Doing Business With the World

The Doing Business database provided by The World Bank Group is fabulous. It provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement -- spanning across no less than 175 economies.

And the new "Doing Business 2007: How to Reform" has just been released. Check it all out ... here.

The Innovation Sandbox

I have been a huge fan of CK's ever since he co-authored "Competing For the Future" with Gary Hamel. He has this unique ability (giftedness) to predict what's around the corner well before the rest of us arrive.

This article tells me he hasn't changed much -- which is a good thing. Care to see what's ahead on cutting-edge "global" innovation? Or, how about learning what it takes to change the world with your next big idea?

Read more >> here.

P.S. Rest assure, when I visit India, I will be staying at the indiOne hotel.

Socialized Medicine...10/4

Nurses, teachers 'in crisis'. Still dedicated despite hardships, survey finds.
Kathryn May, Montréal Gazette, August 25, 2002

Canada's nurses, doctors and teachers are the most committed, overworked, stressed and politically maligned workers in the country, a landmark federal study of nearly 31,500 working Canadians indicates.

It found that those employed in health, education and other social services work the hardest and longest but feel the least appreciated and believe they are unfairly blamed for mismanaged systems. Linda Duxbury, a co-author of the National Work-Life Conflict Study, said the health and education professions have been so badly "devalued" by years of job cuts and poor labour relations that the country's schools and hospitals can't keep or attract workers. ...

While a universal healthcare program may seem to be a good idea, those that have it have significantly less healthcare availability, those in the professions feel less than appropriately appreciated...and when has any government program come in under budget?

Going Global: Small Firms Take On The Challenge

Small firms that take on the challenge of selling overseas find new frontiers and untapped opportunities.

Read the article here.

Abridged Borderbuster: 9/5/06

CONTENTS

If you are not a subscriber to Borderbuster, here's a glimpse of what you missed this month:

1. Welcome From The Publisher
2. Feedback From Our Readers
3. Worldwide Market for Offshore IT Services Is Booming*
4. Business and Cultural Tips: Have Some Fun!*
5. Niche Trade Titles Talk the Talk*
6. How I Went Global: Ongoing Series // Martin Lindstrom
7. A Reader Asks: Q&A*
8. Everybody Loves a Freebie -- repeat: FREE OFFER*
9. Go Global Out of the Gate*
10. Going Global*
11. Fashion Conquistador*
12. Blog World: International Herald Tribune*
13. Laurel’s e-Book: “GODZILLA Global Marketing!”
14. Take A Walk On The Wild Side (TAWOTWS)*
15. Wind Behind Your Sail*
16. Miscellany*
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

*Indicates exclusive to Borderbuster subscribers only.

Sample section:

12. Blog World: International Herald Tribune*
*Subscriber Exclusive*

Managing globalization.

Visit the blog here.

###

To subscribe to Borderbuster, visit:
Sign Up For Borderbuster!

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is a celebration and a tribute to the contributions of workers in America who have made our country stronger. Enjoy.

P.S. This photo is taken a block from where I live.

Breakfast...for a Price...10/12

A couple of months ago, Sharon Hospital was nice enough to solicit campaign contributions from hospital staff and physicians for a political fund-raiser (breakfast) at the hospital. $500 was the asking price. All on hospital stationary.

The recipient was labeled as a "true friend" of the hospital who cut the red tape in allowing the first (and only) conversion of a not-for-profit community owned hospital to a for-profit entity.

"The letter may have violated several federal election laws: While a for profit corporation may hold fundraisers for politicians, they are prohibited from making donations as a corporate entity unless they register as a political action committee. A corporate PAC would be allowed to solicit campaign donations only from executives and stockholders, and a solicitation letter must include a statement that employees will not be punished if they don’t participate."

Politics as usual?...the affair was cancelled.....

Heck, why can't we all be like Hud...his political contributions totalled $17k in '04 and '06 cycles. And, he contributed $5k to the red-tape remover. (Hal Andrews added another $1,250.) It will be interesting how much is donated in this off-year election