Bank Bailout Estimated Cost: 14 Trillion + (via Pilant’s Business Ethics Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics, Capitalism, Government Failure, Philosophy of Business

This is from last year. However, few Americans are aware of the loan guarantees given to banks aside from the direct TARP funds. We should never forget the staggering money sacrifice by the taxpayers of the United States to save a flagging financial sector.

James Pilant

Bank Bailout Estimated Cost: 14 Trillion + According to a report by Nomi Prins and Krisztina Ugrin, the money paid out to save the banking industry is currently 14 trillion dollars while the money paid out in the stimulus and other responses to the economic crisis total almost 2 trillion dollars. So, the banking industry gets 14 trillion and regular Americans get a little less than 2 trillion scattered over hundreds of programs. Did you know that we can pay off every sub prime mortgage in … Read More

via Pilant's Business Ethics Blog

Are Businessmen Smarter Than Children? (via Pilant’s Business Ethics Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics, Capitalism, Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic measurement, ethics, Philosophy of Business

One of my more popular efforts – a blast from the past, so to speak. I’m sure many haven’t seen it and I had a lot of comment on it (mainly on Facebook, where my blog also appears).

James Pilant

Are Businessmen Smarter Than Children? When I was in law school we were taught that when a business had to decide whether or not to break the law, if the penalty was a simple fine, you would just decide which was least expensive and pay that cost. So, if the fine were cheaper than your profits, break the law and pay the fine. I was always troubled by that, the assumption that a fine was just a part of doing business. My perception is that this is major current of thought in modern bus … Read More

via Pilant's Business Ethics Blog

Blockbuster Files For Bankruptcy Protection

On By southwerkIn business ethics, Capitalism, ethics, Philosophy of Business

Are cable companies next? All over America, the little red boxes and the home computer are building market share. The old ideas, once new and exciting disappear.

I can hope (and my hopes get dashed regularly) that this new environment will actually feature competition. For in America, the free market is like Christianity, a great idea that we haven’t quite got around to yet.

I would like to see the day when the exorbitant rates charged by cable for “packages” designed to maximise their profits while providing dozens of channels no one wants is all a thing of the past. Customer satisfaction and product excellence are also much discussed and preached concepts. Not only a shallow religion but once again not often practiced.

James Pilant

He’s Back! Like Hannibal Lector, He Just Keeps Going!

On By southwerkIn business ethics, Capitalism, Corporate Social Responsibility, ethics, Government Failure, Philosophy of Business

I’ll let the picture speak for itself.

From Australia, via Facebook: The raw impact of workplace bullying (via Minding the Workplace)

On By southwerkIn Uncategorized

David Yamada blogs regularly on the subject of workplace bullying (among other issues). I very much respect his work and this piece is particularly eloquent and I recommend it to your attention.

I would like to praise the article but the power of the article and its raw emotional power is beyond my poor powers of description. You should just read.

James Pilant

Beyond Workplace Bullying Australia is one of the many Facebook (FB) pages that have formed in response to workplace bullying (more links here). A few days ago, I began noticing a series of short, wise, and plaintive posts from that page, obviously written by one person. The honesty, emotional intelligence, and pain expressed in these posts struck me as a form of raw testimony about the destructiveness of workplace bullying and just how much work … Read More

via Minding the Workplace

From Australia, via Facebook: The raw impact of workplace bullying (via Minding the Workplace)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

David Yamada blogs regularly on the subject of workplace bullying (among other issues). I very much respect his work and this piece is particularly eloquent and I recommend it to your attention.

I would like to praise the article but the power of the article and its raw emotional power is beyond my poor powers of description. You should just read.

James Pilant

Beyond Workplace Bullying Australia is one of the many Facebook (FB) pages that have formed in response to workplace bullying (more links here). A few days ago, I began noticing a series of short, wise, and plaintive posts from that page, obviously written by one person. The honesty, emotional intelligence, and pain expressed in these posts struck me as a form of raw testimony about the destructiveness of workplace bullying and just how much work … Read More

via Minding the Workplace

Optimism Leads to Delusions? (via Sonia Jaspal’s RiskBoard)

On By southwerkIn business ethics, Philosophy of Business

For around 400 years, the Western mind has struggled attempting to solve problems by logic using facts. It has not caught on. We still read horoscopes and to my continued astonishment often believe that if we thing hard enough “positively,” it will be so.
When we make decisions, the facts and an accurate assessment are our best allies. But in the United States, there is a perception that only positive, optimistic, emotionally intelligent people are the ones to be emulated.
It’s all nonsense. Read the article, it’s somewhat in line with what I am saying. I will elaborate further in a later article.

James Pilant

Since birth, the mantra taught to us about life is optimists do better in life as they think positive, are surrounded with positive people and generate positive energy. The example of the glass filled with some water typifies our thinking. Here are three examples of the statements people make and the general opinion formed by the public regarding the statements. First person Statement: The glass is half full. Opinion: Give the guy an immediate pa … Read More

via Sonia Jaspal's RiskBoard

Optimism Leads to Delusions? (via Sonia Jaspal’s RiskBoard)

On By southwerkIn Uncategorized4 Comments

For around 400 years, the Western mind has struggled attempting to solve problems by logic using facts. It has not caught on. We still read horoscopes and to my continued astonishment often believe that if we thing hard enough “positively,” it will be so.
When we make decisions, the facts and an accurate assessment are our best allies. But in the United States, there is a perception that only positive, optimistic, emotionally intelligent people are the ones to be emulated.
It’s all nonsense. Read the article, it’s somewhat in line with what I am saying. I will elaborate further in a later article.

James Pilant

Since birth, the mantra taught to us about life is optimists do better in life as they think positive, are surrounded with positive people and generate positive energy. The example of the glass filled with some water typifies our thinking. Here are three examples of the statements people make and the general opinion formed by the public regarding the statements. First person Statement: The glass is half full. Opinion: Give the guy an immediate pa … Read More

via Sonia Jaspal's RiskBoard

What is Fair Trade? (Part 3) (via Get Aktiv)

On By southwerkIn business ethics, Capitalism, Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic measurement, ethics, Philosophy of Business

The third part in a series. I recommend you read all three. This is a different way to handle the issue, one that is sustainable and provides an actual human touch to capitalism.

The World Fair Trade Organization defines “Fair Trade” as –

“a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers…”

James Pilant

[This is the final post in a 3 part series by guest contributor Natalie Armstrong, from Bachhara. Click here for Part 1 and Part 2] Fair trade organizations are not perfect, nor do they claim to be. There is still much work to be done and there always will be. It requires continual development and ongoing reassessment. The key however is that fair trade organizations show commitment to the preservation of these principles. Without a doubt, there … Read More

via Get Aktiv

I’m Back

On By southwerkIn Uncategorized1 Comment

I’m back. I’ve had the flu and this has been followed by bronchitis. I have a prescription for antibiotics but thus far my insurance doesn’t want to pay for that particular one, so we’ll see what happens.

I deeply appreciated the “get well” messages from you. It’s good to be appreciated.

James Pilant