Saturday 29 September 2012

BlackBerry



Why is The BlackBerry so successful?

    The device is very popular with executives because they can access their emails outside the office.

    It is a mobile phone with Internet access, and was introduced in 1997.

    It uses ‘push technology’. This means that e-mails automatically appear on the screen, and you do not need to download them.

    But there is a possible problem with using The BlackBerry. It can be addictive.

    When an executive never turns his BlackBerry off and keeps checking it for emails, he is addicted to it.

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Answer these questions:

1. Why is The BlackBerry so popular with executives?

2. Does a BackBerry have Internet access?

3. When was the BlackBerry introduced?

4. What is the 'push technology'?

5. What possible problem can effect BlackBerry users?

6. How is an executive addicted to his BlackBerry?

Thursday 13 September 2012

International Trade


If you walk into a supermarket and are able to buy South American bananas, Brazilian coffee and a bottle of South African wine, you are experiencing the effects of international trade. International trade allows us to expand our markets for both goods and services that otherwise may not have been available to us. It is the reason why you can pick between a Japanese, German or American car. As a result of international trade, the market contains greater competition and therefore more competitive prices, which brings a cheaper product home to the consumer.

What Is International Trade?

International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries. This type of trade gives rise to a world economy, in which prices, or supply and demand, affect and are affected by global events. Political change in Asia, for example, could result in an increase in the cost of labor, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs for an American sneaker company based in Malaysia, which would then result in an increase in the price that you have to pay to buy the tennis shoes at your local mall. A decrease in the cost of labor, on the other hand, would result in you having to pay less for your new shoes.
Trading globally gives consumers and countries the opportunity to be exposed to goods and services not available in their own countries. Almost every kind of product can be found on the international market: food, clothes, spare parts, oil, jewelry, wine, stocks, currencies and water. Services are also traded: tourism, banking, consulting and transportation. A product that is sold to the global market is an export, and a product that is bought from the global market is an import. Imports and exports are accounted for in a country's current account in the balance of payments.

(Adapted from: http://www.investopedia.com)

Saturday 8 September 2012

"Ations" - by Shel Silverstein