On credibility

When I look at the words said by Isaltino Morais (a Portuguese politician accused and sentenced on corruption charges, that stills awaits arrest on a technicality), I have to think on the credibility of the other clients he represents. Many people don't understand the importance of credibility of its image to their business - and Arthur Andersen was amongst those. On businesses like consulting and law, an image of rigour, independence, and honesty is as essential as competence. And some associations and words are just bad to the business (if anyone in Portugal has any doubts on this, look at Romeu Francês...).

http://www.publico.pt/Local/isaltino-morais-esta-preso-mas-defesa-alega-erro-do-juiz_1514376

How does Skype make money?

It was a big question for me? Paid calls are only a fraction of free ones, there is no visible advertising,... so, how do they make money?

This link is a bit old, but (thanks Gaurav, for sharing) it answers some of the questions.

http://voiceontheweb.biz/2009/03/skype-business-model-revealed-at-ebay-analyst-event/

Now, we can discuss its sustainability when competition is looming...

At last!

It seems the Portuguese Government is to propose changes in Labor Law. The main change is to allow firing an employee who fails to meet objectives. This is a game change alteration - aimed at (finally) give Portuguese productivity a strong push forward! A must do!

http://economia.publico.pt/Noticia/governo-propoe-despedimento-por-nao-cumprimento-de-objectivos-ou-quebra-de-produtividade-1513053

No new news

The study that states that China is buying Europe (through debt and companies acquisition) is hardly a surprise. And it only shows how by not embarking fully on a common project, Europe is slipping steepily to irrelevance in the global arena...

http://economia.publico.pt/Noticia/estudo-europeu-garante-que-a-china-esta-a-comprar-a-europa-1512929

An interesting and very relevant question

Should Government members be criminally responsible for bad country management? This is a very interesting and relevant question, especially in Portugal, where a number of situations is becoming visible, namely on huge budgetary deficits that were hidden and very doubtful top management nominations in state-hold companies. I am actually for a different wording. I am for holding legally responsible politicians not on bad management (a dubious expression on its own, subject to subjective interpretation, difficult to prove and that might be used to obscure political intentions), but on its processes - I am for legally prosecuting hiding relevant information from the public, for actually going after corruption cases,... And most of it is already put into law - we don't need new ones on this, we just need to act on them!

http://economia.publico.pt/Noticia/medina-carreira-governantes-dos-ultimos-dez-anos-deveriam-ser-julgados-1512885

A good example

If we looked at the Portuguese shoe industry 15 years ago we would step into a problematic sector. Though usually considered as a stronghold of good quality products, the absence of a marketing strategy impelled the manufacturers to only sell shoes to some international brands, that would rebrand them as their own and sell them at a premium - capturing most of the margin. It was a huge problem, as the Portuguese manufacturers margins were thus being mercilessly squeezed...

When, I look at what some Portuguese companies have done, I feel proud. And I feel even more hopeful than I usually am. They listened and learned. They've built brands, anchored in the good quality products they were manufacturing. They introduced design. They were innovative. They relied in an extremely experienced and cheap labor force. And they started building operations that would allow them to go directly to their markets and sell the products directly to retailers. They won clients by meeting their demands, by adapting to their requests. They directed their efforts not to less demanding and easier markets (like Spain), but to the really difficult and demanding ones, like Germany and Holland - knowing if they could make it there, that would be a good business card everywhere in the world. They are winning! And I feel proud of them!

http://economia.publico.pt/noticia/a-exigencia-alema-esta-a-tornarse-uma-montra-para-o-calcado-portugues_1512540

Attention, Europe!

While it makes all the sense to solve the public spending problem (that arises from inefficient expenditures), I think you are forgeting about the other side of the problem - and you can't repair the budgetary problem without solving this. So, Europe, what are you planning to do to revamp growth? I recall you that growth (efficient growth, ok?) will generate jobs, well being, more taxes and will diluite your existing debt. The main problem in Europe is lack of growth - an economic problem. The budgetary one is just a consequence. So, please, don't forget to (whilst addressing inefficient spending) focus on how to generate good and sustainable growth, will you?