Saturday, November 29, 2008

Cyber Monday

I heard a new phrase today, well new to me at least. Black Friday is followed by Cyber Monday

I went to the ever reliable Wikipedia and read the following: "The term Cyber Monday refers to the Monday immediately following Black Friday, the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Whereas Black Friday is associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores, "Cyber Monday" symbolizes a busy day for online retailers. The premise was that consumers would return to their offices after the Black Friday weekend, making purchases online that they were not able to make in stores."


I'm a bit ashamed for being a "techie" and not knowing that phrase. Just thought I'd share. Also, I promise not to write about business one of these days.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

What does $1 buy?

A list of a few top CEOs that are only making $1 a year in salary:  

Steve Jobs - Apple
Terry Semel - Yahoo CEO
Eric Schmidt - Google
John Mackey - Whole Foods
Edward Liddy - AIG

Considering the other 3 components of Executive Compensation, What kind of statement is really being made?  Is there a way to qualify its success? If nothing else it gets analyst talking.

The minimal salary is definitely not stating that the CEO is "taking one for the team."  I think it is more a component to instill confidence into a company. There are many reasons confidence is necessary, either to raise stock in an already profitable company such as Google, or in AIG's place to help from folding completely.

The other components of executive compensation will ALWAYS make up for the $1 salary. How does it look to the average person when they see "CEO has $1 salary" in the newspaper?  Do not be fooled, bonuses, stocks, and options are more than plenty for the CEO.  That's not even to mention the perks and benefits included in their high profile position.  I wonder if they actually even take the $1. It would make for an interesting pay stub at least.

Monday, November 24, 2008

What are we bailing out of?



I looked around for a complete list of stores going under this holiday season...below is a look at other that have not benefited from the glorious bailout plan. Also, what does this do for inflation over the next few years?


Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Bombay closing remaining stores Cache will close all stores
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Dillard's to close some stores Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January. Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores. Footlocker closing 140 stores mo re to close after January GAP closing 85 stores Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick ) J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots) JC Penney closing a number of stores after January K B Toys closing 356 stores Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide Levitz closing down remaining stores Linens and Things closing all stores Lowes to close down some stores Macys to close 9 stores after January Movie Galley Closing all stores Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots) Pep Boys Closing 33 stores Piercing Pagoda closing all stores Sharper Image closing down all stores Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores Talbots closing down specialty stores Whitehall closing all stores Wickes Furniture closing down Wilson Leather closing down all stores Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January

Another note to add, if you have gift cards to these stores, USE them ASAP, if you not, do NOT buy any.


Saturday, November 22, 2008

Cost - Analysis?



Interesting Article from ABC News:


The CEOs of the big three automakers flew to the nation's capital yesterday in private luxurious jets to make their case to Washington that the auto industry is running out of cash and needs $25 billion in taxpayer money to avoid bankruptcy.All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone.

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How can I help but realize the total irony of the article?  Even beyond the obvious, "Hey why are you asking for money as you live in luxury." What about the fact that it has become so normal to those guys to fly on a personal jet that they did not even consider how ridiculous it looked? Is there any question why we as middle class citizens live outside our means when the most intelligent Business Men of the country are flying around in private jets.  It just reinforces how sad things have gotten.  

To really let it sink in, I decided to gather some statistics on owning and operating a private jet.

Cost of Jet: $6 million to $50 million

Operation Cost:  $1800 - $5000 an hour

ExamplesLight jets ($3 million to $8 million) can take 5 to 8 passengers roughly 2,000 miles (3,219 km); midsize executive jets ($9 million to $16 million) can take up to 9 passengers from 2,000 to 3,000 miles (3,219 to 4,828 km); and large executive jets ($17 million to $45 million) can carry 12 passengers more than 4,000 miles (6,437 km)


Friday, November 21, 2008

First Blog


Here goes nothing.... I have caved to the pressure and created a blog. I'm still not sure why at this point, but hopefully through the next few posts I'll start to develop some kind of theme. Knowing my inability to focus and not be side tracked, there will most
likely be no theme, rather a mix of random thoughts, emotions, and ideas.  Nonetheless, I hope someone benefits from my pointless ramble.

The picture: I am creating a Rock Band character with a HOTT Hawk...I'm a Rockstar!