Lehigh Valley Economic Opportunities

Surprise!  Bethlehem, PA has become an under-rated and recently recognised economic development opportunity.

Recently, the latest supercharged dynamo of Economic Development, Alicia Karner, has been put in charge of Bethlehem’s Economic Development Office.

The City Council has yet to approve funding for the two additional staff members, but don’t let that discourage you.  You know you have to spend money to make money (even if they don’t) and there are still “ground floor” opportunities available in Bethlehem—before the economy [picks up speed.

·         Sands Casino has primed the pump.

·         ArtsQuest is attracting the Artsy Crowd (read culture) and

·         Downtown is the target of CRIZ, KIZ, and BEDCO.

Do not be fooled into looking elsewhere.

CRIZ: The City Revitalisation Improvement Zone (I would have thought investment zone).  Still, don’t be discouraged.  Investments are improvements. You make the investment and the politicians will share credit for the improvements.

KIZ: Keystone Innovation Zone.

BEDCO:  Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation.

The last one surprised me.  12 years ago I tried floating the idea of the Slate Belt Economic Development Corporation, but the idea went over like a lead balloon.  Still I do have a nodding acquaintance with the Lehigh Valley.  Please see my CV on my LinkedIn Profile with the list of my activities:  www.linkedin.com/in/slimfairview

Another asset is Tony Iannelli, the CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Recently, Mr. Iannelli told me he just returned from a business trip to China.  Need I say more?

Next, we have State Senator Lisa Boscola.  Senator Boscola got her foot in the door because her Dad worked for Bethlehem Steel. (Read: street-cred and massive local support). However, Senator Boscola’s staying power comes from her ability to keep up with the increasingly faster changing world of business, economics, and technology.  Also, the Senator outlasted the impediments in Harrisburg.  Things are moving along at a brisk pace.

Thought Bethlehem Steel is gone, the SteelStacks Project appears to be operating in full vigor.

But wait, there’s more…

Restaurants, Bars, and Cigars—Oh my!

In addition to economic development you have restaurants such as the Melting Pot, Blue Moon, and The Twisted Olive. For those who need a more specific point of reference, you have The Bethlehem Brew Works where President Obama stopped for a beer during a trip to Pennsylvania.

Aside from eateries there are two “Cigar Bar” businesses in the area.  And they are not just for those Cigar Chomping Party Bosses in smoke-filled back rooms and Derby hats cutting deals. You can enjoy a Pleiades or a Macanudo Prince Philip Café with a coffee or a Calvados. Derby hat optional.

Housing is moving along at a cheerful pace.  And you won’t have to bear the shame of living in a McMansion.  While they may be called Millennial Mansions by some, there is abundant land for development and the homes are situated on ample-sized lots routinely adjacent to or near one or more of the areas many country clubs. Conversely, there are many historic homes both in and out of historic districts, with the original wide plank floors and beamed ceilings just like the homes we used to see on This Old House. Horse and buggy upgrades are available—don’t ya know.

Sports!  It is my understanding that there are may sports venues offering a variety of athletic events.  However, I am not a sporty sor of person, so you'

The key people in the area, as I said, are

Alicia Karner, I would give you her phone number but I’m not sure if the Council voted to provide funding for a telephone.  

Tony Iannelli, and Senator Lisa Boscola are in the book. 

And don’t let the Big Investors scare you away. The Shoo-fly pie is big enough for SMEs and B2Bs to enjoy a slice.    

Disclosure:

Any references to products or services are at my discretion and no offer of remuneration or compensations was solicited, offered, or accepted.  Also, they are for information purposes and do not constitute an endorsement.  You’ve been informed. You are on your own.

However, if you are an investor, and you find any of this information to be helpful, please do not hesitate to send me a really tricked out MacPro and to tuck a few dollars into the envelope along with the thank you note.

Warmest regards and best of luck,

Slim

Slimfairview@yahoo.com

Slimviews and Sidestreetjournal are unfunded, unsupported, non-profit weblogs written by the Blogger known as Slim Fairview.

Copyright © 2014 Slim Fairview Robert Asken

All rights reserved.

Forming an E 20

The Emerging Nations Economic Union Needs an E-20 Group

In addition to the Emerging Economic Union, Emerging Economic Unions, and The Council of Emerging Economic Unions, there is another and very crucial step that must be taken.

Forming an E – 20

This is to counterbalance the force of the G 20.  Why 20?  Because the G-20 has 20 and you want to meet them head on.  More about this, when I discuss the tricks of Industrialised Nations.

This formation has multiple purposes for strategic planning and economic development.

1.  You will quickly learn who your enemies are.

2.  You will be able to concentrate your power and efforts into a more potent force.

3.  You will be able to approach the G 20 head-on.

4.  You will be able to better serve the people of all Emerging Nations.

In my presentation on forming the Union of Emerging Economic Unions, I listed the tricks used by Industrialised Nations to exploit Emerging Nations.  Here is a list of tricks specific to stopping you from forming an E 20.

·        Dilute the power and potency of your efforts.

·        To complicate to impede your progress.

·        To divide and conquer by instigating animosities among your members.

·        To give the global public appearance of working to help you.

·        To justify delaying tactics like holding unnecessary conferences and discussions.

·        To discredit those trying to help you.

·        To advance their own agendas.

·        To further enrich themselves at your expense.

To understand the potency of an E 20 consider a contest.  100 archers, 100 arrows.  Some archers hit the target more than others.  To increase the chances of success, 80 archers give their arrows to the 20 best archers.  If you do not believe me or trust me, consider this:

If you are entering a race, you choose your fastest runner.

If you are in the Olympics, you choose your best athletes.

When you compete with the G 20 you send your 20 nations best able to compete in the negotiations.

More tricks of Industrialised Nations.

• They will tell you competition is no good.
• They will tell you that you should cooperate.
• Still, they have a G 20.
• They will tell you not to form an E 20.
• Has the G 20 helped you? Really?
• No.
• Form an E 20.
• Do not listen to your critics.

Do not fall into the trap of discussions to talk about it. This is to defeat you, not help you.

3.  The G 20 is a concentrated potent force.  You need one also.

• All the delegates must meet in the same room.

• All the delegates must sit at the same table.

• The G 20 delegates can no longer separate you to make side deals to benefit some at the expense of the other and to divide and conquer you.

• The G 20 cannot cause mistrust and distrust.

• The G 20 cannot undermine your efforts.

4. What the E 20 gains, the E 20 gains for all the people in all Emerging Nations.

To establish the criteria for selecting those among you to meet head-on in negotiations with the G-20 consider the following:

• The Nations with the largest population
• The Nations with the highest GDP and Employment
• The Nations with resources & commodities most needed by the G 20
• Nations with a seacoast or deep-water port and or a pivotal central location

The Emerging World Court—Liaison Office of Resolutions

Another aspect to one entity already discussed, The Emerging World Court, is a Liaison Office of Resolutions.  This would be a Diplomatic Style Bureau to negotiate with and resolve differences with various industrialised nations and entities.

IMF To negotiate partnerships with large economic development projects.

World Bank To resolve disputes regarding Emerging Economies being underpaid or underfunded.

World Health Organisation To bring focus to existing and potential local and global health threats.

World Court To negotiate and to resolve Civil and Criminal Complaints between Emerging and Industrialised nations.

Other entities would include but are not limited to:

• The European Council
• The United Nations Security Council
• The European Bank
• The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
• Interpol
• The U.S. State Department

Conclusion

There is much more to be said on these matters and other matters concerning the Emerging World Economic Union.  However, a crucial aspect to them all is the formation of an E 20.

The members of the G-20 are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and European Union.

Now is the time for Emerging Nations to form the E-20 to represent the interests of the Emerging Nations Economic Union.

Warmest regards and best of luck,

Slim

Slimfairview@yahoo.com

Additional reading:

Solving theEmerging Crisis. A PowerPoint Presentation

EmergingNations Economic Union

And PresidentObama Said…

Copyright © 2014 Robert Asken / Slim Fairview

All rights reserved.-

Solving the Emerging Crisis

Resolving the Global Economic Crisis

“Solving the Global Economic Crisis requires the involvement and participation of Emerging Nations.”  The Quotations of Slim Fairview

I.  MECHANICS

Before the global economic crisis can be solved, the problems of emerging nations must be addressed—by the emerging nations themselves.  They must take charge.  Autonomy = Equality.   Therefore, the first three things that must be done are to establish the following:

Emerging Nations Economic Union

Emerging Nations Economic Unions

Global Consortium of Emerging Economic Unions

II. OVERVIEW

Areas I’ve discussed in Emerging Nations Economic Union involve a combination of Cash Payments + Capital Investment for by Industrialised Nations that want to do business with Emerging Economies.

Cash payments plus capital investment  This will result in declining foreign direct investment over time as revenues increase from various sources, enabling each emerging economy to move toward autonomy.

Autonomy = Equality.

Capital Investment should be spread throughout each nation and among a variety of sectors and industries. For example:

Energy

Private: Oil, Solar, Hydroelectric

Public:  Government owned or regulated monopolies E.g. utilities (Public Utilities) analogous to our old Phone Company, “Ma Bell”.

Trade

Emerging Nations can best be served by establishing a Nation to Nation Exchange; a marketplace for doing business with the nations in the Emerging Nations Union--an exchange, not unlike the Stock Exchange for Representatives from industrialised Nations and Representatives from Emerging Economies to meet and to negotiate transactions.

III.  CRUCIAL TO SUCCESS

1.  Emerging World Bank.  This is to handle financial transactions a monetary transfers in trade and commerce.

2.  Emerging World Monetary Fund.  This is to bring funds to activities in the various emerging nations through MicroFinance and other programmes.

3.  Emerging World Council.  This is to provide a legal framework and structure and to serve as The Legal Entity for relationships with other legal entities and structures.  For example: for dealing with

• The World Bank

• The IMF

• The World Court

• The World Health Organisation

• Et. Alia.

This enables Emerging Nations to speak with a collective voice and to have the clout of those who represent more than 2,000,000,000 (Two Billion) people in addition to the resources and natural resources rightly belonging to the more than 2,000,000,000 people who live in the countries of the Emerging Nations Economic Union.

This is a new version of the law of large numbers.  In this version:

 “You represent a large number of the world’s People; 

therefore you participate in making the laws.”

Emerging World Court:  This is to resolve disputes among the Emerging Nations and to resolve other matters as established and agreed to at the Emerging World Council.

IV.  Benefits to Emerging Nations

With the four legal entities established

• Emerging World Bank

• Emerging World Monetary Fund

• Emerging World Council

• Emerging World Court

And with

Several Emerging Nations Economic Unions having been established

And with

A Union of Emerging Economies Union having been established

The Emerging Economies can begin to benefit from size and co-operations with

• More leverage

• More negotiating power

• Better Global Organisation

• Better Long term strategic planning

• Better results for a better life for more and more people.

V.  Who and Where are You?

This is for the emerging nations to decide for themselves.  This worked for The European Union (Do not adopt a single currency);  It is in evidence as China attempts to embrace Western Asia; It may include the Middle East as OPEC attempts to protect future oil revenues; It is being planned for Eastern Europe with President Putin’s plan for a Eurasian Economic Union; and can be vital in Asia, Africa, and in Latin America.  And do not forget NAFTA.

VI.  Caveat

At the conclusion of my report on Economic Development in the Slate Belt area of Pennsylvania, USA 13 years ago, I issued this stern admonition to my fellow Slate Belt Citizens.  I warned them of the results of our failure to act.  I said,

“If we don’t do it, others will. However, they won’t do it for us, and they won’t do it with us, they will do it to us.”

Now is the time for Emerging Nations to form their Emerging Nations Economic Union and a Union of Emerging Economic Unions.

VII. Epilogue

Form Follows Function—Bauhaus.

Slim Fairview, “If you can’t sit on it, it isn’t a chair.  However, just because you can sit on it, doesn’t mean it is a chair.

“If you can’t eat it, it’s not food.  However, just because you can eat it, doesn’t mean it is food.”

An Old Chinese Saying warned of this:  “Never underestimate the power of a symbolic gesture.”

Slim Fairview: “Remember, the power of a symbolic gesture resides with the person making the gesture.”

People Can’t Eat Symbolic Gestures.

"You cannot stop the arrival of history, you can only delay it.  History is coming." ~ Slim Fairview

VIII.  Additional Reading

“And President Obama Said….”  An article about the success of China and American Exceptionalism.

“Emerging Nations Economic Union” About the need to establish an Emerging Nations Economic Union and the tricks used by Industrialised Nations to exploit Emerging Nations

The Unspoken Understanding A companion piece to Emerging Nations Economic Union about how to deal effectively with those who want to exploit Emerging Nations

Our Middle East Muddling

The Future of the G 20 in Good Times and Bad

Global Management: A Shift in the Paradigm of Corporate America

Warmest Regards and best of luck.

Slim Fairview

slimfairview@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2014 Slim Fairview / Robert Asken

All rights reserved.

And President Obama Said...

“And President Obama said…”

Mexico is planning to restructure its oil industry.

America is seeking oil independence

China is shifting from coal to oil

OPEC will need o review protecting future revenue

Emerging nations have growing energy needs.

China has been making economic and diplomatic overtures to Africa and expanding its global diplomatic and economic initiatives.  And remember this: it was not too long ago that President Obama pointed to China and said, “That used to be us.”

If The President meant China is becoming more successful, he was right. However, if he meant China is embracing a paradigm that we have long ago abandoned, he is offering great insight into the future—one that we had better heed.  To understand why, we must look at “American Exceptionalism.”

AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

From the death of President Lincoln to the death of President Kennedy, American Exceptionalism arose from three areas:  Our blessings, our workers, our iron-fisted empire builders.  What we have witnessed since, is the dissolution of America from the death of Kennedy forward.  Technology and innovation and entrepreneurs cannot reverse the trend until America puts Americans back to work.  Here is a brief and focused look at American business, commerce, and industrial exceptionalism:

Edison: The light bulb.

Edison:  The movie camera

Edison:  The phonograph

Edison:  The electric car.

The Wright Brothers: The aeroplane.

Steve Jobs: The personal computer.

Samuel Morse:  The telegraph.

Henry Ford: The assembly line.

Then we have:

Rockefeller: Oil

Carnegie: Steel

Morgan: Finance.

And, Labour!

Coal miners

Autoworkers,

Police officers

Firefighters,

Truck drivers,

Brick layers,

Steel workers

Iron workers,

Plumbers

Electricians

Carpenters

And, of course

FARMERS: NO FARMERS, NO FOOD.

The US is the world’s largest economy.  China is the world’s fastest growing economy.

“China will succeed because China will do as we did, not as we say.”  

The Quotations of Slim Fairview.

A metaphor to explain what we are doing is this simple:

Remember the old canard about the man banging his head against the wall.  When asked why he does it, he replies, “Because it feels good when I stop.

From this we learn two things:

1.  That it will feel good when he stops.

2.  That he will stop.

We no longer recognize that paradigm in the US.  What we are doing is banging out heads against the wall embracing the belief that eventually it will feel good to bang our heads against the wall.

China is embracing a new paradigm. China is no longer looking inward. China is looking outward.  And, China was never a colonial power.  And, the rest of the world is tired of doing business with people who look like us.  What do we look like?  Rich!  For example, from the song: spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountains majesty above the fruited plains.

China will do as we did and not as we say.  And therein lies the secret to China’s success.

Warmest regards,

Slim.

slimfairview@yahoo.com 

Further reading

Global Management: A shift in the paradigm of corporateAmerica

The Future of the G 20 in Good Times and Bad

Emerging Nations Economic Union.

Our Middle East Muddling 

Copyright © 2014 Slim Fairview Robert Asken

All rights reserved.

Emerging Nation Economic Union

Emerging Nations--Alternative to Failure.

You've heard of OPEC and you've heard of the EEC.  Now, I propose an Economic Union of Emerging Nations--EMEC. This is to help emerging nations to both leverage your position with the rest of the world, and to avoid the mistakes of the past Communities.

• The OPEC oil embargo hurt the economies of the OPEC nations.

• The Single European Currency hurt the European Economic Community.

• The success of Germany was the result of the deficit spending of the Southern Nations:  Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

The EMEC--Emerging Nations Economic Community--can join together to increase the potency of its negotiating power, and benefit from size to level the playing field with the rest of the world.  The industrialised nations.

HERE WE GO:

1. Identify those among you who are Emerging Economies.

2. Identify, classify, and inventory your assets: What you have to sell.

3. Identify, classify, and inventory your present and future needs: What you want to get.

4. Calculate the cost of your needs.

5. Price out your assets and the value to your customers.

6. Invite purchasing nations to a Nation to Nation Trade Conference: N2N Conference.

7. Prepare to negotiate CPCI: Cash Payments + Capital Investment.

Example of Assets:  Oil, Minerals, Chemicals, Ports, Stability, Location.

Example of Needs:  Agriculture, Health, Microfinance, Energy.

1st: The Leaders of Emerging nations must identify themselves to each other.

2nd: Leaders must meet to agree to embrace the paradigm of an Economic Union.

3rd:  Proceed as indicated above.

WARNING: DANGERS AHEAD.

As a metaphor, if everyone in the district worked for the Big Company,  the employees would have no place to spend their money.  This abuse was seen in "The Company Store" in the United States a century ago.

Microfinance is crucial to spread the opportunities among all the people in the district to help create a base--a middle class.

China: Rising middle class, rising economy.

India: Rising middle class, rising economy.

Soviet Union: No middle class, no Soviet Union.

United States: Declining middle class. Follow the path of the trajectory.

In the early days of America, the pioneers, built their own homes, farmed their own land, made their own furniture, made their own tools, made their own clothes.  In time, the division of labour resulted in many trades and crafts: potters making pots for cooking, The School Marm, The Preacher, The Blacksmith, The Butcher, The Baker, The Miller, The Barber, and so on.

DO NOT SURRENDER POWER

Old Chinese Saying

"Never underestimate the power of a symbolic gesture."

The Quotations of Slim Fairview

"The power of the symbolic gesture resides with the people making the gesture."

WESTERN TRICKS TO CONTROL EMERGING NATIONS

Invitation to Address a Committee

Committees do not solve problems. Committees create problems.  The first trick is to invited EMEC Leaders to address a committee.  This is a carrot and a stick.  It suggests that if you address the committee, you may receive what you want. If you do not, you won't.  The motive of the committee is to gather information about what you are doing to benefit the members of the committee and their friends--not you.

Creating a List of Activity

This trick is to keep you busy in an effort to impede your efforts to accomplish your goals.  This give the appearance of progress toward your goal, but in fact introduces the need for an inflated bureaucracy to dilute your efforts.

Gathering and Providing Mass Quantities of Data

This gives rise to:

• The appearance of assistance.

• Creating the appearance of the need for assistance.

• Justifying the need for more people to join the efforts.

• Validating the act of forcing people upon you.

• Creating a massive project to keep you obligated to the people exploiting you.

• Making you lose focus and lose site of your goals to infuse their agenda and advance their goals.

Crowding the Project

This trick involves inviting as many people as possible to work on grand plans to dilute the potency of your position.  There will be delays and distractions to benefit the interests of other people--not you--others.

Lies, Propaganda, Disinformation, and More Lies

This trick involves distracting you from your efforts to accomplish your goals by attacking the warnings.  The tricksters will accuse their critics of:

• Showing you disrespect

• Insulting your intelligence

• Marginalising your culture

This is to mitigate the warnings and to advance their schemes to benefit themselves at your expense.

Putting You in Charge to Reduce Your Control

This is a devious trick.  It is a form of divide and conquer.  Different leaders will be separated to take charge of different projects.  The projects will be crowded with people, burdened with excessive data, and cause delays and distractions.  You are in charge, not them.  Caveat: Do not let them put you in charge of what they want you to do. 

Wasting Money by Spending Too Much on Their Agendas.

This is another devious trick.  There will be more and more money for fewer and fewer projects, until the focus is on the projects they want to fund and the projects you need go unfunded and your goals are never achieved.

SOME PROTECTION:

• Do not listen to anyone who praises you or flatters you.
• Discuss only business.
• Speak to only those people who have the power to: 

1. Negotiate the deal.
2. Approve the Agreement
3. Sign the Agreement
4. Spend the Money.

Do not accept their invitations to socialize with them. Socialize away from them and discuss--freely and openly--the progress of your efforts.


Further Reading on This Topic

The Unspoken Understanding  More about the tricks of manipulation.

Mr. When's Chicken  to explain to The West why Emerging Nations do not like us.

And President Obama Said...  This explains China's success and offers insight into American Exceptionalism.  In Short:  "China will succeed because China will do as we did and not as we say."  The Quotations of Slim Fairview. (c) 2014.

Solving the Emerging Crisis  This offers some of the mechanics of the project.

Warmest regards,

Slim

slimfairview@yahoo.com

Copyright (c) 2014 Slim Fairview & Robert Asken

All rights reserved.