Steelers - couldn't ask for a better Super Bowl. Kurt Warner or Troy the American Samoan with the long last name and hair for MVP! And while there ultimately will be a "winner", I truly believe that this is one of those games in which both teams are already a winner just for making it to the Super Bowl.
5 - The Dark Knight was robbed! I totally believe that it was a MUCH better movie than The Curious Case of the Benjamin Button. CCBB was a good movie, but there were plot holes all throughout the movie and how it could beat an amazingly acted, directed, and written movie like The Dark Knight shows how truly out of touch the Hollywood elite are with the public. At the very least, hopefully they will award Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar for his amazing performance.
2 - America's Best Dance Crew might be my all-time favorite TV show. I could watch the re-runs forever. The crews are just amazing, the dancing is out of this world, Mario Lopez is hilarious (and has had to have some plastic surgery) and actually a good reality TV host, JC Chavez has found a great second career, Lil' Mama is hilarious, and Shane Sparks is the shiznit. If you don't know, you don't know.
3 - Shoveling snow is not fun. Shoveling ice is less fun than shoveling snow. Yesterday and today's shoveling was like pushing on the end of a rope - an exercise in futility. The only redeeming quality that winter holds for me is the fact that my birthday is in February but even that is not much of a redeeming quality anymore. At least this is the last week of January!
4 - Cardinals v. Steelers - couldn't ask for a better Super Bowl. Kurt Warner or Troy the American Samoan with the long last name and hair for MVP! And while there ultimately will be a "winner", I truly believe that this is one of those games in which both teams are already a winner just for making it to the Super Bowl.
5 - The Dark Knight was robbed! I totally believe that it was a MUCH better movie than The Curious Case of the Benjamin Button. CCBB was a good movie, but there were plot holes all throughout the movie and how it could beat an amazingly acted, directed, and written movie like The Dark Knight shows how truly out of touch the Hollywood elite are with the public. At the very least, hopefully they will award Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar for his amazing performance.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Couple of Thoughts for a Wednesday
1 - Barack Obama's inauguration speech was awesome - I loved it. Whether or not I agree with his rhetoric, policies, or political cabinet picks, I have to say it is refreshing to have a person of eloquence leading the country. Never underestimate the power of words. Tony Blair is one of my all-time favorite political leaders for this reason. He had the ability to speak eloquently and think fast (watch the Prime Minister's questions on CSPAN - it's awesome!) and his speech in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11th was the one that I think people should have paid more attention to. Barack's speech addressed a lot of the nation's fears and had a lot of truth within it and I am so lucky to have witnessed one of the most historic moments in our country's history.
2 - So beyond excited about the premiere of Lost tonight - you don't even know. I have been looking forward to this day since the last episode of last season aired last May and it is finally, FINALLY here!
3 - I am loved by a beyond gracious God, a beyond wonderful family, and an amazing group of friends. So no matter what happens in the next few months, I have remembered that my life here is not about my financial security or independence, but about walking by faith and trusting in a God who I feel I am just getting to know.
4 - Never underestimate the importance of your living environment on your mental and physical health.
5 - I love living on my own in my new apartment! I am so blessed and grateful for this gift and so excited to share it with others! So if you are ever driving by Winchester Street, please stop in and say hello!
2 - So beyond excited about the premiere of Lost tonight - you don't even know. I have been looking forward to this day since the last episode of last season aired last May and it is finally, FINALLY here!
3 - I am loved by a beyond gracious God, a beyond wonderful family, and an amazing group of friends. So no matter what happens in the next few months, I have remembered that my life here is not about my financial security or independence, but about walking by faith and trusting in a God who I feel I am just getting to know.
4 - Never underestimate the importance of your living environment on your mental and physical health.
5 - I love living on my own in my new apartment! I am so blessed and grateful for this gift and so excited to share it with others! So if you are ever driving by Winchester Street, please stop in and say hello!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Ruminations and Reflections: New Beginnings
Ruminations and Reflections: New Beginnings
Just in case you didn't see my previous post, about this, please feel free to check out my new blog, Ruminations and Reflections, my new 2009 experiment.
Just in case you didn't see my previous post, about this, please feel free to check out my new blog, Ruminations and Reflections, my new 2009 experiment.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Keep an Eye on That Bear...
Think Russia is done rattling it's sword?
Think again.
And, ps, United Nations - you are stunningly quiet on this situation. Why not do something here instead of passing meaningless resolutions on a perennial conflict? You yet again prove your futility.
Think again.
And, ps, United Nations - you are stunningly quiet on this situation. Why not do something here instead of passing meaningless resolutions on a perennial conflict? You yet again prove your futility.
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