Will Donald Trump go from “You’re fired” to “You’re hired” in 2012′s Presidential election?

The word is that Donald Trump is flirting with the idea of running for President in the next election. Recently, Trump has been hitting the Television and radio waves giving rather candid interviews on what he would do to save America from a demoralizing government leadership and from being the “whipping post of the world.”

Step 1: Last night, I turned on my radio and tuned into 710AM to listen to Michael Savage interview Donald Trump on Savage’s popular, long-running radio show, The Savage Nation. I was circumspect at first. Was “The Donald”, with his trademark hairstyle just doing this for publicity? Instead, what I heard was a very patriotic and very concerned, savvy businessman who knows that America’s only hope may need to come from outside either political party – neither Democrat nor Republican seems up to the task.

Step 2: Trump, who spoke with great admiration for the US navy fleet and our troops, spoke impassionedly to the listeners about the great threat he sees from China and their manipulation of their currency and how he can’t believe the US is letting this go on without any repercussions. He also spoke to the crazy deals Obama has been sigining with other countries, for example, trade agreements with South Korea and the STAR treaty with Russia. He states strongly, why is the US signing a trade agreement that does nothing for the US and benefits entirely the South Koreans, who are actually a wealthier country than the US, and then we use our military to defend them against the North Koreans without any payment. Trump also spoke to the insanity of the treaty Obama is signing with Russia that basically neuters our military, allowing Russia to tell the US when and what they can build for our military. As well, Trump pointed out the mess that is NAFTA and, secondly, the great threat we are facing from China due to their manipulation of their currency which makes it impossible for the US to compete – again, nothing is done about this from the US government!

Step 3: In another interview of Trump by Lloyd Grove of The Daily Beast[1], Trump says:
“China gets away with manipulating their currency and stealing all our jobs…I have dinner with and know many Chinese businesspeople, and they cannot believe what they’re getting away with. They tell me this. Now…they didn’t know that I’d be thinking about running for president.

“I think we should tax Chinese products until such time as it equalizes… I’m a protectionist when another country is making hundreds of billions of dollars a year of essentially profit off the United States….[Obama] shouldn’t be having dinner with Hu. Obama should say, ‘Before we have our dinner, I want you to straighten out the mess.’

“Excuse me, there’s another example. They haven’t done anything with respect for North Korea. They can solve the North Korean problem with a phone call…They [South Korea] only signed a [trade] treaty when they needed our help—even though it was a one-sided treaty in their favor…They only sign when the bombs start getting lobbed onto them and we start sending our aircraft carriers to protect them… It’s absolutely ridiculous. Why are we protecting them? They’re making hundreds of billions of dollars off the United States yearly. Why aren’t they paying us for protection?”

Then Trump lambasts OPEC. “Somebody’s got to speak to OPEC in the strongest of language,” Trump says, “because you cannot have an economic recovery if every time the country starts doing better, they raise the price of oil. That’s like raising interest rates. That’s the ultimate deterrent.”

“If he were President, Trump says he would just tell the oil cartel that they aren’t going to raise prices “and they would listen… We have tremendous leverage. OPEC wouldn’t even be there if it wasn’t for us. Namely, we protect them.”

Step 4: So, will Trump run for President in 2012?

For all of you are curious whether Donal Trump will affirm that he is indeed going to make a run for the Oval Office in 2012, Trump says he can’t officially say he is, that is if he decides to run, until season 11 of “The Apprentice” is over in June of this year as, otherwise, every candidate would need to be allowed to have 2 hours a week of Television time.

Trump, in my opinion, “You’re hired!”

[1] The Daily Beast interview of Trump

The desire to help others is what originally led South African Elmare Lombard to leave her successful psychological practice after 15 years to start a natural aromatherapy line.

Step 1: From experimenting with essential oils and plant-based oils in her kitchen to eventually seeking international markets for the line, Lombard has made her dream a reality today. Her Molo Africa line is now being distributed in the U.S. by BioPharmetics Inc.

Step 2: But her company, founded with family members and community leaders, also helps establish farming projects for disadvantaged people in her native South Africa. Molo Africa has a proactive employment policy that helps single parents get jobs with the company or affiliated businesses. This initiative is designed to promote self-sufficiency and brings a sense of pride for individuals.

Step 3: Molo Africa supports the independent farmers of Africa through advice and assistance; the purchase of raw products at fair market prices; and through education initiatives that help impoverished South Africans develop skills in agriculture, basic education, entrepreneurship and computer training.

Step 4: The company’s product line includes pure essential oils, natural aromatic room sprays, massage butters, shea soaps and scented candles. Molo is an African greeting meaning “hello.” Bearing evocative African names such as “Hamba Suka” and “Sefako,” the products contain essential oils that were extracted from exotic plants farmed and processed naturally in African countries.

Step 5: Gertrude Mewy is an example of the kind of success story Lombard’s company helped to create. The single mother from Guguletu, Cape Town, was raising her four children on a small salary as a domestic worker. But she dreamed of being an entrepreneur. With the help of the Foundation for Economic and Business Development, she started her own pottery business.

Her hard work paid off when she became a supplier of ceramic beads to Molo Africa. Its contract with Gertrude enables her to employ two full-time workers, both of whom are single mothers. Her business now supports nine people and there are plans for more business deals between Gertrude and Molo Africa.

The confusion of do gooding and fairness with achievement and success.

What ails the US economy and its education system is the constant desire to rationalize the idea of equal outcome.

By the nature of being human, you will always have a pecking order. Some will succeed more than others.

Having taught in a public school in New York City, it was clear years ago and clearer today, why our education and economic system are declining.

The focus on mediocrity. Pass students at all costs who were in 7th and 8th grade reading at 3rd and 4th grade levels.

The school unions were oppressive. The older teachers wanted a job. There was no merit system.

Today, we face the most insane economic policies led by a President and Congress determined to organize America into one big community ruled purely by

their

idea of fairness and what they determine is right for us.

The new King – what the constitution looked to protect against – is taxing us economically socially and educationally without true representation.

They encourage the all too familiar political gambit play the rich – and successful – against the taken advantage middle and poor.

In the name of fairness and mediocrity – rather than meritocracy – we are being overtaken by bureaucrats that believe to profit and succeed is evil – meaning unfair.

Yet, they soak the entire popular with their ridiculous salaries, pensions and benefits.

The country is crippled by a double standard where big is ok because they have the dollars to buy politicians through lobbyist and contributions. In turn, the politicians vote for them to get the votes and the backing.

The result is a Fed controlled by an academic who has little understanding of simple business. He is a political animal who lacks common sense. The believes we are reliving the Depression. Yet, all predictive models have been shown you cannot predict the future from the past. You can learn from it but the future will be different.

The idea that you can keep borrowing your way to prosperity following Keynesian models is a pipe drea. There are no free lunches.

What do I recommend seems more a wish list:

1. Get back to the basics of what made this country great – support small business and entrepreneurs
2. Foster true fairness by raising all school standards and facing that students are failing for a number of reasons – teaching methods, emotional issues, cultural circumstances, economic reasons and purely differences in intelligence.
3. Stop spending. Balance the budget. Everyone has to take less.
4. Stop raising taxes to cover up the wasteful, uncontrolled spending
5. Stop borrowing
6. Politicians and bureaucrats have to be put on a system based upon meritocracy not pork barreling. This means a reporting system on the internet of what they are doing which is understandable.
7. Have big business ally with education and small business so that they can incentivize innovation and job creation.
8. Give incentives to small businesses, entrepreneurs which will create more start ups, jobs and long term investment.
9. Create an atmosphere of greater economic certainty by honoring the successful and not bailing out the unsuccessful. It’s good to succeed and to be wealthy if done within the rules (rules that are not onerous)
10. Make the government stay as the referee not the participant.

Do I believe this will happen?

No.

Why?

Because we are appealing to the lowest common denominator – to fairness which sounds moral and wonderful. Fairness attracts very bright and idealistic people.

But only being realistic, facing the current reality going back to basics and taking our current medicine will return us to being the economic and social engine that the world has admired. By being the world’s policeman in the name of fairness, we are being unfair to the Americans we are supposedly trying to help.

Just think of the enormous waste of money going to wars, pork barrel, bureaucrats, entitlements etc.

It reminds me of failing companies where everyone gets around a table and says we can’t cut any expenses. But, we are losing money – lots of it.

Finally, the company faces the news – we are going under.

Suddenly, there are numerous proposals for cuts but often too late.

That’s our federal state governments today.

Fairness and mediocrity versus reality and meritocracy.

Bureaucracy versus Entrepreneurship.

Unfortunately, I believe its time to face we are going under. I hope it’s not too late.

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Step 1 Pay respect

Rank and status are important. In China, respect must always be given to a person’s rank or status. You would never address a subordinate employee the same as you would an executive or supervisor. Chinese customs place great importance on showing respect for status.

Step 2 Socialize

Socializing is expected. In the United States, business relationships are more aloof and professional. It is not usually appropriate to discuss personal family matters or outside interests with a business colleague unless you have known them for some time.

Step 3 Converse

Superficial conversations about personal information are acceptable, but only in certain situations. In China, however, socializing and learning more about your business associates on a personal level carries high importance. Knowing how a person deals with personal issues, to a Chinese business person, indicates a person’s character and therefore their business worthiness.

Step 4 Give a gift

Gifts are acceptable, although not as novel as in years past. In the past, giving gifts to a business connection in China was highly recommended. Western items were seen as novelties and therefore, coveted. In today’s China, western items are more common and not seen as a novelty. However, giving gifts is still acceptable. One important aspect of business gift giving is to pay careful attention to the perceived value of gifts and a person’s status. If giving gifts to several business representatives, never give a gift of higher perceived value to a lesser employee, as this is considered disrespectful to superior status employees. In other words, do not give an executive a cheaper gift than his or her assistant. For example, a vase is apporpriate for an assistant, but a pen set is not.

Step 5 Think family

Business comes firt in the US, however, in China family and people are more valued.

These are just a few of the differences between business etiquette in the United States and business customs in China. There are many other subtle differences that are important to learn prior to engaging in business dealings with Chinese businesses or business personnel.Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.

Step 1 Research by township

While many customs may be similar, assuming there is no need to learn about German business customs is an arrogant way to approach a new business connection or venture. To help highlight some of the differences in business customs between the US and Germany, the following list is intended only as a beginning. Smart business professionals should research and learn more about German business customs before trying to conduct business in Germany or with German business professionals.This is especially true in Germany where each township has its own customs. For example,

Step 2 Be formal

German business is based in formality. Proper greetings, addressing a person by title, and waiting to be seen and introduced are far more pronounced than in the United States. In short, many customs are the same in terms of shaking hands, waiting to be introduced, and other formalities. However, in Germany these are carried on far longer than in the United States. Where an individual may start a business meeting addressing a colleague by their formal name, by the end many professionals are on a first name basis. This is not the case in Germany. Formality remains intact throughout a business meeting.

Step 3 Make an appointment

Appointments are a mandatory and strictly adhered-to custom. One or two weeks is the expected lead time for an appointment. Promptness is expected and tardiness can end a relationship before it starts. Agendas are strictly followed, including what time the appointment will start and what time it will end. When entering a room for business meetings or other business functions, there is a hierarchy to the entry process.

Step 4 Follow the leader

Highest ranking officials and executives enter first and are followed, in order, by the next ranking official or employee. If attendees are of equal rank, men enter before women.

Step 5 Play by ear

In Germany you need to listen to what the other person is saying very carefully. In the US although you may listen, nothing is agreed upon until a contract is signed. The opposite is true in Germany. What is said is considered an implicit contract.

These are just a few of the differences in proper business etiquette in Germany. There are others regarding gifts, business dress, and assorted other customs. The underlying theme of all German customs is formality and serious attention to business matters. Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.

Step 1 Plan for less customers

Unemployment is growing and many consumers have become pessimistic about their future and have ceased to spend. While this may seem obvious, did you know that your are accountable for taxation even though your business may go under? That is right. You will still have to find money for the increased taxation and cannot claim a loss for home based businesses. Thus you need to have some money set aside for that as getting a loan may be out of the question right now.

Step 2 Keep cash flowing

With the onset of a period of delation later this year, cash will be essential. Keep a track of your credit management and accounts receivables. Also cut any unecessary cost if possible. Even though loans are scarce, a flow of cash, however small, can make the difference between closure or success of a business.

Step 3 Watch your tax increases

You may have already heard the news. In an effort to eliminate a $290 billion difference in what the Internal Revenue Service collects in taxes and what is actually paid small business will take the hit. Various legislation has already been put in place to increase the requirements for small business reporting including third party reporting. In short, you will have added costs of reporting taxes and filing and need to prepare.

Step 4 Comply

Another measure that was recently added was that of compliance with the Treasury Department regarding the filing of 1099. Traditionally 1099 form are used for contractors or other help that makes under $600 annually in your firm. To date small business have been exempt from filing these forms, but now that has changed. Small businesses will not only have to file for all 1099s used, but also must file the 1099s used as payments to other corporations as well. These added costs will increase your tax bill. Typical compliance costs can run an extra $2,000 and add 120 hours more time to process.

Step 5 Use the company credit card wisely

The final new rule that small businesses must contend with is that of credit card reporting. Credit card companies are now required to report all sales from merchant credit cards. This is then matched with reported income at the IRS. Should a discrepancy arise between reported income and sale receipts, then you will have the added burden of handling these costs.

You already spend a great deal of money and time running your business, but prepared for some changes. Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.

Step 1. Lead biotech with Amgen Inc.

Amgen, which was founded in 1980, is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California and has an operating budget exceeding 23 billion dollars and over 18,000 employees. Amgen is the leader in therapuetic development for bone diseases, metabolism, neurology, and oncology. As medicine will be vital in the coming years, Amgen is poised to lead the way.

Step 2. Battle cancer at Genzyme Biotechnology Corporation

It is the second best biotechnology firm in USA and has its head quarters in Massachusetts. It has a worldwide workforce of more than 12,000. It is the leader in molecular oncology (cancer) and biosurgery. Genzyme will continue to lead us as cures for cancer and improvements in surgery will be essential for healthy lives.

Step 3. Kill viruses at Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences is a young firm founded in 1987 with headquarters in California. It has approximately more than 3,000 employees worldwide Gilead specializes in the manufacture and research into antivirus treatments and drugs including HIV, hepatitis B a H1N1 virus and influenza and Tuberculosis related conditions of the chest infections.

Step 4. Go Biogenic Idec

Biogen Idec was founded in 2003 and has headquarters is Massachusetts. The firm specializes in drug manufacturing of drugs that aid the nervous system and also immunity enhancing drugs as well as neural disorders, autoimmune disorders and cancers. Biogenic, which is one of the oldest biotechnology companies, also specializes in diseases that are non-curable like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis rheumatisms research.

Step 5 Look into Cephalonia, Inc.

Located in Pennsylvania, Cephalonia is involved in the research of mental health and medical products and does work focused on diseases that affect neural degenerations. It is one of the fastest growing companies due to research innovations in the field of medicine.

Biotechnology is our future. Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.

Step 1 Online or offline

There has been great debate about whether an online degree has equal or more value than a degree from a regular brick and mortar college or university. According to the National Education Association (NEA), in the last two years there has been a 20% increase in the number of students enrolling in an online class. Although manty employers view any degree as favorable, be sure to take online classes that are offered through a brick and mortar school to valid the course legitimacy. Recent legislation that will take effect at the beginning of 2011 has changed the value of strictly online degrees and notes that most of them are not valuable despite their claims. hence, consider getting a degree from the University of Nebraska extension or the University of Texas. For lower costs schools consider Western New Mexico university. There are many online classes you can also take at community colleges and most four year schools.

Step 2 Pick a major

As states slash university budgets and fewer departments exist within schools, consider the value of a major. Why are states slashing the budgets of schools and the schools in turn shutting down certain departments? Because the major(s) offered from that department are no longer applicable or there is little enrollment. English, Math, Language, and evem Computer Science departments are getting closed at schools across the nation. Currently, the most popular major is business and with good reason. Business is directly applicable to nearly all facets of life as there is a business of some kind in every industry.

Communicatons/Writing is second as we as humans need to communicate. Pick areas that will be there years to come and cannot be replaced with technology. For example, agriculture will alwaysd exist because human must eat food to survive. In like manner, water must always be tested because humans cannot function without water.

Step 3 Think ahead

Where do you want to be five years from now? Do you want to own your oown business or be the head of a company? Even though it is difficult to determine what we want to be in the future given lack of jobs and the elimination of industries, research the possibilities of what may be.

Step 4 Transfer yourself

You need to be able to have a college degree that can be used in most industries. By doing so, you can easily be employable and may only require specific on the job training.

Step 5 Evaluate the alternative

Do you believe you would be better off investing in a franchise or ETF? consider the reality. If you have not embarked on college yet, you may consider this alternative. YOu can also get a two year degree in graphic design, radiology, or nuclear medicine, and then invest the rest of the money that you would use for a four year degree. Review the market and look around your area. Are businesses locking up? If so, then go to school. If not, consider the alternative.

Remember, your life is in your hands. Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.

Step 1 Go green

Two artificial enzymes have been developed in the University of Washington. These artificial enzymes are supposed to ‘green up’ the production of a range of products including plastics, drugs, and textiles. This breakthrough will be used for flue fighting drugs, aids vaccine, and microbes that absorb greenhouse gases.

Step 2 Protect your network

An integrated Distributed Denial of Services (DDoS) mitigation solution has been developed by RioRey Inc based in Bethesda, Maryland. The solution removes attack traffic at edge of network. The combination of DDoS solutions and hardware integration will provide hardware users a cost effective solution against rising DDoS attacks.

Step 3 Test your chemicals

A new measurement tool called nanoIR has been developed by Anasys Instruments. The nanoIR will be able to reveal the chemical composition of samples at nano scale. This breakthrough will overcome two major barriers in atomic force microspectroscopy, namely limited fundamental spatial resolutions in the conventional infrared mocrospectroscopy, and limitation of chemical characterization in atomic force microscopy.

Step 4 Prevent overheating

Graftech International has developed ultrathin and flexible graphite. This graphite keeps computer chips away from overheating. This is a form of purified carbon that can dissipate heat up and control the functioning of furnaces up to 5500 degrees. Its high tech thinness has ability to absorb heat better than any metal.

Step 5 Speed up time for stopping the spread of infectious disease

ZyGem Corporation ltd has brought up a Microbial Fingerprinting technology that dramatically reduces the time needed for the identification of unknown infectious agents in population of mixed samples. Current testing methods require many days to find out the results. This breakthrough will not save only time but also be less costly in operations.

Remember, science and business go hand in hand. Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.

Step 1 Measure CSR

The most important metric for CSR is the employment of commercial success performance indicators, called KPIs that can be used to measure environmental performance. KPIs will highlight the achievements at a glance and promote the corporate social responsibility with degree of success.

Step 2 Combine metrics

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) should be combined with value based management (VBM) by using activate based costing (ABC) and balance scorecard for maximization of shareholders’ value.

Step 3 Review the law

Compliance of national laws and regulations as well as application of international standards will promote a sense for furthering social responsibilities among corporations, particularly multinationals.

Step 4 Determine commitment

The responsible leadership is another metric that helps in securing the commitment of management in developing and achieving corporate social responsibilities. Leadership qualities are attained by practicing the virtues of leadership over a period of time.

Step 5 Think sustainability

Planning and implementation of CSR will determine the sustainability approach of a corporation to execute its corporate social responsibilities with ease and with a sense of satisfaction.

Remember, metrics can guide you in the right direction. Please visit stepsto.com for more great business advice.