Globalization is not a recent phenomenon; it began in the 1870s when international trade and investment expanded to sell mass-produced products worldwide, driven by technologies such as steam engines and electricity. The peak of globalization occurred in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The economy advances primarily through improvements in productivity. The technological advancements mentioned have significantly influenced this productivity growth. For example, a smartphone, which combines the functionality of a computer with that of a mobile device, exemplifies technological progress that has brought convenience to mankind. However, smartphone technology and network effects haven’t contributed to the expected boost in human productivity. Technology can be categorized into those that enhance productivity and those that do not. Although today’s technology development exceeds that of the past, it doesn’t automatically lead to greater productivity. To build wealth, incre...
The Japan Airlines that no one thought would ever recover. It was the biggest corporate bankruptcy in Japan. When Kyocera Group Chairman Emeritus Kazuo Inamori took the helm to save Japan Airlines, his priority was to reform the mindset of the employees. Whenever he could, he gathered all employees for lectures on mental reform, and executives were required to attend a separate lecture on mental reform given by Kazuo Inamori every Thursday without exception. The employees' frustration was palpable, but the company returned to the stock market after two years and eight months. There is no magic in running a company. Attitude and mindset are everything. - Joseph's "just my thoughts"