Why Stock Markets Will Melt Again and Again!
Stumbled upon this very sensible blog the other day (click here).
The author suggests that there is a certain logic behind the recent melt-down - and that a phenomenon like this would happen again - sooner or later.
It's the decoupling of risk and reward. CEO's today have a higher degree of professional security - which also implies that CEO's (the decision makers) are almost sure to go unpunished even if one of their decisions wrecks the company, or even the market. Infact, CEO's make a lousy fortune in terms of compensation!
So - why wouldn't a CEO plunge into the unknown waters and, like the article suggested, do a Carly Fiorina (who acquired Compaq while at HP and screwed both the companies)? Eventually, Carly was fired, and she walked away with millions of dollars in compensation.
The solution: companies need to relate any risk to a reward - and to a punishment too. However, this is not simple, methinks. Punishments in the corporate world are not easy to do. For example, have you ever heard of a de-bonus if the salesman underperforms ... or a reduction in salaries for the coming 6-months ...?
Perhaps it's right - melt-downs will happen again.
My Current Fav. Number!
Idiots Love Idioms!
Play by Ear
A little bit of etymology research revealed that the phrase was first spoken in the Shakespearean era ... and I would rather not talk about the grammatical ways of those times. So, "Play by ear" it is!
The phrase holds a similar meaning to the phrase, "Cross the bridge when it comes" ... as in, act impromptu as per the situation's demands ...
Neat, methinks! Next time someone asks me about my plans regarding whatever, I would probably be blahing, "Hmmm ... no plans ... I'll play by ear ... " ... and then show-off at length about my love for idioms/figures-of-speech ... :P