I know this is happening in the technology industry, so I am not surprised that recent business school graduates are seeking adventure and fortune in Asia. I can definitely see the attraction that unattached people might have. Speaking as someone who did work overseas for two years, there is no guarantee of success, it could be a wild ride, but overall a great learning experience. Businessweek article here.
Mar
17
I look through some of my posts and realize that I have a slightly negative tone to the blog. Well, today I will pass on some positive news–at least it’s positive for the industry I work in. The good ‘ole supply and demand economics is working, with semiconductor companies not going overboard building fabs so that the supply side of the equation will not get out of whack. Here is the story from Mark LaPedus of EE Times.
Mar
15
One of the biggest economic questions we have in this country right now is whether there is housing bubble or not. House prices are on the rise again, as we seem to be “out” of this most recent recession. Is this a good thing?
One thing that I have noted is that the home prices in Canada never really went down the same way as in the US. It seems like everyone thought that we have more stable banks, better mortgage rules, and unemployment hasn’t hit as hard. Well true with the stable banks, but we have let our mortgage rules become pretty loose, and unemployment is hitting everywhere that doesn’t produce oil.
I think we might be in for a bit of a fall in home prices–perhaps winter of 2010/2011. There will be a bit of a correction, but not as severe as in places like Arizona, Nevada, and California. The fed’s most recent changes will not really affect things too much.
Feb
23
I have been a slow poster, because of many things that have been keeping me preoccupied including work, but there is an issue that has come up that I really do want to discuss.
I’m not sure if I am missing all the details , but Ottawa City Council is reopening a debate about the expansion of the urban boundary. To briefly explain, Ottawa has become a truly humongous city since the amalgamation of 2001 with an area of 2,778.64 km2 . In order to deal with this massive size, the city had to perform a split between the urban and rural areas with slightly different by-laws and legislation between them. Something else that occured was some zoning that restricted development (housing, commercial, etc.) to certain areas. For the urban area there was a boundary where no more development could occur outside. (The villages that were amalgamated also have a development boundary).
There was a vote in June of 2009 where the full expansion of 850 hectares was turned down by one vote. That vote is now going to be looked at again tomorrow, February 24th.
I believe there are many reasons why Ottawa should NOT extend the urban boundary, but for the sake of time I will not write them out here. Instead I will re-use part of my letter to Mayor Larry O’Brien in order to state my case.
I just wanted to say that I am disappointed that there is to be a revote for the expansion of the urban boundary of Ottawa. I think this would not be a good decision for the long-term. Adding new development to city may save us some legal fees in the short-term, but there are many services (sewers, roads, OCTranspo, etc.) that would have to be expanded, and would cost extra tax dollars in the long-term. Intensification inside the current urban boundary would increase the tax base (higher price for homes) with much less new infrastructure to build and maintain. There are other benefits involved with not extending the urban boundary (less commute time, more greenspace), but I believe that the idea of making Ottawa more compact and efficient could be the best reason of all.
As a side note, I have admired your stance on taking a more business-like approach to government. As I am someone from the private sector, I have often been frustrated with the slow workings of a bureaucracy, and have been hopeful that someone might be able to change that. It is turning out to be hard to change everything, but I do believe that one achievable goal could be to make Ottawa more efficient. Expanding the urban boundary would not make this city more efficient.
I urge City of Ottawa residents to write letters to the Mayor and your local Councillors if you are opposed to (or for) the Urban Boundary Extension. This is an election year so the voices of the public can make a difference.
To get a better picture of the issue, here are some articles in the local media.
Ottawa Sun and here
Feb
11
Was just reading an article on The Next Silicon Valley website that details some of the talks that Craig Barrett (formerly of Intel) was giving in Ireland. He has some strong opinions on how a real technology sector can grow. I think he has a lot of good things to say, with the biggest being that Foreign Direct Investment is probably not the best way to grow a regional technology hub. Growing from within is longer, but really the only way for a sustainable technology park. Worth a read.
Feb
10
I just read an interesting article on EE Times about outsourcing. The comments section brings out some of the passion of the engineering community in North America.
I actually think the comments from Nirav Desai, Graduate student have some merit. Place manufacturing in the country of the consumer, and he uses the automotive industry as an example (strange to use the automotive industry as a positive example!) The automotive industry has some extra protection in the form of tariffs (I believe), and a car costs much more to ship than a cell phone. But maybe tariffs on electronics could work? And maybe extra taxes on companies that outsource could be a better idea. Although I do know that some companies get tax breaks if they can guarantee so many local jobs.
Anyhow, it will be interesting to see if this outsourcing trend continues in the electronics industry.
Jan
27
I enjoyed reading the coverage of the No Prorogue rallys around the country. Opposition parties are acting on the public outrage and attempting to draft some legislation to slow down our proroguing Prime Minister (and future PMs). The question now is, how does the public continue to show support for this initiative? How do we let the politicians know that the public is still concerned.
News changes, different things come up (Olympics, etc.), and the public’s interest in this issue may wane. It’s good to have a follow up strategy–the question is, what do we think that strategy should be?
Jan
27
I’m still getting alot of information from podcasts that I listen to while I walk the dog and I recently listened to Chris Gondak review the book “If we can put a man on the moon”. This book explored the sequence of events that led the American government to succeed in the pursuit of it’s lofty goal of putting a man on the moon. It also explores and makes some hypothesis on what to do, and not to do. It also looks at business people who try to succeed in politics, and some of the struggles they face.
It sounds like an interesting read. It seems like it has been a long time since a western government has been able to successfully complete a big project.
And one interesting local corollary is the tale of Larry O’Brien. A successful business man who tried to make the transition to politician. I know his term is not quite over yet, but Mr. O’Brien has faced some difficulties in implementing his plans. From all I’ve heard, government is a different world and requires different skills to get things done. Definitely a topic that I find fascinating.
Jan
14
Wow, this is actually a big deal. There are many aspects to this story which make it so compelling: one of the largest technology companies in the world versus one of the largest governments of the world.
There is a lot of hope in China, especially as the domestic market grows. Many American businesses have a lot to gain in this market, but what price has to be paid. The censorship issue was a tough one to swallow for Google, but they did do it. Are they being completely clear on their reasons for uncensoring now? There are also conflicting reports on Google’s market share. Are they losing or gaining ground?
Many interesting commentary articles here (NPR), here (Business Insider), and here (New York Times).
Many questions, but I will say if Google completely leaves China for good-natured reasons, I will have to applaud them. They will be leaving money on the table, without a significant replacement market. Maybe a company of this magnitude standing up to the Chinese Communist Party will open some eyes.
As an aside, in my work life I have been looking at the new Google Android mobile phone operating system. One of the markets that has really embraced the Android phones is China. One of (not all) the benefits of the Android OS is compatability with all that is Google. This move may hurt Android adoption in China.
Jan
14
I don’t know why, but there is something about the CSI shows that sicken me. I find that the premise is ridiculous, the science is ridiculous, and the acting is ridiculous. Really, scientists that physically arrest people? And the fact that the bad guys are just so bad, but really ridiculous?
I just watched an episode of CSI NY with my wife. If CSI Miami is on, I actually have to leave the room, but try to tolerate the other CSIs. Maybe I was in a bad mood, but I could not handle it!
Crime shows can be done well…it has been proven! I just watched an episode of Criminal Minds–a good show. And I admit to being a fan of the Mentalist–the witty repartee works well. How do people tolerate this CSI crap!!
Sorry, just had to vent…
