Free Trade Pact with U.S. is Unlikely, ASEAN Official Says

Free Trade Pact with U.S. is Unlikely, ASEAN Official Says

(International Herald Tribune)

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations probably will not reach a free trade agreement with the United States, Secretary General Ong Keng Yong said Monday in Singapore.
"I don't think we can have an FTA with the U.S.," Ong said in a speech at an American Chamber of Commerce lunch. "The U.S. is terribly distracted by other things, especially in the Middle East."

The United States signed a trade and investment framework agreement with Asean in August 2006 that was aimed at lifting economic ties with the region, and possibly leading to a free trade deal in the future.

"At some point, we could build toward an Asean-wide FTA," the U.S. trade representative, Susan Schwab, said in an interview published Monday in the Singaporean newspaper Straits Times. "I do not think any of us has ruled that out. But at this stage of the game, it is premature talking about it."

U.S.-Asean ties are not at a low point, even though Washington's top representatives are skipping two major Asean-initiated events in the next few weeks, Ong said. Support from the United States, Asean's largest source of foreign direct investment, is crucial for the region's political stability, he said.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will not attend a security and foreign policy meeting with Asean in Manila next week, Ong said. He also confirmed that President George W. Bush would miss a meeting of the 10 Asean leaders in Singapore in September.

Bush had planned to stop over in Singapore en route to an Asia-Pacific Forum session in Australia. But the White House said last week that the meeting with Asean leaders would be rescheduled for "a future date."

Ong said a free trade agreement with China was on track to be completed in 2010, and officials were attempting to complete a chapter on investment this year that would create the world's largest free trade area.

Asean is planning to create its own free trade area, or AFTA, by 2010, with European Union-style economic integration - but not a single currency - by 2015.

Asean ministers will meet in Manila this week to try to agree on a legal and binding charter on their members' conduct, a document that also will call for the promotion of human rights and democracy.

Ong said Monday that the draft of the document was 90 per cent complete. It will not include a provision for sanctions on its members, he said.

Formed in 1967, Asean's members now are Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Asean's combined annual GDP is around $1 trillion.

Land Sea Epsiodes Now On Line

"Land and Sea in the Maritimes and Land and Sea in Newfoundland have joined forces to bring you a united series of stories from Atlantic Canada.

For more than thirty years Land and Sea has brought you stories from people who live off the land and the sea. Today we cover issues that affect people in rural communities which ultimately affect those in cities as well.

We bring you stories from those who celebrate life living close to nature, who promote and protect their culture and traditional ways of doing things. There are stories of success and sometime failures that portray the unique way Atlantic Canadians deal with the challenges and pleasures of living on the east coast."

Watch FRONTLINE Online

"Since January 1983, FRONTLINE has served as American public television's - PBS - flagship public affairs series. Hailed upon its television broadcast debut as "the last best hope for broadcast documentaries," FRONTLINE's stature over 23 years is reaffirmed each week through incisive documentaries covering the scope and complexity of the human experience.

When FRONTLINE was born, however, the prospects for television news documentaries looked grim. Pressure was on the network news departments to become profitable, and the spirit of outspoken journalistic inquiry established by programs like Edward R. Murrow's "See It Now" and "Harvest of Shame" had given way to entertainment values and feature-filled magazine shows. Therefore, it fell to public television to pick up the torch of public affairs and continue this well-established broadcast news tradition.

Since its inception, FRONTLINE has never shied away from tough, controversial issues or complex stories. In an age of anchor celebrities and snappy sound bites, FRONTLINE remains committed to providing a primetime venue for engaging documentaries that fully explore and illuminate the critical issues of our times. FRONTLINE remains the only regularly scheduled long-form public-affairs documentary series on American television, producing more hours of documentary programming than all the commercial networks combined."

Spirituality in Business?

I did study literature (long ago) and do still have a fondness for reading to make linkages in patterns and symbols relevant to the path of decision and as it relates to business. A similar type of future oriented contingency planning may be useful on an individual or personal level. I cannot read your future but I can in some ways explain the opportunities and options available in a growing array of fields due to online learning accessibility.

Rita MacNeil sets the mood for my modest discourse here accompanied by, "The Men of the Deeps" in her most famous anthem, "Working Man." It is a favourite of many Maritimers. Also here is more of Canada's Cape Breton icon, Rita MacNeil I come from Canada's education province. It would be remiss for me to neglect a sales pitch for Canada's best quality of life, lowest cost of living and crime rates, and friendliest people. The colleges and universities in Nova Scotia are among the oldest in North America mostly because it was one of the earliest settled regions and of a uniform leading quality, low teacher to student ratios and educational options.

Canada's Education Province: Nova Scotia

The Trailer Park Boys: The Underbelly of Nova Scotia, Canada's Education Province

(Seriously) Canada's Education Province

These and other universities in Canada are of a nearly uniform quality of education across the country and their entry into online learning or e-learning options have been much slower than Australia for example but they represent quality, cost-effective options for independent studies at The Canadian Virtual University. Investigating other price and quality options is problematic especially when evaluating the global e-learning options from country to country which represent the same kinds of regional and professional differences present in the business world. Two websites which address options and are worth researching to explore possibilities are Jonnie's Distance Learning Page or Accelerated Online Master's Degrees My own standard measure of education relates to the three points philosophy on rock climbing. As in, evaluation should minimally address three factors: duration, location, and pricing.

Duration

Once you have selected a possible specification across institutions, countries and standards you are able to get a sense of the general field versus the shortest or longest options. What you are looking for in particular is flexibility in the timing of the courses as in the possibility that you might accelerate a generally taken course either through extra studies at specific times of the year when you have more free time or the possible transfer to on campus or full-time designations. Taking the time to assess it right gives a really good sense of available time options.

Location

Many global institutions have or are developing regional educational hubs or branch campus locations in teaching-friendly countries like Singapore, Dubai and Qatar. Selecting a distance option which has a further regional attendance option upon offer of local employment is an extremely astute method of gathering income and educational benefits.

Pricing

Dependant on regional accreditation agencies the possiblity to attend low-cost courses at a fairly unknown school with transfer to a better, more expensive school in the USA is extremely good. Price comparison shopping should have an eye for the range of prices in a particular field. Basically exploring these three points over a period of months or years gives you a fairly clear view of the opportunities and benefits attendant in a particular course of study from a global perspective.

Best Value/Quality for Money Players in the States

Depending on your possible graduate studies options you may choose to pursue certificate programs which either introduce a topic of possible greater later interest or as often is the case following a post-graduate option provide a more specified snapshot of an area of current interest. As I am interested in business I can exemplify with my on current processes.

1. Cornell University (eCornell)

This is the biggest and most inclusive of the Ivy League schools and its online course offerings are nearly unparalleled as far as pricing, options and accessiblity as well as global recognition. Access to eCornell is however limited to certain options mostly in management and administration most probably based on their long experience in the delivery mode. Also thse are the most likely fields which provide such educational options to their employees. eCornell thus has a high profile.

2. The University Alliance

The dot.com boom and crash brought out lots of the kinks in online learning and while schools like The University of Phoenix claim a lot of satisfaction from their graduates I tend to prefer schools with a long history on the ground to legitimize the learning. The University Alliance does provide several quality institutions albeit again mostly in business.

3. Fathom: The Source for Online Learning

This is an archive provided by Columbia University which offers access to a complete range of free content developed for Fathom by member institutions. These include online learning resources, including lectures, articles, interviews, exhibits and free seminars. There are also additional online resources from Columbia University at ci.columbia.edu or cero.columbia.edu and from the members of the Fathom Consortium at their own websites. It might prove quite useful in exploring possible future studies options and at the same time completion of the seminars for example can build a legitimate educational record on your CV fairly easily.

4. MIT: Open Courseware

MIT is only one of many high profile institutions which offer free and open educational resources (OER) for educators, students, and self-learners around the world. MIT OCW is a publication of MIT course materials, requires no registration, is not a degree-granting or certificate-granting activity and does not provide access to MIT faculty.

5. Boston University Online

This is another pretty good institution with a variety of fairly sober business type courses. For example, Boston University offers several interesting looking certificates like this one in entrepreneurship.

6. Thunderbird

Repeatedly ranked the best, Thunderbird offers a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility which might be of interest to flavour a possible opening into the study of business for anyone with an interest, pathos and concern for ethics in business.

Decision Strategies

Roger Whittaker: I Don't Believe In If Anymore

I think applying business strategies to studies, learning and career or personal decisions are not particulary difficult. In the realm of employment it is useful to gain awareness of the competitiveness of one's peers, the choices they make, the educational paths they select and the past orientation leading to their current successes and challenges. It is easier to gain perspective when viewing the world entire as possessing enough choices and opportunities for each to excell and succeed on one's own merits and motivation, environment, or energy. Also the collaborative element of gathering as many opinions, discussions, and context setting scenarios as possible as good to develop through the adage similar to, "talk to twenty people or more about every major decision."

However orientation to one's relative position in that mix of stranger and friend must keep a personal development orientation towards learning from past mistakes, seeking to maximize one's productivity in the present, attempting to live a quality-oriented life in tune with one's own sense of rightness, questioning considered generally accepted opinions only after one has explored their merits, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Finally maintaining flexibility to adapt, grow and creatively innovate one's life through slow or sudden change in perspective due to new credible information, advance in technology, or human awareness will prove useful.

Stan Rogers: One Warm Line
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8315817712851371947&q=%22stan+rogers%22&total=62&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

If such thoughts could be considered on a spiritual level which applies to business then a positive outlook is ever and always essential, an openness to change and challenge is an advantage and one is immersed in an awareness of one's place and position in time and space but one is also accumulating an ability to integrate learning with experience to measure goals, risk or reward, cost and benefit, through an evaluation of short, medium and long-term goals planning. Decisions should include as much relevant, specific, targetted and unbiased information as possible to successfully achieve one's own moments of levity, happiness, grace and love. If that is not positively spiritual I am not exactly sure what is. Making good decisions is all about maximizing the learning and planning in exploring of possible options and perhaps few verbalize or realize that each has their own star which might be the point of the search. Pope John Paul II said it well, "Follow Your Bliss."Now you have at least twenty more you need to hear from now?

UC Berkeley Director, Business and Management

Continuing Educator II
Director, Business and Management
$64,896-$74,484 Per Year
(Salary Dependent on Education and Experience)

The Department of Business and Management includes the business, management, and the International Diploma programs. The business and management programs provide the general public and Bay Area corporations with approximately 130 professional courses, certificate programs, contract training, seminars, workshops, institutes, and professional conferences in various fields including accounting, business administration and communication, economics, entrepreneurship, facilities management, finance, human resources, law, leadership and management, marketing, personal financial planning, and project management. Enrollments in the business and management programs total approximately 2,500 annually.

The International Diploma Program annually provides approximately 300 international students with professional education and training opportunities in all aspects of business and management, including five certificate programs and approximately 115 courses in business administration, finance, international business, marketing, and project management. The International Diploma Program’s internship program annually places approximately 140 international students in a wide variety of San Francisco Bay Area companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Students in the program also benefit from special seminars, site visits, guest lectures, and other instructional activities.

The Director of the Department of Business and Management reports to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of UC Berkeley Extension. S/he sets the strategic direction, leads a diverse full-time staff of approximately 13, and maintains the academic quality and sound financial management of the department.

The Director of the Department of Business and Management establishes, builds, and maintains excellent relations with UC Berkeley campus departments, professional organizations, corporations, and international agents. S/he invites these contacts to form advisory committees who assess evolving professional development needs and ensures that program content, curricula, and recruitment of instructors reflect UC Berkeley quality and campus strengths as well as coincide with economic development and industry trends. S/he ensures that the department is continually assessing new certificates, courses, and curricula; developing and implementing innovative curricula which anticipate the needs of the clients; and updating, refining, or phasing out curricula as needed. Once programs are developed, the Director of the Department of Business and Management is responsible for their day-to-day management and oversight. S/he directs the department to achieve long-term strategic planning goals, develops and monitors the annual budget, and oversees the financial management and growth of department portfolios in a fully self-supporting environment. The Director of the Department of Business and Management collaborates with the Communication and Marketing Services department to develop new markets both domestically and internationally and to determine effective marketing strategies for the programs. S/he collaborates with other internal academic and administrative departments and develops interdisciplinary programming where possible.

S/he ensures that the department maintains effective and streamlined procedures including following proper administrative guidelines and channels and remaining in compliance with federal immigration and Optional Practical Training regulations.

Required Qualifications:
The Candidate must possess a terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.B.A) in business, management, international business, international education, or related fields. S/he must have demonstrated experience in educational program assessment, development, implementation, and management and a demonstrated ability to achieve financial results in a highly competitive self-supporting environment. The candidate must have demonstrated experience in outreaching to academic and professional associations and corporations and in developing organizational collaborations. S/he must possess knowledge of supervisory and personnel management policies and practices including 2–3 years of experience in effectively leading, managing and supervising staff. The Candidate must have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively and professionally interact, negotiate, mediate, and/or collaborate with diverse internal, university, external, and international populations using tact and diplomacy, resourcefulness, good judgment, understanding, cultural awareness, and persuasion. S/he must have the ability to organize staff structures and work processes within the context of the strategic goals of the department and the organization. S/he must have a demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service to all constituencies (e.g., students, instructors, staff, and alumni). The Candidate must have a demonstrated ability to manage conflicting/competing priorities and multiple projects, and meet multiple deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:
Teaching and private sector work experience. Proficiency in a foreign language. Experience living or working in an international setting. Knowledge of geography and cross-cultural nuances. Familiarity with English language proficiency measurements and current federal immigration and Optional Practical Training regulations. Experience working with international and/or business students regarding academic matters.

Other:
Hiring salary is dependent upon qualifications. The position is a non-Senate, annually renewable academic position starting in September 2007. EEO/AA

Occasional domestic and international travel required.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: Job Code CE-B&M-Director, UC Berkeley Extension, Human Resources, 1995 University Ave., Suite 110, Berkeley, CA 94704-7000, or e-mail jobs@unex.berkeley.edu. For further information or for more information, please call (510) 642-0169. Applications must be received by: August 28, 2007. AA/EOE

Branch Coordinator (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

We Need a Good Administrative Person
Branch Coordinator
Accounting/Auditing
Administrative/Clerical

KONE is a leading global supplier of elevators and escalators. In addition to manufacturing, the company provides comprehensive installation, modernization and maintenance services. The Canadian division has 16 branch offices in Canada, 1 of which is in Halifax.

Our Branch in Halifax is currently seeking a Branch Coordinator who provide administrative / clerical/ accounting support to the Branch in all areas of the business.

In addition you will interact on a regular basis with an established customer base thereby ensuring that they receive the highest level of service in the elevator industry.

The ideal candidate will have a university or college degree or relevant experience. We are looking for someone who can bring with them previous experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, customer service, payroll - all the skills you would need in running a small business / office.

Company Name: KONE Elevators and Escalators
Location: Halifax
Available: Immediately Full Time.
Posted: 7/16/2007


Visit: http://www.kone.com
to learn more about KONE Elevators and Escalators.

Or, apply to this job
By Fax: to at (416)252-4954

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) needs motivated teachers

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) needs motivated teachers
Math and Science Teachers (Middle and High School)

● Salary incentive of $5,000 for qualified teachers
● Mentor teacher program
● Peer assistance review
● Teacher Training Academy
● Salary Point Credit classes
● Technology-related instructional classes
● Language Acquisition Programs

Apply today!

Math and Science Teachers
(Middle and High School)

As the nation’s second largest school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) needs motivated teachers to help us serve more than 700,000 students. Our diverse and culturally rich student population needs qualified, dedicated teachers in the high-need areas of Math and Science.

Live close enough to drive to the ocean, the mountains or the desert in Southern California, a place where great weather is the norm, not the exception.

You'll enjoy a district-paid benefits program that features paid life, health, dental, and vision insurance for yourself and your immediate family, paid holidays and sick time.

To apply today, send your resume, attached as a Word document, to: lausd@onlinedirectsourcing.com. You can also apply online by visiting our employment page.

The Los Angeles Unified School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Rouaa Recruitment Agency

HOT JOBS
Rouaa Recruitment Agency, is a Lebanese services company specialized in the recruitment and headhunting of specialized professionals. Rouaa announces the available vacancies:

Saudi Arabia

Company: Leading Trading Establishment Company
Position: Sales & Marketing Manager
Qualification: Business Degree or Related
Experience: 5 Years of experience in Printing Press

Company: Big Factory for Iron Ornaments
Position: Sales Man & Sales Engineer
Qualification: High School & Engineering Degree
Experience: Fresh Graduated or experienced

Qatar

Company: International Event Company
Position: Event Manager
Qualification: University Degree, Male or Female
Experience: 2-4 Years of experience in the field

United Arab Emirates

Company: Reputable Hospital
Position: 50 Nurses Staff
Qualification: Areas of Specialty:
1. Pediatrics
2. Psychiatry
3. Medical/Surgical
4. ICU
5. Burns
6. Neurology
7. Rehabilitation
8. Infusion Center / Infectious Disease Unit
Males & Females
Experience: Fresh or 2 years of experience

Company: Academic School
Position: English, Math & Physics Teachers
Qualification: BA, in the same field
Experience: 2-3 years in an advantage

Egypt

Company: International Company has more than 100 Branches around the world, provider of marketing information, audience measurement, and business media products and services.
Position: Research Manager & Senior Research Executive
Qualification: Bachelor Degree
Experience: Up to 4-5 years quantitative research experience

If you are interested kindly send us your CV to:
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Please refer our vacancy to your friends within your profession
Sorry for possible disturbance.

International Product Standards and Trade Pacts Websites

Major International Product Standards Websites

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

International Organisation for Standardization (ISO)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELC)

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)

European Committee for Standardization (CEN)

National Institute of Standards and Techonology USA (NIST)

Major Trade Pacts

World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Global Edge Resource Desk (International Business Center at Michigan State University)

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

World Regions Trade Agreements (Office of The United States Trade Representative USTR)

CAFTA-DR (US Government Export Portal EXPORT.GOV)

European Union Online (EU)

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

European Environment Agency (EEA)

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

ASEAN Secretariat

International Trade Negotiation Oriented List of Useful Sites

International Trade Negotiation Oriented List of Useful Sites


Alibris
An economical way to gather text materials.

DFAIT Canada
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

George Cunningham Podcast
Coordinator for EU Bilateral Trade Relations "Journey to Become a Diplomat" (Speech)

Harvard University's Center for International Development (CID)
"The Global Trade Negotiations Home Page was launched in August 1999 to provide a centralized information resource on global trade negotiations. While it gathers and disseminates information and research on the multilateral trade system, it does not advocate any specific trade policies or support any particular ideology. Rather, as an academic resource, it offers an objective entry point to the many trade-related resources on the internet."

International Cooperation Training Center (ICTC)
"The ICTC is the major training facility of KOICA for promoting the development of international training programs and international cooperation programs as well as providing comfortable and modern accomodations for participants. The KOICA Community is open to all the participants of the Invitation of Trainees Program of the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA). More than 20,000 people have taken part in this program since its foundation in 1991."

International Negotiation Modules Project
"The International Negotiation Modules Project (INMP) is a simulation using the internet to conduct international negotiations on a wide variety of contemporary issues."

Korea Exchange Bank (KEB)
Korean leader in trade finance and global finance.

Korea Export Insurance Corporation (KEIC)
"KEIC is the official export credit insurance agency in Korea, established in July 7, 1992 with the aim of facilitating and promoting national exports, overseas business activities, and insuring and providing guarantees against political or commercial risks."

Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)
"Since 1962 KOTRA has been committed to promoting the mutual prosperity of Korea and its trading partners by facilitating international commerce and investment. Its corporate philosophy focuses on addressing client concerns and meeting their needs."

Korean Pioneers In Overseas NGOs Inc. (KOPION)
"KOPION is a non-profit organization registered with Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. With the vision of building a viable civil society worldwide, twice a year, KOPION is dispatching volunteers to overseas NGOs/NPOs carrying out community development projects in developing countries."

Korean Red Cross
"The Republic of Korea National Red Cross was recognized by the ICRC on May 25th, 1955 and admitted to the League of Red Cross Societies (to become the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1991) on September 29th, 1955."

Korean UNESCO
"From 1998, the Korea Unesco Youth Centre has changed into the Youth and Cultural Exchange Team and has focused on developing and disseminating a new concept of youth in Korean society through its extensive youth activities such as United Nations University Global Seminar, International Youth Camp, development of International Voluntary Services, Youth Information Service and club activity manual."

Program on Negotiation Webcasts
Program on Negotiation at Harvard law School

Terry Hird Podcast
Comparing American and Chinese Negotiation Styles

The Export Import Bank of Korea (EXIM)
Korean Export Credit Agency

The Export Institute of the USA
The Export Institute of the USA offers an online Certificate in Export Management. John R. Jagoe is the owner and educator running this program. He is approachable, reasonable and recommended by FITT and NASBITE.

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
"The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is an international research organization. It conducts inter-disciplinary scientific studies on environmental, economic, technological and social issues in the context of human dimensions of global change. IIASA is located in Austria near Vienna and is sponsored by its National Member Organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America."

The International Trade Centre (ITC)
"The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)."

The World Clock: Time Zones
Useful for arranging calls and connection times through different time zones.

US Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Business and Industry Figures

Views on News Podcast
The Fletcher School Tufts University

Regarding Export Institue USA

Export Institute USA: Export Resources and Consulting

http://www.exportinstitute.com/

The first thing that I realized concerning John R. Jagoe is that he is an international trade expert without perhaps parallel in the developed world. The quality of experience and training that he provides to the global trade industry is highly recommended by NASBITE (National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators) and is listed at their CGBP website among the likes of: MSU globalEDGE, Chicago IL & Peoria IL, Texas Tech University Online, Massachusetts Export Center, Bryant University / Rhode Island, Philadelphia University, Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland OH), Chicago and Peoria IL Training, Bradley University, South-West Texas Border Region International Trade Center and Belmont Abbey College North Carolina.

Furthermore his training program is highly rated by FITA. This led me to confirm the value of what he has to teach regarding international trade through an internet search which turned up his institute about a year ago. However unaccredited I believe Mr. Jagoe is considered enough of an authority to let the reputation of his institute stand on its own two legs. Following inquiry I was quickly replied to by the owner, manager, and teacher himself which is a rare event in terms of educational programs. I look forward to making progress in this Certificate of Export Management described as:

"you will learn the 'practical' side of exporting and how it is done in the 'real world'. The information is presented in a logical, step-by-step format. When you have completed the six online courses and passed the Certification Examination, you will have acquired an excellent blend of both the theoretical and practical side of exporting that will help your career and also provide you with valuable new information to present to your students. One of the major (and unique) features of our online courses is that the information is updated daily to ensure that it is current and ready for immediate use." (Jagoe, 2007)

Korean Karaoke Bar

Comments On Blue Buggy and Week Two

Comments On Blue Buggy and Week Two

It was interesting listening to the live event and realizing that Blue Buggy is a negative buying zone event. Often I have visited traditional markets and bazzars where the product quality and price varies little from one seller to another and suspect that many individuals might provoke a failure on the part of Buyers through tactics illustrated by the price comparisons among airlines as illustrated in Week One.

In such cases a Buyer's "walk away" "hopes" and "alternatives" might be less effected by an understanding of value for a product such as a Persian carpet and more on simply having the cash to meet a particular asking price. As cheap as possible under such cases is limited by knowledge and planning for example having some ability to distinguish quality of carpet versus Seller's estimation of what might be in your pocket which is often uncannily accurate.

Irrational Choices often appear in the cases of impulse buying decisions. I often suspect that the drive to consumerism in many developing and developed economies might be simply explained by more carefully planned and crafted marketing and sales techniques on the part of Sellers which easily override what are described as rational selection processes. For example did I really need a digital camera, MP3, latest gadget or gizmo or did such purchases represent irrational choices? Do fixed prices in a majority of selling venues in the developed world also possibly implicate that mass production requires a fixed rate of sale because for some reason people perhaps become less adept at negotiating as their patterns of choices are encouraged to become less rational and scale of production made more profitable?

The review of economic success, relational success, durability, efficency and tendancy to fixate on one or few factors appears to have correlation with strategic positioning on a business leadership framework concerning competitiveness, risk, and uncertainty which is complimentary.

The aspects of creating and claiming value is incredibly interesting as it appears a balancing of scales of sorts and would suggest the push and pull of agreement and serves a good opener to the concept of developing greater efforts in planning, and focus. Living in Asia I do see differences in opening strategies as contrasted with North Americans.

However I am concerned regarding globalizing effects of business whether or not local context terms of engagement globally are becoming more American or western in pattern. For example, Koreans often like to have a nice big meal and lots of drinks prior to negotiation however such terms are often dispensed when dealing with western educated negotiators. On one hand it would appear the bias was originally to put an opponent at ease ( or make lethargic) prior to agreement but on the other hand I would often like more lunch prior to the reading of the final bill.

Justification would appear to be a reasonable expectation of argument construction. The more often one were to source outside information the more likely information bias might be avoided to enhance the opportunity for finding new best effective winning situations such as the orange juice versus rind scenario. The more commonly one were to source reputbale justifications for opponents positioning also the more likely one could develop the perspective taking you recommend.

Enthusiasm might also be substituted for being considered a hard worker? Many buying and selling situations are considered incomplete without argument, debate, justification and might actually constitute some of the actual enjoyment possibly derived from such interaction? While you describe the negative implications of assuming recapture of value elsewhere would not repeated and regular negotiations offer the opportunity for repeated and mutual concessions taking through which everyone acquires greater juice and rinds?

KORUS FTA: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

KORUS FTA: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

A cross-section of some of the better presentations I received on the topic for midterms. I submitted these for publication to the school newspaper so I thought it would also be good to exemplify student output here.

Won Chang Min

April 2, 2007 South Korea and the USA concluded the FTA( Free Trade Agreement) dramatically. The FTA conclusion which is called 'KORUS' made us trade with a huge market called the 'USA' without any limits. With this, Korea undergoes big changes. Instead of gains in a huge market called the 'USA', our unstable domestic market becomes uncertain.

One of the benefits is as the student who learns 'international trade' expanded trade market means there will be more jobs for me. Also, activation of trade will bring activation of our country's overall economy. On the other hand, our domestic service industry, which has a weaker foundation then the USA can get damaged because of the USA. The FTA is no longer an option. It is an essential matter. We will in turn enhance national competitiveness, ultimately contributing to enhancing trade and income. And I have to understand effects of these two side so it can be helpful to my vision.

Lee Seung Hak

Thank you for coming, everyone. My name is Lee Seung Hak. I would like to talk about the costs and benefits of the FTA in this class. Does anyone know what's the FTA mean? FTA is the initials of Free Trade Agreement. It is an arrangement to shift free products from country to country. If we have trade with countries ,making agreements like the FTA makes both countries have no fences to trade. Now, our county has signed the contract of the FTA with the USA on Apr, 2, 2007. Also, we are planning contracts of FTA with China, Japan, and Canada.

First, I would like to talk about the benefits of the FTA. The first benefit of the FTA is to spread foreign investment and to create jobs. The foreigners will invest in our country, so that, our industry is developed. Maybe, they will hire many employees because the companies will need them. The second benefit of the FTA is to set up global standard systems and service department systems to be more competitive . By reason of the FTA, we will gain advanced systems from abroad, so our service systems can become more developed. The third benefit of the FTA is to increase exports. If we join the FTA, we can get a stable market position and decrease trade costs.

Next, I will talk about the costs of the FTA. The first cost of the FTA is that our weakest industries will die. Under the FTA, some of the industries need to be more competitive. However, in the case of agricultural products it will be difficult. Under the FTA, our farmhouses have no option but to die.

Now, we have taken the first step to the FTA. So, we will try hard to get benefits.
Thank you for attention.

Cho Eun Jung

Discuss the costs and benefit of the FTA

FTAs have now become a global trend. FTAs were set up to eliminate tariffs on goods and services as well as bring down non-tariff trade barriers. Their main objective was the elimination of tariffs and expansion of trade.

Benefits of the FTA

1.The tariff wall falls, itwill allow imported goods and they will be available for purchase.

2.The products will not only be able to be produced inexpensively from domestic costs, Korea will be able to produce exchanges with the maximum efficiency and profits.

3.If education or medical treatment becomes opened, there will be quality improvement.

4.Advancement of quality industry is a possibility in many industrial sectors which are weak and currently face limitations in technology and knowledge resources.

Costs of the FTA

The FTA may cause income product price depreciation which follows short-term tariff depreciation in some forecasts. The domestic products will face greater price competition which will augment consumer public welfare. Production profits may be converted to consumer profits. Also, service market opening due to Korean FTA will lower direct prices. And service quality improvement may mean the profits will decrease as a direct effect on the consumers. Rapid increases in FTA among countries that were not in geographic proximity as well as between developed and developing countries has become common.

Kim Hyung Jik

Korea concluded a free trade agreement with the USA. Everyone calls it the KORUS. It is Korea plus USA. Many people like free trade deal with the USA. Why do they like it? Because it give benefits. FTA removes the barriers on trade. So many people trade better than before FTA. And they may take more benefits. For the more, trade liquidity is larger. If you sell the car to USA. You must give 10% of price tax to USA. Now, you don't do that. In FTA we don't have a tax obligation in trade. But, FTA is not perfection. If you are farmer you would better change the job. Because many agricultural products maybe come low in price. Who will buy high priced agricultural products. Maybe no one will buy your high price one. FTA w! ill give many costs and benefits. It will change our position. But national benefit is expected to be very high. It will change the destiny of our future generations.

Na Eun-Sub

About the FTA

Two weeks ago KOREA and the USA had finished the FTA. The FTA is abbreviated Free Trade Agreement. Some Korean's worry about the FTA. However I think, The FTA is not a worry. It is a chance. Two years ago, Korea had an FTA with Chile. Many Koreans were worried about FTA. But it turned out to be beneficial to both exports and imports of Korea. Two years after the FTA took effect, Korea`s exports to Chile increased 2.3 times to $1.2 billion compared to the year before the trade agreement.


The FTA is a general trend in world trade. A trade agreement between Korea and United States makes a new market. The countries will become one market. So Korea and The USA made a benefit to both exports and imports. Today FTAs are no longer an option. It is essential for the world economy. A free trade agreement with the United States cannot be an exception to this.

Dong-geul Park

Benefit of Korea-America FTA through the Korea-Chile FTA

Korea and Chile concluded FTA on April 1st, 2004 in spite of the farm workers opposition. This figure shows us changing rate about imports and exports toward Chile from Ministry of Financial and Economy Republic of Korea. We know that the balance of payments is falling.
I insist Korea-Chile FTA was successful even though the balance of payments is falling, however. The most damage part toward Chile is a mount of copper (Cu). Except copper, the FTA is win-win so far. Korea imports a large of copper from Chile after the conclusion of the FTA. But through the FTA, Korea could buy the copper from Chile very cheaply, so we could make many of electric products and electricity. It made as a stepping-stone for future exporting success.

Especially, in electronic products, Korea keeps going strength, but Japan who does not conclude FTA with Chile is degrading. Actually, most Korean cars had had a tough time in the world market because, the revaluation of won currency and devaluation of yen currency, except in Chile. The grape farmers worry is not serious because of seasonal customs duties during September to April. Korean grape farmer has sold on May to October, Chile has sold on September to April. As you heard, Korea-Chile FTA is successful conference.

Let us see the Korea-America FTA. Korea and U.S.A. concluded FTA on April 2nd, 2007.
Let us look at some advance of Korea-America FTA. Advance 1st Safe security of the world market. Korea can have prior occupation than competitor nation such as Japan, China, Taiwan.
Advance 2nd Improve foreign-confidence. When the foreign confidence is high, foreign investment can also increase. Advance 3rd Promotion of a domestic higher value-added business. U.S. is the most industrial country, so Korea can make it. Korea can attract lots of investment, strengthen technological development. Advance 4th Become a base of the East Asia hub. Korea can be the head office of Asia. If it will be true, Korea can deal with other countries financial, physical distribution and service business.

Conclusion

Korea is ready to have strength of trade and commercial agreement. And, Korea government can give an understanding the people why FTA is good.

Jung Wook

Hi, everyone. I'm happy to be here to speak.

As you all know, there was a FTA negotiation between South Korea and the United States of America in April 2nd, 2007. As negotiation was proceeded for a long time, the FTA conclusion is our nation's historic event. Today, I want to tell you about FTA negotiation and Korea economy.

While world order changes suddenly, this FTA will serve as an important momentum for Korea to form a strategic partner relation economically and politically with the United States of America.

Actually, current account deficit is the biggest problem in the U.S. and especially, China has the most power of influence. This FTA will contribute to American trade deficit reduction and contribute in international economy stability as well as offers connection ring with Northeast Asia which is growing.

However, there are many people who is opposed to this FTA negotiation. They say that trade opening can cause bipolarization of economy. Some people say that importation opening cause farm village collapse.

Actually, in case of Korean farm produce, price competitive power is lower than other countries. They worried about that if they open beef, pork market, livestock farmhouse goes bankrupt and that is linked by rapid increase of agriculture trade deficit.

Anyway, I'm sure that this FTA negotiation is an opportunity that can pull one step Korean economy. In case of domestic enterprise, they needs to activate restructuring to promote competition. Also, through domestic investment and foreign investment activation, we need to restore Korea economy which has falled in low growth and low investment.

Low investment causes economic growth rate fall and this is connected by stagnation of domestic income and comsumption again. According as export duty for the United States of America is lifted, it is expected that FDI increase of Japan, the EU countries to make the most use of production installation of export goods for America.

Kim So Young

I will start my presentation. I will be presentating about FTA. FTA is simplified characters of Free Trade Agreement and as it says, doing trade without or less duty. We have to contract a FTA. Because our trade dependence is 70%. In our country, trad is very important. If we averted it, bring about a loss and isolation. New problems are come up with like rice, vehicle, beef, medicine and so on. There are advantages as well as disadvantages to the US, Korean. On the downside, famers and industry will be damage and medicine price will result in high. It will abolish labor and environment regulation so it will bring about a environment disruption. On the positive side, those with no jobs will have works because service industrie! s will be more competitive. And the market can sell more goods or food. The FTA of Korea and the US faces each other in world-wide anger inside infinite competition and it secures a national competitive power. The country which it opens is successful and the failure but the economy which is isolated it could not be successful. If we loosen the propulsion of the FTA from the tendency where the many countries contract the FTA of various nations, we well be turned over.

Lee Jung Yong and Kim Hee Jung

FTA : The Good vs. the Bad

Jung Yong : This presentation is about the FTA. There are many countries worldwide that have signed free trade agreements. I present to you an example of the good impact of the FTA. Nowdays is globalization, I expect the FTA is a step to take a big leap in becoming a developed nation. Custormers can buy at lower prices and many many products . And the agreement will improve the relationship between the U.S.-Korea partnership. This agreement will allow Korea to enter the U.S. market earlier than other nations such as Japan, Taiwan and China. The FTA with the U.S. means Korea has opened the doors wide to improve industrial and financial firms to meet global standards.

Hee Jung : I think the FTA will bring too many risks to the domestic economy. But let me present you an example of the negative impact of the FTA. If Korea sells oranges at $5. And the U.S sells the oranges at $10. But if the tariff is removed the oranges price become cheaper than in Korea. The customers will buy the U.S oranges. Therefore, many domestic farmers in Korea will lose their jobs because of the cheap and well-cultivated US products. I think they should think about this negative point, such as the agricultural and service sectors.The FTA will give Korea a more influential trading position compared to China and Japan, but I worry heavily about the side effects in many fields.

Regarding German Study Opportunities for Korean Students

Regarding German Study Opportunities for Korean Students

A couple of students followed up a German studies program application and interview last week with a visit to discuss the learning opportunities for Koreans in Germany. My expertise is in gathering information and over the last few years I have spent a portion of my time investigating options such as warm my heart like no other: tuition waivered studies.

CIA Factbook: Germany
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gm.html

Notably such programs are popping up in the regional northwest of the United States especially concerning public school teacher in-service certification programs either through state funded or religious affiliated school boards particularly in inner city locations. I noted a shocking statistic on the cbc website from 2003 which stated that in cities like Calgary immigrant students have had a drop-out rate as high as 74% at that time according to The Coalition for Equal Access to Education. I sometimes wonder how long the market can continue to claim it provides many opportunities for immigrants and newcomers with student ratios to ESL teachers as high as 80 to one. Perhaps the situation has been remedied. However I continue to see ESL jobs advertised in Canada from 10 to 15 dollars and hour which is the kind of salary a part-time coffee server earns in Australia.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2003/05/23/ca_esl20030523.html

Back to Germany. The Germans have a wide roster of educational options for foreign students. While the challenge of learning German might be intimidating to many it would actually not implicate in classroom learning which by German standards is free for locals and foreigners. My concern would be the sizes of classes which are described as often extremely large by writers like Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reid Hall.

However the best possible option I found appears to be the Master's Degrees in International Industrial Management, Automotive Engineering, Information Technology and Automation Systems at The University of Esslingen Graduate School. http://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/19213

Esslingen University of Applied Science

Westminster Business School

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Graduate School 101 FlanderstrasseEsslingen

73732 Germany

http://www.hs-esslingen.de/en/44

What impressed me about this program was the sheer breadth and depth of professional studies, all in the English language medium, strong affiliations with several local corporations including Robert Bosch and Festo while located in the region of Stuttgart and Germany's industrial heartland. The other obvious benefit is the described class sizes of 25.

German Embassy
http://www.seoul.diplo.de/Vertretung/seoul/ko/Startseite.html

Another reason I would see Germany and Europe as being a possible alternative for studies possibly leading to immigration and regular local employment options are related to research I did into the Korean education industry in February to satisfy my Cornell Certificate. In short, The US, the UK, Australia, and Canada already provide education to nearly half of all OECD international students and prove price prohibitive access to Korean students unable to currently afford foreign studies (Wyckoff & Schaaper, 2005: 3). However European scholarship awards could provide a path to alternate education for many as the EU is predicted to require nearly half a million new researchers by the year 2010 to increase R & D capacities to a rate of an average 3% of GDP from a current 2% which would be more than 700,000 at EC estimates (Guellec, 2002; Sheehan and Wyckoff, 2003; European Commission, 2003 in Wyckoff & Schaaper, 2005: 5). Predictions suggest Chinese and Indians will fill the gaps yet the same study predicts similar required increases in Japan, which would be easier for Koreans to fill than perhaps Indians or Chinese competitors due to cultural similarities.

Korean German Chamber of Commerce
http://korea.ahk.de/index.php?id=400

Furthermore Australian universities are providing more short-term research contracts to encourage immigration and at the same time shifting highly skilled professionals from Oz to the US market offering additional incentive to fully funded educational scholarships for Australians. The Korean industry has best minimized financing options through government deregulation and many national economies, including Canada limit student loan disbursements for the purposes of study outside of the county. In Korea's case student loans for studies within the nation do not even exist. There are significant costs to be absorbed through such switching. In this case it may be the Japanese, Australians or the Europeans who pay the bills. Koreans are quite willing to immigrate under the right conditions. The only substitute that most Korean students have to attending a Korean university at present is to attend a Korean college because they could not enter a Korean university. http://crossculturalreviews.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html

If considering Germany then why not Denmark?

Considering EU convergences I was not surprised to see that Aarhus School of Business, University of Aarhus which conducts several exchange and international degree programs claims English language medium studies are as high as 70% of courses offered.

http://www.asb.dk

Weaving Tour Through Pocheon Spring Farmer's Festival

Elusive Butteryfly

Review of English Business Letters

English Business Letters
F.W. King D. Anncree D.A. Cree
Longman (1979)

I have been looking for a long time for a book that adequately addresses the English language in terms of commercial correspondance that was small enough and complete enough to be recommended as a complete companion to any international trade second language student. I never thought I would actually find it. However this book takes the cake.

Its original publication date is 1962 and as such does not address email very well. However it is complete in terms of writing business proposals, making credit or trade enquiries, drafting offers or acceptances, scripting orders and confirmations, confirming agreements on general terms of business and contract, ordering remittances and letters of credit, detailing shipment and shipping, as well as crafting claims and adjustments.

However when compared to current ESL texts on topic it also demonstrates the quality of content has been radically reductionist over time and the current stream of English usage in international business obviously demands fewer expressions and terms, as well as increasingly sacrifice of clarity for frequency of contact. An article regarding Korean students difficulties in assimilating concepts of multiculturalism raises the issue of adding competencies in English as equally important to abilities to log high scores on tests (Courtesy of Paka). I would like them to work harder in the here and now to assimilate essential business communication tasks. Sadly often their goals are limited to passing exams.

Korean Education System Needs Global Standard

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/117_1984.html

The Vocabula Review

"In sum, The Vocabula Review battles nonstandard, careless English and embraces clear, expressive English. We hope we can encourage our readers to do as much."

http://www.vocabula.com/

Innocent English

"This site started as a place to share an original collection of humorous English mistakes & bloopers from my students & to promote my book of the same. It then expanded to include other funny bloopers, jokes and other humor, wordplay, cute animal pics, videos, a bloopers for kids & classrooms section, an animated, free talking chat bot, some funny English quizzes, a downloadable funny gag diploma & joke degree template & more. I also had started to develop a resource section, with an online ESL guide to learning English, an English grammar guide, a personal finance section, a free online dating sites resource, a popular baby names section, movie theater showtimes and tickets, and an online degree guide. More about Innocent English here." http://www.innocentenglish.com/

The Survey of English

"The Survey of English Usage carries out research in English Linguistics and was the first centre in Europe to do research with corpora. The Survey is based in the Department of English Language and Literature at UCL."http://www.ucl.ac.uk/english-usage/

Awaiting the Blue Buggy Scenario

Awaiting the Blue Buggy Scenario

It seems I have a little time here to await resolution of a file transfer problem so I would like to revisit the negotiation definition to ease a fear of being left behind to orphan in the dust as the pack moves on.

In Dust We Conquer!

Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Wonderful introduction to the corpse (I mean course of course). In a competitive event these might seem useful aggregates of the ultimate failures in negotiation observed thus far in the train of human existence. In Roger Fisher's book, "Beyond Machiavelli: Tools for Coping With Conflict" (Penguin: 1996) one is able to observe a series of suggested tools and methods probably similar to what is available in "Getting Together."

I realize the concept of "win-win" in many routine daily events including digesting this definition of negotiation. However it appears obvious to an outside observer that the resolution of serious issues related to international negotiations resulting in the seeming reign of pestilence, war, famine, and death in so many parts of our world as a result of failure suggests that not enough negotiators ascribe to the definition of negotiation as, "a process by which two or more parties interact in order to reach an agreement."

In the examples given on what is or is not negotiation I infer that many people perhaps believe making decisions based on comparisons is in fact effective negotiation, or that consistently hardball competitive tactics constitutes effective negotiation, or that stalling is effective negotiation, or that even "good faith" could be a concept generally ascribed across cultures other than those of the traditionally western Judeo-Christian understanding of the terms of "good faith."

I do not believe that there is a global standard of "good faith." I think "anything goes" appears to be closer to observable reality.

Concerning myths and misconceptions I agree good negotiators are not born and few perhaps originate from the USA. I actually wish more did and often have a hard time rationalizing that out of 300 million souls the ones who seem to heave to the top appear often so unscrupulous or even at times the riders of those horses. If these were patient abiders of "good faith" every major global conflict, particularly those that the media glorifies in terms of pestilence, war, famine, and death might already be resolved and American negotiators would no longer need to claim to be intending to resolve anything with weapons of war. It seems a few other myths might exist?

As in "1984" Orwell contends a seemingly perpetual war with one's perceived or conceived enemies is an aim to distract from serious issues concerning who does and does not contend with the issues of negotiation in assessing the democratic state within a society itself. Having read little of the topic of negotiation itself I would hazard the guess that self-censorship is so often the culprit behind intransigence and a collective unwillingness to explore "win win" rarely beyond immediate aims.

I also believe book knowledge is under-rated and would caution anyone to suggest that one should not read too much in a nation which reads on average a book a year. How many people are in fact reading the same copy of TV Guide over and over again?

I do look forward to reading the Blue Buggy Scenario.

Garnet Rogers: Small Victory

Small Victory
http://youtube.com/watch?v=D0c3gA76uPQ&mode=related&search=

You've no business buying a mare like that, but buy her if you must."
He bit the end off his cigar and spat it in the dust.
"She's old and lame and barren, too
She's not worth feed and hay
But I'll give you this," - he blew smoke at me -
"She was something in her day."

"I recall her well ten years ago; she was a winner in her prime.
She was fast and lean and willing, but they raced her past her time.
And though she had the heart, her legs were gone,
And it wasn't hard to see, they kept her at it
In the hopes of just one more small victory."

"She was shunted around from track to track, from Kentucky up to Maine.
They'd run her in cheap claimers, all doped up to mask her pain.
And if it's my advice you ant I'd say, the poor thing's had her day
You'd be throwing good cash after bad. It's best you turn away."

Well they led her around the auction shed, and the bidding started low.
"She'll go for dog food," someone said, "the market's been that slow."
But she raised her head and pricked her ears, and before the hammer fell,
She was mine.
My friend turned around to me "You're soft-headed I can tell."

But she's been shoved from pillar to post," said I, "And always done her best.
They used her up, they wrung her dry; you'd think she'd earned a rest.
So if she does not naught but end her days beneath some shady tree,
I'll have saved her from the knacker's yard, and that's enough for me."

Well, that was near two years ago, she's filled out some since then.
The more so since she's been in foal, she eats enough for ten.
And this morn as I crept to the barn around Œbout half past three,
There stood nursing on still trembling legs, one more small victory.

http://www.garnetrogers.com/