MSNBC.com published an article entitled "GM boss steps down at White House's request." What a nice way to say he was fired! According to the article, Chairman and CEO of General Motors Corporation, Rick Wagoner, was asked by President Obama to step down and he agreed to do so.
Wagoner has a 32 year history with GM working all over the world. The company's vice chairman and chief operating officer has now been appointed CEO. There have been mixed comments as to Wagoner's departure. Some feel the move is "political theater" and that Wagoner was a "sacrificial lamb."
Wagoner , CEO since 2007, did do plenty of good things for GM. Unfortunately, some critics say Wagoner moved too slowly. In the past four years, GM has had $82 billion in losses. But, they say he was moving the company in the right direction.
Apparently Wagoner isn't the only CEO to lose his job. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac CEO's were also forced out of their positions after the government took over the companies.
Since government loans were involved, Wagoner cannot receive a severance payment. He is eligible to retire under the GM's salaried employee and executive retirement plan. According to another article, "GM CEO gets $23 million estimated pension," he made out like a bandit, even though he was fired. Wagoner's pension was valued at $22.1 million, but he will receive that in payments over the rest of his life, so the actual amount may be different. I don't think he will be too greatly affected by a different amount with that much money! We can only wish to make that much money in a life time!! Also, he gets about $367,000 in stock awards and $535,000 in deferred compensation. Once again, someone getting fired from a job sure does get rewarded!
I guess I'm not too sure how firing the CEO's of the big companies is going to help the company. Maybe people will be happier thinking something is being done. The CEO's must report to a board of directors, don't they? The CEO doesn't make all the decisions alone. So unless there are changes made to other personnel, I don't see how things will change too much for the company. I think these firings are just more political games being played to try to make things look good.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Advertisements and My Thoughts
I like the FreeCreditReport.com advertisements. The catchy little jingles are the first thing that caught my attention. I have seen at least four or five different commercials on the television and each jingle has a different story, but the message is always the same, "Get your free credit report and stay out of trouble." The main character of the commercial also gets my attention with his cute baby face and his little backup band is always in the picture. The public relations person that developed this relationship is on the right track. The jingles and characters just seem to go together and are easy to relate to. On the the other hand, my husband and two sons don't like the commercials. They think they are dumb! But, my sons do know all the jingles!
I just saw a commercial advertising VESIcare. I know these advertisements are on television and in magazines. Now that is creative advertising. Creating little people out of piping is so appropriate for this product. Overactive bladder issues and little plumbing people is something not everyone can relate to, but the message is clear. I think this is very effective advertising and the creative use of piping is unique.
Fastfood places are trying to sell us on the fact that they are making their food healthier. The Arby's RoastBurger is a new, non-greasy thinly-sliced oven roasted burger that is never fried. It's got lettuce and tomatoes which are good for you. Sure roast beef is better for you, but there's still bacon, cheese, sauces and the bun. Of course, when I went to their Web site I couldn't find the calorie count for these never fried, non-greasy burgers. They sure do look good and the commercial is very appealing.
The Jenny Craig commercials are easy to relate to. "If I can do it, you can too" is always a challenge for people. Valerie Bertinelli is a great spokesperson for the program. Her before and after pictures are a great testimony. But, did she lose the weight by just eating the Jenny Craig food or did she exercise alot? Is she going to live on the Jenny Craig diet for the rest of her life? If not, what will happen to her weight when she goes on her own? We can all lose the weight on these programs, but unless we learn how to eat differently and watch what we eat, weight will always be an issue. People need to realize that Jenny Craig can help them lose the weight, but unless they plan to live on the diet the rest of their lives, they need to make some changes.
I just saw a commercial advertising VESIcare. I know these advertisements are on television and in magazines. Now that is creative advertising. Creating little people out of piping is so appropriate for this product. Overactive bladder issues and little plumbing people is something not everyone can relate to, but the message is clear. I think this is very effective advertising and the creative use of piping is unique.
Fastfood places are trying to sell us on the fact that they are making their food healthier. The Arby's RoastBurger is a new, non-greasy thinly-sliced oven roasted burger that is never fried. It's got lettuce and tomatoes which are good for you. Sure roast beef is better for you, but there's still bacon, cheese, sauces and the bun. Of course, when I went to their Web site I couldn't find the calorie count for these never fried, non-greasy burgers. They sure do look good and the commercial is very appealing.
The Jenny Craig commercials are easy to relate to. "If I can do it, you can too" is always a challenge for people. Valerie Bertinelli is a great spokesperson for the program. Her before and after pictures are a great testimony. But, did she lose the weight by just eating the Jenny Craig food or did she exercise alot? Is she going to live on the Jenny Craig diet for the rest of her life? If not, what will happen to her weight when she goes on her own? We can all lose the weight on these programs, but unless we learn how to eat differently and watch what we eat, weight will always be an issue. People need to realize that Jenny Craig can help them lose the weight, but unless they plan to live on the diet the rest of their lives, they need to make some changes.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND makes bad decision
The inforum.com recently published a story entitled "Blue Cross Blue Shield ND sales leaders rewarded with trip to Grand Cayman Islands resort." What was Blue Cross Blue Shield thinking?
It seems that the top sales staff, consisting of 35 employees and a guest, were awarded a trip to the Grand Cayman Islands. This little reward trip included an allowance for each employee and a guest of up to $6500, including $2000 for airfare, $1500 in cash, and $300 for hotel. I sure wish I could earn a trip like this and get spending money on top of it all!! A side note, the CEO also went on this trip. The total budget was up to $227,500. This figures out to about 90 cents for each policyholder.
Now this is all fine and dandy in previous economic times, but not a wise decision at the present. In fact, Blue Cross Blue Shield wants to increase premiums up to 18.3 percent for individuals who are not covered in a group, 11.4 percent for group coverage and 20 percent for college students.
Apparently Blue Cross Blue Shield had a $9 million loss last year just from operations. When investments are added into the loss, the total loss is $28 million.
After this bit of news was released, the back lashing started. Next I read in an article "Blue to ditch incentive trip" that the CEO will pay his own expenses. Oh, by the way, he was planning to pay for his expenses all along! While talking on a radio talk show he made the comment that he had determined before the show that he would cover his own expenses. I have my own opinion on that comment, but will keep it to myself.
The ND Insurance Commissioner, Adam Hamm, is now considering an audit of Blue Cross Blue Shield. He wants to delve into the executive compensation and the reward trip and get a complete picture of how these things are determined. Hamm states that "there doesn't seem to be any sacrifice on their side, the company side. That is where the anger and confusion comes in."
But, in an article by Mike McFeely of the in-forum.com called "Bad PR at heart of Blue's problems", Mr. Hamm has feuded with Blue Cross Blue Shield for years. McFeely indicates that the biggest losers in all this mess are the sales people. I guess I have to agree with that.
Didn't anybody think of what happened to the big automakers? Their bad decision of flying in a private jet to ask for money made big headlines, as well as the bad decisions by the big banks. Blue Cross Blue Shield spending big money on uxorious reward trips while asking for rate increases is not so very different!
I'm not sure who makes the decisions of taking these trips, but there's got to be someone in the offices with some common sense, doesn't there? I hope other companies are paying attention to this PR mess and take heed. You just don't spend money on non-essentials in the current economy and expect to get away with it. You wouldn't run your personal household that way, don't run a company like it.
It seems that the top sales staff, consisting of 35 employees and a guest, were awarded a trip to the Grand Cayman Islands. This little reward trip included an allowance for each employee and a guest of up to $6500, including $2000 for airfare, $1500 in cash, and $300 for hotel. I sure wish I could earn a trip like this and get spending money on top of it all!! A side note, the CEO also went on this trip. The total budget was up to $227,500. This figures out to about 90 cents for each policyholder.
Now this is all fine and dandy in previous economic times, but not a wise decision at the present. In fact, Blue Cross Blue Shield wants to increase premiums up to 18.3 percent for individuals who are not covered in a group, 11.4 percent for group coverage and 20 percent for college students.
Apparently Blue Cross Blue Shield had a $9 million loss last year just from operations. When investments are added into the loss, the total loss is $28 million.
After this bit of news was released, the back lashing started. Next I read in an article "Blue to ditch incentive trip" that the CEO will pay his own expenses. Oh, by the way, he was planning to pay for his expenses all along! While talking on a radio talk show he made the comment that he had determined before the show that he would cover his own expenses. I have my own opinion on that comment, but will keep it to myself.
The ND Insurance Commissioner, Adam Hamm, is now considering an audit of Blue Cross Blue Shield. He wants to delve into the executive compensation and the reward trip and get a complete picture of how these things are determined. Hamm states that "there doesn't seem to be any sacrifice on their side, the company side. That is where the anger and confusion comes in."
But, in an article by Mike McFeely of the in-forum.com called "Bad PR at heart of Blue's problems", Mr. Hamm has feuded with Blue Cross Blue Shield for years. McFeely indicates that the biggest losers in all this mess are the sales people. I guess I have to agree with that.
Didn't anybody think of what happened to the big automakers? Their bad decision of flying in a private jet to ask for money made big headlines, as well as the bad decisions by the big banks. Blue Cross Blue Shield spending big money on uxorious reward trips while asking for rate increases is not so very different!
I'm not sure who makes the decisions of taking these trips, but there's got to be someone in the offices with some common sense, doesn't there? I hope other companies are paying attention to this PR mess and take heed. You just don't spend money on non-essentials in the current economy and expect to get away with it. You wouldn't run your personal household that way, don't run a company like it.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Do we have a right to choose how and when we die?
The In-forum.com published an article from the Associated Press called "Right-to-die debate revived by charges against 4 members of alleged assisted suicide network." This article brings up an interesting debate. The debate is regarding the right to die.
Apparently there is a case against an alleged assisted suicide ring. This ring is known as the Final Exit Network. Two members of this network have been charged with aiding the suicide of a 58-year-old man from Georgia who was suffering from throat and mouth cancer. This network may have also been involved in up to 200 deaths across the country.
There are some states that have legalized doctor-assisted suicide, but Georgia is not one of them. In Georgia people can be sentenced for up to five years in prison for being involved in assisting with suicides.
The debate begins with the belief of some that people should be allowed to "die gracefully." But, another group called Not Dead Yet disagrees. They feel assisted suicides are murder and these people get off on being there for death. The Final Exit Network claims they don't actively aid suicides, but rather support and guide those who have decided to end their lives on their own.
When I went to the Web and looked up assisted suicide, I found a link to the American Psychological Association. This association provides arguments for supporting and opposing assisted suicides. Both arguments are very strong and I can understand where each side is coming from.
I'm just not sure who should decide or if there should be laws governing assisted suicide. Don't we all have the right to decide when or if we want to die? If someone was very sick with no hope of recovery and they were going to die a low and painful death, shouldn't they have the freedom to make a choice? But, what if some medical miracle happened all of the sudden and they missed out on that opportunity.
On the other hand, what if assisted suicides became too easy and if someone committed murder, they could say it was assisted suicide. Some type of laws need to be in place governing assisted suicide for this purpose. We could have a lot of murderers running around if they got off with saying it was assisted suicide!
Apparently there is a case against an alleged assisted suicide ring. This ring is known as the Final Exit Network. Two members of this network have been charged with aiding the suicide of a 58-year-old man from Georgia who was suffering from throat and mouth cancer. This network may have also been involved in up to 200 deaths across the country.
There are some states that have legalized doctor-assisted suicide, but Georgia is not one of them. In Georgia people can be sentenced for up to five years in prison for being involved in assisting with suicides.
The debate begins with the belief of some that people should be allowed to "die gracefully." But, another group called Not Dead Yet disagrees. They feel assisted suicides are murder and these people get off on being there for death. The Final Exit Network claims they don't actively aid suicides, but rather support and guide those who have decided to end their lives on their own.
When I went to the Web and looked up assisted suicide, I found a link to the American Psychological Association. This association provides arguments for supporting and opposing assisted suicides. Both arguments are very strong and I can understand where each side is coming from.
I'm just not sure who should decide or if there should be laws governing assisted suicide. Don't we all have the right to decide when or if we want to die? If someone was very sick with no hope of recovery and they were going to die a low and painful death, shouldn't they have the freedom to make a choice? But, what if some medical miracle happened all of the sudden and they missed out on that opportunity.
On the other hand, what if assisted suicides became too easy and if someone committed murder, they could say it was assisted suicide. Some type of laws need to be in place governing assisted suicide for this purpose. We could have a lot of murderers running around if they got off with saying it was assisted suicide!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
