The Royal Wedding - Really?...

Dear gentlemen,

buried in a deep financial mess, as we are, I found our four regular TV channels broadcasting a Royal Wedding from another country and opening the News with it. What happened to the concerns about our situation and how we are being helped (if we are indeed) by IMF? Second place they have been thown, so it seems.

Bother us not crisis, for we have a wedding to watch! But... wait a minute.... we are not British! So what? Being an ostrich once in a while is part of our national conscience, or didn't we (all) go to the Algarve on holiday?

Cynical and sarcastic I know, but this post is to spice you into writing. How do you read this "Royal Wedding Fever"?

Incompetent Politicians

When I think of our economic and political situation. Sometimes I´m optimistic but sometimes I´m pessimistic.
I get pessimistic specially when I hear our politicians or some other important people: all of them give us their opinion but they are always the same: we have to change, we have to cut down on expenses, and so on… but some (or all!) of them depend on state payments, through pensions, contracts, among others.
But when we heard the President of the Republic in his acceptance speech, forget his responsibilities over the last 25 years, honestly I got angry!
We only need to think of the last four years: why doesn’t he do something, using his words, of course?
That speech arrived at least three years late.
But worse! In his Facebook page he called our attention to some journalists that made a wrong interpretation of his intentions!
It’s amazing! Such lack of competence for the job! How can the Portuguese people vote in these men?
I know: we didn’t have better! This is our main problem: we don’t have an honest and hard-working man that instead of thinking of his position, thinks of the country.
On the other hand we are less demanding and we lack of economic knowledge. We have bad habits regarding our personal financial management.
It’s true that youngsters don’t have a good future in the horizon but it’s also true that youngsters have never before had such a good life.
They are always complaining (as their parents). A few days ago I heard in a restaurant that the Portuguese people only complain for two reasons: about everything and about nothing).
But we have to understand: they learnt this behavior from their parents. In the last 25/30 years we got the used to the state taking care of us.
Right now we are discovering that this is not true. We have to work and to take care of ourselves. For the future I think that we need to take these steps. They are called steps, but they are essential in order to change the mentality of our State

We have recently discussed crises and how they will affect future generations.

Here we can find the traditional cycle of crises from 1990 to 2040.

In my opinion we should discuss this topic next lesson. This picture shows the real world perspective that we will get during the next few years.

Financial Mentality

Last time we met we talked about our opinions regarding the origins of this present financial crisis. Both of you mentioned different topics but you both agreed on two topics "finance" and "mentality", hence the title of this post being "Financial Mentality".

I look forward to reading your posts on this matter and I will expect you to focus on this question in particular - should our financial mentality be submitted to training? If so, starting when (age) and where (family, school,...)?

Look within

I was told the other day that life is pink and tastes like chocolate.

It is a rather romantic perspective of our present national and international situation, but what if we limit ourselves to our little own world for a few minutes, just to forget about the rest. What would you say your like is coloured like and what would it taste of?...

Here's a proposal that I hope will help you focus on the good side of life; I long to read all about it.

Managers Training

It's necessary to complete my affirmation that the managers need training.
It's true that in Portugal criticizing Portuguese managers sounds strange and unpleasant.
Usually people say: they create employment. That´s true but it isn´t enough. We need more competitive companies and this goal will only be achieved if we have good management.
My intention is not to be unpleasant but to call attention for a big problem to the Portuguese economy.
In reality if we don´t have strong managers we don´t have a good economy.
The majority of Portuguese managers don´t have good abilities in order to manage the companies, they need more skills. They have courage and determination but a lot of times they don´t know how to solve the problems.
I think that, training in management could be a good solution. They need to know what is variable costs; fixed costs, gross margin; operating statement; balance sheet; etc. They need to know that, despite the company loses money, they can improve their treasury, etc..
They have to think that the financial statements are a good management tool not only to show the fiscal authorities.

The Portuguese Constitution

Yesterday the Portuguese newspapers spread about the PSD Portuguese Constitution revision proposal.
First of all I have to say that Portuguese people have other worries which are more important then this matter! But our politicians need to have other matters to discuss in order to entertain people.
Unfortunately important things, as the unemployment or the wrong wealth distribution aren't interesting to discuss.
About the PSD proposal. Today, I´m speaking only about one:
The permission to fire someone without reason.
I think it's a bad idea! Actually the present laws have enough hypotheses in order to fire someone, of course the managers need to have a reason, but the reason is so easy to get, that this proposal change is unnecessary!
Another reason for my position is the fact that the Portuguese managers usually don´t have enough ethics. People will become slaves!
Think about the consequences: everyday and at every moment you could be fired! It happens in the United States!
People have feelings, compromises, etc. On the other hand, companies have (or must have) a social concern about their workers. Today only money interests, nothing more.
The politicians think that this is the best way in order to improve our economy, unfortunately they are wrong. The lack of Portuguese productivity is not a workers' problem but a management problem! I don´t remember hearing this from the politicians.
If the government (or the opposition) gave training to the managers in order to make a good management, it would be better for all of us!
But it´s easier to hit the workers!
While our politicians think this way, we won´t change.