As many of you know, I’ve branched out from the Big Words Blog Site into YouTube where I now have four channels. My original channel is Big Discussions76 where I now discuss general topics. I’ve had several guests visit my channels. Two recent guests on Big Discussions76 are Dr. Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan, the authors of Cooperation & Coercion and the founders of Words & Numbers Podcast. In this interview, we talked about the controversial and polarizing topic of immigration. It is a complex topic with multiple moving parts and Antony and James shared perspectives on it, that are not often discussed. Parts one and two are below. Please note that in order to like and comment on YouTube videos, you must be logged into a Gmail account.
Thank you for watching, and if anything in our discussion resonates with you, please like, share and subscribe to my channel. Also please consider joining the Big Words LLC newsletter. There you’ll get updates on my book project The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story and all my content. You can access it through this link. If there is an issue with this link for any reason, you can email me at bwllcnl@gmail.com and I will add you. Best regards.
A Discussion On Immigration With The Words & Numbers Podcast Part One
A Discussion On Immigration With The Words & Numbers Podcast Part Two
As many of you know, I’ve branched out from the Big Words Blog Site into YouTube where I now have four channels. My original channel is Big Discussions76 where I now discuss general topics typically rooted in education and or current events. I’ve had several guests visit my channels. Two recent guests on Big Discussions76 were Dr. Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan, the authors of Cooperation & Coercion and the founders of Words & Numbers Podcast. In this interview, we talked about how they started working together, their book, their podcast and finally some of the important issues facing our nation that are not being openly discussed. I split the interview into three parts and the links are below. Please note that in order to like and comment on YouTube videos, you must be logged into a Gmail account.
Thank you for watching, and if anything in our discussion resonates with you, please like, share and subscribe to my channel. Also please consider joining the Big Words LLC newsletter. There you’ll get updates on my book project The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story and all my content. You can access it through this link. You can also request to be added at bwllcnl@gmail.com.
Antony Davies And James R. Harrigan Discuss The Words & Numbers And Cooperation And Coercion Part One
Antony Davies And James R. Harrigan Discuss The Words & Numbers And Cooperation And Coercion Part Two
Antony Davies And James R. Harrigan Discuss The Words & Numbers And Cooperation And Coercion Part Three
Three focuses of my blog are Current Events, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. As with every sector, the medical sector is facing its own sets of challenges. Whether you’re interacting with it as a patient, a professional, or an investor, it’s important to be aware of what’s happening. The following contributed post is entitled, Careful Of These Troubles Rocking The Medical Industry.
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Various problems are impacting businesses operating in the medical sector today. Here are some of the top concerns that you should address.
First, you need to think about the problem of data theft in your medical business. Data theft has become an issue across every industry and it is rocking the medical field too. In fact, the medical industry is more exposed due to the level of personal data that is kept on patients. This leaves them vulnerable to various problems including identity fraud. One of the ways that you can avoid this situation is by making sure that you do invest in the latest technology including blockchain. Implementing blockchain tech into the medical sector is considered to be the best way to protect businesses against fraud.
Delays In Care
When it comes to offering patients the necessary care and attention they need it is essential they are not kept waiting for a long time. The issue that arises when patients have to wait weeks and even months for care is that their conditions could deteriorate quite fast. A lot of clinics and appointments had to be canceled or pushed back due to rising problems of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hospitals needed all staff on hand to deal with the outbreak so there was nobody left for the outpatients.
Cases Of Fraud
Unfortunately, cases of fraud in the US are not showing any signs of slowing down when it comes to the medical industry. For example, one of the most common types of fraud committed at the moment is Medicare fraud, which is causing countless problems throughout the medical industry. In this case, fraud is where the claimant is claiming back expenses that they are not entitled to under the medicare program.
There are many types of fraud that are used, and it’s a problem that you need to protect yourself against if you are a medical business. The best way to do this is to have a strict and rigorous system in place for every claim that comes in. It’s also best to ensure that you have a dedicated team going over claims, rather than simply relying on a program.
Loss Of Talent
Finally, the medical industry as a whole is struggling with a loss of talent right now. The reason for this is simple. Professionals such as nurses believe that they are not receiving the right level of pay that they deserve or require. Particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.
One of the ways that you can avoid this issue in your medical company is by ensuring that you are paying team members a fair wage. This will help ensure that you continue to attract more fresh talent to your company and avoid the issue of churn. Don’t forget, problems with churn can cost your company an absolute fortune if they are left to fester. Another way you can avoid this issue is by ensuring that you offer medical staff the right long term incentives.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the troubles that are rocking the medical industry right now. Take all the necessary precautions to protect your business against these issues to ensure it’s as safe as possible.
Two focuses of my blog are Current Events and Health/Wellness. When things get difficult, it is often times hard to remain hopeful. Regardless, it’s important to figure out how to do so. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Stay Positive When Everything Feels Difficult.
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The last couple of years has been a wild ride. Catastrophic bush fires in Australia, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the new administration in the White House and claims of election rigging, Brexit in Europe, climate change crises, and now, of course, the terrible situation in Ukraine. On top of that can be all the personal difficulties you are going through – health, finances, relationships, injuries which you are getting sorted with the help of this personal injury law firm and so on. So it is little wonder that people are on edge and feeling the uncertainty of the world around us, and mental health is a big issue.
Many of these events are pretty much out of our hands, but that doesn’t help when you feel scared and anxious. The main thing to remember is that you are not alone if you feel like this. It can be hard to feel optimistic with so much going on around you. However, while much easier said than done, staying positive can help you get through the more challenging times and keep your mental health on a more even keel. Here, we look at some tips to help bolster your positivity.
Make a gratitude or happy list at the end of every day
Invite your family and friends to do the same. Maybe you could even start a private group on social media and encourage people to share theirs to brighten up everyone’s day. It just needs to be a shortlist of things that have made you feel grateful or put a smile on your face that day, from a film that you enjoyed watching to receiving a parcel in the post or enjoying a superb cup of coffee. It is essential to celebrate the joys of the smaller moments in life rather than always waiting for the big things to be happy and excited about.
Stay away from the news and social media for a short period
You should take a break if the world is becoming too much for you, and you can tell that social media and the news are having a detrimental impact on your mental health. When struggling, many people find it helpful to mute their news notifications and turn off particular keywords in their Twitter stream.
Take some time to listen to some highly upbeat music
You would be shocked at how powerful music can be. Try to remember how good music makes you feel and remind yourself of them. There are many ways to stream different playlists these days, so set up some happy ones for when you are having a terrible day. Have an impromptu dance party – they can lift the spirits and can not help but make you smile. The release of something positive into your body through music and dancing can divert you and bring you positive feelings, even if it is only a brief fix.
Communicate with your friends, even if it is only online or over the phone
When we are locked up inside and feeling the world’s weight, it is easy to lose sight of the people who care about us. However, it is possible to connect with other people in various ways, and there is nothing quite like hearing the reassuring and diverting voice of a friend to speak with to return to a more positive frame of mind. Regular voice or video talks with your pals can significantly impact your ability to remain cheerful and joyful.
Concentrate on your current hobbies or learn more
Having hobbies may altogether remove you from the real world and provide you with some much-needed momentary escape, which we all desperately need from time to time. Remind yourself of the things you appreciate and the reasons why you enjoy them; spend some quality time enjoying your hobbies; and rekindle your passions after a long period. We guarantee that having a strong passion for a particular hobby will make you feel more positive about yourself.
Declare to yourself that your being positive and happy and that today will be a fantastic day for you
Finally, think of a short slogan that you can repeat to yourself. Every morning, tell yourself that today will be a nice day and that you will look for the positives in everything. Try to put a grin on your face and be thrilled about one aspect of your day. Give yourself a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. Take a shower, put on a nice outfit, and make your bed. Start your day off on the right foot and strive to maintain a positive attitude.
Two focuses of my blog are Current Events and Political Discussions. If you’re thinking about getting into politics and you want to run an effective campaign, there are several factors you want account for. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Tips For Improving Your Political Campaign.
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Whether you’re running for house elections, local elections, or another type of election, your campaign strategy can make the difference between winning and losing.
The size of the electorate, the geography, the public’s mindset, the timing of the election, and the methods of voter communication used should all be considered when developing your campaign strategy.
A specific election campaign strategy, influenced by the political climate in which it is conducted, is required for every election campaign, in short. And in a local election, gaining supporters is primarily a matter of winning over the voters in one’s community.
This post looks at some ways you can improve your campaign strategy.
Competitor Analysis
The evaluation of competitors is critical in any competition. A thorough understanding of your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses can provide you with a significant advantage in developing your campaign messaging, participating in head-to-head debates, and undermining their campaign message when it becomes necessary.
Make a spreadsheet with the strengths and weaknesses of all candidates, including yourself. Each candidate’s position on the critical issues in the election should be listed on a single spreadsheet. So you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and where you are vulnerable concerning your competitors, and you can communicate more clearly with your customers.
Phone Calls
Talking to your local community and the wider population will be essential to your victory. You need to be able to speak to and reach as many people as possible to persuade them to give you their vote. Working with Kaplan Strategies can streamline your phone calls and help you provide efficient outreach to your phone call plan.
Improve Your Campaign Message
The goal of a campaign is to establish the candidate’s personal identity. This includes the candidate’s educational and professional background and what makes them a good fit for the position for which they are running.
Your campaign will only be successful if it is tailored to the specific needs of its target audience. It informs voters about the critical issues and policies of the candidate. It is necessary to consider the viewpoint of the voter in this situation. Demonstrate that your victory will improve their quality of life to gain their attention and vote.
Your campaign costs could range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on where you are running and the demographics of the area in which you are running. That’s why it’s so critical to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to contribute to your campaign as possible.
From selling merchandise to asking family and friends to setting up social media fundraisers and more, please find out how your demographic prefers to donate and make sure you have the suitable options available for them to do so.
Three focuses of my blog are Current Events, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill has been in the news for quite some time. Most citizens don’t have time to understand what’s in it though as is often the case with politics. The following contributed post is entitled, An Inside Look Into Biden’s $2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill.
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2021 has been a year for the books for so many reasons, and not all of them were bad, but from a landmark news perspective, if you’re anything of a news nerd or politics junkie – you’ve had one of the best years ever.
Controversial courtroom rulings like the Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty verdict, to the bizarre story of Jussie Smollet – and we haven’t begun to look at all of the ongoing Covid news stories that just never seem to end. If you’re not an avowed optimist, you’d be having a very hard time indeed.
But, somewhere in between all of the madness of the year that was(n’t), came news of what some are calling the best thing to happen to domestic spending in history, and what others have called the biggest disaster to spend in the United States, but whatever you views on this landmark announcement are one thing is for certain, it is going to leave America physically changed. It is the massive infrastructure bill recently passed into law, and it effectively amounts to $2 trillion, although the amount in the discussion was actually $1 trillion. Well, that also depends on who you believe because some forecasters believe that the final bill will be closer to $3 trillion. That’s $ 3,000,000,000,000 to you and me.
With all of this lovely money swishing about, already questions are being asked about where this money is going to be spent? Who stands to benefit? Who decides where this money gets spent, and perhaps most importantly – where is this money going to come from? We’re going to try and unpack some of these questions now.
Essentially, President Biden’s (officially) $2.3 trillion (or that may actually be $1.8 trillion) infrastructure plan has prioritized spending on transportation, drinking water as well as broadband projects and it comes after the American Society of Civil Engineers released a report in 2021, some call it the report card, on which American infrastructure scored a dismally low, C-minus.
This prompted massive studies across the nation conducted by various government agencies and local authorities to determine which areas had the biggest and most urgent need. The question many wanted answering though, is just why has our infrastructure been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair in the first place? You may find that that, is a very loaded question, but what all sums have been done and all arguments made, the answer is written rather succinctly by the American writer, Kurt Vonnegut:
“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”
And that is quite the crux of it all, as administration after administration since Regan have all just about had ambitious plans to revitalize America’s roads, bridges, urban centers, schools, rapid and mass transit systems, and more.
That in turn, leads us to the next very important question – how much of our infrastructure needs to be fixed or upgraded anyway, and why is it so outrageously difficult to get politicians to agree on it?
As with all things political, there are a few answers to that question.
Firstly, roads, bridges, etc. are all designed (in principle at least), to have as long a life-span as possible and with the knowledge that at some point, their ‘parts’ are going to wear out. The longer something is intended to last, the more expensive it’s going to be to build.
For example, the bridges that form America’s Interstate Highway System, which was started during the Eisenhower administration (more than six decades ago), are now very much nearing the end of their intended lifespan and worryingly, in the case of some of them – are probably beyond their lifespan. Sixty years is a long time for any object to take the pressure and pounding that these bridges take every day – without significant investments in maintenance and upgrading.
Then there is the real reason and if you’ve been thinking it’s all money-related – you’re right. America’s infrastructure is controlled by the public sector – in other words, taxpayer-funded. A lot of the funding for the maintenance of these giant projects like highways and bridges is provided for by federal and state gasoline taxes. To effectively maintain these projects, a lot of money is needed – money, that comes directly from taxes. Taxes that will have to be increased to afford these upgrades and maintenance projects, tax increases, that can cost politicians – their careers.
Then you have the legacy issue. Politicians are not huge fans of making their successors look good. It takes a long time to get approval from all the moving parts in government to get this spending into place, and often it looks like it may happen just as a Presidents term is about to end. That would mean that the next guy gets to take the credit for what his predecessor effectively put into place, and to turn a phrase, ain’t nobody got time for that.
Then, there is the question of visibility. While bridges, tunnels, and roads are in plain view, some other parts of America’s infrastructure are not so easily noticed, until they stop working. Think sewer lines. So, which states are going to benefit the most?
According to this report by CNBC, the states that are likely to win big (that means cash in the most) are, New York, Texas, and California with critics citing that it is rather some of the more underpopulated states with less developed rural economies like Montana and Alaska, that should get a bigger share to compensate for much fewer tax revenues.
Well with all of that being said, we’re certain that there will still be lots and lots of quarreling and across the floor back and forth to determine that amount.
Meanwhile, all is not entirely silent in Washington. It appears that there is something of a brouhaha about it all, and more than just a little dose of déjà vu happening too. It all started with Donald Trump’s term in office. He pledged to spend $1 trillion specifically focused on rebuilding America’s roads and bridges. That amount was eventually upped to $2 trillion, but despite all his enthusiasm for the plan, it wouldn’t amount to much, and the term infrastructure week (the period when all of this debating was happening), would become used as something of a euphemism for, futility. Not our nation’s best work.
So, just to create some understanding of what we’re talking about when the word infrastructure is used in this context, we agree that the term infrastructure is something of a ‘hold all’ term that refers to roads, bridges, tunnels, rail lines, dams, buildings, systems that supply water and electricity for example. It basically covers all of the systems that the American civilization needs to function.
Joseph Schofer, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern University says that infrastructure is “the built environment that supports our lives”.
OK, so let’s go a little deeper, where is this money going?
Roads and bridges: At the very top of the 2,702-page bill’s spending outlines, roughly $110 billion of new funds will be allocated to improving America’s roads and bridges, as well as investment in other major transportation programs. Everything from Asphalt Resurfacing to major upgrades and new road construction.
Public transit: This spending program also includes the largest-ever federal investment program of its kind in public transit with a massive $39 billion going to modernizing systems, improving access, and repairing over 24,000 buses, 5,000 railcars, and thousands upon thousands of miles of train tracks.
Amtrak: Biden’s plan hails the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, over 50 years ago. There is an eye-wateringly, giant $66 billion that’s heading to Amtrak for the development of high-speed rail, safety upgrades, Amtrak grants as well as ‘modernization’ of the route that connects Washington, D.C, and Boston.
Added to that list are massive investments in airports, broadband internet, urban center regeneration, green initiatives, clean energy, electric cars, buses, and ferries, clean drinking water projects, and road safety.
What do we really love about this program? The massively long-overdue investment into our Great Rivers and Lakes. The bill has more than $50 billion for water infrastructure improvements and about $1 billion is slated for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. An initiative that proposes a major clean-up program that targets toxic hot spots (areas of shockingly bad industrial pollution), with a further $17 billion going to ports and waterways.
Love it or hate it, there is no denying that if these plans are implemented as they’re intended to be, that America’s infrastructure will enjoy more investment than it ever has, and with around 19 million jobs that are anticipated out of this program, the overall economy should see a significant boost too.
Whichever way one looks at it, it’s probably very much overdue, and about time.
You’ll find a detailed and in-depth look at the bill on the White houses’ website, here.
Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Current Events. My businesses were obliterated by the Covid-19 Pandemic while others made it through, thrived, or were even started. If your business is still alive, you want to consider how to keep it going as the pandemic may be nearing it’s end. The following contributed post is entitled, Bringing Your Business Through The Pandemic.
Many businesses have been impacted by Covid-19, and while things are improving, firms are still battling to get back on track. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you may help your business grow stronger during this difficult time:
Keep Track Of Your Cash Flow
Identify any cashflow issues as soon as possible, and predict with the worst-case scenario in mind, ensuring that your company is ready for any future socio-economic shifts. Employees should be assigned to procedures that are critical to cash flow, even if this implies cross-training. Many businesses lack a proper, regularly updated cash flow projection, resulting in a lack of awareness of their finances and potential consequences; if this is your company, make it a point to build one. Using tools such as Wefunder Agency could help.
Examine The Dangers In Your Supply Chain
You must prepare for the worst, just as you must for cash flow. What if one of your suppliers is unable to supply you with the things you require? If possible, ensure you have viable backup providers, speak with them, and confirm that they can deliver what you require, as things may not be as advertised on their website at the time. You might also need to make certain strategic supply chain decisions, such as concentrating on your most profitable products or services while reducing other offerings and supply chain risks. While these may be temporary decisions given the current state of the economy, it is always necessary to risk analyse your supply chain.
Keep Yourself Updated
As a business leader, you must stay up to date on the newest COVID-19 developments on a daily basis, as the advice is constantly changing. However, double-check official recommendations, avoid sensationalised news and social media posts, and carefully consider what to tell your employees, suppliers, and customers. Avoid panic and perplexity! When planning your strategy for the coming months, keep in mind the government’s response and business assistance policies. The most recent advice can be found here.
Be Flexible And Open To New Ideas
Many firms that survive and prosper through a crisis like this will have open-minded CEOs who can adjust swiftly to change and inspire their employees to do the same. Given how our lives have significantly and rapidly altered recently, your business model may no longer be feasible and will need to be updated. There may also be fresh prospects for you to take advantage of and diversify your business. Check out the rest of my essay on how to adapt and diversify your business.
Make Preparations For The ‘After’
Start thinking about how you want your business to look once the pandemic is ended once all of the big obstacles have been addressed. It is preferable to begin planning now rather than face the shock of returning to ‘normalcy’ with no awareness of the significant changes we have all through. Make a list of everything that is functioning well for your team and that you might want to keep in place in the long run, as well as anything you want to get rid of. Are you looking for ways to work that are more productive and cost-effective? Is your team collaborating more effectively? Have you taken steps to reduce your company’s environmental impact? Consider how your customers and suppliers will function in the future and include them in your strategies.
Two focuses of my blog are Current Events and General Education. A key term into today’s modern world is “tolerance” which means to become accepting of other people’s differences. In order achieve this society-wide, the population must become educated on it. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Teach Children About Tolerance.
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We can all take responsibility for teaching tolerance, whether we are parents, aunts and uncles, teachers, or just neighbors to a child. We must begin with children if we want to make the world a more empathetic place. They are the impressionable ones who are still establishing their worldviews, and it’s critical that they have strong role models and positive influences in their life. Tolerance is promoted not just in terms of religious and ethnic diversity, but also in terms of gender, physical and intellectual disability, size, shape, and everything in between. With words like woke and discrimination being part of our daily lives, we must make the world a more tolerant place. Read on to find out more.
Aside from never allowing your kid to bully or taunt others, be mindful of what you say yourself. Children are like sponges, and if they hear you say something disrespectful, they will feel it’s okay to say it; after all, you are their role model.
This is why, if you want your child to be a good, tolerant person, you must also respect others; your child will do the same. And remember, this isn’t just about talking about other people. Even remarks about your own physique (such as saying you look fat or that you’re stupid for not thinking of something or that you don’t like a particular part of yourself) might cause a youngster to form opinions about the people in their environment or even about themselves.
Encourage Self Confidence
A youngster who is secure in themselves is more inclined to accept differences and appreciate the worth in others. You will often hear that bullies are those who are unhappy in their own lives and have to lash out against others because they are afraid or worried about their own personalities.
The more confident a child is about how they are and what they can do, the less chance there is of them bullying or worrying about anyone else. As a parent or guardian, this is something that you can control – you can help your child be much more self-confident.
Talk About Differences Respectfully
Discuss the distinctions and differences between your family and friends (hair color, skin color, personal likes and dislikes, special traditions, and so on), and take the chance to discuss why it’s wonderful that people are so diverse. You might also talk about how people might be different, but that there will always be similarities. This can help a young child understand that differences are just a part of life and that there will always be something you have in common with someone, whether this is how you look, what you believe in, or something else entirely.
Answer Their Questions
Children might ask difficult questions about tolerance and discrimination, and if you don’t give them an answer, your lack of action can teach them that it is not acceptable to discuss differences or ‘uncomfortable’ things. This leads to more intolerance and misunderstandings.
Even if you’re stumped for words, assure them that you’ll come back to them with a response later. And make certain that you do. This is the ideal opportunity to learn something important yourself.
Three focuses of my blog are Current Events, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. If you’re in the automotive industry, you’re likely feeling the effects of stresses on supply chains just like other industries. No matter which aspect of the industry that you’re in, it’s important to figure out how to navigate these new adverse conditions. The following contributed post is entitled, Simple Ways To Chase After Shifting Automotive Supply Chains.
The automotive supply chain has long been one of the most globally complex in the world, consisting of as many as 30,000 parts overall, an astounding 15% of which are sourced out of house. This has always made competitive advantage in the industry imperative, and still-existing pandemic disruptions have especially highlighted the need for all supply partners to come together to ensure the agility necessary to avoid further unexpected setbacks.
In part due to this, but also because of significant shifts in consumer expectations/priorities over recent years, the automotive industry is currently facing some of the most significant changes that we’ve seen in generations. For auto manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and tiered suppliers, this is both a significant challenge when it’s needed the least and an opportunity to rise from the industry ashes stronger than ever.
Unfortunately, with supply expectations and lucrative trade opportunities changing at an astoundingly fast rate, there’s no time to take stock and decide the best path moving forward. Instead, companies need to remain ahead of the game, continuing to offer the most viable supply options to both keep hold of existing partners and attract new ones. The question is, how exactly can you chase supply chains that are shifting faster than the seasons?
#1: Develop processes around current trends
The most recent automotive trends have changed the priorities of all car manufacturers, meaning that companies at all tiers are increasingly onboarding with modern requirements in mind. Current trends especially revolve around eco-conscious vehicles that, thanks to carbon emissions which fell by 6.4% during the pandemic, are more of a pressing consumer priority than ever. Further to this, and perhaps in direct correlation with that figure, EV sales largely defied Covid, increasing by an astounding 186% during lockdowns.
All of this has especially seen some of the largest new onboarding intakes across the industry, all of which are tailored towards EV-compliant suppliers that can particularly provide the limited and sometimes location-specific battery components required for success. Only by adapting processes according to this need, and creating demand by remaining at the forefront of EV development, can suppliers realistically hope to gain back the almost 30-50% decreases in spending that have had a major impact across the last eighteen months.
With most supply chains already consisting of more partners than is reasonably manageable, it’s also vital to note that increasing competitive value is dependent on ensuring that you’re able to offer benefits across the board. Most notably, far from forgetting legacy processes in place of environmental concerns, it’s also fundamental to continue offering old processes that, for now at least, continue to be relevant. Certainly, making sure to continue teaching new recruits about things like the maintenance and creation of standard engines using resources like these OEM Ford workshop manuals, ensures that you’re providing the most possible value as a trade prospect. This is especially imperative at a time when delays and operational setbacks continue to shake the industry, allowing you to perfect just-in-time (JIT), multi-purpose inventories and timely, frictionless deliveries that differentiate you from the rest.
#3: Always focus on optimization
While interest in private car ownership is on a steady increase once more, automotive trade right now is largely in recovery mode. Lost profits, parts shortages, and ongoing Brexit-based setbacks across all-important European markets are especially proving to be the nails in the coffin for countless suppliers, preventing them from perfecting processes that help them to recoup losses, get partners back onside, or even impress consumers at the other end. With all of this already in the way, processes that lack optimization and the increased visibility/agility that focus can make possible are guaranteed to leave businesses floundering.
Instead, then, optimizing using the right technologies and systems at every level is fundamental. Certainly, suppliers looking to continue as viable prospects for new trade need to consider the benefits possible from implementing systems that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) for the automation of otherwise convoluted manual processes, as well as simplifying data handling, supplier communications, and everything necessary to more easily share, foresee, and work around the delays that continue to rein.
The need for speed in automotive supply
Fundamentally, suppliers need to transform processes and fast if they’re to uphold the positive supply relationships imperative to ongoing success. Environmental diversification, and expansive supply offerings, are certainly imperative for competitive advantage that makes it possible to finally tap into the 7-9% of market growth across the industry right now.
Three focuses of my blog are Current Events, Money/Financial Literacy and Business/Entrepreneurship. The pandemic was life changing for everyone, and not everyone survived in the business arena. Whether or not you fared well or did not, there were lessons for everyone. The following contributed post is entitled, What Business Lessons Can You Learn From The Pandemic?
It has been a tough 18 months or so for businesses everywhere, and the people who keep them running. Many people in business have struggled to keep their livelihoods alive, which in turn has affected their employees. Nobody wants to have to deal with such a difficult set of circumstances, but we’ve learned that sometimes you need to be prepared for something unexpected to come your way. Many businesses haven’t survived the pandemic, but those that have took steps to adapt and try to survive. Whether you have an established business or you’re setting up a business right now, there are some great lessons you can take from the pandemic.
Here are some of the things you can keep in mind, not just for the current situation but also for the future.
Be Prepared for Anything
While it’s not entirely true that we couldn’t have predicted a pandemic (they have occurred before), most people weren’t expecting to have to deal with one anytime soon. If there’s one lesson that every business owner has taken from the pandemic, it’s that you need to be prepared for anything. It’s not exactly an easy feat to achieve, especially for a small business, but there are multiple things that any business can do to help them prepare for anything that might come their way. Having good savings and good insurance, as well as being ready to adapt your business to new circumstances when necessary can help to prepare your business for the future.
It’s Important to Support Other Businesses
Something that many businesses have learned recently is that you can’t necessarily rely on the government or anyone else for help when you’re in trouble. For many people, the help that was given came too late or wasn’t enough. With this in mind, a lot of business people have realized how important it is to support other businesses and to stick together as a community. The #OpenForBusiness Campaign aims to recognize the resilience of American entrepreneurship and how important it is for small businesses to support each other. The campaign’s helicopter tour of each of the lower-48 states will involve visiting small businesses and speaking to owners about adapting to the post-pandemic economy.
Work-Life Balance Is Important
Working from home has become the norm for many during the pandemic. Business owners have continued to run their companies from home where possible or have found alternative ways to use their business premises if they can. Something that this has highlighted is the need for work-life balance, both for business owners and their employees. Working from home has made it even more important to maintain a line between work and home, ensuring there’s a separation between the two. People who have been working long hours know that it’s crucial to have the time to rest and dedicate to your family and other parts of your personal life.
One of the effects of the pandemic that we’re seeing is an unwillingness from employees to work for poor pay and in poor conditions. Previously, many people might have felt like they had to take what they could get. But after more than a year has shown why some of these employees are so essential, people are changing their mindsets. They want to be appreciated and adequately compensated for their work. For businesses that are struggling to find employees, offering something more for anyone who works for them could be the key to turning things around.
Keep Your Customers Loyal
As well as treating your employees well, it’s also important to keep your customers loyal. In times of trouble, knowing that you have customers who are likely to stick with you through thick and thin is reassuring. So be sure to treat your customers well, both when things are going well and when circumstances aren’t so rosy.
Know How to Adapt But Stay True
Adapting your business during tough times is often an essential way to survive. Many businesses took this step during the pandemic, especially those that were unable to operate as normal, such as restaurants. Knowing how to adapt is important, but it’s also necessary to know how to stay true to your business and its values. Whether you’re making a temporary change or pivoting on a more permanent basis, you should think about how to maintain your values and what your business stands for, especially if you want to keep some existing customers around.
If there are some positives to take away from the pandemic, some valuable business lessons can definitely be useful.
