China's Economy: Soft or Hard Landing?

A significant slowdown in China's economic growth in the third quarter is posing daunting challenges to the government's macro-control policies.

Pushing structural reform

The government's policy adjustment will determine whether China can prevent an economic slowdown from evolving into a meltdown.
China should transform its economy from an export-driven to consumption-driven growth model and from one that relies on highly polluting and energy-consuming heavy industries to one that depends on the hi-tech and service industries.

The cyclical fall in commodity prices offers the best timing for China's energy price reform as well as for increasing its energy efficiency. (Currently, the government decides most of the energy prices; hence cost fluctuations cannot be reflected in the final sales price.) In the 1960s-70s, Japan, Germany, and Latin American countries such as Mexico and Argentina boasted the highest economic growth in the world. But four decades later, the first two edged into developed countries, while Latin American countries are still lingering in the domain of developing countries. This is because they adopted completely different development models after being punched by high oil prices in the 1970s. Japan and Germany adopted favorable policies to encourage innovation in energy efficiency projects, and their energy efficiency levels have doubled in the past 30 years. But developing countries tried to stimulate economic growth by offering subsidies and price caps on energy. At present, the energy problem has increasingly become a bottleneck restricting developing countries' development. China should avoid the Latin American pattern and embark upon a project to refurbish its national energy policies to develop its economy in a more effective way.

Moreover, China should perfect its social security system in a bid to boost domestic consumption. High household deposit rates and low consumer consumption are partly caused by the lack of a sufficient social security system. China's expenditures for social security are far less than the average spent by developed countries. Therefore, its citizens tend to save as much money as possible for their retirement and possible illnesses, thus leading to inefficient consumption. The government should invest heavily in social security, public health and education to reassure its people that it is safe to spend money now.

Apart from the above-mentioned suggestions, the government should continue its land reform program to improve farmers' income, speed up urbanization and enhance intellectual property rights protection to promote innovation.

China opens key economic policy meeting

This is for our presentation of impact of China's economy policy on firms in China.


China's top leaders gathered in Beijing Monday to determine economic policies for 2008 amid efforts to prevent the economy from overheating and to curb inflation.

The Central Economic Work Conference, an annual event initiated more than a decade ago, has served as a crucial mechanism for the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council to run the Chinese economy.

Despite spectacular economic and social development since the start of the year, on the agenda at the conference is how to cool off booming investment and bank lending, address the soaring trade surplus, and improve the people's livelihood, sources said.

The conference will work out specific strategies and resolutions for these problems China is confronted with in its development.

China's economy is expected to expand 11.5 percent this year, fueled mainly by investment spending which rose 26.9 percent in the first ten months.

Its foreign exchange reserve topped US$1.43 trillion by the end of September - a main factor that have triggered the persistent liquidity problems.

Due to rising prices of food, the inflation rate will be 4.5 percent to 4.6 percent for the full year, compared with the government target of three percent, China's top statistician Xie Fuzhan said last week.

In a prelude to the conference, the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee convened a meeting last week, saying next year's top macroeconomic priorities would be preventing the economy from overheating and the current price rises from evolving into "evident inflation".

"China would seek steady progress, give priority to good development (over excessive development) and adhere to its reform and opening-up policy," the Political Bureau was told.

The country would also strive to make bigger progress in improving the people's livelihood, especially the lives of low-income families.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has also admitted that "prices have been on the rise these days and I'm aware that even a one-yuan (US$0.13) increase in prices will affect people's lives."

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2007)

Business Vocabulary (part 2)

12. person specification----The skills that a job candidate must have in order to complete the tasks of a position offered by a company.

13.Induction----Alternative term for inductive reasoning.

14.Employee empowerment----Employee empowerment is a strategy and philosophy that enables employees to make decisions about their jobs

15. Job enrichment----Job design technique that is a variation on job enlargement concept

16.Job enlargement----Job design technique in which the number of tasks associated with a job is increased (and appropriate training provided) to add greater variety to activities, thus reducing monotony.

17.Capacity utilisation----Capacity utilisation is the percentage of the firm’s total possible production capacity that is actually being used.
Capacity utilisation is calculated as follows:

Capacity utilisation (%) =
actual output per month (or per annum) x 100%
________________________________________
maximum possible output per month (or per annum)

18.Rationalisation----the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency.

19.Quality control----Steps taken to make sure that a company's products or services are of sufficiently high quality. also called quality assurance.

20.Quality assurance----the same as quality control.

21.Productivity---The amount of output per unit of input (labor, equipment, and capital).

22.Product portfolio analysis----



23.price taker----An individual or company which is not influential enough to affect the price of an item.

Business Vocabulary (part 1)

1. market mapping---Market Mapping is a distinct, well-codified methodology for organizations seeking to align their marketing strategies and processes and/or product development priorities more closely with the problems that customers need to solve most urgently.

2. market segmentation---A market segment is a subgroup of people or organizations sharing one or more characteristics that cause them to have similar product and/or service needs.

3. Brand positioning---When a new brand appears in the market, the consumer gets acquainted with it and starts collecting information about it. On the basis of this information the consumer creates an opinion of the brand and establishes a beand image.

4. Advertising elasticity---Advertising elasticity of demand is the change in sales that results from each monetary unit (e.g. each pound or dollar) that is spend on advertising.

5. Cash flow---Cash flow (also called net cash flow) is the balance of the amounts of cash being received and paid by a business during a defined period of time, sometimes tied to a specific project.

6. Loss leader---A loss leader or leader is a product sold at a low price (at cost or below cost) to stimulate other, profitable sales.

7. Adverse variance---It is the difference between actual and budgeted spend. Managers look at variances to help them understand and control business performance.

8. Net profit margin---Profit margin, Net Margin, Net profit margin or Net Profit Ratio all refer to a measure of profitability, it is calculated by finding the net profit as a percentage of the revenue :


9. Organizational structure---An organizational structure is a mostly hierarchical concept of subordination of entities that collaborate and contribute to serve one common aim.

10.Off the job training---Off the job training involves employees taking training courses away from their place of work. This is often also referred to as "formal training".

11. On the job training---Employee training at the place of work while he or she is doing the actual job.

* P.S. Here's a business dictionary!! It is very useful!!

Rubik’s cube

The Rubik’s cube is more popular then ever. It’s getting a spherical updated, it’s also a lamp and it makes a great alarm clock too. So this touchscreen Rubik’s cube makes perfect sense. It’s a natural progression. Obviously the TouchCube works just like the old version, but instead of turning it’s segments, just swipe a finger in a straight line or an ‘L’ shape. There’s even an accelerometer built in so that only the upwards-facing surfaces respond to your touch.

Strengths:

• Multifunctional
• Easy to use
• Stylish design ( attracts a lot of children and teenagers)
• Less competitors
• Creative

Weaknesses:

• Too expensive ( 150 pounds, and most target audiences are children)
• Only can by online

"Clocky"Evasive Alarm Clock

This is a clock, a friendly, wheel-footed alarm clock which is with a lovely name--CLOCKY!^^
The patented alarm clock that runs away and hides to get you out of bed. CLOCKY gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, CLOCKY will jump off your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide, beeping all the while. You'll have to get out of bed to silence his alarm. CLOCKY is kind of like a misbehaving pet, only he will get up at the right time.
I think this is a really good idea!~..Especially for people like me---very very very difficult to get out of my lovely, comfortable, warm bed.
Strengths:

• Stylish(Attracts young people, especially girls)
• Small(Size: 5.25" x 3.5" x 3.5")
• Creative and high technology.
• Can buy online and also in the shops.

Weaknesses:

• Expensive($50)
• Limitation(Only can but in America)

What can Toyota do?

Toyota meets some problems.
Let's see what can Toyota do?
1)Reduce production, stock falls. The marckedt has over capacity by reducig production costs(labour, materials)are reduced.
2) Create a new hybrid. (electric and petrol)car. This will attract customers as running from costs over cheaper. There is a competition based on quality from general motors (Battery prondes, more energy and has a longer life cycle).
3) Ask the government for subsidies, this would compare cash flow and reduce costs os investment.
4) New market. (Ansoff matrix)
5) New products, e.g. a flying car.
6) Close plants, e.g. truck companies.
7) Establish the emergency profit improvement committee.
8) Manager's bonuse.
9) Reduce workforce.
10) Reduce hours.
11)Reduce payment.
12) Sell of part or all the company.
13) Drop price.
14) Use Toyota brand to make other products(high quality).

Gneration G

THAT G WOULD BE "GENEROSITY", NOT G FOR "GREED" ^^

Read this first:

Sometimes big events and ongoing trends clash in a beautiful way, only to converge soon after. Consider the following:

GENERATION G "Captures the growing importance of 'generosity' as a leading societal and business mindset. As consumers are disgusted with greed and its current dire consequences for the economy—and while that same upheaval has them longing more than ever for institutions that care—the need for more generosity beautifully coincides with the ongoing (and pre-recession) emergence of an online-fueled culture of individuals who share, give, engage, create and collaborate in large numbers.
In fact, for many, sharing a passion and receiving recognition have replaced 'taking' as the new status symbol. Businesses should follow this societal/behavioral shift, however much it may oppose their decades-old devotion to me, myself and I.”


Well, I think it is very important for corporations to ditch the greed and embrace generosity. It's something that countless individuals have already started doing, of course: giving is the new taking, and sharing is the new giving. People realize that this month's Trend Briefing is massive, but in this business climate, they must spend some more time figuring out how to get a little closer to their customers.

Fashine Laptop Carry Cases

I want to their website, it was a not so gool commerce site, but their business idea is not bad.

The products there are normally for women because women are more likely to pursure and fashion. There are a range of stylish and pretty designed laptop bags which are casionally to be found in normally shops, so they must attract many many female customers,especially stendts in colleges and office ladies.

Strengths:

• Fshionable Products.
• Stylish reputation.
• Cheap prices.
• Nice Quality.

Weaknesses:

• Not famouse brand
• Limitation(only for online shopping and only pay in US dollar)

Solar Charging Backpack

Dicribtion about this bag:
The Voltaic Converter is the most versatile model. It is a small light weight day bag with a compartment for a water bladder, so it is ideal for biking and hiking.
Multiple attachment mechanisms mean it can work as a pannier on a bicycle, a tank bag on a motorcycle, a saddle pack, or a day bag attached to a lager rucksack.

Well , I think this is a good idea. From my point of view, I think this bag is very useful because I'm studing abroad overseas so I must spend so many hours in airplaines every year. This bag may be the best choice for me to carry with to take the flights! It's small light weight and versatile, it is very suitable for small people! But I don't like its design and colour~~

Strengths:

• Cheap
• Easy Attachment
• Specifications ( light weight but big volume)
• Environmental(4 Watts of Solar Power)
• Versatile (Battery Included,etc.)
• Sell Online.

Weaknesses:

• Poor design. (Not good looking)
• Poor brand.
• Too many competitors

LEX JACKSON

One of my friend asked me that how is my school life in the UK.

I just sent this picture to her.

She said:"NICE!"

Hyperlocal newspaper turns blogs in to print

The Printed Blog is the world's first daily newspaper comprised entirely of blogs and other user generated content.It seeks to change the way people share and interact with news from the world around them. Therefore,we can read opinions of different people meanwhile .I think it will be more convenient and efficient for people to discuss or learn things from others.

So,let's see how it works first--

1.Submit content.

2.Upcoming issures.

3.Advertise with us.

4.Community input.

5.On social networks.

6.Talk with us.

7.Work with us.

8. Lastly,just know more about us.

On one hand, advantages are very obvious that this independent outlet that aggregates user-generated content from the internet that it can meet a lot of different people's demands.Secondly, the newspaper is fully tactile that it reads and functions like a web feed, but that can still be spread across the breakfast table or enjoyed on the train. Moreover,there are lots of contents that include not only blogs but also photographs, puzzles, events, reader comments and other items of local interest.

On the other hand,the disadvantages exist that can not be avoided but not too many.One is that it just fits for people who have computers. The other weakness i think, is that the paper for printing sometimes may costs more than buying a piece of newspaper.

As a whole,i have confidence on this product.And it is on its way now!!!