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Why Traders Shouldn’t Expect US-China Progress Anytime Soon

Jason
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Why Traders Shouldn’t Expect US-China Progress Anytime Soon

The tumultuous trade war between the United States and China has led to the market furor that’s incredibly hard to keep track of. As a result of the ever-growing uncertainty looming over global markets, investors everywhere are frustrated and ready for an end to the ongoing geopolitical feud, which leads them to overreact anytime a news development hints that the ongoing trade war could be coming to an end soon.

It’s time for investors to stop playing the fool, put aside the baseless fiction, and realize the geopolitical situation we’re in. Here’s why traders shouldn’t expect meaningful US-China progress anytime soon.

Have you been fooled?

President Trump’s trade war was destined to start the moment he was elected; during his campaign, he made it clear that he was no friend of the Chinese, while simultaneously making it clear that he didn’t understand basic finance. Claiming that he would simultaneously eliminate America’s trade deficit with China, eradicate all public debt held by the US, generate a slew of jobs in portable storage containers, and negotiate better deals than ever before, he flew into the office while investors cheered in the background all the while. Once his administration began to settle in, however, traders and investors everywhere began to voice their loud lament with the president’s belief that trade wars are “good and easy to win.”

It’s worth asking yourself if you’ve been fooled by announcements that the president has reached an excellent deal with China; if you have been, don’t fret, because most of the market has been fooled, too. Every single time the White House signals that there could be a development in the negotiations with China, the DOW jumps upwards, and investors gain newfound confidence. Then, usually within a week, it becomes clear that such an announcement had no evidence backing it up, was based on nothing more than an off-hand comment by an administration official, and won’t actually materialize in reality anytime soon.

Finding that hard to believe? Then consider the news articles which are literally well over a year old talking about the trade war, and note that there’s literally no difference between contemporary reporting and reporting from 2017 and 2018 when it comes to the trade war. Whether it was in the immediate aftermath of President Trump’s 2016 victory, halfway through 2017, most of the way through 2018, or where we are right now in 2019, all of the news has been the same; progress is coming….soon…eventually…perhaps.

Understand the geopolitics at play

You may think that the ongoing trade war is a result of the American trade deficit with China, but the situation is truthfully far more complicated than that. President Trump is interested in waging this trade war not only because of the trade deficit, but also as a means of changing the dollar’s valuation and, most important of all, of riling up his political supporters. By appearing to fight for their interest by “sticking it to the Chinese,” the president gains political points with the base he needs to remain in power.

That’s bad news for investors because it means that the trade conflict won’t end at any point while Donald Trump remains in the oval office. The president has claimed that very same tariffs which frustrate consumers, companies, and investors are actually good for the American economy; he seems to literally believe that tariffs paid for by American consumers and companies are actually taxes levied on the Chinese. This isn’t a speculative claim; the president has literally claimed that tariffs aren’t paid for by Americans so often that his economic advisor had to acknowledge on television that this wasn’t actually the truth.

Investors need to wise up and realize that geopolitics is slightly more important than the whims of the market; thus, the political incentives President Trump derives from bashing the Chinese and escalating his feud with them and other trading partners aren’t likely to abate anytime soon. The American dollar is going to keep suffering as a result of this uncertainty and other news sources must be regularly consulted for financial updates, but you need to keep your eyes on the political press if you really want to know what’s going on. Don’t be fooled by political propaganda that stems from a wide variety of sources for a huge number of reasons; when people claim without evidence that the trade war is about to end, remind them that this has been claimed for well over a year and a half now, and that even a broken clock is right twice a day. More importantly, remember the broader politics at play here, and understand that both Chinese and American leaders will face immense political consequences if they back down in the face of pressure from the other side. Traders should thus expect the ongoing feud to endure for some time yet.

Why Insurance is an Important Part of Life

Jason
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Why Insurance is an Important Part of Life

What are the most valuable parts of your life? You’ll probably have an answer including family, health, house, and maybe your car. Our lives would be a complete mess if we lost one or more of these things; this is why we insure these parts of life. 

When you have a young family, are healthy, and have a new home and car, insurance might seem like a useless bill. However, you never know when an accident or something terrible will happen. Insurance provides us with many things. 

We’re going to go over just how important insurance is in our lives. 

Protection

The best part of insurance is that you know you’ll always be protected in case of an emergency or accident. Even if it’s your fault, your insurance company will protect you. 

There are many different things to consider when deciding on a car insurance plan; some are required by law while others might not apply to you in any way say the experts at BrokerLink Insurance. Think realistically about what’s important to you to protect. Consider if there was something terrible to happen, how much out of pocket you could afford, and how much you might need in help. 

Having these types of coverages will support you in financial hardship so you and your family can continue living at the same quality of life you have now. 

Reduces Stress 

When something terrible happens, if it’s a house fire, a car crash, or a medical condition, it can be extremely stressful for everyone. You want to fix the problem at hand and make sure you and your family are fine, first. 

As a provider to the family, you don’t want to be limited on what you can do because you don’t have the money to do so. This is why insurance is essential. You can give your loved ones what they need, without having more stress about how to afford it. 

You and your loved ones will be able to focus on more important things like recovering, rebuilding, and moving forward. 

Peace of Mind 

With insurance, you won’t have to focus on saving every last penny for a rainy day. You won’t have to worry about you or your family if something terrible is to happen. 

You can use your savings for education, dance classes, sports, vacations, and other activities for your family. You should be able to enjoy your life every day without the weight of worrying about how to pay for something bad happening. 

Something to Leave Behind 

Investing in a good life insurance plan can let you leave a legacy behind for your children. If you are the breadwinner for your family, you also want to make sure if anything happens to you, your family will live on without financial burden. However, always make sure to read the fine print as denied FEGLI claims are not uncommon.

Also, life insurance plans can pay for funeral costs and medical bills. You can feel good that you won’t leave your loved ones with a lot of debt. 

The Bottom Line 

In order to keep you and your family safe from all of life’s unexpected events, insurance is essential. You should insure the things you value most including, your life, your loved ones, your health, your home, and your car. 

It’s possible to have insurance on other parts of life like business, travel, pet, and renter’s insurance. Think about what’s important to you and your lifestyle. 

Insurance coverage provides you with protection, reduces stress during difficult times, gives you peace of mind, and lets you leave something behind for your loved ones. Why not invest in it?

Why You Should Add Eco+ to Your Energy Plan

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Why You Should Add Eco+ to Your Energy Plan

Electricity use accounts for over 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Every time you flip on a light switch, watch a movie, bake dinner in the oven, or turn on the heater, you could be adding toxic chemicals to the atmosphere. Luckily, companies like Stream are taking the initiative to counteract this reality by using renewable energy to offset the carbon footprint that we create every day. 

What Is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is a form of clean energy, a source that does not have the same harmful effect on the environment as traditional fossil fuels. Renewable energy doesn’t emit carbon dioxide, mercury, nitrogen oxides, or sulfur dioxides. Instead, it is created using renewable resources like wind, sunlight, and water currents. 

Renewable energy has been used for centuries. Once upon a time, the wind was used to power boats across the seas, and rivers were used to grind grains with water wheels. Sadly, as the industrial revolution hit, so did the use of “dirty energy” like that from coal. Now, we are entering a new era. As technology continues to innovate, renewable energy is becoming more accessible and affordable. In 2018, the renewable energy sector brought in over 110,000 new jobs. We can see evidence of renewable energy with wind turbines lining vast fields, hydroelectric dams on roaring rivers, and solar panels perched on tops of houses. By using renewable energy, we can help neutralize our carbon footprints. 

What Is a Carbon Footprint?

Every single person has a carbon footprint, but the size of that footprint depends on the actions of the individual. A carbon footprint is the estimated amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by the daily activities of a person. Just to scratch the surface, these activities can include what you eat, how much you drive, what you purchase, what you throw away, and the energy consumption of your home. There are many actions that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, including adding Eco+ to your home energy plan.

What Is Eco+?

With Eco+, we are taking a big responsibility and making it simple. We will purchase 1,000 kWh of renewable energy on your behalf to offset all or a portion of your carbon footprint. What does this mean? In just one year, this offset of your carbon footprint would be equal to preventing 19,689 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, preserving 1,005 gallons of gas, or planting 231 trees and having them grow for a decade. This offset would be the same as growing a mini forest or taking a cross-country road trip without the fuel. We believe that significant change starts at home, with people taking action in their daily lives. You can begin by taking on the Stream Green initiative.

What Is Stream Green?

Stream believes that it is our responsibility to protect and enrich the world, which means taking daily action to help our planet. That is why we have created the Stream Green initiative to promote conservation and give you the opportunity to access responsible, renewable energy options. 

The Stream Green certified stamp is our way of guaranteeing that the portion of renewable energy used for your plan is what we say it is, meaning that it is generated from 100 percent renewable resources like wind, solar, biomass, or hydro. Kick the toxic and nasty fuels of the past to the curb and embrace a cleaner, greener, and brighter future. 

How Do You Get Eco+?

You can add 1,000 kWh of renewable energy to any qualifying plan through Stream. When you enroll with eco+, Stream purchases a green certificate in your honor, pledging that the power generated from renewable sources has been added to the electrical grid on your behalf. Instead of adding energy created by harmful fossil fuels, the energy is produced from renewable sources only.

What Is a Green Certificate?

A green certificate, also known as a renewable energy credit (REC), is a “market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation.” For just a low monthly fee, you are being kinder to the world’s resources and helping restore balance. Additionally, you can opt in or out at any time, with no penalty for cancelations. 

Create Change

You have the power to neutralize your carbon footprint. Begin today by talking to Stream about adding eco+ to your plan. One small step like this can lead to a healthier and brighter future for all. You have the power to create change. If you are interested in making an even bigger impact on the environment, you can read about our energy conservation tips. Decrease your energy use with these simple and easy steps.

Switch to Stream Energy

Are you a part of the Stream family yet? Would you like an energy company that puts your best interests and the best interests of the environment first? Stream provides electricity and natural gas services with both of those ideals in mind. We proudly serve customers in Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Delaware, Ohio, and Washington, D.C., with excellent service and a variety of programs. Switch to Stream to make a difference in your life, home, and planet today. 

Cash Value Life Insurance: Build a Nest Egg While Also Protecting Your Family

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Cash Value Life Insurance: Build a Nest Egg While Also Protecting Your Family

Many of us realize how important it is to save for retirement, but daily living expenses seem to leave no room to save up for this purpose.  What many people don’t realize is that you can buy a type of life insurance that can actually help you save up for retirement, while also protecting your family in the event of your death.  Cash value life insurance can eliminate the uncertainty of planning for your retirement by functioning as a long-term savings plan that grows tax-deferred until you reach retirement age.

What is Cash Value Life Insurance and How Does it Work?
Cash value insurance is a type of universal or whole life insurance that lasts for the duration of your life, as long as you continue to pay premiums. With a cash value life insurance plan, a portion of your monthly premium is transferred to a savings account within the policy itself, and those savings grow tax-deferred over the policy’s lifetime.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Cash Value Insurance?
A cash value universal life policy is a safe and smart investment in your future as well as your family’s future well being. For example, if your IRA and 401(k) accounts have reached their caps, you could purchase a cash value life insurance policy to provide an additional tool to help you save for retirement without having to pay taxes on your savings.

Additionally, if you plan to leave your family an inheritance, the benefit of a tax-deferred savings account attached to your cash value policy may prove to be a great option. A cash value option on your whole life insurance policy may also be a useful way to ensure lifelong support for your beneficiaries, as in the case of families with special needs children who will need support throughout their lifetimes. Adding a cash value option to your universal life insurance policy also provides an efficient and smart way to save up for any unforeseen expenses that may come up in the future.

As with any form of life insurance, your beneficiaries will receive a payout upon your death as long as the premiums on your policy are current.  Even if you borrow money from the policy’s cash value during your lifetime, the policy will still provide a payout for your beneficiaries upon your death, since this cash value exists in addition to the policy’s payout amount.  Bear in mind, however, that if you withdraw money from the savings account prior to your death, this will reduce the total amount of death benefit that will be paid out to your beneficiaries when you die.

Another great feature of cash value life insurance is that your options for using your cash value amount expand as your policy matures. The more funds you have in your cash value savings, the more you can do with it.

Withdrawing Money from Your Cash Out Life Insurance Policy
You may use the funds accumulated in your cash value policy in several ways, and you have several options for cashing out funds from the policy; however, there may be consequences to using a portion or all of your cash value amount, so it’s important that you understand all your options, as well as their pros and cons, before pulling cash out of your account.

Partial Withdrawals
Typically, most policies will allow you to make partial withdrawals from the cash value savings account of your policy once that amount has grown for over a year.  Also, remember that withdrawing money from the savings portion of your universal life insurance policy will reduce the amount of death benefit that your loved ones will receive in the event of your death. The terms of your specific policy will determine the amount you can take out of the cash value savings, as well as the time frame during which you can withdraw the funds. 

Low-Interest Loans
Another option is to borrow money from your accumulated cash value at a lower interest rate than what you’d pay on a traditional bank loan. This could help you secure funds for such needs as a down payment, or to cover a portion of your children’s college expenses.  Cash value insurance is ideal for people who want to avoid paying high interest rates on a loan.

When you take out a loan against your cash value amount, you’re borrowing money using the life insurance policy as collateral.  This is not the same as withdrawing money from your policy, as you will have the option to pay back the funds into the policy so that your beneficiaries can receive the full policy payout amount upon your death.  If you pass away before you’ve completed repaying the loan, the outstanding balance would be deducted from your policy’s death benefit.

Use Your Cash Value to Pay Your Policy Premiums
Once your cash value amount has grown for at least a year, your policy may allow you to borrow cash from that amount to pay your policy premiums, ensuring that your premiums will be paid regularly and on time, and that your policy will remain in force, in the event that your income is unexpectedly reduced and you can’t pay premiums out of pocket. The risk with this option is that if you use up all the funds in the cash value account, your policy will lapse, and you will lose your life insurance coverage.  Nevertheless, this option may be a lifesaver for individuals who need temporary financial relief during a period of financial struggle due to illness or loss of employment, as you will not incur fees nor will you have to pay taxes on funds withdrawn if you use those to pay for insurance premiums.

Surrender the policy
If for any reason you no longer require life insurance, you may surrender your policy and receive a lump sum of money that will be equivalent to the cash surrender value of the policy. Depending on how long your policy was in force at the time that you surrender it, you may incur surrender fees when canceling it, and these fees may be applicable for as long as ten years or more into your policy. This is typically the least recommendable option, as any money you receive upon surrendering your life insurance policy will be also be taxable. 

Using Your Cash Value Savings for Retirement
Using your policy’s cash value to save for retirement has several advantages as you will have many options once your cash value savings has grown over several years. Because the cash value option is only available with whole and universal life insurance, your life insurance coverage lasts for the entire remainder of your life, growing yearly while protecting your loved ones with life insurance, and providing the peace of mind you need to enjoy your retirement.

Among your options, you may choose to use your cash value funds to pay premiums, which can ensure coverage for you and your family once you retire and are no longer earning income. Upon retirement, you’ll also have the option to withdraw funds from your cash value instead of from your IRA or 401K accounts, providing an additional source of cash support that can help maintain your standard of living during retirement.

If you’d like to learn more about adding cash value life insurance to your retirement plan, or to request a quote for universal or whole life insurance with a cash value option, contact Symmetry Financial Group and speak to one of our knowledgeable and friendly agents today. They will be happy to help you find the right policy to help you save up to meet your retirement goals, while also protecting your loved ones.

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Protestors Pressure Gary Barber To Uphold Compensation Promise To Weinstein’s Victims

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Protestors Pressure Gary Barber To Uphold Compensation Promise To Weinstein’s Victims

A news outlet shared the story of a group of advocates who protested the Century City office of Gary Barber from Spyglass Entertainment on February 14. The advocates represented people who had been victimized by Harvey Weinstein, the former owner of the entertainment company.

Gary Barber’s Role

In 2018, Weinstein’s company filed for bankruptcy, and Barber bought the rights to take over the TV and movie assets in 2019. While there were other parties involved in the acquisition of Weinstein’s company, Barber had a significant share. Just before the event, Barber had been ousted as the MGM CEO. His $260 million payouts from that helped him acquire the entertainment assets. His goal with the acquisition was to create a company that could compete with online streaming services.

Although he had previously promised to pay a sum of money to a Harvey Weinstein victims fund, he has not yet upheld that promise. The advocacy group hoped to put pressure on him to keep his promise to compensate the victims for their suffering. In the initial offering that was made for the Weinstein Company, a compensation stipend was included. It was specified to include between $30 million and $50 million. This was intended to provide victims with compensation and to make a statement for them.

The Valentine’s Day Protest

The protest included about 10 individuals. According to the news agency, the protest group said that the victims of the scandal had not been offered any form of financial compensation from Spyglass and had not received any communication indicating when they might be compensated. After the protest ended, the participants provided some statements. They said that they were calling on the CEO of Spyglass and the leaders of Lantern to do what was right. Additionally, the group said that the actions of those who had failed to pay spoke louder than words. According to the protestors, the victims of the Weinstein scandal had been patiently waiting for a long time.

To emphasize the impact of the former entertainment icon’s actions, the advocacy group pointed out that nothing could truly take away the pain and damage that the victims experienced. They added that the offer, which had been extended in good faith, seemed to be an empty promise.

More Trouble for the Former Weinstein Company

During the acquisition of Weinstein’s former company in 2018, Lantern Entertainment was a key player. The deal was facilitated by Milos Brajovic and Andy Mitchell of Lantern Asset Management. Although Barber and Spyglass hold a significant share from the deal, Lantern holds the majority share. It has been facing some accusations of its own. The news agency provided a brief background of a related lawsuit that has made headlines.

According to the story, documents were filed in 2018 in Los Angeles Superior Court against Lantern Entertainment. Marvin Peart sued the entity for fraud, negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract. The documents showed that Peart sued the company for $110 million. He was not included in the Weinstein Company deal. Peart said that he was the one who brokered the Weinstein Company purchase when it was sold, and he stated that he was offered a reward of $10 million for arranging the Lantern investment prior to that. According to Peart, he was excluded from the deal because of institutional racism. Also, Peart said that a seat on the board of the new company was promised to him, and it was not given to him.

Another reason why Peart said that he was excluded from the deal was because of his status. He was considered a Hollywood outsider, and he said that the blatant exclusion was a way to leave him out of one of the largest entertainment deals of the year. Peart voiced his outrage about the incident and emphasized that the intentional exclusion was an added insult to the contractual repudiation of the company. In another statement, Peart wrote that the omission of his role in arranging such a monumental deal was historic revisionism. He stated that the omission was more than just a breach of contract. According to Peart, it was insidious and was a way to marginalize him. He supported this point by adding that he had not been the only person who was cheated out of a hard-earned spot in the winner’s circle because of race. Peart’s case is still pending.

What Is Next for the Victims?

With Peart’s case against Lantern Entertainment and the protests against Gary Barber for unpaid money, the components of Weinstein’s old company appear to be facing a difficult future. The Weinstein accusers were the ones who started the famous #MeToo movement after many people came forward with allegations of rape, sexual assault and other crimes that Weinstein allegedly committed over the years. Recently, although Weinstein was found guilty on several of the charges, he was acquitted on some of the more serious charges. He was sentenced to prison and may spend up to 29 years there. It is unclear when the victims will be compensated.

Since Weinstein’s company filed for bankruptcy, it could take some time. However, the victims and their advocates are not backing down. As they stated, the money will not erase the damage of Weinstein’s actions. It is a way for victims to better their lives and pay for therapy or other costs related to damages. More importantly, compensating the victims is a way to send a strong message that sexual assault and rape will not be tolerated with any powerful Hollywood entertainment moguls. In light of the recent guilty verdict for Weinstein, the advocates will continue to put pressure on Gary Barber to uphold his promise to contribute to the fund for Weinstein’s victims.

Support Your Local Chinatown

Maren
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Support Your Local Chinatown

(Image Credit: Z & Y Restaurant)

The coronavirus, which originated in China, has certainly caused anxiety around the world. The fear is so high that some people refuse to visit Chinatowns in the United States over concern they might catch it. Chinatowns from New York to California have seen a sharp decline in business, especially over the Lunar New Year that would normally attract a much larger crowd.

According to health officials, these fears are entirely unfounded. The risk of catching the disease doesn’t increase simply by visiting a restaurant, store, or other attraction in any Chinatown in the United States. Fortunately, cities across America have stepped up to help Chinatown business owners win their customers back.

Chinatown Restaurant Crawl in Chicago

In Chicago, a local resident named Carlos Matias organized a restaurant crawl in Chinatown to show support for local business owners. This was in response to the news that some Chinatown businesses in Chicago had seen a loss of revenue as high as 50 percent. Matias also hoped to show the rest of the country that the coronavirus doesn’t exist inside Chicago’s Chinatown. Restaurant owners expressed their gratitude for the effort as well as their hope that it will keep them from having to lay off employees.

Axelrad Beer Garden in Houston Offering Free Beer to Encourage Support for Chinatown

Axelrad Beer Garden is giving away one free canned beer to anyone who shows a receipt from a meal at a Chinatown restaurant. This is just a small way that one restaurant owner is showing support for others in the same industry. Those who don’t care for beer can choose a kombucha or mocktail instead.

According to an Instagram posted on behalf of Axelrad Beer Garden, Chinatown businesses in Houston are experiencing a loss of revenue even greater than Chicago. In some cases, it’s more than two-thirds of what they took in before the coronavirus scare.  Axelrad has called on other businesses to follow suit and denounced the coronavirus scare as totally unfounded.

Even the Speaker of the House Has Gotten Involved

In late February 2020, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Chinatown in San Francisco to try to put people’s minds at ease with the coronavirus. Pelosi states that neither tourists nor San Francisco natives have any legitimate reason to avoid Chinatown. San Francisco city officials have taken proper precautions to protect people from the virus, including in the 24-block Chinatown neighborhood. While in San Francisco, Pelosi visited the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company, The Wok Shop, and a Chinese temple to show that she didn’t fear contracting the virus and becoming ill.

Racism Concerns Expressed

In San Francisco, where some Chinatown business owners are losing up to $800 a day, a few people have questioned whether racism against Asians plays a role in the coronavirus response. Pelosi downplayed the link between the two, stating instead that the concern is with China but that should have nothing to do with Chinatown businesses in the United States. Hopefully, people who have avoided visiting Chinatowns will realize this soon and the businesses can return to normal.

Samuel Leach: Coronavirus Outbreak’s Impact on Financial Markets

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Samuel Leach: Coronavirus Outbreak’s Impact on Financial Markets

By Samuel Leach, Founder and CEO of Samuel & Co. Trading

In contract law, there is a very common clause known as “force majeure“. This French phrase means “superior force”. Another form of the clause is “cas fortuit“, which translates, perhaps more aptly, to “chance occurrence” or “unavoidable accident”.

And according to economist Willy Shih, China may have grounds to claim force majeure following the far-reaching economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

Shih, a professor at Harvard Business School with expertise in Asian industrial competitiveness, recently conducted a Q & A where he elaborated on his thoughts regarding the state of China and the world’s economy in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Well, China can easily declare force majeure here,” Shih explained, referencing the U.S.-China trade deal in which China committed to importing more American goods. “[China has] no ability to absorb that level of imports.”

But it’s not just China and America that will be impacted. In fact, Shih believes the outbreak will be the biggest event affecting the global economy in 2020. A similar study conducted by Oxford Economics predicts the spread of the coronavirus will reduce global economic growth by 1.3 percent, a number equivalent to $1 trillion in lost income worldwide.

Impacts of products are likely to include many electronics, such as for Apple and Android phones, due to the shutdown of Foxconn’s Longhua complex. Apple has reportedly informed its investors that the company will most likely fail to meet its quarterly goals due to the “temporarily constrained” supply of iPhones, exacerbated by a staggering decline in Chinese retail spending since the outbreak occurred.

Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover is just one among many automobile manufacturers reporting severe supply problems. The British company says it is near to running out of car parts in their U.K. factories due to the prevention of parts arriving from China.

Some products are virtually exclusive to Chinese manufacturing: many toys and electronics as we know, but also a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Thus, the outbreak appears poised to affect the world’s pharmaceutical supply chain, a dire projection considering the medical demands of a viral pandemic.

Other impacts on global companies and markets include the shutting down of more than half of the Starbucks locations in China — a number surpassing 2,000. Additionally, China has closed all movie theaters, in attempts to dissuade large gatherings of crowds. China, it should be known, is the second-largest motion picture market in the world. Major American film markets, namely Hollywood, are poised to experience a significant blow to their box office sales.

Another facet to be aware of is that of Chinese outbound tourism: a French report indicates that the revenue generated by Chinese tourists in Paris has plummeted. Chinese tourists are a major factor in retail revenue across numerous regions, including the U.S., Singapore, Macau, and Europe.

But what are the interior factors making the outbreak so challenging to counteract? For one, much of Chinese public transportation has shut down, barring the re-entry of workers who rely on such transit into cities where manufacturing plants and other businesses operate. City-imposed quarantines make this even more difficult in certain parts of the country.

Factories in China also tend to have workers on assembly lines in high numbers and very close proximity. Factory managers much then weigh the risks of the contagion spreading rapidly among their workforce, and the subsequent difficulty of instituting a quarantine. Understandably, many managers are extremely hesitant to resume production.

Much of this has already occurred, such as factory shutdowns and supply shortages, but some of these projected scenarios are just that — scenarios and projections. Something to consider is that the situation currently is greatly worsened by the outbreak coinciding with China’s Lunar New Year break, which is already a typical disruption during this time of year. The break has certainly compounded the economic situation, but one may optimistically hope that the break has skewered the predictions for the worse. Either way, as Shih says, the coronavirus outbreak is set to be 2020’s greatest economic disruption, and perhaps the greatest global economic disruption in recent memory.

Follow Samuel on Twitter and Medium

Knowing Your Audience Means Communicating More Effectively

Maren
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Knowing Your Audience Means Communicating More Effectively

Being able to communicate effectively with your audience means knowing what they are looking for and communicating it to them. For some this is hard; for others it comes more easily. Cheril Clarke may have fallen into speechwriting, but she has always been a writer. She wrote her first novel at 19 years old. She’s written plays, short stories, children’s books, and more novels. But she eventually learned that creative writing didn’t pay enough, so she landed in corporate communications. It was here that Cheril realized an executive speech is a corporate version of performance art—that it has similar elements. After a few years of corporate life, she founded PhenomenalSpeeches.com and PhenomenalWriting.com through which, she provides speech writing, thought leadership content writing, ghostwriting, executive’s bios, and cover letters and resumes.

After all these years writing speeches and coaching those giving them, Cheril suggests the following approach for delivering a great speech or presentation. First, ask yourself three initial questions:

1. Who is the audience? 

A group of engineers will be looking for different topics than a group of teachers or executives. Knowing the audience demographics enables you to tailor your message in a way that appeals to that particular group. Focus on what the audience’s concerns and what they want to know.

2. What do you want the audience to feel?

Feelings are often stronger than logic. When giving a speech or presentation, you want to influence how an audience feels about something so that feeling can drive them to do a particular action. Do you want them to feel inspired? Curious? Sympathetic? What feeling will make them follow through to number three below?

3. What do you want them to do after listening to you?

Do you want them to buy something? Change their views on a topic? Donate money to a good cause? The entire speech or presentation should be pointing to this. Whatever you want to audience to do after listening to you will shape the entire talk. In some circles, this is known as the ask.

Those questions alone won’t make a great speech; however, they are simply a beginning. Cheril recommends avoiding most common communication pitfalls by following the guidelines below:

1. Too much information.

Avoid information overload. Include three to five main points. More than five is too much for people to remember. Weave those few points throughout the talk, and the audience is more likely to remember what your presentation was about.

2. Making it all about you.

People love to talk about themselves. But when giving a speech or a presentation you should avoid telling the audience how great you or your company are—show them in a way that resonates with their needs. Start with how or why you are the best one to help them. Keep in mind who is in the audience. What are they most curious about? What solutions can you offer them?

3. Not enough rehearsal.

Stand up and say it out loud. Writing for the ear is unlike any other form of writing. There is a rhythm to the spoken word that would appear odd in the written word. In public speaking, the silence is just as important as what you are saying. Like music, you need some pauses, some rests. Rehearsing the speech out loud as you would deliver it helps you find that rhythm and it’s the best way to combat nervousness. Practice makes perfect!

4. Neglecting the narrative.

Tell a story. “Human emotions – that’s what people really connect with and you’re only really going to get that out of excellent stories,” says Cheril. “Most people will remember a good story before they remember any statistic.” After relaying the story, explain why you told it. Tie the narrative and your data together. That is makes a memorable presentation.

5. PowerPoint.

The dreaded PowerPoint presentation: the one where the speaker simply reads information off the slides. Avoid this. Cheril suggests only putting up visuals that enhance what you are saying. Images should be compelling compliments to a story or provide data such as charts or infographics, but only used when necessary. She cautions speakers against using a slide that reiterates everything they say. Audiences will read ahead and pay more attention to the screen than the speaker. You don’t want that. You want them to connect with you.

Following these guidelines will improve any speech or presentation. Whatever you are trying to communicate will come through clearer, engage your audience, and make an impact. As Cheril says, “If you know how to communicate well, you can get almost anything that you need.”

The 116th Congress Will Be The Most Diverse Yet

Jason
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The 116th Congress Will Be The Most Diverse Yet

Progressives everywhere have plenty of reasons to celebrate now that a blue wave has rolled across the United States and returned control of the House of Representatives to the Democratic Party. One of the most notable changes that the recent midterm elections ushered in is going relatively unnoticed, however, and warrants further investigation. That trend, of course, is that the new 116th Congress will be the most diverse in American history, and stands to benefit the left’s efforts to build a more equitable nation for everyone.

Here’s how the recent elections changed congress, and why that’s such good news for American progressives everywhere.

Women and minorities are heading to the House

Historically speaking, the bicameral legislatures of the United States Congress have never been equitable nor representative; for the vast majority of this country’s history, we’ve been solidly ruled by older, conservative, White men. The 116th Congress is still overwhelmingly skewed in favor of this group, but it’s more diverse and representative than any to ever come before it. In the state of Texas, for instance, two Latinas are going to Congress for the first time, despite the fact that Hispanics have been a historically populous minority in that area.

2018 was rightfully called the “year of the women” in tight congressional races because so many female candidates are now flocking towards the House, too. While we’re still a far way off from gender equality in American governance, the Democratic majority in the House will include more women than ever before, including some exciting young guns like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected. This is fantastic for a progressive agenda and will lead to a cabinet refacing, because while the GOP-controlled Senate may attempt to stall progressive initiatives the solidly-diverse House will keep pushing through bills that are representative of what real Americans want.

Religious diversity is beginning to grow in the house, too; this year’s midterms gave us our first Muslim female ever elected to Congress, for instance. More and more, our country’s legislative chambers are starting to visually, ideologically, and demographically match the people they’re supposed to represent. This trend will only continue if progressives get out and vote in future elections, however.

There’s little doubt that President Trump and his GOP cronies will try to downplay the Democratic Party’s historic gains in this election. Ultimately, the share of the popular vote House Democratic candidates received this year will likely eclipse the share they got in the past. It’s imperative progressives everywhere understand this, and don’t allow that fact to get lost in President Trump’s ceaseless noise. We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic in the United States of America despite President Trump’s continued tenure; the 116th Congress, for instance, demonstrates that our country is rapidly becoming more equal and truly embracing multiculturalism. When it comes to thrashing the GOP’s abhorrent agenda and sending President Trump packing in 2020, progressives everywhere will soon find themselves turning to their new Congress for inspiration and guidance.

Our Orwellian White House Is Distributing Doctored Evidence

Jason
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0
Our Orwellian White House Is Distributing Doctored Evidence

Americans everywhere had pitifully low expectations for President Trump’s administration when he came into office, but even the most forgiving amongst us were shocked by the recent actions of our Orwellian White House. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and other communications officials in the executive mansion recently distributed doctored video evidence to the public in an attempt to smear a CNN journalist trying to hold the administration accountable.

Here’s why Americans need to be worried about the White House’s embrace of literally Orwellian political tactics, and how we can resist this truth decay that’s destroying our nation.

The White House is lying to you

There’s simply no other way to describe recent events other than to say that the White House is blatantly lying to the American people and the world abroad. After CNN’s Jim Acosta recently questioned the president during a televised press conference, the commander-in-chief quickly grew irate and dismissed his perfectly valid question. Yet again, President Trump dismissed the journalists like Acosta as mere “fake news,” falsely slamming his network as illegitimate in a baffling and embarrassing display for an American president.

Acosta pressed on, trying to get the president to actually answer a question, when a White House intern confronted him and attempted to snatch the microphone he was using away. He gently resisted her, politely addressing her when she reaches into his personal space, and certainly never laid his hands on her in the insidious way that the White House is now insisting he did. Later, they actually released fully doctored evidence of the entire event, editing the video footage like moving storage pods, to make the journalist’s natural movements look more aggressive.

After the White House’s assertions were disproven by everyone in the mainstream media, including his close allies at Fox, they just kept lying. It should be clear for everyone to see by now that this president doesn’t feel he’s bound to the truth like the rest of us. As a matter of fact, President Trump is actively lying in an effort to undermine the common truth and reality that underpins our democratic system. When nothing can be proven true, when everything can be called into question, petty tyrants and liars like him are just as valid and trustworthy as the most legitimate and honest of folk.

This president wants a war with the media, but more than that, he wants a war with any opposition against him. This includes the very fabric of objective truth itself, since it so often flies in the face of the subjective malice and lies President Trump ceaselessly spews. We can’t buy into his war on reality, and must stand fast by the truth, holding onto it at every available opportunity. No matter how much this infant president screams and shouts, we can’t let him reshape reality at his whim. Don’t buy into the White House and its absurd, fabricated evidence. The president’s war on reality is growing more unchecked by the day, and if Americans don’t come together to oust him soon he’ll only grow more and more dangerous.

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