I usually don’t comment on the performing arts. Mr. Salzberg is a theatrical painter of lighting (and, from the clippings, quite accomplished at it) from Vermont. That’s not to say I don’t pay attention. And sometimes there are implications for all the arts in another arena. Such is the case here.
On Saturday, September 18, 2010 (at 8:08am, dontcha just love the Modern Age) – Mr. S posted to his facebook page the following article (which brought him to my attention): Arts Jobs Are Jobs, Too.
He makes some brilliant points, how the arts get dismissed from every angle being the primary of two significant threads. And it is a point that needs to be made more, a point that needs to sink in.
Within a few weeks he garnered over 50 “likes” and about the same number of comments. This tells me two things: [a] he struck a nerve, and [b] there was more content to read! …and there was. There were a number of perspectives put forth on how to be proactive to counter the dismissive arts position. Chief among these was to become politically active, with data to back yourself up (the numbers are on our side)!
The following three links, in order, are Jeff’s homepage, the article I spoke of and an example of how the arts and politics recently danced in Toronto. Please, at least read his brief, passionate and thoughtful post.
http://www.jeffsalzberg.com/
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=442513016064&id=656109178
http://artsvotetoronto.ca/
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
"to Standardize or Customize, that is the Question" [textbook continued]
Abstract
This document seeks to embrace marketing framing distinctions from the US to Indonesia; specifically as regards a textbook.
Basic Components
The basic components considered include the following: retail outlets, advertising approach, pricing, product design and branding. Context on Context
The initial approach to this inquiry was to create a polling script, with the target goal of polling 30 people (Fig. 1). The purpose was not only to establish (beyond educated guess) where the product would fall as regards sales channels and advertising approaches, and how that would compare to other ordinary purchases.
The author apologizes to you, dear reader, because the author is not surprised by the subsequent challenge (and should have known better). What is seen in figure 1 is a machine translation. Before handing this off to an on the ground audience of Indonesians, a more meaningful and authentic translation was sought.
Backup
The backup approach to gleaning this information was to synthesize what this author knows with conversational feedback from an Indonesian. The preponderance of marketed sales done is by way of television (Tarigan, 2010). However, this, too, needs to be tempered. The statement made was more within the framework of regular consumable goods (much as the poll was set up).
The author was, however, able to jump past Ms. Tarigan’s interview, (who is working on her second baccalaureate degree; one accomplished in Indonesia, now working on another in the US), and interview a baccalaureate student there in Indonesia (by way of Skype). Ms. Ribka Bukit does not drink coffee (consequently, those are marked not applicable). The scores for the textbook are as presumed (even while acknowledging that this is a relatively unscientific survey). Ms. Bukit has to purchase textbooks as she as instructed to. Therefore, this products’ marketing does not conform to that of other ordinary products. On occasion Ms. Bukit purchases her textbooks online, however, usually purchases the book in the school bookstore (University of Sumatera Utara; http://www.usu.ac.id/). Being a young Indonesian lady in her early 20s, shopping has an otherwise entertaining significance; as demonstrated by the other ordinary products having scores of average or above, with an emphasis (as indicated by Ms. Tarigan) on television advertising and retail store purchases.
As regards marketing and distribution channels, the question of why is bound to the type of product we are speaking up. Presuming the textbook comes into being, and further presuming an Indonesian distribution, its adoption by most learning institutions its purchase becomes a fait accompli. One chooses whether to go to school, or take a class. Beyond which one is ordered to purchase a text. This hardly serves as marketing; more, it is simply a communication function.
Is there a cultural affinity zone? In fact there is. However, with marketing being so thin, at best, any customized communications (posters, bookmarks and other ephemera for the bookstore) would simply shift by language for neighboring countries. This presumes that any imagery, tagline, etc. is conservative enough so as not to be controversial.
What factors influences standardization/customization? Items such is the aforementioned imagery, tagline and so on can be standardized (again, only customized by language) as long as one is respecting the cultures of that region. An example of this would be to demure from any nudes and from any violent images. However, given the global approach of the text, such considerations should be givens, in order to be consistent with the work itself.
Conclusions
To the degree to which the intended textbook is standardized to a global audience, to that degree no further customization (beyond language) need occur.
Although pursuing the pole may be a moot point, it remains an interesting pursuit, especially when considering the opportunity of placing the text in retail outlets. This would also necessitate the pursuit of other metrics, possibly focus groups, certainly demographics.
References
Bukit, R. (2010, November 26). Interview by F. Davis [conversation on Skype]. [personal], .
Global Business Indonesia [Interactive data sets, links to resources, etc.]. (2010). Time Inc.. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/global_business/indonesia
Indag - Ministry of Industry and Trade - The Republic of Indonesia. (2000). Indag - Ministry of Industry and Trade - The Republic of Indonesia. Retrieved from Ministry of Industry and Trade: http://depperindag.tripod.com/eng_2000/organ/organ1/organ_t.htm
NationMaster.com. (2005). http://search.nationmaster.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?query=Indonesia+publishing
Netcode, Inc. . (2010). ZipLeaf [search engine, country specific]. : http://id.zipleaf.com/.
PayScale, Inc. [Indonesia Index]. (2010). http://www.payscale.com/index/ID
Sauvin , S. (2010, October 1, 2010). Print advertising up 20% in Indonesia. snfblog.com. Retrieved from http://www.sfnblog.com/advertising/2010/10/indonesian_newspapers_continue_reliance.php
Singapore Economic Development Board. (2009). . Retrieved from http://www.edb.gov.sg/edb/sg/en_uk/index.html
Sourcingline. (2009). http://www.sourcingline.com/outsourcing-location/indonesia/.
Tarigan, K. U. (2010, November 24). Interview by F. Davis [conversation]. [personal], .
The World Bank Group. (2010). World Bank - Indonesia. Retrieved from World Bank - Indonesia: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/EASTASIAPACIFICEXT/INDONESIAEXTN/0,,menuPK:224605~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:226309,00.html
Usunier, J., & Lee, J. A. (2005). Marketing Across Cultures (4th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.
indobizdb. (2010). indobizdb [search engine, country specific]. : http://indobizdb.com/.
the United States - Indonesia Society. (2010). [various]. Retrieved from the United States - Indonesia Society: http://www.usindo.org/
Friday, November 26, 2010
Global Job Creation for You [op ed]
On matters of multiculturalism, trans-nationalism and all else that constitutes that which is global there seems to be a ready and casual posture in place that makes most of this somewhat alienating. The fact of the matter is the overwhelming number of people that review this material for their own learning do not occupy positions of upper management in multinational corporations. Researching, studying, reading and writing about decisions (and the why and wherefore) of entities such as Sony, IKEA and Ford cull limited value ultimately.
It seems it would be far better to effort in a direction of making all of this larger consideration as immediately applicable as possible. This writer is of what may still be termed the middle class (if there is still such a thing), and as such strives wherever possible to make the nooks and crannies of international studies apply here on the ground.
What would it look like for me, personally, to have to wrestle with matters of import or export, to market a product or service overseas and to manage a small team of unique and disparate talent within the framework of an entrepreneurial venture?
Aside from the fact that shifting this basic aspect of the paradigm to this regular and ongoing conversation would make the subject matter significantly more understandable, immediate and digestible. It would also go a long way towards supporting our country as it strives to add jobs!
What would it look like for me, personally, to have to wrestle with matters of import or export, to market a product or service overseas and to manage a small team of unique and disparate talent within the framework of an entrepreneurial venture?
Aside from the fact that shifting this basic aspect of the paradigm to this regular and ongoing conversation would make the subject matter significantly more understandable, immediate and digestible. It would also go a long way towards supporting our country as it strives to add jobs!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
In celebration of the day I offer up an image of myself as a turkey. In celebration of the applied art business most closely associated with this day I offer up a menu as well (A state of the art, if you will. I'll be having a homemade affair in Florida). May your gratitude list overflow.
Omni Hotel
at Independance Park
401 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia
Thanksgiving Dinner
By Executive Chef Issiaka Konate and
The Azalea Restaurant Presents
Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 25, 2010
12:00pm - 6:00pm
Delaware Valley Mixed Green Blend
Jumbo Shrimp Salad, Red Oak Greens with Roasted Sweet Pecans, Kalamata Olives, Rutherford Cheese and Lemon Chive Vinaigrette and Baby Spinach Salad with shaved Pear, dried Cranberries, topped with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette and Asian Noodle Salad
Antipasto Display
Parma Prosciutto with Melon Wedge, Marinated Portabella. Oyster, and White Button Mushrooms in virgin olive oil and balsamic, Artichoke Salad, Marinated and Grilled Purple and White Eggplant, Zucchini, Red and Green Peppers, Oven Dried Tomatoes. Fennel, and Tender White and Green Asparagus
Chef Carved Selection
Champagne Roasted Turkey with Champagne Grape SauceSlow Roasted Marinated Filet Mignon with Port Wine Sauce Azalea Salrnon, Stuffed with Crabmeat, Spinach and Roasted Peppers Accompanied by Braised Tomato Fennel Salad
Pasta Station
Tortellini or Bowtie Pasta
with your choice of a light Italian Tomato Basil or Rich Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Blended with your selection of the following:
Cooked Pancetta, Grilled Filet tip, Sliced Shrimp, Lump Crab Meat, Chicken Breast, Sweet Peas, Artichokes. Assorted Olives, Asparagus, Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
Stuffing Combinations
Cornbread, Sausage and Sage Stuffing with Cranberries
Traditional Thanksgiving Day Stuffing
Whole Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Yukon Gold Lobster Mashed Potatoes
Vegetable Combination
Chocolate Fondue Fountain with Seasonal Fruit Display
Jumbo Strawberries, Grapes, Golden Pineapple, Assorted Berries, Marshmallows, Graham Crackers, Pound Cake, Bananas and Pretzels
Viennese Pastry Station
Finest Selection from our local Classic Cake Company and Sweet Street
Chef prepared Swedish Crepes with over 20 toppings
Coffee, Tea, Decaffeinated Coffee
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
International Marketing Ethics
Abstract
This is a quick look at how a multinational company found its way into ticking off others through a marketing faux pas. We will be looking at what has now become something of an iconic error made by the makers of Absolut vodka.
Introduction
a bit of background
In the American colloquial vernacular the phrase, “let sleeping dogs lie” exists. It is imagined that many cultures have a similar phrase, indicating leaving the past in the past. The ad agency Teran.TBWA chose instead to leverage their past, and in some measure created a temporary detriment.
To appreciate fully how we come to this point we have to start in the early 1980s. There we find a Swedish distillery looking to reach beyond its borders. Back then, all vodka seemed as relatively cheap and unremarkable. “…a cheap commodity that was so generic even Communists couldn't screw it up too badly.” (Beato , 2008). Absolut started by choosing a silhouetted bottle that was simultaneously remarkable and unremarkable, a relatively generic shape, yet also associated with medicine bottles. Its ad campaign was similarly shrewd, a template base within which featured a short phrase, beginning with the word that is the name of the product.
Soon, cachét began to be established. In the game of what can you relate to, we find that we relate to everything; consequently, the generic everywhere began to establish the amusement of how clever Absolut showed up (constantly dressed anew). There is an entire site dedicated to chronicling the hundreds of different Absolut ads just from these last few decades (and it is remarkable how obtuse and obscure some of them can be) (Absolute Ads website, 2010).
Naturally, marketing expertise would dictate to not stray too far afield. However, in the quest for constantly refreshing the content Absolut found itself drifting ever more abstractly. Slowly, this trajectory drifted from the high-minded “Absolut (fill in the superlative)” to self-deprecation, and merely “Absolut (fill in the blank)”.
Which is both where we find ourselves today, and where we meet our story, vodka is back to being relatively unremarkable (if no long cheap).
Viva Mexico
This document simply purports to be an acknowledgment, and pull from it some insight(s); in no way looking to diminish the larger success. Absolut remains “the most popular imported vodka in America. It's the third largest liquor brand worldwide…” (Beato , 2008).
So who would fault the Swedes for wanting to engage an agency on the ground in Mexico, to collapse any misunderstandings? Such an approach is classic marketing (Usunier & Lee, 2005).
Given the drift of what had been tried and true, by 2008 when the campaigns have become "In an Absolut World" ads, the Mexican ad agency Teran.TBWA not only had a blank canvas, but an urging toward messaging as well. It is therefore understandable that an association with the products greatest consumers, just north of its border, became too ripe and opportunity to pass up.
The American West and Southwest, and it's annexation, are an unquestionable shared experience. What is questionable is for whom is this a point of pride, and for whom is this a point of shame or embarrassment. With so much leeway, can one really fault Teran.TBWA? The ad certainly push buttons, and do not good at sometimes do that? While this deeply into the inquiry one would hardly find fault with absolute itself, back in Sweden, many certainly did nonetheless. No one wants reminding of one neighbor usurping the other.
The Swedish distillery had paid well for the perception of quality communication in Mexico, by the choice of a top agency. Teran.TBWA was (and is) indigenous, yet every bit as capable as most that you would find on Madison Avenue. This choice was supposed to have spared them back translation, parallel translation and unforeseen cultural nuances. This went well beyond cultural nuance.
Perhaps an overreach to impress its new star client, Teran.TBWA went where it did. The unanswered question will remain whether they did what they did consciously or not. If it was the former, that is a significant calculated risk. One can only hope this was not reflective of a lack of research.
From the visual photo blog Flickr, we find two examples of reconfigured responses (seen here) (“Absolut“, 2008). Suffice to say, this ad only lives on in Internet postings.
Conclusion
Afterword (a responce to a colleague)
The phrase “In an Absolute World” seemed to be interpreted by the Mexican ad agency as "In an ideal world”. And, politically charged, to their perspective, in an ideal world Mexico would still have its original borders (and therefore be on par with the US, if only in land mass).
So much of the core of marketing can be subjective, but there are metrics. I have no idea if they used focus groups (or any other rubric) for how this would play, but for the substantial commission I assume they would have. Which brings me to: arresting or saying “it” badly. I do not recall my source, but the ad didn’t play long. I think they pulled it within a week. The point is I sense that the ad agency put this out there knowing it was a calculated risk, that they could (and might have to / did) dial it back.
That the fiscal year result yielded US -5%, Mexico +21 % (sales growth) seems a glowing success, and a tradeoff most corporations would be willing to go through with.
In my final point I will humbly submit that we are both correct. Unethical? Well, not empirically, no. But certainly at the edges. Wouldn’t you agree that it’s unethical to create an ad campaign with a pretty good idea (really, likely knowing) you’re gonna tick off an entire country? Why would anyone do that? To get a rise, to be controversial, to be edgy. You yourself cited “2257 posted comments many filled with hate and bigotry” … they caused a kerfuffle. And it made people look at their brand anew.
Ultimately, the most cogent piece underlying all this that remains presumptive is how calculating was the ad agency…and I would bet very. Absolut is a worldwide brand with deep pockets. This ad agency has handfuls of similarly situated rock star clients. They may have been willing to pull it back in a heartbeat, but it really is hard for me to imagine they let this out without testing.
Which means they knowingly upset people.
References
Absolut Vodka. (2010). Absolut Vodka. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.absolut.com/us
Absolut. (2008). Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/newcorrespondent/2383371667/
Absolute Ads website. (2010, ). [ comment]. Retrieved from http://www.absolutads.com/
This is a quick look at how a multinational company found its way into ticking off others through a marketing faux pas. We will be looking at what has now become something of an iconic error made by the makers of Absolut vodka.
Introduction
a bit of background
In the American colloquial vernacular the phrase, “let sleeping dogs lie” exists. It is imagined that many cultures have a similar phrase, indicating leaving the past in the past. The ad agency Teran.TBWA chose instead to leverage their past, and in some measure created a temporary detriment.
Soon, cachét began to be established. In the game of what can you relate to, we find that we relate to everything; consequently, the generic everywhere began to establish the amusement of how clever Absolut showed up (constantly dressed anew). There is an entire site dedicated to chronicling the hundreds of different Absolut ads just from these last few decades (and it is remarkable how obtuse and obscure some of them can be) (Absolute Ads website, 2010).
Naturally, marketing expertise would dictate to not stray too far afield. However, in the quest for constantly refreshing the content Absolut found itself drifting ever more abstractly. Slowly, this trajectory drifted from the high-minded “Absolut (fill in the superlative)” to self-deprecation, and merely “Absolut (fill in the blank)”.
Which is both where we find ourselves today, and where we meet our story, vodka is back to being relatively unremarkable (if no long cheap).
Viva Mexico
This document simply purports to be an acknowledgment, and pull from it some insight(s); in no way looking to diminish the larger success. Absolut remains “the most popular imported vodka in America. It's the third largest liquor brand worldwide…” (Beato , 2008).
So who would fault the Swedes for wanting to engage an agency on the ground in Mexico, to collapse any misunderstandings? Such an approach is classic marketing (Usunier & Lee, 2005).
Given the drift of what had been tried and true, by 2008 when the campaigns have become "In an Absolut World" ads, the Mexican ad agency Teran.TBWA not only had a blank canvas, but an urging toward messaging as well. It is therefore understandable that an association with the products greatest consumers, just north of its border, became too ripe and opportunity to pass up.
The American West and Southwest, and it's annexation, are an unquestionable shared experience. What is questionable is for whom is this a point of pride, and for whom is this a point of shame or embarrassment. With so much leeway, can one really fault Teran.TBWA? The ad certainly push buttons, and do not good at sometimes do that? While this deeply into the inquiry one would hardly find fault with absolute itself, back in Sweden, many certainly did nonetheless. No one wants reminding of one neighbor usurping the other.
The Swedish distillery had paid well for the perception of quality communication in Mexico, by the choice of a top agency. Teran.TBWA was (and is) indigenous, yet every bit as capable as most that you would find on Madison Avenue. This choice was supposed to have spared them back translation, parallel translation and unforeseen cultural nuances. This went well beyond cultural nuance.
Perhaps an overreach to impress its new star client, Teran.TBWA went where it did. The unanswered question will remain whether they did what they did consciously or not. If it was the former, that is a significant calculated risk. One can only hope this was not reflective of a lack of research.
From the visual photo blog Flickr, we find two examples of reconfigured responses (seen here) (“Absolut“, 2008). Suffice to say, this ad only lives on in Internet postings.
Conclusion
Teran.TBWA seems a highly competent agency. Its client list is impressive; including: Adidas, Apple, Dominos (pizza), Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Nextel, Nissan, Nivea, (pet foods) Pedigree and Whiskas, Starbucks and Visa (to name a few). Therefore, such a marketing powerhouse may well have known what it was doing. Although the question remains “did it really?” If it helps the reader's decision-making process whatsoever, rest assured they lived happily ever after; they still have the Absolut account.
Afterword (a responce to a colleague)
The phrase “In an Absolute World” seemed to be interpreted by the Mexican ad agency as "In an ideal world”. And, politically charged, to their perspective, in an ideal world Mexico would still have its original borders (and therefore be on par with the US, if only in land mass).
So much of the core of marketing can be subjective, but there are metrics. I have no idea if they used focus groups (or any other rubric) for how this would play, but for the substantial commission I assume they would have. Which brings me to: arresting or saying “it” badly. I do not recall my source, but the ad didn’t play long. I think they pulled it within a week. The point is I sense that the ad agency put this out there knowing it was a calculated risk, that they could (and might have to / did) dial it back.
That the fiscal year result yielded US -5%, Mexico +21 % (sales growth) seems a glowing success, and a tradeoff most corporations would be willing to go through with.
In my final point I will humbly submit that we are both correct. Unethical? Well, not empirically, no. But certainly at the edges. Wouldn’t you agree that it’s unethical to create an ad campaign with a pretty good idea (really, likely knowing) you’re gonna tick off an entire country? Why would anyone do that? To get a rise, to be controversial, to be edgy. You yourself cited “2257 posted comments many filled with hate and bigotry” … they caused a kerfuffle. And it made people look at their brand anew.
Ultimately, the most cogent piece underlying all this that remains presumptive is how calculating was the ad agency…and I would bet very. Absolut is a worldwide brand with deep pockets. This ad agency has handfuls of similarly situated rock star clients. They may have been willing to pull it back in a heartbeat, but it really is hard for me to imagine they let this out without testing.
Which means they knowingly upset people.
References
Absolut Vodka. (2010). Absolut Vodka. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.absolut.com/us
Absolut. (2008). Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/newcorrespondent/2383371667/
Absolute Ads website. (2010, ). [ comment]. Retrieved from http://www.absolutads.com/
Beato , G. (2008). Absolut Faux Pas. Reason Magazine. Advance online publication. Retrieved from http://reason.com/archives/2008/04/10/absolut-faux-pas
Staff (2008, April 3, 2008). Mexico reconquers California? Absolut drinks to that!. Los Angeles Times . Retrieved from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2008/04/mexico-reconque.html
Teran\TBWA. (2010). http://www.terantbwa.com.mx/
Usunier, J., & Lee, J. A. (2005). Marketing Across Cultures (4th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Code of (Guiding Principals) Conduct; (Marketing)
Forward
Please emphasize the word guide in this code of conduct to guide sales and marketing employees in the various countries where our organization does business. This code leans heavily on normative guidelines as a superstructure against which modification of specific behaviors occurs on a case-by-case basis. For example, an assertive posture in North America may be perfectly appropriate, wherein the same behavior in the Far East will yield bruised relationships. A self-modifying behavioral shift is both wanted and needed in this circumstance. For purposes of contrast, hiring child labor in Indonesia is altogether unwarranted (although possible), wherein the hiring of child labor in Bangladesh (particularly if folded in with considerations of appropriate effort, breaks, meals, safety, educational opportunity and the like) may be a charitable contribution.
Fortunately, despite the extent to which such a document defies empirical expression, we are nonetheless dealing (ultimately) with the human condition; and we will always be more alike than different. Cycling back to normative guidelines, one will notice an effort toward the guiding principles and standards that mankind tends to share. While even these abstractions may be buffeted somewhat differently, culture-to-culture, doing the right thing is always the responsibility of anyone representing our company. If there is ever any question as to what to do, please contact the multicultural manager through human resources.
All that said, a few guiding principles: honesty, fairness, transparency, do no harm, do your homework, do your best and treat others the way you would want to be treated. If one must err, err on the side of caution. Default positions further include being conservative, deferring to precedent, seniors and elders. If something becomes questionable, question it (HR’s multicultural manager). The Zoroastrians have a guiding principle that we can also incorporate: good thoughts, good words, good deeds.
Code of (Guiding Principals) Conduct
Abstractions
Differing cultures have differing positions on matters of individual morals, ethical and moral reasoning, human rights and organizational ethical climate. It is the individual representative’s responsibility to be as fully prepared walking in, to have reasonable expectations and an internal locus established guiding sensibility. Principles such as trust, integrity, respect, honesty, responsibility and privacy may have somewhat altering appearances, yet they tend to be universal. Understanding that reasoning and relativism may be authentically different from culture to culture, where bright lines exist, the company would rather lose the business than compromise, given the convenient excuse to do so. For the gray areas in between, where such question exists, an internal review will occur internally on a case-by-case basis.
When such distinctions occur, and best practices established, documentation will occur in kind, and filed both with the local and home office (to be reviewed, and possibly updated, every five years). Relationships where working together (disagreements, and particularly agreements) between our organization and the country in question should inform and guide appropriateness.
the Established Subjective
Our marketing concern will never knowingly offend anyone. Indeed, we will go out of our way to ensure that never happens. Consistent with this ethic, we will never knowingly participate in any deception, by claim or advertising. We also make a distinction between healthy margins and predatory pricing; always seeking the former, however, never at the expense of the latter.
Matters of Justice
• We will never leverage the lesser than; lesser regulations, societies of lesser development, etc. We will always side with human rights (and wherever possible, will contribute charitably, as any good neighbor should).
• Everything we do is a promise of improvement. In some form, fashion, or another we will always seek to accentuate the positive, decrease the negative and otherwise leave a place / situation better than it was.
• Anything that may ever be construed as less than positive, a "mess", once brought to the attention of management, will be wholly owned and cleaned up; as our responsibility would dictate.
• We will shun institutions associated with the unsafe, working environments, products, etc.
• We will never leverage any political entity to unfair advantage. However, we will be friendly with our friends; seeking increased trade and an even playing field for all.
• We will seek to grow our business entity ever more environmentally friendly. To this end an annual report will be made available to the public.
• We do not participate in bribery. Where this dynamic occurs in other cultures, we will seek to emulate best practices so as to both honor that culture's perspective and maintain our own integrity.
Miscellaneous
Our marketing concern views these guiding principles as inherent to the fabric of our creativity. The overall spirit of who we are and of what we produce will naturally reflect our benchmark standards for excellence. This diplomatic high road will be one among our most distinguishing assets, and the calling underlying our branding.
References
American Marketing Association. (2005). the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) code of conduct . In the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) code of conduct . Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marketingpower.com%2FCareers%2FDocuments%2FPCM%2520Application%2520Kit.pdf&ei=BMHnTOmZNsb_lgeM67i7Cw&usg=AFQjCNE3pngME_hdEkQOvKxtYa1GErAsUQ&sig2=nvERiaEYNIr1OxzKaGWEwg
Bourget , D., & Chalmers , D. (Eds.). (2010). philpapers. Retrieved from http://philpapers.org/rec/BOREIO
DJOglobal SALES & MARKETING CODE OF CONDUCT. (2009). In SALES & MARKETING CODE OF CONDUCT. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CCkQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.empi.com%2Fuploadedfiles%2Fabout_empi%2FMarketing%2520Code%2520of%2520Conduct.pdf&ei=q6PnTP7zGcT_lgeBotH1Cw&usg=AFQjCNGEi-JGnkx8Ie8gs-nWZ9rND9UJcw&sig2=9VLOTDvHY73H2R9Ugd-QtQ
Rallapalli, K. C. (1999). A Paradigm for Development and Promulgation of a GlobalCode of Marketing Ethics. Retrieved from Journal of Business Ethics: http://www.springerlink.com/content/w783265523872h20/fulltext.pdf
Usunier, J., & Lee, J. A. (2005). Marketing Across Cultures (4th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.
Word of Mouth Marketing Association . (2009). Ethics Code. In Ethics Code. Retrieved from http://womma.org/ethics/code/
World Health Organization. (1981). WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. In International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Retrieved from www.who.int/nutrition/publications/code_english.pdf
Please emphasize the word guide in this code of conduct to guide sales and marketing employees in the various countries where our organization does business. This code leans heavily on normative guidelines as a superstructure against which modification of specific behaviors occurs on a case-by-case basis. For example, an assertive posture in North America may be perfectly appropriate, wherein the same behavior in the Far East will yield bruised relationships. A self-modifying behavioral shift is both wanted and needed in this circumstance. For purposes of contrast, hiring child labor in Indonesia is altogether unwarranted (although possible), wherein the hiring of child labor in Bangladesh (particularly if folded in with considerations of appropriate effort, breaks, meals, safety, educational opportunity and the like) may be a charitable contribution.
Fortunately, despite the extent to which such a document defies empirical expression, we are nonetheless dealing (ultimately) with the human condition; and we will always be more alike than different. Cycling back to normative guidelines, one will notice an effort toward the guiding principles and standards that mankind tends to share. While even these abstractions may be buffeted somewhat differently, culture-to-culture, doing the right thing is always the responsibility of anyone representing our company. If there is ever any question as to what to do, please contact the multicultural manager through human resources.
All that said, a few guiding principles: honesty, fairness, transparency, do no harm, do your homework, do your best and treat others the way you would want to be treated. If one must err, err on the side of caution. Default positions further include being conservative, deferring to precedent, seniors and elders. If something becomes questionable, question it (HR’s multicultural manager). The Zoroastrians have a guiding principle that we can also incorporate: good thoughts, good words, good deeds.
Code of (Guiding Principals) Conduct
Abstractions
Differing cultures have differing positions on matters of individual morals, ethical and moral reasoning, human rights and organizational ethical climate. It is the individual representative’s responsibility to be as fully prepared walking in, to have reasonable expectations and an internal locus established guiding sensibility. Principles such as trust, integrity, respect, honesty, responsibility and privacy may have somewhat altering appearances, yet they tend to be universal. Understanding that reasoning and relativism may be authentically different from culture to culture, where bright lines exist, the company would rather lose the business than compromise, given the convenient excuse to do so. For the gray areas in between, where such question exists, an internal review will occur internally on a case-by-case basis.
When such distinctions occur, and best practices established, documentation will occur in kind, and filed both with the local and home office (to be reviewed, and possibly updated, every five years). Relationships where working together (disagreements, and particularly agreements) between our organization and the country in question should inform and guide appropriateness.
the Established Subjective
Our marketing concern will never knowingly offend anyone. Indeed, we will go out of our way to ensure that never happens. Consistent with this ethic, we will never knowingly participate in any deception, by claim or advertising. We also make a distinction between healthy margins and predatory pricing; always seeking the former, however, never at the expense of the latter.
Matters of Justice
• We will never leverage the lesser than; lesser regulations, societies of lesser development, etc. We will always side with human rights (and wherever possible, will contribute charitably, as any good neighbor should).
• Everything we do is a promise of improvement. In some form, fashion, or another we will always seek to accentuate the positive, decrease the negative and otherwise leave a place / situation better than it was.
• Anything that may ever be construed as less than positive, a "mess", once brought to the attention of management, will be wholly owned and cleaned up; as our responsibility would dictate.
• We will shun institutions associated with the unsafe, working environments, products, etc.
• We will never leverage any political entity to unfair advantage. However, we will be friendly with our friends; seeking increased trade and an even playing field for all.
• We will seek to grow our business entity ever more environmentally friendly. To this end an annual report will be made available to the public.
• We do not participate in bribery. Where this dynamic occurs in other cultures, we will seek to emulate best practices so as to both honor that culture's perspective and maintain our own integrity.
Miscellaneous
Our marketing concern views these guiding principles as inherent to the fabric of our creativity. The overall spirit of who we are and of what we produce will naturally reflect our benchmark standards for excellence. This diplomatic high road will be one among our most distinguishing assets, and the calling underlying our branding.
References
American Marketing Association. (2005). the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) code of conduct . In the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) code of conduct . Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marketingpower.com%2FCareers%2FDocuments%2FPCM%2520Application%2520Kit.pdf&ei=BMHnTOmZNsb_lgeM67i7Cw&usg=AFQjCNE3pngME_hdEkQOvKxtYa1GErAsUQ&sig2=nvERiaEYNIr1OxzKaGWEwg
Bourget , D., & Chalmers , D. (Eds.). (2010). philpapers. Retrieved from http://philpapers.org/rec/BOREIO
DJOglobal SALES & MARKETING CODE OF CONDUCT. (2009). In SALES & MARKETING CODE OF CONDUCT. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CCkQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.empi.com%2Fuploadedfiles%2Fabout_empi%2FMarketing%2520Code%2520of%2520Conduct.pdf&ei=q6PnTP7zGcT_lgeBotH1Cw&usg=AFQjCNGEi-JGnkx8Ie8gs-nWZ9rND9UJcw&sig2=9VLOTDvHY73H2R9Ugd-QtQ
Rallapalli, K. C. (1999). A Paradigm for Development and Promulgation of a GlobalCode of Marketing Ethics. Retrieved from Journal of Business Ethics: http://www.springerlink.com/content/w783265523872h20/fulltext.pdf
Usunier, J., & Lee, J. A. (2005). Marketing Across Cultures (4th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited.
Word of Mouth Marketing Association . (2009). Ethics Code. In Ethics Code. Retrieved from http://womma.org/ethics/code/
World Health Organization. (1981). WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. In International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Retrieved from www.who.int/nutrition/publications/code_english.pdf
Monday, November 22, 2010
Marketing in Indonesia [a textbook / thoughts on]
Abstract
This document seeks to explore the marketing possibilities of bringing a presumed product (a yet incomplete, let alone translated textbook) into an other country, Indonesia. A cursory analysis of the marketing industry as it exists on the ground will be taken up; and two agencies will be chosen (and further, consider their merits).
Essentially a strategy document, having established something of a baseline there will then be a consideration formed seeking to maximize what there is to work with.
Welcome to Paradise
Wherefore Indonesian Marketing
This author has written elsewhere that Indonesia is not exactly an icon of business efficiency in the Western sense of things. The first item confronted was that there was no ready reference for the marketing industry in that country in English. The PPPI (or Indonesian Advertising Agency Association) website does not readily yield the needed information (PPPI (the Indonesian Advertising Agency Assoc.), n.d.).
Therefore, the first order of business was to create from scratch a database of potential organizations with which to work. Unfortunately, this took an inordinate amount of time. As it stands, after three days effort, it is only about one third complete. Nonetheless, this gives us something with which to work, predicating this paper is on just those 50.
The database yields an explosion of patterns worthy of acknowledgment. Among the first that draws our attention is that an unusual number of ad agencies base in Surabaya. There is no ready explanation; Surabaya is the second largest city in the country, representing a counterweight on Java Island on the easternmost to Jakarta (the largest city and the capital) on the western end. The next pattern we find is the severe disparity between the extremely few elite agencies (the bulk of which have been inserted from the US) and the majority of the domestically grown variety, the vast majority of which do not even have a web presence of their own. This latter acknowledgment is disappointing to say the least, for it carries with it implications that the country has a severely underdeveloped domestic expression.
Chosen/Not Chosen
Not to overdo, and the reader is reminded one more time that this is an exercise based on fact. BBDO Indonesia and Leo Burnett Kreasindo get tossed out immediately as overkill (Ogilvy and other Madison Avenue icons are also present in Indonesia). These two institutions represent two considerations: the first is that you get what you pay for and these people are the best. The other consideration is that they are not wholly indigenous; their core DNA is with the US.
All this finds us with approximately a half a dozen choices left. There really is that small an amount of web presence. Removing the websites that either do not work or are under construction, or about building websites alone, we are left with three: Cody Enterprises (http://www.codyenterprises.com/; which is too obtuse to embrace), Bensatra Advertising (http://www.bensatra.com/ads.php; which seems wholly outdoor advertising) and Blue Circle Advertising (http://www.bluecircle-adv.com/). Blue Circle, by the way, seems every bit as impressive as BBDO and Leo Burnett and it is indigenous (it is nice to know the possible has precedent, however small).
If it were left up to this deductive reasoning, we have already whittled past the two mark to one. While it is an easy enough supposition to back up and embrace Bensatra, let us pause a moment.
The Strategy
One recalls that the author already has created a database of art schools (to which our presumed textbook gets marketed directly). This approach has local marketing built into it, replete with distribution channel and direct marketing.
One begins to wonder why we would bother with any ad agencies at all. As part of the larger marketing exercise, this author is grateful for the opportunity to effort in that direction. However, the fact remains that there is very little that needs completion by the power and wisdom of big dollars (the best artist’s money can rent) and decades of trial and error based intuition.
A simple RFP may be offered to all the art schools (that have advertising related applied arts within their offerings) to create a small suite of printed material. This would likely include a poster (for use in a bookstore, school cafeteria, etc.), bookmarks and postcards.
Conclusion
When the textbook finds its finished publication, and that it may ever see translation into Indonesian, the just aforementioned strategy approach certainly seems ample. There is no need for a massive ad campaign, television, radio, billboards, etc.
Nonetheless, the effort to develop a database of ad agencies in Indonesia has already revealed enormous opportunities for said applied artists. The shortcomings discovered will have to be included in the book itself, and certainly adds to the essential marketing knowledge base of this author.
Unable to fold the database in question into an appendix here, the kind reader is invited to look for it as a separate attachment.
References
Haymarket Media Limited. (2010). VenueDirectory [search engine, country specific]. : http://www.venue-directory.asia/.
Infomedia Nusantara a member of TELKOM Group. (2010). Yellow Pages Indonesia [search engine, country specific]. : http://www.yellowpages.co.id/en.
Netcode, Inc. . (2010). ZipLeaf [search engine, country specific]. : http://id.zipleaf.com/.
PPPI (the Indonesian Advertising Agency Assoc.). (n.d.). (home page). Retrieved November 17, 2010, from http://www.pppi.or.id/
Urbanesia.com. (2010). urbanesia [search engine, country specific]. : http://www.urbanesia.com/.
bensatra advertising. (n.d.). (home page). Retrieved November 17, 2010, from http://www.bensatra.com/ads.php
bluecircle advertising. (n.d.). (home page). Retrieved November 17, 2010, from http://www.bluecircle-adv.com/
indobizdb. (2010). indobizdb [search engine, country specific]. : http://indobizdb.com/.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
week off (first)
Dear Readers-
I will now be taking a week off. I have posted daily without break for nearly five full months.
I am:
-seeking employ
-attending to a class I am a student in (including all its reseach & writing)
-continuing to grade papers, create tests, etc. for classes I teach
-working on a consulting project
-still pushing for publication of a textbook
-hoping to create a business with a friend in Boston
-trying to be a good father, husband and son ... and right now my hands feel full. My back went out again this week, and I lost too much time.
When I begin to re-post (and I project that will be November 22nd) I will also begin to gift myself weekends off. And I will be using this default font, perhaps that will help make things easier. Meanwhile, I continue to invite comments, feedback, critique, et.al.
-see you then,
-FD
I will now be taking a week off. I have posted daily without break for nearly five full months.
I am:
-seeking employ
-attending to a class I am a student in (including all its reseach & writing)
-continuing to grade papers, create tests, etc. for classes I teach
-working on a consulting project
-still pushing for publication of a textbook
-hoping to create a business with a friend in Boston
-trying to be a good father, husband and son ... and right now my hands feel full. My back went out again this week, and I lost too much time.
When I begin to re-post (and I project that will be November 22nd) I will also begin to gift myself weekends off. And I will be using this default font, perhaps that will help make things easier. Meanwhile, I continue to invite comments, feedback, critique, et.al.
-see you then,
-FD
Friday, November 12, 2010
Indonesian Ad Agencies (as of today's research)
ACC Advertising
AD'Gallery
Adhi Kartika Jaya PT
Adi Prima Advertising
Aditya Lini Pariwara PT
Adline Communications
Air Api Communication
Aksi Media
Alfa Advertising
Alfa Centauri Design & Civil Construction
Alphabetical Angkasa Communica PT
Anda Advertising
Anda Printing
Apel Putih PT
Arina CV
Arina Multi Karya Advertising
Artha Fira Cipta PT
As-Sablii Print
Ben Advertising
Bensatra Advertising
Betta Jaya Sticker
Biantoro Dharma Agust PT
Billboard Indo Nusantara Adv
Bimbi Advertising 299
Bina Cipta Sarana PT
Bintang Jaya Toko
Blue Circle Advertising
Bumi Angkasa Raya CV
Bumi Desain
Bumi Raya Communication CV
Cahaya Timur Jawa PT
Cakrawala
Centra Media Advertising
Cheeta Point
Cikal Advertising
Cipta Karya Mandiri
Cipta Karya Pratama
CIS Advertising
Citra Nusa Advertising
Citra Sarana Promosindo PT
Clique Art Work
Cody Enterprises
Contac's Promotion
CT Line
Cyberstudio
D & D Productions
Degraph
Delin Advertising
Delta Kreativindo
Delta Prisma Abadi PT
Dipta Advertising
Double Design Promotion
DUPRINTA ADVERTISING
Duta Adpro PT
Dutakom Wibawa Putra PT
Dwipa Advertising
Energi Marketing Comunications Partner
Esti Boga Mandaga PT
Euro RSCG AdWork
Expo Advertising
Fitzci Advertising Agency
Galaxy Media
Gan PT Biro Iklan
Ga-Rizhdizain
Genius Visual Communication
Graphic Comm
Guna Artika Pariwara PT
Guna Kartika Pariwara PT
H & R 279 Advertising
Hansindo Setiapratama PT
Hero Art Studio
Hotline Megah Indotrade PT
Humpuss PT
Indana
Indonesia Neon Reklame Advertising
Indopost
Infomedia Nusantara PT
Inovasi Advertising
Intra Logos
Isitan Karya Promosi
Jakarta Post The
Jaya Dinamika Promosindo PT
KARIN DISNI JAYA PT
Kencana Mustika Sari PT
Kesuma Biro Reklame
Kompakindo Media Dewata PT
Labiza Advertising
Liman Intermandiri PT
Lymass Creative Design & Printing
Madju Qwik Print & Scan
Mars Advertising
Matahari Bunga Desa
Matahari Citra Niaga PT
Matrix Komunikasi
Medan Advertising Services
Merdeka Toko
Micro Design
Muara Communication
Multi Artistikacithra PT
Multimitra Warnamedia PT
Mustika Pratama Indonesia CV
Najogi PT
New Kartini Biro Iklan
Next Adv
Ocean Design
Omega Advertising
Oxcy Advertising
Oxxo Advertising
Pacific Advertising
Padman Advertising CV
Pallal Communications
Panca Karya Mandiri CV
Pelangi Outdoor Promotion
Pelangi Surabaya Advertising
Pelangi Toko
Persada Advertising
Persada Prima Arta PT
Pigeon Promotions
Printcom
Promo Panca Ardana CV
Putra Mega Mas CV
Rahman Iklan
Rahmat Toko
Rama Advertising
Rhema Advertising
Rotary Graphics
Salsabila
Samudra Advertising
Sarana Advertising & Service
Sari Advertising Consultant
Sarwandi Sepakat CV
Satu Kata
Sei Perak Advertising
Selaras Advertising
Selaras Co & Production
Semanggi Communications
Sentra Fokus Perkasa PT
Serafim Design
Simpati Advertising & Communications
Sinar Permata Deli
Spectrum
Star Indonesia Production
Starindo Advertising
STU Adverstising
Studio 28
Sumo Advertising Agency
Supra Manunggal Advertising PT
Suria CV
Surya Binanugraha PT
TAN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Tiga
Triasta Advertising Photography
TSS Advertising
Valiant Advertising
Vara Ide Pratama Advertising CV
Variant Print
Wahana Sakti Pariwara PT
Warna Warni PT
Wira Advertising Agency
Yudhistira Era Sempurna PT
Yulius Henry Biro Consultan Advertising
AD'Gallery
Adhi Kartika Jaya PT
Adi Prima Advertising
Aditya Lini Pariwara PT
Adline Communications
Air Api Communication
Aksi Media
Alfa Advertising
Alfa Centauri Design & Civil Construction
Alphabetical Angkasa Communica PT
Anda Advertising
Anda Printing
Apel Putih PT
Arina CV
Arina Multi Karya Advertising
Artha Fira Cipta PT
As-Sablii Print
Ben Advertising
Bensatra Advertising
Betta Jaya Sticker
Biantoro Dharma Agust PT
Billboard Indo Nusantara Adv
Bimbi Advertising 299
Bina Cipta Sarana PT
Bintang Jaya Toko
Blue Circle Advertising
Bumi Angkasa Raya CV
Bumi Desain
Bumi Raya Communication CV
Cahaya Timur Jawa PT
Cakrawala
Centra Media Advertising
Cheeta Point
Cikal Advertising
Cipta Karya Mandiri
Cipta Karya Pratama
CIS Advertising
Citra Nusa Advertising
Citra Sarana Promosindo PT
Clique Art Work
Cody Enterprises
Contac's Promotion
CT Line
Cyberstudio
D & D Productions
Degraph
Delin Advertising
Delta Kreativindo
Delta Prisma Abadi PT
Dipta Advertising
Double Design Promotion
DUPRINTA ADVERTISING
Duta Adpro PT
Dutakom Wibawa Putra PT
Dwipa Advertising
Energi Marketing Comunications Partner
Esti Boga Mandaga PT
Euro RSCG AdWork
Expo Advertising
Fitzci Advertising Agency
Galaxy Media
Gan PT Biro Iklan
Ga-Rizhdizain
Genius Visual Communication
Graphic Comm
Guna Artika Pariwara PT
Guna Kartika Pariwara PT
H & R 279 Advertising
Hansindo Setiapratama PT
Hero Art Studio
Hotline Megah Indotrade PT
Humpuss PT
Indana
Indonesia Neon Reklame Advertising
Indopost
Infomedia Nusantara PT
Inovasi Advertising
Intra Logos
Isitan Karya Promosi
Jakarta Post The
Jaya Dinamika Promosindo PT
KARIN DISNI JAYA PT
Kencana Mustika Sari PT
Kesuma Biro Reklame
Kompakindo Media Dewata PT
Labiza Advertising
Liman Intermandiri PT
Lymass Creative Design & Printing
Madju Qwik Print & Scan
Mars Advertising
Matahari Bunga Desa
Matahari Citra Niaga PT
Matrix Komunikasi
Medan Advertising Services
Merdeka Toko
Micro Design
Muara Communication
Multi Artistikacithra PT
Multimitra Warnamedia PT
Mustika Pratama Indonesia CV
Najogi PT
New Kartini Biro Iklan
Next Adv
Ocean Design
Omega Advertising
Oxcy Advertising
Oxxo Advertising
Pacific Advertising
Padman Advertising CV
Pallal Communications
Panca Karya Mandiri CV
Pelangi Outdoor Promotion
Pelangi Surabaya Advertising
Pelangi Toko
Persada Advertising
Persada Prima Arta PT
Pigeon Promotions
Printcom
Promo Panca Ardana CV
Putra Mega Mas CV
Rahman Iklan
Rahmat Toko
Rama Advertising
Rhema Advertising
Rotary Graphics
Salsabila
Samudra Advertising
Sarana Advertising & Service
Sari Advertising Consultant
Sarwandi Sepakat CV
Satu Kata
Sei Perak Advertising
Selaras Advertising
Selaras Co & Production
Semanggi Communications
Sentra Fokus Perkasa PT
Serafim Design
Simpati Advertising & Communications
Sinar Permata Deli
Spectrum
Star Indonesia Production
Starindo Advertising
STU Adverstising
Studio 28
Sumo Advertising Agency
Supra Manunggal Advertising PT
Suria CV
Surya Binanugraha PT
TAN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Tiga
Triasta Advertising Photography
TSS Advertising
Valiant Advertising
Vara Ide Pratama Advertising CV
Variant Print
Wahana Sakti Pariwara PT
Warna Warni PT
Wira Advertising Agency
Yudhistira Era Sempurna PT
Yulius Henry Biro Consultan Advertising
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Diversity & Context (please follow the link)
http://www.slideshare.net/waterecho/diversity-and-context
(pity all the animation and transitions don't work. gifting myself such a departure was not taken lightly, and the original work was much better (i promise). meanwhile, it was intended to, as the title implies, contextualized the diversity conversation (hint: against forward looking and ignorance))
(pity all the animation and transitions don't work. gifting myself such a departure was not taken lightly, and the original work was much better (i promise). meanwhile, it was intended to, as the title implies, contextualized the diversity conversation (hint: against forward looking and ignorance))
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Trade Blocs
Abstract
Convey a brief yet meaningful conversation as regards the trade organizations associated with the United States.
Introduction
What is actually involved?Before a proper address, the topic at hand some context may be in order. The array of associations, organizations and other collectives are all organic in their growth and in their associations with others. Moreover, many of them overlap, while some are contained within others.
The status of country to a trading bloc is various, usually holding one of the following distinctions: founded, joined, former, suspended, applicant, Associate, Observer, Full Member and Dialogue partner. The US is an Observer with SAARC and a Dialogue Partner with PIF.
As far back as 1948, the United States was part of a supranational movement, still in existence to this day, called the OAS (the organization for American states). While not a trading bloc in its own right, the purpose of the organization all along has been to create ease and coordinate efforts on entire hemispheric basis. Therefore, its very existence has been the support to both the birth and actuation of the entities known as NAFTA and CAFTA; and may find itself part of a supra-continental organization of trade in the future.The United States is a member of NAFTA, along with its border countries, Canada and Mexico; established in 1993 under the Clinton administration. In 2005, the Bush administration extended the trade reach by establishing CAFTA, a special set of trade considerations reaching well into Central America. CAFTA includes Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
It seems the only thing that these organizations have in common is an opportunity to open up trade. Beyond that, the way they are organized and legislated, the way policies are implemented, and all else that one might assign to such a supranational entity seems purely dictated on a case-by-case basis.
Indeed, considerations of tariffs and taxes and the like are not even contained within these bounds. Beyond trade blocs are collective organizations such as Common markets, Economic and Monetary unions, Customs and monetary unions and Customs unions. One imagines that an exceptionally good living can be created as a consultant, a subject matter expert, if one had the ability to gain and maintain mastery over this bewildering blizzard of moving parts.
Thoughts on NAFTA
If we step outside of ethnocentricity, one quickly realizes that questions such as "which trade bloc is most important" vanish in relativism. NAFTA, as it is, sought to eliminate barriers of trade, increase investment between the US, Canada and Mexico, eventually eliminate tariffs, with separate provisions to cooperate on matters pertaining to the environment and labor. The only area not negotiated trilaterally was Agriculture.
Despite disagreement being effectively about growing the financial well-being of the countries together, issues involving bankruptcies, natural resources and the like continue. Since the advent of NAFTA there has been an increase in foreign takeovers of industry, and in some sectors, U.S. deindustrialization.
Truly, this has insensibly been about money, and nothing more. There seems little or no political (or otherwise) convergence or advantage. Unlike the EU, the sought to make the conversations of trade a mere part of a larger conversation of unity, NAFTA clearly does not enjoy a borderless region. Indeed, the US continues a heated debate as regards its southern border, although the agreement does allow admission for temporary employment under certain circumstances.
Despite standards having been set forth, rules and enforcement sometimes occur ad hoc. Years ago when the Brazilian cotton industry challenged the equanimity of trade, given Americans subsidizing their own, once America was threatened a negotiating team was sent to Brazil to broker a resolution. Given that the American subsidies cannot be turned on and off like a light switch the conclusion was that until America could resolve its own subsidy issue it would begin to subsidize Brazil's cotton crop as well, to the tune of $15 million a year, indefinitely.
It seems the overarching strength of these agreements (at least the ones the United States participates in) lies in strengthening the Corporatocracy. This seems very shortsighted. Other trade blocs may not be as aggressive as the EU is (lack of borders, common currency, and the like), but most seem to be leveraging the extra-governmental neighborliness to as much good advantage as possible; usually for its citizens.
Conclusion
The author envisions an annual e-book, web based, constantly updated and available for a nominal annual fee. Although on the one hand this effort simply scratches the surface, it is a good faith effort and a solid start on embracing an understanding of all that is involved based on the notion of trade blocs.
It may appear to the reader that some opinion may have leaked, please be assured that the author does not have "a dog in the game". This is the authors own constructive criticism, and moving forward it becomes paramount to couch insights in as neutral a tone as possible. However, this is merely a sketch; and this document only bears facts nonetheless.
Clearly, this inquiry has only just begun.
Clearly, this inquiry has only just begun.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sustainability [3 - conclusion]
Film and Photo
Within film and photo there is little more that the practitioner can do to forward the sustainability conversation than to simply be as cautious as possible. The conversation for the materials used includes the majority of the materials that can be addressed already having been so, much of what is now done is digital (so there is the minimization of waste) and the bulk of what remains is intended to last forever (the antithesis of the biodegradable idea).
Still, there are always nooks and crannies where one can seek out an opportunity for improvement. If you are manually photo/film processing, then you are back to the chemicals. Right off the bat this encourages a flurry of research: what needs to be ventilated, what can get recycled (and how), etc. If you are working around spotting, retouching and/or hand coloring (and the like) then you are equally likely to be back with the old-school chemicals and exposures (however, many have improved over the years). This holds true for anything aerosol as well (spray mount, etc.).
One of the nice things about this industry is that old cameras and equipment tend to get collected, so much of this being embraced as sacred. However, some things become so old that they fall apart. If we are talking about brittle leather or scratched and dented metal casing, that is not so much an issue. But when we are talking about old celluloid, faded slides and unintelligible Polaroids®, then one owes it to oneself to contact the waste management in your area to determine the most responsible method of disposal.
Finally, being conscious and doing what one can do on one's own seems always the default position. It is generally recognized that going on safari with the camera, as opposed to a rifle, is the environmentally friendly response. However, don't bring your morning coffee out to an African savanna in a Styrofoam cup that's going to take 400 years to decompose. The point here is, leave everything as you found it or better.
Multimedia (Visual Effects, Motion Graphics, Gaming Design and Animation)
The reader is invited to review the previous section on film and photo, since at essence much of what was stated there tends to be true here as well. For example, if one does find oneself working on old-school animation acetate, the surface and the medium applied may or may not be environmentally friendly. Simply be aware and be as responsible as one can about one's own protection, what becomes of the finished piece and how best to clean up.
The bulk of what really falls to this industry, when it comes to sustainability, (and this includes the television arts as well) is the responsibility one has to one's audience. There seems very little one can do if employed by someone else, besides doing the best you can. However, if you are opening up your own shop, please recognize the awesome responsibility you hold within your capability to influence others.
This author recalls shepherding an entire class of this major through a capstone project. We cast about for ideas as to what to produce for much of our first class. The classic response seemed almost unanimous, it all had to do with in-artful and uninspired storytelling with the only goal in mind to produce as much gratuitous violence as possible. As someone with significant marketing experience the rhyme and reason of such was not lost on this author.
Such is the low hanging fruit, and the large publicly held entities that have to create shareholder wealth have walked themselves into such a corner. Your little shop (a) does not have to proselytize for money, (b) nor can you effectively compete. Therefore, the real vision for this industry actually lays in your hands. Consequently, the opportunity to educate, uplift and otherwise add meaning to people's lives falls to the Independents. This comment is not altruism for its own sake, yet also includes the marketing value of creating your own space. In addition, if it is appropriate to weave in a green message, so be it.
This section necessarily concludes with a mention, much like the concluding mention in the passage above (film and photo). If one does need to stage a kind of activity (say, a chemical fire), you are begged to do your due diligence vis-à-vis proper creation and proper cleanup.
Web Design
If one reviews the last two passages one notices that there seem to be less and less opportunity for ways to be sustainable. These three industries have moved in-kind toward greater digitization. Now we find ourselves in an industry that is essentially, completely digital.
The proviso in the last passage about the context of sustainable behavior certainly applies here as well. Yet what does that leave? There is still an opportunity. If you do work in web design, and something had been uploaded into cyberspace that is no longer being used, dismantle it. This may seem a small thing, and yet it still takes literal energy (by someone somewhere) to continue hosting it.
Beyond that, the author invites any other contributions to this conversation (for web design or otherwise). It seems web design is, by its very nature, automatically about as green as it gets.
The author wishes to acknowledge here that this is a first draft. Suggestions, insights, corrections, anecdotes, and other edits are all invited.
Within film and photo there is little more that the practitioner can do to forward the sustainability conversation than to simply be as cautious as possible. The conversation for the materials used includes the majority of the materials that can be addressed already having been so, much of what is now done is digital (so there is the minimization of waste) and the bulk of what remains is intended to last forever (the antithesis of the biodegradable idea).
Still, there are always nooks and crannies where one can seek out an opportunity for improvement. If you are manually photo/film processing, then you are back to the chemicals. Right off the bat this encourages a flurry of research: what needs to be ventilated, what can get recycled (and how), etc. If you are working around spotting, retouching and/or hand coloring (and the like) then you are equally likely to be back with the old-school chemicals and exposures (however, many have improved over the years). This holds true for anything aerosol as well (spray mount, etc.).
One of the nice things about this industry is that old cameras and equipment tend to get collected, so much of this being embraced as sacred. However, some things become so old that they fall apart. If we are talking about brittle leather or scratched and dented metal casing, that is not so much an issue. But when we are talking about old celluloid, faded slides and unintelligible Polaroids®, then one owes it to oneself to contact the waste management in your area to determine the most responsible method of disposal.
Finally, being conscious and doing what one can do on one's own seems always the default position. It is generally recognized that going on safari with the camera, as opposed to a rifle, is the environmentally friendly response. However, don't bring your morning coffee out to an African savanna in a Styrofoam cup that's going to take 400 years to decompose. The point here is, leave everything as you found it or better.
Multimedia (Visual Effects, Motion Graphics, Gaming Design and Animation)
The reader is invited to review the previous section on film and photo, since at essence much of what was stated there tends to be true here as well. For example, if one does find oneself working on old-school animation acetate, the surface and the medium applied may or may not be environmentally friendly. Simply be aware and be as responsible as one can about one's own protection, what becomes of the finished piece and how best to clean up.
The bulk of what really falls to this industry, when it comes to sustainability, (and this includes the television arts as well) is the responsibility one has to one's audience. There seems very little one can do if employed by someone else, besides doing the best you can. However, if you are opening up your own shop, please recognize the awesome responsibility you hold within your capability to influence others.
This author recalls shepherding an entire class of this major through a capstone project. We cast about for ideas as to what to produce for much of our first class. The classic response seemed almost unanimous, it all had to do with in-artful and uninspired storytelling with the only goal in mind to produce as much gratuitous violence as possible. As someone with significant marketing experience the rhyme and reason of such was not lost on this author.
Such is the low hanging fruit, and the large publicly held entities that have to create shareholder wealth have walked themselves into such a corner. Your little shop (a) does not have to proselytize for money, (b) nor can you effectively compete. Therefore, the real vision for this industry actually lays in your hands. Consequently, the opportunity to educate, uplift and otherwise add meaning to people's lives falls to the Independents. This comment is not altruism for its own sake, yet also includes the marketing value of creating your own space. In addition, if it is appropriate to weave in a green message, so be it.
This section necessarily concludes with a mention, much like the concluding mention in the passage above (film and photo). If one does need to stage a kind of activity (say, a chemical fire), you are begged to do your due diligence vis-à-vis proper creation and proper cleanup.
Web Design
If one reviews the last two passages one notices that there seem to be less and less opportunity for ways to be sustainable. These three industries have moved in-kind toward greater digitization. Now we find ourselves in an industry that is essentially, completely digital.
The proviso in the last passage about the context of sustainable behavior certainly applies here as well. Yet what does that leave? There is still an opportunity. If you do work in web design, and something had been uploaded into cyberspace that is no longer being used, dismantle it. This may seem a small thing, and yet it still takes literal energy (by someone somewhere) to continue hosting it.
Beyond that, the author invites any other contributions to this conversation (for web design or otherwise). It seems web design is, by its very nature, automatically about as green as it gets.
The author wishes to acknowledge here that this is a first draft. Suggestions, insights, corrections, anecdotes, and other edits are all invited.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sustainability [02]
Interior Designers / CAD artisans
Architecture, Civil, Industrial Design and Interior Designers have differing exposure to this larger conversation. The informed Civil and Industrial Designers have an opportunity to imprint lasting difference. Increasingly, they do move us toward a cleaner future. Unfortunately, this aspect of the decision process tends to be out of their hands.
One might say Architects have taken the LEEDs here (couldn’t resist). The leeds certification cannot be underestimated for its contribution toward making the global environment friendlier, healthier and more efficient (and cost-effective).
The most common expression coming from an art or design school are Interior designers. The ID folk are keenly aware of what goes on in architecture, and an undeniable movement to embrace leeds is generally seen as established.
What is also true however is that the ID people are the folks who tends to make the decisions when it comes to lighting, furniture and furnishings, all and floor treatments, and so forth. This area is ripe with opportunity to foreword the sustainability conversation.
Earlier we spoke of fabrics and their dyes. Yet, it does not seem as if there is any expression of interior design that is overlooked along this green path. There are environmentally friendly paints, floor coverings (most notably bamboo), and the list continues to spread in every direction.
Culinary
While there are many things that could contribute to making a dining experience greener, there are equally as many balancing considerations. Among them, the consideration of grilling and smoking. We now have extracts that will contribute to such a culinary experience, but they do not match a wide variety of benchmarks in the taste experience when executed by traditional means. Another example would be making lobster available (or not) their locations such as Moscow, Beijing or Denver.
There are many exciting new directions in the culinary arts. Molecular cuisine is such a notable; presentation is the fashion expression of culinary and among the most sustainable expressions is the movement for locavores, (foods that are, from start to finish, local). This reduces the carbon footprint. The movement can also establish its own sustainability by promoting the pride of one's own locale (and all the other positives that come from such a movement, not the least of which is keeping those economic dollars local).
While the local movement through seems to be the most pronounced sustainability expression currently, it is not alone. There are institutions that have been designed to recirculate some of the heat from the kitchen to the dining area, thereby cutting down on the utilities. There are also many partnerships between social service agencies and charities and the restaurants within their reach to ensure that no food goes to waste, being redirected to “soup kitchens”. And let us not overlook the dynamic where food byproducts, such as fryer oil, is being repurposed for fuel.
There may be more examples, and it is certainly hoped that there are more examples to come. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see the quintessentially green kitchen.
Fashion
There have already been references to the dye used for the fabric. However, much like interior design this applied art is ripe with sustainability opportunities. Among these would be a consideration of fabrics made from plant-based (renewable) fibers, the humane treatment of the wool, silk etc., and the opportunity to source such based materials locally.
I do not yet see a movement where these kinds of considerations come together and are harnessed by a local designer so that community can celebrate its own look. The entrepreneurial spirit usually expresses itself by way of people opening up their own boutique. This remains, however, an untapped opportunity.
Also left unmentioned are all the recycling and re-purposing opportunities. There is some of this occurring, but not nearly enough.
This applied art in particular is not leveraging the sustainability movement nearly as it could; at least not as an industry in its own right.
Architecture, Civil, Industrial Design and Interior Designers have differing exposure to this larger conversation. The informed Civil and Industrial Designers have an opportunity to imprint lasting difference. Increasingly, they do move us toward a cleaner future. Unfortunately, this aspect of the decision process tends to be out of their hands.
One might say Architects have taken the LEEDs here (couldn’t resist). The leeds certification cannot be underestimated for its contribution toward making the global environment friendlier, healthier and more efficient (and cost-effective).
The most common expression coming from an art or design school are Interior designers. The ID folk are keenly aware of what goes on in architecture, and an undeniable movement to embrace leeds is generally seen as established.
What is also true however is that the ID people are the folks who tends to make the decisions when it comes to lighting, furniture and furnishings, all and floor treatments, and so forth. This area is ripe with opportunity to foreword the sustainability conversation.
Earlier we spoke of fabrics and their dyes. Yet, it does not seem as if there is any expression of interior design that is overlooked along this green path. There are environmentally friendly paints, floor coverings (most notably bamboo), and the list continues to spread in every direction.
Culinary
While there are many things that could contribute to making a dining experience greener, there are equally as many balancing considerations. Among them, the consideration of grilling and smoking. We now have extracts that will contribute to such a culinary experience, but they do not match a wide variety of benchmarks in the taste experience when executed by traditional means. Another example would be making lobster available (or not) their locations such as Moscow, Beijing or Denver.
There are many exciting new directions in the culinary arts. Molecular cuisine is such a notable; presentation is the fashion expression of culinary and among the most sustainable expressions is the movement for locavores, (foods that are, from start to finish, local). This reduces the carbon footprint. The movement can also establish its own sustainability by promoting the pride of one's own locale (and all the other positives that come from such a movement, not the least of which is keeping those economic dollars local).
While the local movement through seems to be the most pronounced sustainability expression currently, it is not alone. There are institutions that have been designed to recirculate some of the heat from the kitchen to the dining area, thereby cutting down on the utilities. There are also many partnerships between social service agencies and charities and the restaurants within their reach to ensure that no food goes to waste, being redirected to “soup kitchens”. And let us not overlook the dynamic where food byproducts, such as fryer oil, is being repurposed for fuel.
There may be more examples, and it is certainly hoped that there are more examples to come. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see the quintessentially green kitchen.
Fashion
There have already been references to the dye used for the fabric. However, much like interior design this applied art is ripe with sustainability opportunities. Among these would be a consideration of fabrics made from plant-based (renewable) fibers, the humane treatment of the wool, silk etc., and the opportunity to source such based materials locally.
I do not yet see a movement where these kinds of considerations come together and are harnessed by a local designer so that community can celebrate its own look. The entrepreneurial spirit usually expresses itself by way of people opening up their own boutique. This remains, however, an untapped opportunity.
Also left unmentioned are all the recycling and re-purposing opportunities. There is some of this occurring, but not nearly enough.
This applied art in particular is not leveraging the sustainability movement nearly as it could; at least not as an industry in its own right.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sustainability [01]
From the business perspective, the idea of sustainability tends to be weighed in a cost-benefit analysis. It may seem the idea leaves a taste of immorality and may feel somewhat insulting. We will get back to that in a moment.
From a design perspective, sustainability represents just one more challenge among the several that constitute working with what you have. Fortunately, much of this conversation should unfold in the process of your learning your particular artistic direction. There is certainly plenty that has been and it is being published to this end, and to more fully moved in the direction of mastery you really owe it to yourself to appreciate the fullness of this new aspect. This section will close out with a cursory view of some of the more significant sustainability considerations, major by major.
Back to business. There has been a fortunate increase in sensitivity toward social responsibility. It nonetheless remains true there are still plenty of multinational corporations that will move operations where they can continue to pollute. It is also true that sometimes a cost of operations is seen as outweighing an extra expenditure that would find the product safer (for the environment and or the consumer). Bear in mind, corporations (especially those publicly traded) have an obligation to increase shareholder wealth. Even capitalism has its flaws.
So we understand the downside. The best way to address it seems to be to focus on the upside. It has already been acknowledged here that there is increasing consumer awareness toward being green. All by itself this has yielded huge dividends to companies that have paid heed. Going green no longer has to always translate into paying a premium either. Being socially responsible also yields huge marketing dividends.
Then, of course, they're the companies that are laying the foundation for other companies to go green. Konica Minolta has been working on a new line of fabric dyes of extraordinary brilliance that are also environmentally (and human) friendly. This is no small thing. In the bad old days there were many dyes that were outright toxic. In struggling economies where dyeing cloth was done manually (and, of course, some of this still lingers) people simply worked as long and as hard as they could, and eventually died from contact with such chemicals. Without lingering too long on the fashion industry, just think of all the chemicals that go into leather (that, eventually, leech transdermally into the wearer).
Where companies can go green they do. It's moving beyond this low hanging fruit that the global community is now wrestling through. Ultimately, some more gains we make, the lower the cost, the easier it is to do and the better off we are. We are moving in the right direction.
Advertising: Illustration Graphics & Production
Our little example a moment ago with the clothing dyes certainly had analogy in this area. Actual cobalt is a real toxin, yet used to be powdered and mixed with the medium, exposing artists by breathing it in or exposure to the skin. Beyond significant examples such as this, there have always been issues with ventilation surrounding all the solvents.
Tremendous gains have been made on this front over the last half-century. However, we have now moved from an entirely organic paradigm (as faulted as aspects of it may have been) to now using a significant amount of synthetics.
That was a brief consideration from the design perspective. From the business perspective this is the aspect of the industry that does a tremendous amount of printing, and where packaging designed lives.
As regards printing, we have plenty of recycled paper product, and there are also “green” inks. There are even eco-friendly fonts! The issue here, of course, is how much of this can be translated into something the client will want (and be consistent with what they need).
When it comes to packaging design, the iconic mistake would be bottled water. Possibly dangerous from all the chemicals in the plastic leaching into the water. Beyond that, the packaging costs significantly more than its contents, and maybe around in landfills for generations so that someone would have refreshment across a brief period of time. And perhaps the saddest aspect is that most developed nations have perfectly good drinking water coming out of its faucets at hundreds of the cost.
Packaging has a purpose, and is not going away. Nonetheless, this is something that, by its very nature, will be discarded. There is an increasing effort afoot to make this experience is biodegradable as possible.
As you may have already noticed, the sustainability consideration tends to be about balancing a myriad of considerations. Keeping it in the forefront of your consciousness will certainly go a long way in your contribution being as environmentally friendly as it can be.
From a design perspective, sustainability represents just one more challenge among the several that constitute working with what you have. Fortunately, much of this conversation should unfold in the process of your learning your particular artistic direction. There is certainly plenty that has been and it is being published to this end, and to more fully moved in the direction of mastery you really owe it to yourself to appreciate the fullness of this new aspect. This section will close out with a cursory view of some of the more significant sustainability considerations, major by major.
Back to business. There has been a fortunate increase in sensitivity toward social responsibility. It nonetheless remains true there are still plenty of multinational corporations that will move operations where they can continue to pollute. It is also true that sometimes a cost of operations is seen as outweighing an extra expenditure that would find the product safer (for the environment and or the consumer). Bear in mind, corporations (especially those publicly traded) have an obligation to increase shareholder wealth. Even capitalism has its flaws.
So we understand the downside. The best way to address it seems to be to focus on the upside. It has already been acknowledged here that there is increasing consumer awareness toward being green. All by itself this has yielded huge dividends to companies that have paid heed. Going green no longer has to always translate into paying a premium either. Being socially responsible also yields huge marketing dividends.
Then, of course, they're the companies that are laying the foundation for other companies to go green. Konica Minolta has been working on a new line of fabric dyes of extraordinary brilliance that are also environmentally (and human) friendly. This is no small thing. In the bad old days there were many dyes that were outright toxic. In struggling economies where dyeing cloth was done manually (and, of course, some of this still lingers) people simply worked as long and as hard as they could, and eventually died from contact with such chemicals. Without lingering too long on the fashion industry, just think of all the chemicals that go into leather (that, eventually, leech transdermally into the wearer).
Where companies can go green they do. It's moving beyond this low hanging fruit that the global community is now wrestling through. Ultimately, some more gains we make, the lower the cost, the easier it is to do and the better off we are. We are moving in the right direction.
Advertising: Illustration Graphics & Production
Our little example a moment ago with the clothing dyes certainly had analogy in this area. Actual cobalt is a real toxin, yet used to be powdered and mixed with the medium, exposing artists by breathing it in or exposure to the skin. Beyond significant examples such as this, there have always been issues with ventilation surrounding all the solvents.
Tremendous gains have been made on this front over the last half-century. However, we have now moved from an entirely organic paradigm (as faulted as aspects of it may have been) to now using a significant amount of synthetics.
That was a brief consideration from the design perspective. From the business perspective this is the aspect of the industry that does a tremendous amount of printing, and where packaging designed lives.
As regards printing, we have plenty of recycled paper product, and there are also “green” inks. There are even eco-friendly fonts! The issue here, of course, is how much of this can be translated into something the client will want (and be consistent with what they need).
When it comes to packaging design, the iconic mistake would be bottled water. Possibly dangerous from all the chemicals in the plastic leaching into the water. Beyond that, the packaging costs significantly more than its contents, and maybe around in landfills for generations so that someone would have refreshment across a brief period of time. And perhaps the saddest aspect is that most developed nations have perfectly good drinking water coming out of its faucets at hundreds of the cost.
Packaging has a purpose, and is not going away. Nonetheless, this is something that, by its very nature, will be discarded. There is an increasing effort afoot to make this experience is biodegradable as possible.
As you may have already noticed, the sustainability consideration tends to be about balancing a myriad of considerations. Keeping it in the forefront of your consciousness will certainly go a long way in your contribution being as environmentally friendly as it can be.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
supply chain in the applied arts
The idea of a supply chain in generic business terms is essentially the story of how a service, or more typically a product, moves from birth into the hands of the consumer. For example, in the case of a jeweler there may be an on the ground contact in Sri Lanka for raw rubies, sapphires and emeralds. There may or may not be an intermediary; anything large-scale or wholesale may find itself inclined to engage such an intermediary. The stone (or in this case, more often, the stones) makes its way into the hands of the jeweler, is cut, polished and set, and then offered for sale.
This is a very simplistic example, and it holds within it the significant movements of what supply chain is. Still, it is more than that. Is this a matter of import, or export, & if so, what are the trade agreements between the two countries, the tariffs and what will the taxes be (on both ends). Other paperwork involved classically includes due bills, bills of laden and most certainly insurance. Depending on what the supply chain is, and what it's for, may also engage considerations of infrastructure (planes, trains, trucks, ships) and warehousing. Since anywhere along such a chain each juncture could represent significant value/expense and/or a developed expertise, supply chain becomes an important part of the larger conversation that is management.
The implications for supply chain in the applied arts may be perceived as lower because of infrequency, yet the significance is not to be diminished. To be put in a position of temporary responsibility for historic garments, to research original footage from a century ago or to be part of an agency that is borrowing a folio of original Maxfield Parrish's are a few examples of having to send and receive the priceless. These examples and more reflect all the management expertise one would normally find in supply chain.
There is a secondary consideration that is more obvious, and that is what you may do as an individual (or even working for a small firm or agency). Being in the digital age, it's entirely possible that a significant amount of what you do may be transferred electronically. Indeed, you may find yourself collaborating with someone on the other side of the planet. At some point however, there is the likelihood that someone will need to see a print, a mockup, something. Color correction and proofing need to be established. Someone somewhere else may also need to have a copy. In these instances we are no longer talking about tariffs and trade, taxes and bills of laden, etc. However, we are talking about shipping, and if it is an object of value (beyond all the protective wrapping within the shipping packaging), at a minimum someone needs to assess insurance (and possibly security).
These are the considerations you would ordinarily need to be aware of when it comes to supply chain and the applied arts. However, a third example is when the term supply chain is used to illustrate aspects of a process, particularly when other individuals represent meaningful aspects within the process. This uses the concept of supply chain as a noun, each aspect being represented by its constituent part. Within your field you would be familiar with the professionals up and down such a chain within a larger vision. This example comes to us from an article on videogame design:
“ ‘The game industry actually produces products,’ Lashin-Curewitz states, ‘and as such, adds value to the economy through the creation of a supply chain, which in turn generates three to five jobs for each game-design position in the industry itself. This includes purchased and outsourced services in the allied computer programming, digital art, digital animation, writing, marketing, advertising and packaging industries.’
Pedone concurs with this assessment, and adds that the uses for video-game technology are more diverse than one would think at first glance.”
For our purposes we will focus on the verb aspect, the activity that supply chain ordinarily represents in business. In turn, alphabetically, here are a few examples you might confront within your field.
reference
Getting in the Game
Getting in the Game
Plans to Make the State a Leader in Video Game Design
Keen Hahn
Story Created: Sep 29, 2010 at 2:43 PM EDT
Story Updated: Sep 29, 2010 at 2:54 PM EDT
2010 Worcester Mag, a Holden Landmark Corporation publication
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