What’s wrong with America?

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Tony Ciotti

Well, right now one could probably say “a lot” is wrong with America.  We point fingers at the politicians and at the Federal Reserve for the sad state the US economy finds itself.  Yes, I too agree they are part of the problem.  However, the source of the problem does not end there.  The media has its fair share of blame for the way things are.

There are real and workable solutions out there, but the media works in collusion to ensure those solutions are either not broadcast at all, or if they do get broadcast then they are quick to criticize the idea.

Whether you like what Ron Paul has to say or not, I would argue that he at least has something fresh to say.  It’s a viewpoint that contradicts the status quo and seems to be based on common sense.

Jon Stewart does an excellent job of putting this all into perspective.

Last weekend, the Iowa Straw Poll was conducted.  Here are the results of the poll:

Place Candidate Votes Percentage
1 Michele Bachmann 4,823 28.6%
2 Ron Paul 4,671 27.7%
3 Tim Pawlenty 2,293 13.6%
4 Rick Santorum 1,657 9.8%
5 Herman Cain 1,456 8.6%
6 Rick Perry (write-in) 718 4.3%
7 Mitt Romney 567 3.4%
8 Newt Gingrich 385 2.3%
9 Jon Huntsman 69 0.4%
10 Thaddeus McCotter 35 0.2%
— Scattering 218 1.30%
Total 16,892 100%

As you can see, Michele edged out Ron Paul by a meager 152 votes. Seems like a very respectable finish by Paul. Were is the media love?

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Is the Fed Creating Hyperinflation?

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Tony Ciotti

Based on the latest report from the US Department of Labor, the CPI increased 0.4% in January and 1.6% for the past 12 months. They are reporting food inflation at 1.8% for the past 12 months.

The National Inflation Association (NIA), however estimates price inflation in the U.S. to be at least 5% and for food inflation to reach 10% in the first half of 2011.

This could mean the the dollar menu at McDonalds will be the $1.10 menu by June of this year! This also means that your money will buy less at the grocery store, at the gas pump and everywhere else that you spend it.

Whether you like Obama and think he is doing a good job, or not, it is time to really confront the effects that are being caused by the massive bailouts and federal deficits.

NIA estimates that we could easily see overall real U.S. price inflation rise into the double-digits by the second half of 2011. This will erode our standard of living and is, in effect, an indirect tax on our income.

The only solution is to generate more revenue to stay ahead of the inflation. I recommend 3 tips to combat the impending inflationary pressures:

  1. Pour the coals on your sales & marketing efforts.  Drive your revenues up!
  2. Systematize your business processes to increase efficiencies and reduce expenses.
  3. Implement systems to monitor the results of your sales, marketing and operations, analyze your results compared with your targets and prior period performance, plan how you will improve the performance and TAKE ACTION to execute your plan.

If you are interested, I wrote a more detailed article that reviews the raw stats related to the fed bailout which you will find at the following link:  QE2 – A prescription for hyperinflation?

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QE2 – A prescription for hyperinflation?

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Tony Ciotti

After the Fed recently announced their plans to begin a new $600B phase of quantitive easing, or QE2 as it is commonly being referred to, a lot of people have voiced up their viewpoints.

As some of my readers may not know what quantitative easing is, let me give a basic description of it.  QE is a way for our central bank, the Fed, to increase the supply of money in the economy.  They do this by purchasing government debt Continue reading →

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Methodology before Technology

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Tony Ciotti

Why would I write about methodology in a technology blog? In many cases, technology is not your problem – it’s methodology, or should I say a lack of methodology, that is really causing you the problem.

Technology is used throughout a business and in each area there is a standard methodology or a body of practices, procedures, and rules used by those who work in that particular discipline.  This disciplinecould be sales, marketing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, order processing, inventory control, human resources, business intelligence and the list goes on and on. Continue reading →

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To Blog or Not To Blog? That is the Burning Question

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Tony Ciotti

I don’t know about you, but the idea of blogging has been nagging me for years. I’ve resisted the urge each time. I finally decided to take a deep look at it and, since you are looking at the blog, I obviously decided to start.

In my consulting business and during interactions with entrepreneurs, business owners and executives, I find that there is a lot of confusion, anxiety and at times disdain for technology. Continue reading →

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