Outsourcing is Creating Dependencies

As more companies move oversees for a cheaper labor force, we are becoming more dependent on foreign markets. IBM, for example, has more employees in India than it does in the United States. Cisco Systems is also headed in that direction. This image meshes two icons to depict the message. IBM's logo is placed on the backs of elephants, symbolic for India, to show that IBM has been taking a new direction. Globalization will probably develop more labor and consumer markets to help the global economy. It is safe to say that sometime in our career we will probably hold positions where we will have to interact with other nations for business.

New Car Coat Hanger

I know for a fact that many times when I hang clothes in my car that I am unable to see my blind spots. Now there is a new design that lets you hand your coat behind your seat avoiding that blind spot. Hopefully future business people will take this into consideration as more and more people are driving cars and hanging their coats on their back window.
Safety is always first and besides it looks cool to have that hanger. However for those with convertible cars, I guess they have to find another way to help you.

How easy to snoop?

This is the 'Key catcher'

This is a device that can be connected to a keyboard to record all keystrokes. It has a changeable password, keyword search, enable/disable option, and stores URLs. Records 262,000 keystrokes and does not require any software. I find it alarming how quick someone can hook this up to a keyboard and have total access to any password you type into a computer. Everyone is afraid of over the net security threats, but devices like these make hacking even easier.

Humans Vs. Nature

This is a skiier crashing in a Swiss Alps freeride competition. The motion of her hand reaching out of the avalanche of snow really caught my eye. I cannot belive that people see that they must risk their lives in such ways. I know they do it for the thrill or just to conquer the mountain, but come on that is straight dangerous! I think it is amazing that instead of just letting nature go about its business, humans want to take advantage over every aspect of the earth and show that we are stronger than it.

Downsizing

This cartoon caught my attention because it really does make you think how upper management feels about laying off employees. I wonder if it is forced upon them most of the time, or if they come to the decision, or if they do it to keep their own personal profits up. Even just looking at down sizing as a "sin" may be what the artists is trying to portray here

New Ties

Who would have thought there be another innovation to ties? Pictured top is the 8-Bit tie. I wonder if this tie will be mandatory for video game offices and technology based companies. In my opinion this is very innovative design and maybe this will be the future of dress code for some companies? Lets hope so, because it so fits the style of an average gamer. Running for 20 bucks and a clipon, it's perfect for us business nerdy gamers!

Picture speaks a thousand works

Looking at the picture you can easily see that it is the iPhone. Everyone speaks highly of the phone however in this picture it is depicted that it is not great.
The first impression I had on the picture was that the phone is having trouble and the director is trying to hide it from the public, so that it doesn't cause a ruckus.

Sad Puppy

I saw this and instantly sympathized with this dogs feelings. Anyone can recognize the sadness in this photo, which is why this is such an effective visual. This poor basset hound has some reason to be upset, and the picture could be related to a failing company, a recall of a popular product, or any other upsetting news. This little basset hound has something to be sad about for sure, but he can be happy knowing we all feel for him.

Inner Demon

This picture shows the inner demon that most of us hide. The anger we all wish we could express, the frustration we wish we could voice. Although the situation may seem specific to gridlock, this picture exemplifies anger as a whole. Any person with frustrations feels like this little man in his little car. They feel as though no one cares, or that everyone steps on them. All the man wants to say is "Get out of my way!"

Advertising gone to far?

Miscommunication

This is a great example of visual communication, in this case, miscommunication. Anyone has experienced miscommunication (although not to this degree) and will understand the message this picture conveys. People should be more aware of how they communicate and how their communication could be mistaken for something else. In this case, it cost someone their life, but at least they will be clean

Persistent Advertising

Gas Prices...How high will they go?

This photo seemed like a perfect description of the present situation with gas prices. They seem to keep going up and who knows when this increase in prices will cease. The frequently occuring question is what is causing this increase, the gas companies or the oil supply countires in the Middle East? It seems soon gas will cost us an arm and a leg.

Real e-State

This picture shows the craze for online real estate. Until recently, web pages were considered real estate, but now a new idea take off? The picture sure seems to think so.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/04/01/8403356/index.htm?postversion=2007040305

Internet TV has gone HD

After looking reading an article off www.gizmodo.com, I realize more and more that I do not watch much TV anymore. Major companies such as ABC, NBC, and CBS realize that and have started to broadcast their shows on their websites. However one company, ABC have stepped up to the plate and just unveiled their newest broadband "HD Player" network. It allows users like myself to view their shows whenever and where ever I want without sacrificing the quality of the video. This latest innovation tells me that Internet Television is going to be big soon, sooner than we may expect.
Link

A world full of ads

This is the power of advertising in the world today. Everywhere you look on this picture, you see ads for all sorts of things such as products, movies, and broadway musicals. In the business world, advertising is key.

As technology gets better, I anticipate advertising to evolve as well. I can't help but picture advertising being like those from futuristic movies.

A dying trend

I came across this picture as I was reading an article about the dying trend of payphones. In the article the author explains how cell phones are making pay phone obsolete. It is very true that technology is taking over what used to be a popluar trend.

Full article:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070402-9999-1m2phones.html

Faculty Stike

As you all have heard, the California Faculty Association is planning a 2-day strike (April 9 and 10). Last March 22th, the Daily Aztec (for those who read it) publised an article containing a graph about the salary increases to CSU Presidents and Faculty from 1997 to 2005. As an aid of visual communication this graph is amazing.

The orange bar represents CSU Presidents raises and the yellow one CSU Faculty raises. In 2005, CSU Presidents raise was 12.5% against 3.5% for CSU Faculty.

Green Marketing

Green marketing seems to be the marketing trend among many companies. Honda is no exception. The picture above shows owners refueling thier Honda at their own home with natural gas. How awesome is it to be able to pump fuel in your own driveway? This picture is definately going to be a big hit among consumers.

Full article:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0703/gallery.green_giants.fortune/index.html

Global Warming

I came across this image as I was reading an article about global warming. The image is simle but, profound at the same time. The picture encourages us to maintain a "green" planet.

Full article:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/?cnn=yes

Computer lane

While my last posting addressed busyness on the behalf of technology, this article from SignOn Sandiego.com describes the distractions it creates in a car. An excellent example of the growing integration of technology is Avis' plans to provide wireless internet in their rental cars. This image works well because is shows how consumers love technology while ignoring the dangers it presents while driving.

"In late February, a 28-year-old computer tutor from Chico died in a head-on collision near Yuba City after crossing into oncoming traffic while he apparently was using his laptop. Authorities found the computer running and plugged into the cigarette lighter. "

I was actually surprised that California has not passed any law against use of hand-held devices while driving. The article says a law banning hand-held devices will go into effect in mid 2008. This will probably increase the demand for accessories like bluetooth headsets in the next year.

Article: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20070401-9999-lz1c01cars.html

"Too Busy to Notice You're Too Busy"

This image, by Alex Eben Meyer, is from an article from the New York Times. The image instantly grabbed my attention. Its use in the article describes how technology has made us busier. Wherever we go we are tied to our mobile devices. Cell phones interrupt our classrooms, meetings, and everything in between. I even see people using their cell phones in the public restrooms. By carrying a cell phone, we have invited more tasks to keep us running around. We can not live without the benefits of our mobile devices. This article describes the increased difficulty in prioritizing our tasks and finding some down time.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/business/31shortcuts.html?pagewanted=1&ref=business

Fighting for What is Right...

In this photo by the Associated Press, it shows the determination of a Chinese woman, Wu Ping. She is in a 3 year battle to protect her house from land developers who have bought all the surrounding residential buildings and have begun to excavate around her house. Wu Ping stated, "I'm not stubborn or unruly, I'm just trying to protect my personal rights as a citizen."

I believe that this shows the true dedication of a woman to stand up for what she believes in. There have been many cases of land developers illegally siezing land working with the Chinese government. It is my belief that in business you need to stand up for what is right and protect the morals and ethics that you live your life by. Do not let others boss you around and force you to do something against your will.