In markets that trade natural products, such as agricultural, fishery, energy, and commodities markets, oversupply or at least excess supply causes problems. When supply is high, prices plummet, causing significant damage to producers; conversely, when supply is low, prices rise, and consumer sentiment diminishes. As a result, both suppliers and consumers suffer. The challenge is that it is difficult to intentionally set the level of production. Because of this, a futures market develops in situations where we have to accept what nature provides. Futures trading is a method in which a producer and a distributor agree in advance to trade the price of an item to be produced in the future, without knowing the exact quantity yet. In other words, in futures trading, the focus is on price rather than quantity. Since it is challenging to stock items that require freshness, futures trading offers advantages by allowing transactions to be made in advance. However, if supply fluctuates too much,...
Founded in 1991, the American craft beer company, New Belgium Brewing Company, is unique because its employees hold all the shares. Since 1996, the founding couples have distributed 10% of their shares to employees annually as incentives, and they have now completely transformed the company into an employee-owned entity. Currently, the founders hold no shares in the company. Furthermore, all employees receive financial training to enhance their management mindset. Training in financial statements, which includes everyone from minor clerks to executives, is standard practice for the company. Running a company without the ability to read financial statements is like signing a contract without understanding the terms. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”