Comments on: Globalization at AboutUs http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/ AboutUs.org is creating an editable guide to websites Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:32:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: TedErnst http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-111 TedErnst Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:08:34 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-111 Martin, I think I hear you talking specifically about AboutUs, and how our decisions have impact. I think that's true. I think that large impacts are made up of lots and lots and lots of small decisions. And, I see that there are many, many possibilities, and that these possibilities are there because we invent them. AboutUs invented for itself the possibility of being global, for all of the reasons we've discussed above, accepting all of the risks and consequences. I look forward to inventing more possibilities together. Martin, I think I hear you talking specifically about AboutUs, and how our decisions have impact. I think that’s true. I think that large impacts are made up of lots and lots and lots of small decisions. And, I see that there are many, many possibilities, and that these possibilities are there because we invent them. AboutUs invented for itself the possibility of being global, for all of the reasons we’ve discussed above, accepting all of the risks and consequences. I look forward to inventing more possibilities together.

]]> By: Martin Pfahler http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Martin Pfahler Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:19:28 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-125 Ted, I am talking about general “global” trends and how they effect some of the workforce in the USA. Aboutus as a company is currently far too small in staff size and resources to have an impact. I would not say the same of much larger corporations that work in the computer or Internet space. And I mean not just the totality of such companies, but also companies working in other market spaces. We could probably go on and on about this subject matter, but for those with more interest I might suggest they search the web, the issues I mention are documented in various studies and scholarly papers. They also show up in articles that involve political issues and policies - the types that our next President will have to deal with. Ted, I am talking about general “global” trends and how they effect some of the workforce in the USA. Aboutus as a company is currently far too small in staff size and resources to have an impact. I would not say the same of much larger corporations that work in the computer or Internet space. And I mean not just the totality of such companies, but also companies working in other market spaces. We could probably go on and on about this subject matter, but for those with more interest I might suggest they search the web, the issues I mention are documented in various studies and scholarly papers. They also show up in articles that involve political issues and policies – the types that our next President will have to deal with.

]]> By: TedErnst http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-124 TedErnst Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:17:17 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-124 Martin, I take issue with the assertion that the AboutUs office in Lahore somehow hurts standard of living in the US. I just don't see how that could possibly be the case. There are no US workers displaced by the Lahore AboutUs office. If it was impossible to have an office in Lahore, AboutUs would either be a very different business with a much smaller workforce overall, or it would not exist. Martin, I take issue with the assertion that the AboutUs office in Lahore somehow hurts standard of living in the US. I just don’t see how that could possibly be the case. There are no US workers displaced by the Lahore AboutUs office. If it was impossible to have an office in Lahore, AboutUs would either be a very different business with a much smaller workforce overall, or it would not exist.

]]> By: Martin Pfahler http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Martin Pfahler Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:55:25 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-123 Ted, what is so difficult to “get”? Globally there are developing countries where many people have lower standards of living than those in the USA. Due to the nature of “competitive” business dynamics (as Brandon said aboutus decisions must make “financial sense”)there is a trend in which some developing countries gain increased living standard, at the price of decreased living standard for some growing demographics within the USA (one can find academic or scholarly papers about this “tend” phenomenon via a web search). I’m simply saying that the better social uplift or business dynamic is one that gains ever increasing living standard in a developing country, while still maintaining the higher living standard of today’s downward sliding demographics in the USA – and so far the global supply of smart minds linked via the web and Wiki don’t seem to have figured out how to accomplish this. Some in the USA argue: To solve we must better educate such USA demographics (blue collar workers, etc.). The answer is not so simple. I know of people in the USA with PhD status put out of work by equally educated PhD's in developing countries, that relative to USA costs associated with employing such highly educated talent is orders of magnitude less (due to the inequality of governments' tax and regulation burdens). Note it is no secret that large corporations in the USA are increasingly moving their R&D centers “off-shore”. So whereas in early years of this phenomenon it was the USA blue collar worker that was negatively affected, now it is increasingly also the attorney, the CPA, and the scientist. Ted, what is so difficult to “get”? Globally there are developing countries where many people have lower standards of living than those in the USA. Due to the nature of “competitive” business dynamics (as Brandon said aboutus decisions must make “financial sense”)there is a trend in which some developing countries gain increased living standard, at the price of decreased living standard for some growing demographics within the USA (one can find academic or scholarly papers about this “tend” phenomenon via a web search). I’m simply saying that the better social uplift or business dynamic is one that gains ever increasing living standard in a developing country, while still maintaining the higher living standard of today’s downward sliding demographics in the USA – and so far the global supply of smart minds linked via the web and Wiki don’t seem to have figured out how to accomplish this. Some in the USA argue: To solve we must better educate such USA demographics (blue collar workers, etc.). The answer is not so simple. I know of people in the USA with PhD status put out of work by equally educated PhD’s in developing countries, that relative to USA costs associated with employing such highly educated talent is orders of magnitude less (due to the inequality of governments’ tax and regulation burdens). Note it is no secret that large corporations in the USA are increasingly moving their R&D centers “off-shore”. So whereas in early years of this phenomenon it was the USA blue collar worker that was negatively affected, now it is increasingly also the attorney, the CPA, and the scientist.

]]> By: TedErnst http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-122 TedErnst Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:06:26 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-122 Martin, I'm sorry but I'm still not getting it. When a company anywhere in the world, makes a hiring choice, doesn't that impact equally all those not hired? This is true of all the people that apply for an AboutUs job in Lahore just as much as it is true of all the people that apply for an AboutUs job in Portland, yes? So I'm not sure what you're saying about one thing coming at the expense of another. To me that seems to be always the case. Some businesses actually lay off staff in one region to hire in another region, presumably for financial reasons. To date AboutUs hasn't done that. I'm not sure if that's relevant here or not? I'm honestly not even sure what we're discussing anymore. Martin, I’m sorry but I’m still not getting it. When a company anywhere in the world, makes a hiring choice, doesn’t that impact equally all those not hired? This is true of all the people that apply for an AboutUs job in Lahore just as much as it is true of all the people that apply for an AboutUs job in Portland, yes? So I’m not sure what you’re saying about one thing coming at the expense of another. To me that seems to be always the case. Some businesses actually lay off staff in one region to hire in another region, presumably for financial reasons. To date AboutUs hasn’t done that. I’m not sure if that’s relevant here or not? I’m honestly not even sure what we’re discussing anymore.

]]> By: J.D. Holiday http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-121 J.D. Holiday Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:22:11 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-121 Ted, I agree with Nick. This is a great story on how the world works today. Jan Ted,
I agree with Nick. This is a great story on how the world works today.
Jan

]]> By: Nick Burrus http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Nick Burrus Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:00:32 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-120 Awesome blog post Ted! :]. Globalization is becoming more and more common but however not many companies treat their offices as “equals” as AboutUs does. I actually love that I can talk to the American employees and the Pakistani employees during the week; even some of them come on over the weekends (I’d assume they get that time off). A dedicated staff, two dedicated offices, a great and thriving website, strong development team, strong system operators, awesome WikiCoaches, what more is there to ask for? I do not view the Pakistan office any different then the Portland office. I know we have some people up in Seattle and Chicago as well, AboutUs treats the employees well, the owner, Ray King listens to points made even though IRC. The development team is keen to answer questions and take error reports. The paid staff have great entertainment skills and awesome personalities. AboutUs’ popularity is growing. In the sources I seen Pakistan is an ‘unstable’ country. The United States government feels Pakistan is one of the most unsafe places in the world a citizen of the United States may travel to, the staff in the United States go there anyway, spend time with the people in Pakistan. This company puts aside differences in my opinion and goes beyond anything that I have seen expected. In the state I live in I have to tell the government exact details if I ever decide to travel there. Awesome blog post Ted! :].

Globalization is becoming more and more common but however not many companies treat their offices as “equals” as AboutUs does. I actually love that I can talk to the American employees and the Pakistani employees during the week; even some of them come on over the weekends (I’d assume they get that time off).

A dedicated staff, two dedicated offices, a great and thriving website, strong development team, strong system operators, awesome WikiCoaches, what more is there to ask for?

I do not view the Pakistan office any different then the Portland office. I know we have some people up in Seattle and Chicago as well, AboutUs treats the employees well, the owner, Ray King listens to points made even though IRC. The development team is keen to answer questions and take error reports. The paid staff have great entertainment skills and awesome personalities.

AboutUs’ popularity is growing. In the sources I seen Pakistan is an ‘unstable’ country. The United States government feels Pakistan is one of the most unsafe places in the world a citizen of the United States may travel to, the staff in the United States go there anyway, spend time with the people in Pakistan. This company puts aside differences in my opinion and goes beyond anything that I have seen expected. In the state I live in I have to tell the government exact details if I ever decide to travel there.

]]> By: Martin Pfahler http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Martin Pfahler Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:07:40 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-119 Ted, I’m making “big picture” process observations. I no longer have the time nor energy for advocacy work. It seems Asad has become “hot under the collar” (not my intent to do so) as if I try to justify that the USA has never done anything that has had negative impacts on other countries – I have never stated that, nor do I believe it. I just wonder why uplift of one global region, today has to come at the expense of another. One would think with all the smart global minds so “linked” by Wiki and internet, there would spring up a better solution to this “imbalance” problem. Ted, I’m making “big picture” process observations. I no longer have the time nor energy for advocacy work. It seems Asad has become “hot under the collar” (not my intent to do so) as if I try to justify that the USA has never done anything that has had negative impacts on other countries – I have never stated that, nor do I believe it. I just wonder why uplift of one global region, today has to come at the expense of another. One would think with all the smart global minds so “linked” by Wiki and internet, there would spring up a better solution to this “imbalance” problem.

]]> By: TedErnst http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-118 TedErnst Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:43:17 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-118 Martin, I've read all you've written here, and I'm not getting it. Are you advocating something? Of course it makes financial sense for AboutUs to have an office in Pakistan. And? Martin, I’ve read all you’ve written here, and I’m not getting it. Are you advocating something? Of course it makes financial sense for AboutUs to have an office in Pakistan. And?

]]> By: Asad Butt http://blog.aboutus.org/2008/07/14/globalization-at-aboutus/comment-page-1/#comment-117 Asad Butt Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:23:38 +0000 http://blog.aboutus.org/?p=611#comment-117 I remember Bill Gates saying that if you want more people to join altruistic causes, you have to make it profitable. So at the end of the day, it's simply the corporate interest that drives all our actions. I know that many jobs are being lost in the developed countries because of their moving to the less developed countries, and I don't think anybody has a control over it. The concept of common lot is a fallacy. Did anyone in the developed countries raise concerns on the plight of under-developed countries in the age of imperialism or more recently, when their own economy wasn't being affected by them. How many people in the US realize that 32% of the global CO2 emissions is not the right thing to do and that other people also share the same planet with them? How many have given a serious thought to the fact that a child in the US costs 35 times more than a child in countries like India and Pakistan, and 200 times more than a child of the Sub-Saharan Africa? I hear you talking about the loss of the "blue color workers in the USA" but I have yet to hear that an average person in the US "still" earns 8 times more than an average person in China, 9 times more than an Indian, 11 times more than a Pakistani, and a 100 times more than someone in Sierra Leone. Besides, if Pepsi can destroy all local soft drinks by sending its cheaper and better products in the less developed countries, what's wrong if it opens some job opportunities too? All these, again are parts of the equation no one can do anything about. I remember Bill Gates saying that if you want more people to join altruistic causes, you have to make it profitable. So at the end of the day, it’s simply the corporate interest that drives all our actions. I know that many jobs are being lost in the developed countries because of their moving to the less developed countries, and I don’t think anybody has a control over it. The concept of common lot is a fallacy. Did anyone in the developed countries raise concerns on the plight of under-developed countries in the age of imperialism or more recently, when their own economy wasn’t being affected by them. How many people in the US realize that 32% of the global CO2 emissions is not the right thing to do and that other people also share the same planet with them? How many have given a serious thought to the fact that a child in the US costs 35 times more than a child in countries like India and Pakistan, and 200 times more than a child of the Sub-Saharan Africa? I hear you talking about the loss of the “blue color workers in the USA” but I have yet to hear that an average person in the US “still” earns 8 times more than an average person in China, 9 times more than an Indian, 11 times more than a Pakistani, and a 100 times more than someone in Sierra Leone.

Besides, if Pepsi can destroy all local soft drinks by sending its cheaper and better products in the less developed countries, what’s wrong if it opens some job opportunities too? All these, again are parts of the equation no one can do anything about.

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