Of all of the commercial databases, Oracle is the least secure. a &\EHUVHFXULW\ H[SHUW 'DYLG /LWFK¿HOG commenting on Ellison’s remark in an email to Reuters Center for Strategy, Enterprise & Intelligence provides expertise in strategy and management, enterprise development, intelligence, Internet and media. For subscriptions, research, and advisory services, please e-mail [email protected]or call/fax +63-2-5311182. Links to online material on public websites are current as of the week prior to the publication date, but might be removed without warning. Publishers of linked content should e-mail us or contact us by fax if they do not wish their websites to be linked to our material in the future. February 4, 2014 To the best of our knowledge, an Oracle database hasn’t been broken into for a couple of decades by anybody. ~ Larry Ellison, founding CEO of Internet equipment behemoth Oracle, on cyber- snooping concerns POINT & CLICK Access online research via your Internet connection by clicking pictures, graphics, and words in blue 9ROXPH 1XPEHU For advertising, corporate promotions and free trial subscription, please email [email protected]or call/fax us at +632-5311182. you gotta see this 36 supergraphic 16 perspective 02 Strategic Analysis and Research by the &(17(5 )25 675$7(*< (17(535,6( ,17(//,*(1&( cenSEI : . + 8KVUXZ 03 Rich Countries Are Set to Take the Driver’s Seat Developed countries will steer the world economy upward this year, while emerging economies deal with speed bumps ECONOMY 11 Deal and No Deal A quick look at the World Trade Organization’s new accord 09 A Soft Landing for China? 7KH ZRUOG¶V 1R HFRQRP\ DIWHU $PHULFD and Europe grapples with its shift from investment-led to consumption-led growth 13 ASEAN Stays on the Fence Amid overlapping territorial claims on the high seas, the Association of Southeast Asian 1DWLRQV QDYLJDWHV D WULFN\ PLGGOH FRXUVH GEOPOLITICS 21 6WLOO 3XQJ $ZD\ )LIW\ \HDUV VLQFH WKH 86 6XUJHRQ *HQHUDO¶V landmark report on tobacco, more people are smoking than ever — and dying from it HEALTH 37 $ 'UDJ RQ *URZWK Oxfam tells the 2014 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, one big reason to uplift the poor: inequaliity is squeezing economies SOCIETY 27 Your Fridge’s Online The Internet of Things, predicts one expert, may roll out big this year, even as others warn of unpredictable consequences TECHNOLOGY 23 When Painkillers Kill Citing possible liver damage from over- dosage, U.S. authorities move to limit how much acetaminophen may be put in a pill 29 :RZHG DW WKH &RQVXPHU (OHFWURQLFV 6KRZ Our show-and-tell of the most interesting new gadgets at the annual Las Vegas dazzler 33 Asia Goes Phablet Sales of smartphone-tablet hybrids have surged phenomenally since their largely ignored launch two years ago body lab 26 19 Hershey Buys a Shanghai Candy King The global chocolate giant hopes to feed a growing Chinese appetite for chocolate Going Against the Grain Some business leaders advise us to be open to making mistakes and bending the rules now and then 17 BUSINESS
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Transcript
Of all of the commercial databases,
Oracle is the least secure.
�a�&\EHU�VHFXULW\�H[SHUW�'DYLG�/LWFK¿HOG��commenting on Ellison’s remark in an email
to Reuters
Center for Strategy, Enterprise & Intelligence provides expertise in strategy and management, enterprise development, intelligence, Internet and media.
For subscriptions, research, and advisory services, please e-mail [email protected] or call/fax +63-2-5311182. Links to online material on public
websites are current as of the week prior to the publication date, but might be removed without warning. Publishers of linked content should e-mail us or
contact us by fax if they do not wish their websites to be linked to our material in the future.
February 4, 2014
To the best of our knowledge,
an Oracle database hasn’t been
broken into for a couple of decades
by anybody.
~ Larry Ellison, founding CEO of Internet
equipment behemoth Oracle, on cyber-
snooping concerns
POINT & CLICK
Access online research via your
Internet connection by clicking pictures,
graphics, and words in blue
9ROXPH�����1XPEHU��
For advertising, corporate promotions and free trial subscription, please email [email protected]
or call/fax us at +632-5311182.
you gotta see this36supergraphic16
perspective02
Strategic Analysis and Research by the
&(17(5�)25�675$7(*<��(17(535,6(��,17(//,*(1&(
16
cenSEI: . +
8KVUXZ
03 Rich Countries Are Set toTake the Driver’s SeatDeveloped countries will steer the world
economy upward this year, while emerging
economies deal with speed bumps
ECONOMY
11 Deal and No DealA quick look at the World Trade
Organization’s new accord
09 A Soft Landing for China?7KH�ZRUOG¶V�1R����HFRQRP\�DIWHU�$PHULFD�and Europe grapples with its shift from
investment-led to consumption-led growth
13 ASEAN Stays on the FenceAmid overlapping territorial claims on the
high seas, the Association of Southeast Asian
1DWLRQV�QDYLJDWHV�D�WULFN\�PLGGOH�FRXUVH
GEOPOLITICS
216WLOO�3XQJ�$ZD\)LIW\�\HDUV�VLQFH�WKH�8�6��6XUJHRQ�*HQHUDO¶V�landmark report on tobacco, more people
are smoking than ever — and dying from it
HEALTH
37 $�'UDJ�RQ�*URZWKOxfam tells the 2014 World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland, one big
reason to uplift the poor: inequaliity is
squeezing economies
SOCIETY
27 Your Fridge’s OnlineThe Internet of Things, predicts one expert,
may roll out big this year, even as others
warn of unpredictable consequences
TECHNOLOGY
23 When Painkillers KillCiting possible liver damage from over-
dosage, U.S. authorities move to limit how
much acetaminophen may be put in a pill
29 :RZHG�DW�WKH������&RQVXPHU�(OHFWURQLFV�6KRZOur show-and-tell of the most interesting
new gadgets at the annual Las Vegas dazzler
33 Asia Goes PhabletSales of smartphone-tablet hybrids have
surged phenomenally since their largely
ignored launch two years ago
body lab26
19 Hershey Buys a Shanghai Candy KingThe global chocolate
giant hopes to feed
a growing Chinese
appetite for chocolate
Going Against the GrainSome business leaders advise us to
Galloping Into 2014A Joyful New Year to all, in both the Western calendar beginning on the 1st of January, and the East Asian one, JDOORSLQJ�LQ�RQ�WKH���VW�XQGHU�WKH�QHZ�PRRQ¶V�GDUN�JD]H��$QG�ZLWK�WKH�¿UVW�GD\�RI�WKH�QH[W������D�QHZ�DSSURDFK�WR�WKH�making of The CenSEI Report.
As the item-packed Contents page shows, there are many more articles in the issue, covering a wide range of topics, from last December’s World Trade Organization accord forged in Bali, Indonesia, to the Perspective on how business is hit by Thailand’s political turmoil, reaching a high point with the February 2 parliamentary elections.
The shorter but more varied articles are written as part of the business model recasting by the Center for Strategy, Enterprise & Intelligence. The new thrust envisions a website- and app-based service providing strategic monitoring, assessment and action recommendations on major events within a day after they hit the headlines.
7KH�%ULH¿QJ�1RWHV�LQ�WKH�LVVXH��DOO�VDQV�E\OLQH��ZHUH�VHOHFWHG��UHVHDUFKHG��DQDO\]HG�DQG�ZULWWHQ�ZLWKLQ�D�GD\�RU�VR�RI�the topic developments. At the same time, CenSEI analysts and editors made sure that any prognoses and prescriptions put forward would be valid for the coming weeks or months, not just a few days.
7KXV��$PHULFDQ�FKRFRODWH�JLDQW�+HUVKH\¶V�DFTXLVLWLRQ�RI�D�&KLQHVH�FRQIHFWLRQHU\�LV�VHHQ�LQ�WKH�FRQWH[W�RI�WKH�JOREDO�multinational’s market strategy for China, plus the lessons it holds for other top consumer brands looking to enter or H[SDQG�LQ�WKH�ELOOLRQ�VWURQJ�QDWLRQ�DV�LW�UDPSV�XS�FRQVXPHU�VSHQGLQJ�DV�WKH�PDLQ�GULYH�RI�HFRQRPLF�JURZWK�
World and national economic prospects are, of course, a staple of end-year and New Year reports. However, along with year-ahead prognoses in the Economy section, a Society article spotlights a longstanding trend underscored in the recent years of global economic malaise: The grossly unequal distribution of global wealth stunts growth, hitting the assets and enterprises of the wealthy.
Plainly, as the world rides into 2014 and beyond, both haves and have-nots are on the same steed. And like Asian nations in the Geopolitics report on South China Sea tensions, we all have to learn how to share and work for the good of all. The alternative would be the debacle of everyone.
perspective
$IWHU�ORQJ�WXUPRLO��¶LQYHVWRUV�PD\�VKLIW�WR�RWKHU�FRXQWULHV�·�warns a Toyota executive Wochit
The continuing political crisis in Thailand has already cost life and limb, shut down government ministries, and forced a parliamentary election scheduled for February 2, and a state of emergency in the capital.
Now, business is feeling the heat from the picket lines, including global industry giants which have manufactured cars, electronics, appliances, and other goods out of the kingdom for decades. Here are laments from the executive suite, and wise or wild guesses on where the political battles are headed.
,W·V�WHUULEOH��,W·V�ZRUVH�WKDQ�HYHU��:H�FDQ·W�VHH�DQ�HQG�WR�LW�~ Virat Jaturaphutphitak, vice president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, speaking to Associated Press (AP)
The perception from foreign clients is pretty bad. 7KH\�GRQ·W�ZDQW�WR�FRPH� Business stops and is put on hold.a�7KLQDZDW�%XNKDPDQD��PDQDJLQJ�SDUWQHU�LQ�%DQJNRN�ZLWK�8�6��ODZ�ÀUP�%DNHU��0F.HQ]LH�/WG�� also to AP
Assuming the political woes go on, foreign investors may decide to shift to other countries like Indonesia, 9LHWQDP�DQG�0\DQPDU�a�.\RLFKL�7DQDGD��SUHVLGHQW�RI�7R\RWD�0RWRU·V�7KDL�VXEVLGLDU\� quoted by Reuters
This is a good time for buyers to discover new destinations, especially those in the provinces bordering the Greater 0HNRQJ�6XEUHJLRQ�FRXQWULHV�RI�&DPERGLD��/DR�3'5��DQG�0\DQPDU�����Travel trade buyers see the evolving political situation as a temporary phenomena. There is tremendous sympathy and VXSSRUW�IRU�WKH�RUGLQDU\�7KDL�SHRSOH��HVSHFLDOO\�WKH�PDQ\�UDQN�DQG�ÀOH�SHRSOH�ZKR�ZRUN�LQ�LW��,�ZDV�YHU\�HQFRXUDJHG�E\�the feedback from everyone that once everything returns to normal, Thailand will back in full strength.~ Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thawatchai Arunyik, addressing ASEAN Tourism Forum LQ�.XFKLQJ��6DUDZDN��0DOD\VLD��RQ�-DQXDU\���
Thailand proves that south-east Asia is a region to watch. Decades of prosperity have created the conditions for political transformation – for better and for worse.a�6WUDWIRU�JHRSROLWLFDO�DQDO\VW�5REHUW�.DSODQ� reprinted in realclearworld.com
,W·V�YHU\�GLIÀFXOW�EHFDXVH�HDFK�VLGH�VHHPV�OLNH�they cannot pull back even one step.a�9LFKDWH�7DQWLZDQLFK��VHQLRU�YLFH�SUHVLGHQW�RI�EHHU�PDNHU�7KDL�%HYHUDJH�3&/� in AP report
On February 2, we will completely shut down Bangkok. Roads will be turned into pedestrian walkways and people will not have to go to vote.
~ Anti-government protest leader Stump Thaugsuban campaigning for election boycott, reported in The Nation newspaper
Thailand is a divided nation. This can be easily observed daily on the streets of Bangkok. The challenge is that the division is profound and will not easily be mended.
a�0RUWRQ�$EUDPRZLW]� ZULWLQJ�LQ�:DVKLQJWRQ·V�The National Interest
675$7(*<�32,1767KH�,QWHUQDWLRQDO�0RQHWDU\�)XQG�VD\V�JURZWK�ZLOO�EH�GULYHQ�E\�DGYDQFHG�HFRQRPLHV��DV�JOREDO�growth is expected to rise to 3.6% in 2014 from 2.9% in 2013
The U.S. economy is expected to get stronger in 2014, paced by strong performances from the manufacturing and construction sectors
5LFKDUG�%��+RH\��FKLHI�HFRQRPLVW�DW�%1<�0HOORQ��says, in a 1RYHPEHU������DUWLFOH, that the
acceleration in global
growth should be led by
the developed world as it
recovers from past economic
ZHDNQHVV��+RH\�QRWHV�WKDW�the four main causes for faster
growth should be: past and ongoing
PRQHWDU\�HDVLQJ��UHGXFHG�¿VFDO�GUDJ��moderation in the post-crisis de-
leveraging of the private sector, and
moderate energy prices, given the
expansion of new sources of energy,
particularly in the United States.
A key theme for 2014, he suggests, is that
aggressively easy monetary policy in most
developed countries is expected to support an
acceleration of global economic growth.
As advanced economies recover, they ZLOO�SXOO�WKH�HPHUJLQJ�PDUNHWV��1DULPDQ�%HKUDYHVK��FKLHI�HFRQRPLVW�DW�JOREDO�PDUNHW�DQG�economic information provider ,+6, says, in a video
+RZHYHU��%HKUDYHVK�QRWHV�XQHPSOR\PHQW�LQ�WKH�developed world, such as the United States and
Europe, will remain high mostly because growth
ZLOO�EH�³IDLUO\�VOXJJLVK�´�7KH�JRRG�QHZV��he says, is that commodity prices will
UHPDLQ�ÀDW�LQ������DV�WKH\�KDYH�EHHQ�in the past year, which will reduce
LQÀDWLRQDU\�SUHVVXUHV�ZRUOGZLGH��0RUHRYHU��WKH�8�6�GROODU�will strengthen against most
currencies because U.S. growth
will be stronger than the growth
that will be experienced in Europe
and Japan.
0HDQZKLOH��*'3�JURZWK�LQ�HPHUJLQJ�and developing economies as a whole
LV�SURMHFWHG�WR�GURS�WR������LQ�������according to the &RQIHUHQFH�%RDUG’s
*OREDO�(FRQRPLF�2XWORRN�����, released
LQ�1RYHPEHU�ODVW�\HDU��&KLQD¶V�JURZWK�ZLOO�FRQWLQXH�WR�VORZ��LW�VD\V��IURP������LQ������WR����WKLV�\HDU��³DV�VWUXFWXUDO�DQG�SROLF\�challenges continue to weigh on China’s
6WURQJHU�JURZWK�IRU�WKH�8�6��HFRQRP\�LV�H[SHFWHG��The U.S. economy is poised for
stronger growth in 2014, particularly with solid
growth in manufacturing and construction
VSHQGLQJ�DW�WKH�HQG�RI�������DFFRUGLQJ�WR�D
-DQ����$VVRFLDWHG�3UHVV�UHSRUW. Factory activity
in December, the report notes, stayed near a
2½-year high.
“Americans are buying more cars and homes,
increasing demand for steel, furniture and
RWKHU�PDQXIDFWXUHG�JRRGV�´�LW�VD\V��DGGLQJ�WKDW��³0DQXIDFWXUHUV�KDYH�ERRVWHG�KLULQJ�WR�meet that demand and may add jobs at a
KHDOWKLHU�SDFH�WKLV�\HDU�´���
Academic economists and former policy makers
believe U.S. economic growth will accelerate in
2014, according to a Jan. 4 piece�LQ�%ORRPEHUJ��+DUYDUG�SURIHVVRU�0DUWLQ�)HOGVWHLQ�VD\V�WKDW�with appropriate policies, there is no reason for
pessimism about the future of the U.S. economy.
,Q�WKH�UHSRUW��-3�0RUJDQ�&KDVH��&R��SUHGLFWV�WKH�HFRQRP\�ZLOO�H[SDQG������IURP�LWV�HDUOLHU�HVWLPDWH�RI������DQG�IDVWHU�WKDQ�WKH������LW�FDOFXODWHV�IRU�������)RUPHU�,0)�FKLHI�HFRQRPLVW�.HQQHWK�5RJR �also notes in the report that the U.S. is faring
better than most other industrial nations in getting
back to its pre-crisis output per capita.
Euro zone will barely reach potential JURZWK��The euro zone, however, is not out of the
ZRRGV�\HW��(FRQRPLVW�1RXULHO�5RXELQL�EHOLHYHV�that the global growth will pick up modestly in
2014 for advanced and emerging economies. In his
'HF�����SLHFH�LQ�3URMHFW�6\QGLFDWH��5RXELQL�SUHGLFWV�that most advanced economies, including the euro
Emerging markets will capture just over half of world GDP by 2025
DIStrIButIoN of WorlD GDP IN 2000, 2012, aND 2025
US
Europe
Other mature
China
India
Latin America
Other emerging
Global Economic Outlook 2014, The Conference Board
2000 2012
2025
Emerging markets constituted almost half of world Gross 'RPHVWLF�3URGXFW�LQ������from about one-third in 2000, as shown in the following FKDUW��IURP�WKH�&RQIHUHQFH�%RDUG·V�*OREDO�(FRQRPLF�Outlook 2014 report. The shift is expected to continue in the next decade, albeit at a much slower pace. By 2025, it notes, emerging markets will capture just over half of world *'3��ZLWK�&KLQD�EHFRPLQJ�WKH�largest economy in the world. (XURSH·V�FRQWULEXWLRQ�WR�ZRUOG�*'3�LV�H[SHFWHG�WR�FRPSULVH�18% in 2025, down from 26% LQ�������&KLQD·V�VKDUH��RQ�the other hand, will comprise ����IURP�D�PHUH����LQ�������DV�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV·�VKDUH�LV�tipped to decline to 18% from 23% in 2000.
+H�QRWHV��³,QGHHG��WKHUH�LV�D�ORRPLQJ�ULVN�RI�secular stagnation in many advanced economies,
RZLQJ�WR�WKH�DGYHUVH�HHFW�RQ�SURGXFWLYLW\�JURZWK�of years of underinvestment in human and physical
capital. And the structural reforms that these
economies need to boost their potential growth will
EH�LPSOHPHQWHG�WRR�VORZO\�´�
In a December piece posted on the Council of Foreign
Relations site, international economics expert Robert
.DKQ�VD\V�HXUR�DUHD�JURZWK�LV�RQ�WUDFN�WR�UHDFK����in 2014 after two years of decline. Still, the problem
with this forecast, he notes, is that growth at this level
LV�LQVXFLHQW�WR�UHGXFH�KLJK�OHYHOV�RI�XQHPSOR\PHQW��A critical threat to Europe’s future is that youth
growth outlook that will restrain exports, excessively
tight macroeconomic policies, and an incomplete
framework for monetary union provide powerful
KHDGZLQGV�WR�UHFRYHU\�´�.DKQ�VD\V���
7KH�FKDOOHQJH��.DKQ�UHLWHUDWHV��LV�WR�UHVWRUH�JURZWK�EHIRUH�WKH�PDUNHWV�ORVH�FRQ¿GHQFH�LQ�WKH�UHIRUP�process. European leaders, he adds, will have to make
a better case for economic and political union or risk
another crisis in 2014.
2QH�PDMRU�XQFHUWDLQW\��&KLQD��1HYHUWKHOHVV��if there is one major uncertainty about the future of
the global economy, it’s China, according to investor
and philanthropist *HRUJH�6RURV in a Jan. 2 article
LQ�3URMHFW�6\QGLFDWH��+H�HYHQ�QRWHV�WKDW�WKHUH�DUH�³HHULH�UHVHPEODQFHV´�ZLWK�WKH�SUHYDLOLQJ�¿QDQFLDO�conditions in the U.S. before the crash of 2008.
³7KH�JURZWK�PRGHO�UHVSRQVLEOH�IRU�LWV�UDSLG�ULVH�´�KH�VD\V��³KDV�UXQ�RXW�RI�VWHDP�´�6RURV�SRLQWV�RXW�WKDW�WKH�model relied on repression of the household sector in
order to drive the growth of exports and investments.
%HFDXVH�RI�WKLV��KH�VD\V��WKH�KRXVHKROG�VHFWRU�KDV�VKUXQN�WR�����RI�*'3�DQG�LWV�IRUFHG�VDYLQJV�DUH�QR�ORQJHU�VXFLHQW�WR�¿QDQFH�WKH�FXUUHQW�JURZWK�PRGHO��leading to an exponential rise in the use of various
Emerging markets with fewer ZHDNQHVVHV�ZLOO�GR�EHWWHU� As for
the emerging economies, Roubini notes that
emerging markets with fewer macroeconomic,
SROLF\��DQG�¿QDQFLDO�ZHDNQHVVHV�ZLOO�SHUIRUP�EHWWHU�WKLV�\HDU��7KLV�LQFOXGHV�6RXWK�.RUHD��WKH�3KLOLSSLQHV��0DOD\VLD��DQG�RWKHU�$VLDQ�LQGXVWULDO�H[SRUWHUV��3RODQG�DQG�Czech Republic in Europe; Chile,
3HUX��&RORPELD��DQG�0H[LFR�LQ�/DWLQ�$PHULFD��.HQ\D�and Rwanda in Africa; and
WKH�*XOI�RLO�H[SRUWLQJ�economies.
Roubini suggests emerging
economies will grow faster
LQ������DW�QHDUO\����\HDU�on year. This is because
In a Financial Times blog post (registration required),
)7¶V�HPHUJLQJ�PDUNHWV�HGLWRU�-DPHV�.\QJH�VD\V�WKHUH�LV�³QR�GRXEW´�WKDW�D�UH�EDODQFLQJ�DZD\�IURP�D�³KDELWXDO�RYHU�UHOLDQFH�RQ�LQYHVWPHQW´�DQG�WRZDUG�GRPHVWLF�consumption, is underway.
$FFRUGLQJ�WR�.\QJH��WKH�WHUWLDU\�VHFWRU��UHWDLO�VDOHV��UHDO�estate, and other services) eclipsed the secondary sector
(including industry and construction businesses) in both
JURZWK�UDWH�DQG�DEVROXWH�VL]H�LQ�������IRU�WKH�¿UVW�WLPH�HYHU��ULGLQJ�DQ������JURZWK�UDWH�WR�DFFRXQW�IRU�����RI�the economy, which outperformed the secondary sector’s
�����JURZWK�DQG�����VKDUH�RI�WKH�HFRQRP\�
+H�DOVR�QRWHV�WKDW�WKH������XUEDQ�GLVSRVDEOH�LQFRPH�JURZWK�UDWH�LV�ORZHU�WKDQ�����¶V������JURZWK�UDWH��EXW�balances that with “clear indication that spending power
at the lower end of the income pyramid is turning more
Another blog post, this one by Carlos Tejada in the Wall Street Journal’s China in Real Time Report,
wonders, however, how much China’s consumers
actually contributed to the country’s economic growth in
������EDVHG�RQ�WKH�FRQFHUQ�RI�/RXLV�.XLMV��DQ�HFRQRPLVW�IURP�WKH�5R\DO�%DQN�RI�6FRWODQG�*URXS��%DVHG�RQ�D�review of quarterly national accounts and household
VXUYH\�GDWD��LQ�WKH�DEVHQFH�RI�RFLDO�GDWD��.XLMV�SUHGLFWV�that the share of household consumption in gross
GRPHVWLF�SURGXFW�PLJKW�KDYH�IDOOHQ�LQ������±�IURP�����LQ������DQG�������LQ������±�EHFDXVH�WKH�ÀRRG�RI�FUHGLW�LQ������ZKHQ�JURZWK�VORZHG�ZHQW�WR�ELJ�VWDWH�OHG�SURMHFWV��which boosted the share of investment.
For all the cautious optimism of some over the Chinese
government’s good intentions, however, others warn of
the dangers of its postponing the inevitable by continuing
its stimulus spending.
A Quartz dispatch E\�*Z\QQ�*XLOIRUG�DWWULEXWHV�WKH������JURZWK�UDWH�WR�D�KXJH�VXUJH�LQ�JRYHUQPHQW�OHQGLQJ�in the second half of the year, and warns that the
government might have to continue spending and
keep credit growth booming in order to maintain the
current pace of economic growth. The consequences
of that could be more government investment in
infrastructure and businesses taking on more debt (the
FRXQWU\�DOUHDG\�VHWV�DVLGH�����RI�*'3�IRU�LQWHUHVW�RQ�existing debts, we’re reminded), all of which will lead to
much lower growth in the future.
The sooner the government recognizes the necessity of
fundamental reforms and consequent lower growth in the
675$7(*<�32,176&KLQD·V�����������HFRQRPLF�JURZWK�UDWH�ZDV�MXVW�DERYH�WKH�JRYHUQPHQW·V�WDUJHW�RI�������but it was achieved by loosening credit, not stronger-than-expected economic performance
While some see a long-awaited re-balancing away from investment and toward domestic consumption, others are not so sure this is happening fast enough
7KH�QDWLRQDO�JRYHUQPHQW·V�DWWHPSWV�WR�FXUE�LQIUDVWUXFWXUH�LQYHVWPHQW�FRXOG�EH�XQGHUPLQHG�by local governments trying to jack up local growh rates
economic growth is masking troubling regional trends,
with imbalances due to over-investment and income
disparities actually worsening. According to the report,
“Although the central government hopes to shake the
dependence on investment, local governments are
scrambling to build new housing developments to jack
XS�WKHLU�JURZWK�UDWHV�´�
7KH�UHSRUW�FLWHV�D�FRQVWUXFWLRQ�ERRP�LQ�*XL\DQJ�FLW\��LQ�*XL]KRX�SURYLQFH��RQH�RI�WKH�FRXQWU\¶V�SRRUHVW�UHJLRQV��1HZ�FRQGRPLQLXP�DQG�VN\VFUDSHU�developments there will result in homes that can
accommodate 5 million people, which would exceed
*XL\DQJ¶V�SRSXODWLRQ�RI���PLOOLRQ��7KH�FXUUHQW�occupancy rate, according to a local worker quoted in
WKH�UHSRUW��LV�DERXW��������
0HDQZKLOH��FRQFHUQV�RYHU�&KLQD¶V�GLVDSSRLQWLQJ�PDQXIDFWXULQJ�GDWD�ZHUH�UHÀHFWHG�LQ�VWRFN�PDUNHWV�LQ�both 1HZ�<RUN�and Japan, as documented in separate
Another agriculture-related issue was “WDUL�TXRWD�administration�³�L�H���KRZ�D�VSHFL¿F�W\SH�RI�LPSRUW�quota is to be handled, as in re-allocated among other
traders, when the quota is persistently
XQGHU�¿OOHG��$FFRUGLQJ�WR�WKH�:72��PHPEHUV�agreed on a combination of consultation and providing
information in these instances, with six countries
reserving the right to opt out
of the system after six years.
Other agreements held over
IURP�WKH�:72¶V�*HQHYD�summit in 2009 included
strong political statements
pledging to keep low
export subsidies and
other measures with
VLPLODU�HHFW, and to
improve market access
for cotton products from
least developed countries
and provide development
assistance for production in
those countries.
%XW�WKH�VLQJXODU�DFKLHYHPHQW�of a unanimous accord
among 159 members
notwithstanding, some
analysts think the major
actual accomplishment of the
accord was in buying time
for a broader agreement WR�EH�QHJRWLDWHG�DQG�UDWL¿HG��DV�UHSRUWHG�RQ�WKH�%ORRPEHUJ�1HZV�VLWH��
DGYLVHU��³7KH�%DOL�SDFNDJH�LV�KDUGO\�JRLQJ�WR�PDNH�D�GLHUHQFH�IRU�SRRU�FRXQWULHV��EXW�DW�OHDVW�LW�NHHSV�WKH�negotiations on food security alive ... negotiators now
KDYH�WR�¿QG�D�ORQJ�WHUP�VROXWLRQ�WR�FKDQJH�WKH�ULJJHG�rules that stand in the way of developing countries’
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As posted on the Oxfam site��%HQLFFKLR�DOVR�characterized the trade facilitation agreement as
³QR�JDPH�FKDQJHU�IRU�WKH�SRRU´�H[SODLQLQJ�WKDW�“(I)ts gains have been grossly
overestimated, while the
costs of implementation for
poorer countries were
FRPSOHWHO\�LJQRUHG�´
And his reaction to the
statements pledging to
help least-developed
countries was particularly
SRLQWHG��³7KH�/'&�VSHFL¿F�decisions are unlikely to
PDNH�DQ�HFRQRPLF�GLHUHQFH�for poor countries. It is all
best endeavor language,
which is the trade negotiators
HTXLYDOHQW�RI�FURVVLQJ�¿QJHUV�EHKLQG�\RXU�EDFN�´�
+DYLQJ�VDLG�DOO�WKDW��WKH�world isn’t holding its
breath waiting for a
comprehensive trade
agreement to emerge from
the WTO, what with major
regional trade pacts being negotiated between the
United States and Europe (Trans-Atlantic Trade and
analysis RI�KRZ�DOO�WKHVH�GHYHORSPHQWV�PLJKW�¿W�LQ�D�ZRUOG�ZKHUH�GLHUHQW�UHJLRQDO�JURXSV�SXUVXH�WUDGH�liberalization at their own pace.
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all best endeavor ODQJXDJH��ZKLFK�
is the trade negotiators
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The World Trade Organization
(WTO��ZUDSSHG�XS�LWV�%DOL��Indonesia meeting on
Dec. 7 with its 159 member-nations agreeing to
a unanimous trade-liberalization accord��LWV�¿UVW�multilateral agreement in its 18-year history, as
UHSRUWHG�LQ�%ORRPEHUJ�%XVLQHVVZHHN�
The %DOL�3DFNDJH, as the WTO refers to the
accord, is highlighted by agreements on trade
facilitation that promise to cut red tape and speed
up port clearances, as well as issues related to
trade facilitation, and food security in developing
countries and cotton and a number of other
provisions for least developed countries.
The trade-facilitation decision involves speeding
up customs procedures to promote clarity,
HFLHQF\�DQG�WUDQVSDUHQF\��DV�ZHOO�DV�SURYLGLQJ�assistance to developing and least-developed
countries in updating their infrastructure
DQG�WUDLQLQJ�WKHLU�FXVWRPV�RFLDOV��7KH�:72�estimates that between $400 billion to $1 trillion
will be added to the world economy by reducing
WUDGH�FRVWV�E\�����WR������
The agreement on food security, as the WTO
put it, focused largely on shielding public
food-stockholding programs in developing
countries from legal challenges. As reported
LQ�%ORRPEHUJ�%XVLQHVVZHHN��WKH�DJUHHPHQW�boiled down to a compromise between the
United States and India, where India and other
developing countries would not have to classify
public spending on food-security stockpiles as
agricultural subsidies, as long as crop surpluses
GR�QRW�¿QG�WKHLU�ZD\�WR�ZRUOG�PDUNHWV�DQG�thereby distort world trade. The WTO regards
this as an interim solution, and has set up a
program for producing a permanent solution in
four years.
STRATEGY POINTS7KH�:RUOG�7UDGH�2UJDQL]DWLRQ�KDV�FRPH�XS�ZLWK�LWV�ÀUVW�HYHU�PXOWLODWHUDO�agreement, but a closer review reveals WKDW�JOREDO�WUDGH�OLEHUDOL]DWLRQ�LV�VWLOO�YHU\�much a work in progress
Interim agreements and continuing pledges aside, the major accomplishment of the accord might have been in buying time for a broader agreement to be negotiated without scuttling progress already achieved
$�SURPLQHQW�KXPDQLWDULDQ�RUJDQL]DWLRQ�says the accord is “no game changer for the poor”
4XRWLQJ�D�'HSDUWPHQW�RI�)RUHLJQ�$DLUV�VWDWHPHQW��3KLOLSSLQH�QHZV�UHSRUWV�SRUWUD\HG�WKH�PHHWLQJ�DV�HFKRLQJ�0DQLOD¶V�VWDQFH�YLV�D�YLV�%HLMLQJ��³$6($1�DLUV�FRQFHUQ�RYHU�QHZ�&KLQD�VHD�ODZ�´�headlined top daily The Philippine Star,
7KDW�PHDQV�UHDUPLQJ�WKH�EORF¶V�GHFDGHV�ROG�SROLF\�of being friends with the big powers in the region. “In
LWV�QHDUO\�¿YH�GHFDGH�KLVWRU\��$6($1�KDV�H[FHOOHG�LQ�FRSLQJ�ZLWK�WKH�86�&KLQD�FRQIURQWDWLRQ�´�UHFRXQWV�.DYL�&KRQJNLWWDYRUQ�RI�Thailand’s The Nation daily.
*RRG�WKLQJ��EHFDXVH�WKHUH�ZLOO�EH�D�QHHG�IRU�PRUH�RI�the same this year and beyond.
0\DQPDU�ZLOO�KDYH�to play honest
broker, making sure
to take no sides
in disputes with
China, if the latter
is to be nudged
toward productive
COC talks.
'ULYH�\RXU�ORFDO�EDULVWD�FUD]\� From the artists at 3RS�&KDUW�/DE comes “The &RPSHQGLRXV�&RIIHH�&KDUW,” which offers a one-stop guide to just about every cup of coffee you might imagine, and what it takes to make LW��IURP�WKH�W\SH�RI�JULQG�\RX·OO�QHHG��IURP�ÀQH�to extra course) and the production method (steeping, pouring, steeping in a vacuum, to pressure-cooking in a vacuum) to the DGGLWLRQDO�LQJUHGLHQWV�DQG�WKH�ÀQDO�SURGXFW��:H·UH�SDUWLDO�WR�PHGLXP�JURXQG�UXQ�WKURXJK�a French press, and topped off with a splash of milk and a dash of sugar, but of course, your tastes might differ. The actual 24“x 18” print will cost $28, and comes with a selection RI�ÀQLVKLQJ�RSWLRQV�LI�\RX�ZDQW�something for hanging on your wall, but if you just want to brush up on your coffee choices from WLPH�WR�WLPH��LW·OO�MXVW�FRVW�\RXU�LQWHUQHW�connection to look.
STRATEGY POINTS,Q�D�%%&�UHSRUW��VHYHUDO�/LQNHG,Q�,QÁXHQFHUV�VKDUHG�WKHLU�WKRXJKWV�RQ�abandoning fear of making a mistake and taking a chance at bending the rules at work
Doing things that go against conventional wisdom can translate into gains in business
In a Jan. 10 article SRVWHG�RQ�WKH�%%&¶V�VLWH��VHYHUDO�/LQNHG,Q�,QÀXHQFHUV�shared their thoughts on what it
means to abandon the fear of making
a mistake and how taking a chance by bending the
rules can bring about fresh, new rules. Launched
LQ�������WKH�/LQNHG,Q�,QÀXHQFHU�SURJUDP�DOORZV�/LQNHG,Q�XVHUV�WR�IROORZ�NH\�¿JXUHV�IURP�D�YDULHW\�RI�sectors and read their blog posts across the network,
according to an October 2012 report in TechCrunch.
)RU�LQVWDQFH��*DU\�9D\QHUFKXN��FKLHI�H[HFXWLYHand co-founder of 9D\QHU�0HGLD, shares, “There is
more value in my continuing to test and be smart
than there would be if I were crippled by the fear of
GRLQJ�WKH�ZURQJ�WKLQJ�´�9D\QHU�VD\V�LQ�KLV�-DQ����post��+H�SRLQWV�RXW�WKDW�KH�FDQ�DOZD\V�DSRORJL]H�if he feels he did something wrong.
6RPHWLPHV��³VWUDWHJLF�VORSSLQHVV´�FDQ�ZRUN�ZKHQ�you are trying to impress someone, rather than
going for the time-tested rules of communication,
FRXUWHV\��DQG�SURIHVVLRQDOLVP��.HYLQ�5RRVH��ZULWHU�for New York Magazine, in a Jan. 8 post, cites the
casual response of Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel
WR�DQ�H�PDLO�VHQW�WR�KLP�E\�)DFHERRN�&(2�0DUN�=XFNHUEHUJ��,Q�D�VKRUW�PHVVDJH�VHQW�WR�6SLHJHO¶V�SHUVRQDO�H�PDLO��=XFNHUEHUJ�SUDLVHG�WKH�FRPSDQ\��FDOOHG�KLPVHOI�³D�ELJ�IDQ�´�DQG�VDLG�KH�ZRXOG�OLNH�WR�meet with him in the Facebook headquarters.
0RVW�H[SHULHQFHG�SURIHVVLRQDOV�ZRXOG�SUREDEO\�DGYLVH�Spiegel, Roose writes, to calm down, reply with a
courteous e-mail, praise him in return, and arrange to
PHHW�=XFNHUEHUJ�DW�KLV�HDUOLHVW�FRQYHQLHQFH��,QVWHDG��Spiegel, whose photo-disappearing app was not yet a
“Thanks :) would be happy to meet—I’ll let you know when I make it
up to the Bay Area”
Doing the wrong things at work can lead to success
³%\�RQH�XSSLQJ�=XFNHUEHUJ¶V�EUHH]\��LQIRUPDO�style in his reply, Spiegel positioned himself
DV�WKH�&(2¶V�HTXDO�´�5RRVH�VD\V��³$QG�,¶G�EHW�that Facebook’s subsequent pursuit of Snapchat –
WKH�VRFLDO�QHWZRUN�RHUHG����ELOOLRQ�IRU�WKH�DSS�ODVW�\HDU��DQ�RHU�6QDSFKDW�UHIXVHG�±�LV�partially related to the fact that Spiegel played
hard to get, and dialed down his enthusiasm
IURP�WKH�VWDUW�´�KH�FRQWLQXHV�
In a January article in Inc., Steve Cody, co-
founder and managing partner of marketing
¿UP�3HSSHUFRPP, cites his experience when his
company was starting out. Instead of viewing big
competitors as enemies, he says, view them as
VRXUFH�RI�EXVLQHVV��%HFDXVH�&RG\�NQHZ�KLV�¿UP�was not a threat to the giants in the industry, he
decided to invite the CEOs of those big companies
for a drink and ask them to send him any prospect
that was “either too small for them or that they
SHUFHLYHG�WR�EH�D�FRQÀLFW�´�,Q�UHVSRQVH��&RG\�relates, “Several large competitors did just that
and ended up sending me hundreds of thousands
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In business, doing the wrong things, whether
intentional or accidental, has the potential to turn
into gains. We’ve seen leaders thrive by being
unorthodox, such as the late Apple founder Steve
-REV�DQG�WKH�9LUJLQ�*URXS¶V�5LFKDUG�%UDQVRQ. In
an October 2012 feature in Entrepreneur about
%UDQVRQ¶V�XQFRQYHQWLRQDO�EXVLQHVV�DSSURDFK��KLV�KDQGV�R�PDQDJHPHQW�VW\OH�PHDQV�DOORZLQJ�SHRSOH�WR�PDNH�PLVWDNHV��+H�ORRNV�IRU�DQ�DUHD�RI�OLIH�WKDW�QHHGV�WR�EH�LPSURYHG�DQG�WKHQ�¿QGV�³EULOOLDQW´�SHRSOH�WR�UXQ�LW��³�*�LYH�WKHP�D�ORW�RI�freedom to make mistakes and don’t second-guess
675$7(*<�32,1768�6��EDVHG�+HUVKH\�&R��HQWHUV�LQWR�DQ�agreement to buy Shanghai Golden 0RQNH\�IRU������PLOOLRQ��%ORRPEHUJ�Businessweek reports
The move comes as foreign companies compete to develop products catering to WKH�WDVWHV�RI�WKH�&KLQHVH�PDUNHW�
Any foreign company looking to invest in &KLQD�PXVW�OHDUQ�WR�UHDG�WKH�PDUNHW�ZHOO�and adapt quickly or risk failure
POINT & CLICK
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graphics, and words in blue
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United States candy maker�+HUVKH\�&R� has
agreed to buy 6KDQJKDL�*ROGHQ�0RQNH\�)RRG�*URXS�&R��/WG� in its bid to expand its presence
LQ�WKH�&KLQD�PDUNHW��UHSRUWV�%ORRPEHUJ�%XVLQHVVZHHN�LQ�D�Dec. 19 story. The purchase, the
report says, has an enterprise value of $584 million,
with the company’s Dutch unit paying $498 million
LQ�FDVK�DQG�DVVXPLQJ�����PLOOLRQ�LQ�GHEW��7KH�GHDO�will give the maker of +HUVKH\¶V�.LVVHV�and Reese’s
assortment�RI�FKRFRODWH�SHDQXW�EXWWHU�FDQGLHV�����RI�6KDQJKDL�*ROGHQ�0RQNH\¶V�VWRFN�LQ�DQ�LQLWLDO�VWDJH�to be completed in mid-2014, and the remainder will
be purchased by the Dutch subsidiary in 2015.
The move makes sense, given China’s fast-growing
FRQVXPHU�PDUNHW��0RUHRYHU��WKH�FRXQWU\¶V�FKRFRODWH�market is largely untapped, according to a Dec. 17
Quartz article�RQ�WKH�FXUUHQW�JOREDO�FKRFRODWH�GH¿FLW��,W�QRWHV�WKDW�ZKLOH�WKH�$VLD�3DFL¿F�UHJLRQ�KRXVHV�more than half of the world’s population, it accounts
IRU�EDUHO\�����RI�JOREDO�FKRFRODWH�FRQVXPSWLRQ��Still, in 2010, China became the second-biggest
confectionery market in Asia with $9.5 billion in
sales, according to a 2012 report from Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada. Data from Euromonitor 2011
cited in the report reveals total confectionery sales
JUHZ�IURP������ELOOLRQ�LQ�������)XUWKHU��FKRFRODWH�is expected to be the fastest-growing confectionery
VHFWRU�LQ�&KLQD�WKURXJK��������
A -XQH������.30*�UHSRUW suggests that while the
global market for chocolate is still dominated by
:HVWHUQ�(XURSH�DQG�1RUWK�$PHULFD��HPHUJLQJ�PDUNHWV�³FOHDUO\�UHSUHVHQW�WKH�IXWXUH�´�7KH�%5,&�HFRQRPLHV�±�%UD]LO��5XVVLD��,QGLD��DQG�&KLQD�±�DFFRXQWHG�IRU�����RI�JOREDO�FRQIHFWLRQHU\�UHWDLO�growth in 2011, according to the report.
“Other emerging economies with youthful
populations and an acquisitive middle class are
likely to develop a taste for chocolate and, as
their disposable incomes grow, they will represent
LPSRUWDQW�WDUJHW�PDUNHWV�´�LW�QRWHV��
According to a�'HF�����%%&�UHSRUW��+HUVKH\¶V�acquisition marks one of the company’s largest
SXUFKDVHV��0RUHRYHU��LW�FRPHV�DV�IRUHLJQ�FRPSDQLHV�compete to develop new products that cater to the
tastes of the Chinese market, the report points out.
³7KH�VWUHQJWK�RI�6*0¶V�FRQIHFWLRQHU\�SRUWIROLR�DQG�overall distribution capabilities, especially within the
traditional trade, is an opportunity for us to
OHYHUDJH�VFDOH�WR�PDNH�WKH�LFRQLF�EUDQGV�RI�+HUVKH\�DQG�6*0�HYHQ�PRUH�SRZHUIXO�´�+HUVKH\�SUHVLGHQW�DQG�FKLHI�H[HFXWLYH�-RKQ�%LOEUH\�LV�TXRWHG�DV�VD\LQJ�in the article.
Any foreign
company looking to
enter China must
learn to read the
local market well
and adapt quickly to
its unique needs and
characteristics or
risk failure.
A 6HSWHPEHU������piece in *OREDO3RVW looks at four of
the biggest U.S.
companies that
failed to conquer
China’s market.
)RU�LQVWDQFH��+RPH�Depot, Atlanta-
based provider of
power tools and
building materials,
entered China
thinking that the
GR�LW�\RXUVHOI��',<��
ethic would be just as popular as it was in the States.
6HYHUDO�IDFWRUV�OHG�WR�+RPH�'HSRW¶V�IDLOXUH��2QH�is that it came late to China, just when growth was
slowing down. Another is that it tried to bring the
$PHULFDQ�QRWLRQ�RI�',<�WR�D�PDUNHW�ZKHUH�ODERU�LV�VR�cheap, people tend to hire a handyman than do the
repairs themselves.
2QOLQH�DXFWLRQLQJ�VLWH�H%D\�HQWHUHG�WKH�&KLQHVH�market by buying a local company called Eachnet
and switching it to
WKH�H%D\�SODWIRUP�in 2004. Two years
later, they shut down
their portal, as local
competitor Taobao
went on to capture
����RI�WKH�ORFDO�market share, says
WKH�*OREDO3RVW�SLHFH��7KH�SUREOHP"�H%D\�failed to incorporate
a mechanism to
SURYLGH�³JXDQ[L�´�RU�social connections—an
important component
of local business
deals and government
contracts. Taobao,
on the other hand,
allowed prospective
buyers and sellers
to chat over instant
messaging, thereby
establishing personal
connections between
the parties.
China became the second-biggest confectionery market in asia with almost $9.5 billion in sales, according to a 2012 report from agriculture and agri-food Canada, citing data from Euromonitor, 2011
Consumer Trends: Confectionery in China, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, March 2012
TOBACCO’S BIGGERAND DEADLIERCLOUD OF SMOKEBLANKETS EARTH
675$7(*<�32,176A landmark report of the U.S. Surgeon General on the effects of smoking on health marked its 50th anniversary on January 11
&LJDUHWWH�VPRNLQJ�FRQWLQXHV�WR�EH�OLQNHG�to deadly diseases, such as lung, liver, and colorectal cancers
7KH�:RUOG�+HDOWK�2UJDQL]DWLRQ�VD\V�QHDUO\�six million people die every year because of the “tobacco epidemic,” and 80% of the ZRUOG·V�RQH�ELOOLRQ�VPRNHUV�OLYH�LQ�ORZ��DQG�middle-income countries
On January 11, a landmark
report of the United
6WDWHV�6XUJHRQ�*HQHUDO on
smoking and its detrimental
HHFWV�RQ�KHDOWK�PDUNHG�LWV���WK�DQQLYHUVDU\��$V�recounted in a Jan. 4 report in The Seattle Times,
RQ�-DQ������������8�6��6XUJHRQ�*HQHUDO�/XWKHU�Terry released an “emphatic and authoritative
report that said smoking causes illness and
death—and the government should do something
DERXW�LW�´�
In the decades that followed, warning labels were
placed on cigarette packs, cigarette commercials
were banned, and taxes were raised to keep people
from smoking. While the smoking rate in the
8�6��KDV�GURSSHG�WR������WKDW�SHUFHQWDJH�VWLOO�WUDQVODWHV�WR����PLOOLRQ�VPRNHUV��0RUHRYHU��VRPH�experts predict Americans will continue to light up
for decades to come.
A study published in January in the Journal of the American Medical Association��-$0$��VKRZV�WKDW�EHWZHHQ������������DQ�HVWLPDWHG�17.7 million deaths were related to smoking.
1HYHUWKHOHVV��WREDFFR�FRQWURO�ZDV�HVWLPDWHG�WR�
be associated with avoidance of 8 million premature
deaths and an extended mean lifespan of 19-20
\HDUV��WKH�VWXG\�¿QGV��
Fifty years after the U.S. surgeon-general linked
cigarette smoking to deadly diseases, his successors
continue to add to the list of health problems related
to tobacco use, according to a Jan. 17 report in The Washington Post. In a recently released report,
$FWLQJ�6XUJHRQ�*HQHUDO�%RULV�'��/XVKQLDN�IRXQG�smoking is a cause of liver cancer and colorectal
cancer. In addition, it was found that smoking is
a cause of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, age-related
macular degeneration, erectile dysfunction, and
rheumatoid arthritis. It can, likewise, impair the
immune system, worsen asthma, and cause cleft
lips and palates in fetuses. Exposure to secondhand
smoke, meanwhile, can cause strokes.
Smokers today, the report adds, have a much higher
risk of developing lung cancers than did smokers
LQ�WKH�����V��7KLV�LV�SUREDEO\�GXH�WR�WKH�FKDQJHV�in the design and composition of cigarettes over
WLPH��DFFRUGLQJ�WR�¿QGLQJV�LQ�WKH�QHZ�UHSRUW��2I�WKH�¿QGLQJV��/XVKQLDN�ZULWHV��³7KH�FRQFOXVLRQV�from these reports have evolved from a few causal
DVVRFLDWLRQV�LQ������WR�D�UREXVW�ERG\�RI�HYLGHQFH�documenting health consequences both from active
smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke across
D�UDQJH�RI�GLVHDVHV�DQG�RUJDQ�V\VWHPV�´�
According to a fact sheet�IURP�WKH�:RUOG�+HDOWK�Organization, the tobacco epidemic is the biggest
public-health threats, killing nearly six million
SHRSOH�\HDUO\��:KDW¶V�PRUH������RI�WKH�ZRUOG¶V�RQH�billion smokers live in low- and middle-income
countries. Further, consumption of tobacco products
is increasing globally, though it is decreasing in
some high-income and upper middle-income
FRXQWULHV��8QFKHFNHG��WKH�:+2�SRLQWV�RXW��WREDFFR�related deaths could increase to eight million per
\HDU�E\�������
In a graphic IURP�WKH�:+2��$VLD��$XVWUDOLD�DQG�the Far East are by far the largest consumers
(2,715 billion cigarettes), followed by the Americas
(745 billion), Eastern Europe and Former Soviet
(FRQRPLHV������ELOOLRQ��DQG�:HVWHUQ�(XURSH������ELOOLRQ���$V�IRU�WKH�WRS�¿YH�FRXQWULHV��&KLQD�OHDGV�ZLWK�������ELOOLRQ�FLJDUHWWHV��IROORZHG�E\�WKH�8�6��ZLWK�����ELOOLRQ��-DSDQ�����ELOOLRQ��5XVVLD�����billion, and Indonesia 215 billion.
Painkillers: U.S. FDAto Limit the Amount ofAcetaminophen inYour Prescription Pills
675$7(*<�32,176Acetaminophen, a popular ingredient in prescription and over-the-counter painkillers, has been linked to liver damage when taken in excessive amounts
7KH�8�6��)RRG�DQG�'UXJ�$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ�is moving to limit the acetaminophen content in prescription drugs to 325 mg per dose
7KH�DFWLRQ�DULVHV�EHFDXVH�RI�WKH�)'$·V�concern that acetaminophen is also available in over-the-counter remedies, and as such, can be taken in doses that exceed its recommended daily dose
A -DQ�����&11�GLVSDWFK
reports that the United
States’ Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is
preparing to start withdrawing
its approval of combination
prescription painkillers
that contain more than its
UHFRPPHQGHG�����PJ�RI�acetaminophen per dose.
$FFRUGLQJ�WR�WKH�&11�UHSRUW��the FDA says that there is no
GDWD�VKRZLQJ�WKDW�EHQH¿WV�IURP�taking more than that amount
outweighs the risk of liver
damage from taking too much
acetaminophen. The FDA’s
maximum recommended daily
dose of acetaminophen is
4,000 milligrams.
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(both prescription and
over-the-counter) contain
acetaminophen, making it easy
WR�DFFLGHQWDOO\�WDNH�WRR�PXFK�´�WKH�&11�UHSRUW�TXRWHG�WKH�FDA as saying in a statement.
7KH�&11�UHSRUW�TXDOL¿HV�WKDW�the FDA warning covers only
A Jan. 9 ScienceDaily dispatch reports that a recent study has FRQQHFWHG�SK\VLFDO�ÀWQHVV�LQ�young men to a reduced risk of heart attack later in life. The study by researchers from 6ZHGHQ·V�Umea University, ZKR�DQDO\]HG�GDWD�IURP�RYHU���������6ZHGLVK�PHQ�ZKR�underwent medical examination at the age of 18 as part of their conscription into national service from 1969 to 1984, found that PHQ�ZKR�ZHUH�SK\VLFDOO\�ÀW�DW�18 had a 35% lower risk of premature heart attack.
The study, which was published in the European Heart Journal, also found that men who were ÀW�EXW�RWKHUZLVH�RYHUZHLJKW�RU�obese in their teens had a higher
risk of heart attack than that of PHQ�ZKR�ZHUH�XQÀW�EXW�OHDQ��7KH�study involved monitoring the men for an average of 34 years, until they suffered a heart attack or died, or until Jan. 1, 2011, ZKLFKHYHU�FDPH�ÀUVW��
´:KLOH�EHLQJ�SK\VLFDOO\�ÀW�DW�WKH�end of your teens can reduce WKH�ULVN�RI�KHDUW�DWWDFN��ÀWQHVV�alone does not appear to fully compensate for the risks with being overweight or obese. In other words, having a normal weight is more important than being in good physical shape, EXW�LW�LV�HYHQ�EHWWHU�WR�EH�ERWK�ÀW�and have a normal weight,” one of the lead researchers, Peter Nordström, was quoted as saying in the dispatch.
At the same time, however, Nordstrom acknowledged that while the study established D�FRUUHODWLRQ�EHWZHHQ�ÀWQHVV�and reduced heart-attack risk, LW�FRXOGQ·W�HVWDEOLVK�ZKHWKHU�D�KLJKHU�OHYHO�RI�SK\VLFDO�ÀWQHVV�might reduce heart-attack risk correspondingly, explaining that WKH�UHODWLRQVKLS�EHWZHHQ�ÀWQHVV�and heart disease was complex.
Nonetheless, according to him, “As far as we know, this is the ÀUVW�UHDO�PDMRU�VWXG\�WKDW�H[SORUHV�the relationship between physical ÀWQHVV�LQ�WHHQDJHUV�DQG�WKH�ULVNof heart attack later in life …these results and these types of study are important for the planning of preventative public health programs.”
If nothing else, the beginning of the year, for fairly obvious reasons, is a time when we believe anything is possible. 6R�LW·V�WKH�EHVW�WLPH�QRW�MXVW�IRU�1HZ�<HDU·V�UHVROXWLRQV��ZKHWKHU�RU�QRW�WKH\·UH�DFWXDOO\�NHSW��EXW�for bold predictions about the year ahead, whether or not they actually come to pass.
,W·V�LQ�WKLV�FRQWH[W�WKDW�ZH�YLHZ�the 'HF�����&RPSXWHUZRUOG�dispatch regarding the bio-printing company Organovo·V�expectation that it will come XS�ZLWK�WKH�ZRUOG·V�ÀUVW�SULQWHG�organ – a human liver – in 2014, based on its advances in printing out liver tissue and maintaining its viability.
Video from taiwanese animation site tomoNews uS explains the liver-tissue printing process utilized by bio-printing
Another reason to encourage
healthy habit s in your children
�1:;<����8:16<-,�7:/)6�16�����? 7KH�GLVSDWFK�TXDOLÀHV�WKDW�VDLG�promised organ will be “for research use only and will be used in the laboratory for medical studies and drug research,” and that future implantable organs still have to undergo rigorous government review before being approved for clinical purposes. Nonetheless, it says that a bio-printed liver would be “a watershed moment for the bio-printing industry and medicine because LW�SURYHV��'�SULQWHG�tissue can be kept alive long enough to test the effects of drugs on it or implant it in a human body where it can further develop.”
According to the dispatch, even if
bio-printed organs for transplants might still be off by a decade or more, the creation of human organ tissue still holds the prospect IRU�UHYROXWLRQL]LQJ�PHGLFLQH��LI�only because this would allow pharmaceutical companies to test drugs on human organs with better accuracy than they might get using animal organs.
According to the report, the development comes
on the heels of a 2011 FDA request that
manufacturers limit the amount of
acetaminophen in prescription drugs by
January 2014, with which more than half of the
PDQXIDFWXUHUV�FRPSOLHG��1RQHWKHOHVV��VRPH�prescription drugs with higher doses remain on
the market.
7KH�UHSRUW�TXRWHV�WKH�8�6��1DWLRQDO�,QVWLWXWHV�RI�+HDOWK¶V�0HGOLQH�3OXV¶�primer on acetaminophen
overdose in reporting that “Acetaminophen
overdose is one of the most common poisonings
ZRUOGZLGH�´�7KH�SULPHU�DOVR�FRQWDLQV�LQIRUPDWLRQ�on possible symptoms and treatment of
acetaminophen overdose, which can lead to liver
failure and death in a few days if left untreated.
A September dispatch from news-aggregation
site 1HZVHU reported that in the decade from
2001-2010, over 150 Americans a year have
died of acetaminophen overdose, based on
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7KH�3UR3XEOLFD�LQYHVWLJDWLRQ�IRFXVHV�RQ�DSSDUHQW�FDA foot-dragging over the regulation of
acetaminophen since the 1970s, in the face of
UHVLVWDQFH�IURP�0F1HLO�&RQVXPHU�+HDOWKFDUH��WKH�GLYLVLRQ�RI�-RKQVRQ��-RKQVRQ�WKDW�PDQXIDFWXUHV�Tylenol, the U.S. leader in acetaminophen sales.
:HE0'¶V�0HGLFLQH1HW�FRP site provides its own
acetaminophen primer, which provides more
detailed dosing and drug-interaction information.
100
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1352003
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1432002
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1662010
1742008
1672006
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no. of deathyear
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inadvertently taking too much acetaminophen
1,567Number of people
who have died from 2001 through 2010 from inadvertently
STRATEGY POINTSSome see 2014 as the year of the Internet of things—everyday physical objects becoming capable of sending out data and receiving input over the Internet
Challenges that must be addressed will involve security issues, as well as the development of technical infrastructure to accommodate the myriad of devices that are expected to be connected to the Internet
Companies would do well to think about their products and services with innovation trends in mind, whether or not they see themselves as being in the business of cutting-edge technology
In the ¿UVW of a three-part series in Quartz in
December, &KULVWRSKHU�0LPV says 2014 is the
year of the Internet of things—a trend wherein
everyday physical objects become capable of
Internet connectivity, thus enabling users to control
STRATEGY POINTS7KH�DQQXDO�,QWHUQDWLRQDO�&RQVXPHU�(OHFWURQLFV�6KRZ��&(6��SURYLGHV�WKH�SXEOLF�ZLWK�SUHYLHZV�RI�ZKDW·V�in store for the rest of the year and possibly beyond
$W�WKLV�\HDU·V�&(6��GDWD�VHFXULW\�DQG�the intrusiveness of technology were cited as major issues
From January 7-10, 2014, the International
Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held
LQ�/DV�9HJDV��1HYDGD��)URP�VPDUW�KRPHV�WR�ZHDUDEOH�¿WQHVV�WUDFNHUV�DQG�GULYHUOHVV�FDUV��WKH�annual event gives consumers a glimpse of the future
RI�WHFKQRORJ\��+HUH¶V�ZKDW�WKH�WHFK�ZRUOG�KDV�LQ�VWRUH�for us in 2014 and beyond.
Smartwatch
As speculation of Apple coming
out with an iWatch circulated last
year, many wondered about the
EHQH¿WV�RI�VXFK�D�WHFKQRORJ\�WR�mainstream consumers, instead of
just the early adopters. While Samsung and Sony
came out with their own smartwatches, the technology
was far from mature, a -DQ�����SLHFH�in Forbes QRWHV��1HYHUWKHOHVV��WKH�UHSRUW�GLVFXVVHV�WKH�¿YH�smartwatches that debuted at this year’s CES, which
“represent the best breed or notable improvement in
WHFKQRORJ\�RU�GHVLJQ�´�
Departing from the plastic case and basic strap
of its predecessor, for instance, the 3HEEOH�6WHHO�³XSJUDGHV�WKH�DHVWKHWLF�GHVLJQ�RI�WKH�RULJLQDO�3HEEOH�E\�RHULQJ�WKUHH�WRQQHDX�VKDSHG�VWHHO�PHWDO�FDVHV�PDWFKHG�WR�D�OHDWKHU�VWUDS�RU�PHWDO�EUDFHOHW�´�3HEEOH�DOVR�LQWURGXFHG�D�3HEEOH�$SS�6WRUH��ZKLFK�DOORZV�companies to submit and consumers to download
applications for the smartwatch.
Unlike other smartwatches that relay information
YLD�%OXHWRRWK�IURP�RQH¶V�SKRQH��WKH�Omate
TrueSmart directly connects to the mobile
SKRQH�SURYLGHU�XVLQJ�D�EXLOW�LQ�6,0�FDUG��allowing the user to make and receive calls from the
device itself. Another smartwatch mentioned in the
report is the 0HWD:DWFK, which “promises a more
elegant connection with one’s smartphone that allows
people to simply glance at their watch to know
basic information rather than having to pull out
WKHLU�SKRQH�´�
Fitness gadgets
A watch called the Wellograph is
an “activity tracker, a heart rate
monitor and a running watch in
RQH�´�GHOLYHULQJ�OLYH�LQIRUPDWLRQ�about the wearer’s activity on its
interface, according to the company’s site. With the
integrated heart-rate sensor, the Wellograph
reveals the quality of the wearer’s activities.
,QIRUPDWLRQ�DERXW�WKH�ZHDUHU¶V�SXOVH��¿WQHVV��workouts, steps, or if he has been sitting for too long
is made available.
The /*�/LIHEDQG�LV�D�¿WQHVV�EDQG�ZLWK�D�VZLSH�friendly OLED touch screen that shows data about
the wearer’s physical activity and calories burned,
says a -DQ����UHSRUt in Engadget. In addition, the
GHYLFH�IURP�WKH�6RXWK�.RUHDQ�EUDQG�SDLUV�XS�ZLWK�Android and Apple iOS devices to get incoming calls
DQG�WH[W�PHVVDJHV��+RZHYHU��WR�EH�DEOH�WR�PD[LPL]H�WKH�GHYLFH��RQH�FDQ�DOVR�SXUFKDVH�WKH�+HDUW�5DWH�0RQLWRU�HDUSKRQHV��ZKLFK�FDQ�WUDFN�KHDUWEHDWV�E\�measuring signals from the inner ear. The report says
no release date for
either item has
been revealed.
Japanese electronics
giant Sony presented
a new wearable
¿WQHVV�WUDFNLQJ�device called the
Sony Smartband.
A -DQ�����SLHFH in
Android Authority
says the Smartband actively communicates with
other devices through the LifeLong app, which
records not only data related to physical activities,
but also entertainment information like what songs
WKH�ZHDUHU�ZDV�OLVWHQLQJ�WR�DW�VSHFL¿F�WLPHV��7KH�idea, the report says, is to help the wearer make
improvements in his workouts, such as knowing
which songs were playing during his best time
in a run.
The Lumo Lift, meanwhile, is a wearable device
that buzzes when the wearer is not sitting up
straight, says a Jan. 8 report in Time. The wearer
attaches the device on his clothes with a magnet,
and the sensors on the device will alert the user if
he starts buckling. A gentle buzz will remind him to
VWUDLJKWHQ�XS��0RUHRYHU��WKH�/XPR�/LIW�FRPSDQLRQ�app also counts the number of steps the user takes
and reminds him to exercise more when needed.
Smart homes
As major companies make
gadgets more compatible,
smart home appliances could
become more common,
according to a Jan. 10 article in MIT Technology Review. It further says that “a deluge of Internet-
7KH�[���E\�6OHHS�1XPEHU�LV�D�VPDUW�EHG�WKDW�SDFNV�a variety of sensors to monitor the user’s sleeping
habits, movement, heart rate, and breathing rate,
according to a Jan. 7 report in Engadget. The bed has
two sections and “each of which are independently
adjustable, so that once the bed knows your sleeping
patterns, it can suggest ways you might want to
FKDQJH��VD\��WKH�KHDG�LQFOLQH�´�,W�DOVR�KDV�D�3DUWQHU�Snore feature, which allows one to raise other’s
KHDGUHVW�WR�KHOS�HDVH�VQRULQJ��7KH�[���RHUV�VLPSOH�voice commands, and an under-the-bed light acts as
a path light for when the user gets up in the middle of
the night.
Televisions
:KLOH�WKH��'�79�GLGQ¶W�TXLWH�FDWFK�RQ�with the consumers, perhaps the ultra
KLJK�GH¿QLWLRQ�RQHV�ZLOO��$W�WKLV�\HDU¶V�CES, it’s all about curved televisions
DQG��N��WKH�XOWUD�KLJK�GH¿QLWLRQ�
screens that pack in four times the resolution of
FXUUHQW�+'�WHOHYLVLRQV��VD\V�D�-DQ����&11�UHSRUW. According to television makers, curved screens can
RHU�D�EHWWHU�YLHZLQJ�H[SHULHQFH�E\�UHGXFLQJ�JODUH�and improving visibility for people sitting to the sides
of the TV, the report says.
7DNH��IRU�LQVWDQFH��WKH�/*�����LQFK�FXUYHG��N�79���According to a Jan. 7 post�LQ�0DVKDEOH��WKLV�KXJH�TV is built with LCD technology, rather than the
ÀH[LEOH�2/('�GLVSOD\��,W�DOVR�FRPHV�ZLWK�D�KHIW\�SULFH�WDJ�RI����������6WLOO��WKH�UHSRUW�QRWHV��³>,W�LV@�one of the most impressive feats of consumer display
WHFKQRORJ\�ZH¶YH�HYHU�VHHQ�´�$QRWKHU�FRQWHQGHU�LQ�WKH��N�79�PDUNHW�LV�6DPVXQJ¶V�����LQFK�XOWUD�+'�TV, which was launched in December, according to a
story in Engadget.
1RQHWKHOHVV��ZKDW�VWRRG�RXW�LV�&DOLIRUQLD�EDVHG�+'79�FRPSDQ\�Vizio, a Jan. 9 story�LQ�0DVKDEOH�suggests. Vizio’s massive 120-inch TV was the biggest
RHULQJ�DW�&(6�DQG��ZLWK�WKH�HQWU\�RI�LWV�3�VHULHV��WKH�company will be able to deliver 4k content for just
$999 with a 50-inch model.
Cars. $XWRPDNHUV�%0:�DQG�$XGL�unveiled their latest driverless
car technology and conducted
demonstration drives, reports
&11�LQ�D�Jan. 9 story��%0:��it says, added its highly active assist technology
WR�D�PRGL¿HG���6HULHV�&RXSH��0RUHRYHU��WKH�FDU�uses steering, breaking, and throttle to control
acceleration, deceleration, and direction on very
small, exact amounts. A video SRVWHG�LQ�%0:¶V�VLWH�shows the car in action.
Audi, meanwhile, presented its Sport Quattro
Laserlight concept car at CES, but its real
advancement this year, the report notes, is the
compact zFAS car
computer. “In the
IXWXUH��WKH�1YLGLD�powered system
could be used for key
automated-driving
WDVNV�OLNH�WUDF�VLJQ�recognition, departure
lane warnings and
SHGHVWULDQ�VSRWWLQJ�´�says the report.
For cars to be able to
park themselves, a
company called Valeo
has been working
to embed cars with
sensors, cameras, and
a laser scanner, Time
reports in a Jan. 7
story. While there is
a park-assist feature
in newer car models,
this technology can
allow the user to get
out of the vehicle
DQG�ZDWFK�LW�¿QG�itself a parking lot.
Alternatively, the user
can pull up an app on
his smartphone and
tell the car to come
and fetch him. In an
interview with Valeo
engineer Sam Azuz
mentioned in the
report, the technology
could work in a
QRUPDO��UXQ�R�WKH�mill parking lot, but
the video shows the BMW 2 Series Coupe in action BMW
Data security and the intrusiveness of technology were cited as major technology issues in the near future Quartz
the car would drive itself
very slowly.
In a video discussion
moderated by Quartz
HGLWRU�LQ�FKLHI�.HYLQ�Delaney among
technology journalists,
LQFOXGLQJ�.DUD�6ZLVKHU�of Re/Code, Farhad
0DQMRR�RI�The Wall Street Journal, and Christopher
STRATEGY POINTSPhablet shipments are expected to rise to 120 million units by 2018, up from 20 million units shipped in 2013, Juniper Research says
Increased preference for large screen devices is seen in emerging markets VXFK�DV�&KLQD�DQG�,QGLD�
Phablets are eating into the tablet market, according to market analysis ÀUP�,'&
The smartphone-tablet
hybrid known as the
phablet is here to stay.
As cited in a TechCrunch dispatch, a Juniper
Research report says there were 20 million
SKDEOHWV�VKLSSHG�LQ�������DQG�SUHGLFWV�WKDW�phablet shipments will increase to 120 million
units in 2018.
.RUHDQ�HOHFWURQLFV�JLDQW�6DPVXQJ�YDOLGDWHG�the trend, the TechCrunch report says, with the
VXFFHVV�RI�LWV�*DOD[\�1RWH�VHULHV��7KH�¿UVW�*DOD[\�1RWH�ZDV�ODXQFKHG�LQ�������DQG�WKH�FRPSDQ\�VROG���PLOOLRQ�XQLWV�LQ�WKH�¿UVW�IRXU�PRQWKV��7KH�*DOD[\�1RWH����WKH�ODWHVW�UHOHDVH�RI�WKH�GHYLFH¶V�iteration, sold 5 million units in one week.
Other companies have since followed suit and
released their own phablets. According to a Jan.
21 feature�RQ�WKH�8�.��EDVHG�JDGJHW�ZHEVLWH�3RFNHW�OLQW, phones have become devices
:LWK�SKDEOHWV�JDLQLQJ�JURXQG��*RRJOH¶V�Android operating system seems to be
EHQH¿WLQJ�DV�ZHOO��$FFRUGLQJ�WR�WKH�,'&�:RUOGZLGH�4XDUWHUO\�0RELOH�3KRQH�7UDFNHU��$QGURLG�SXVKHG�SDVW�����PDUNHW�VKDUH�LQ�WKH�WKLUG�TXDUWHU�RI������IRU�WKH�¿UVW�time in its short history, in a 1RYHPEHU�SUHVV�release��3URJUDP�GLUHFWRU�5\DQ�5HLWK�VD\V��“Almost all successful Android vendors have
added one or more 5-7-inch phablets to their
SURGXFW�SRUWIROLRV�´
,Q�WKH�WKLUG�TXDUWHU�RI�������KH�DGGV��SKDEOHW�VKLSPHQWV�DFFRXQWHG�IRU�����RI�WKH�smartphone market. “We believe the absence
of a large-screen device may have contributed
to Apple’s inability to grow share in the third
TXDUWHU�´�5HLWK�QRWHV��
0RUHRYHU��$QGURLG��DORQJ�ZLWK�WKH�Windows platform, made strides in the past
third quarter, mostly because both platforms
have a selection of devices that are priced
ORZ�HQRXJK�IRU�WKH�PDVV�PDUNHW�WR�DRUG��Research manager Ramon Llamas points out
that it is the mass market driving the entire
market forward.
3+$%/(76�$5(�+(5(�72�67$<�$6�6+,30(176�6.<52&.(7
an article from u.K.-based gadget website Pocket-lint gives a rundown of the best phablets to buy in 2014
+RZHYHU��WKH�WHFK�JLDQW�LV�IDFLQJ�FKDOOHQJHV��DV�PDQ\�consumers prefer to have one large-screen device for
checking e-mails, browsing the Web, and watching
videos. In the report, Forrester Research’s principal
DQDO\VW�DQG�FRXQWU\�PDQDJHU�LQ�&KLQD��%U\DQ�:DQJ��VD\V�WKDW�����RI�DOO�GHYLFHV�XVLQJ�WKH�$QGURLG�platform sold this year through Chinese carriers will
have screens measuring at least 5 inches.
3KDEOHWV�DUH�DOVR�HDWLQJ�LQWR�RWKHU�PDUNHWV��DV�shipments of the device overtook those of portable
3&V�DQG�WDEOHWV�LQ�$VLD�3DFL¿F��H[FOXGLQJ�-DSDQ��LQ�WKH�VHFRQG�TXDUWHU�RI�������DFFRUGLQJ�WR�DQRWKHU�August press release from IDC. It says device vendors
shipped 25.2 million phablets in the second quarter
RI�������FRPSDUHG�WR������PLOOLRQ�WDEOHWV�DQG������SRUWDEOH�3&V��6HQLRU�UHVHDUFK�PDQDJHU�0HOLVVD�&KDX�says the phablet trend was initially driven by mature
PDUNHWV��VXFK�DV�6RXWK�.RUHD��+RQJ�.RQJ��DQG�6LQJDSRUH��+RZHYHU��HPHUJLQJ�PDUNHWV�OLNH�&KLQD�and India are contributing to the device’s popularity,
as well, particularly with low-cost local players.
*URZWK�RI�WKH�WDEOHW�PDUNHW�KDV�WDNHQ�D�KLW�SDUWO\�due to the cannibalization of phablets. In emerging
markets where many consumers do not have the
budget to buy both a phone and a tablet, the phablet
VHHPV�WR�EH�WKH�PRVW�¿WWLQJ�FKRLFH���
Phablets overtake tablet and portable PC shipments LQ�$VLD�3DFLÀF��H[FOXGLQJ�-DSDQ�
Phablets are also eating into other markets, such as portable PCs and tablets IDC
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The news aggregation site ViralNova provides us with an assortment of photo essays from around the Internet, covering things the site owner regards as “must see.” This time out, ZH·UH�SUHVHQWLQJ�D�SDLU�RI�UHFHQW�9LUDO1RYD�posts – built around photo presentations from the Imgur image archive site – that we think make the grade. Just think of them as the travel SKRWRV�IURP�RWKHU�SHRSOH·V�YDFDWLRQV�WKDW�\RX�might actually want to see.
:KDWHYHU�\RX�GR��GRQ·W�ORRN�GRZQ� A Jan. 6 post SUHVHQWV�D�WUHN�XS�&KLQD·V�0W��Hua Shan, just outside the city ;L·DQ, capital RI�6KDDQ[L�SURYLQFH�LQ�FHQWUDO�&KLQD��$V�WKH�photos show, the steep “Heavenly Stairs” at the base of the mountain is only the beginning RI�D�FOLPE�WKDW·V�GHÀQLWHO\�QRW�IRU�WKH�IDLQW�RI�KHDUW��:DUQLQJ��(YHQ�IURP�WKH�VDIH�YDQWDJH�SRLQW�RI�D�FRPSXWHU�VFUHHQ��LI�\RX·UH�H[WUHPHO\�acrophobic, you might still get queasy just from looking at some of these photos.
$�PHPRULDO�LQ�WKH�6DKDUD�'HVHUW��The second presentation is the story of an unusual symbol that FDQ�EH�VHHQ�IURP�*RRJOH�0DSV�DQG�*RRJOH�(DUWK��The symbol turns out to be a memorial for the ����YLFWLPV�RI�WKH�6HSWHPEHU�������GHVWUXFWLRQ�RI�French airline UTA (Union des Transports Aeriens) )OLJKW������ZKLFK�FUDVKHG�LQ�WKH�6DKDUD�'HVHUW�following the explosion of a suitcase bomb that had EHHQ�VPXJJOHG�RQ�ERDUG�E\�/LE\DQ�WHUURULVWV��
The presentation features pictures taken over WKH�WZR�PRQWKV�²�0D\�DQG�-XQH�������²�WKDW�WKH�YLFWLPV·�IDPLOLHV�ZRUNHG�ZLWK�DUHD�UHVLGHQWV�WR�fashion the memorial based on wreckage from the VLWH��L�H�������EURNHQ�PLUURUV�HQFLUFOLQJ�WKH�HGJH�RI�the memorial, and the starboard wing of the plane, on which is mounted the roster of the crew and SDVVHQJHUV�RI�WKDW�IDWHIXO�ÁLJKW�
a steep set of stairs carved out of Mt. Hua Shan marks the start of a trek that gets more thrilling as you progress.
ViralNova, Imgur
ViralNova, Imgur
The memorial for the victims of UTA Flight 772, as VHHQ�IURP�*RRJOH�0DSV�DQG�*RRJOH�(DUWK�
you gotta see this3+$%/(76�$5(�+(5(�72�67$<�$6�6+,30(176�6.<52&.(7
675$7(*<�32,176According to a humanitarian RUJDQL]DWLRQ·V�UHVHDUFK�����RI�WKH�ZRUOG·V�SRSXODWLRQ�RZQV�DOPRVW�KDOI�WKH�ZRUOG·V�ZHDOWK��DQG�VHYHQ�RXW�of 10 people live in countries where economic inequality has increased since 1980
If left unaddressed, this trend toward extreme income inequality could lead to “opportunity capture,” heightened social tensions, and increased risk of societal breakdown
It explained: “Instead of
moving forward together,
people are increasingly
separated by economic and
political power, inevitably
heightening social tensions
and increasing the risk
RI�VRFLHWDO�EUHDNGRZQ�´�Supporting that thesis,
Oxfam’s own survey in six
FRXQWULHV�±�6SDLQ��%UD]LO��India, South Africa, the
8QLWHG�.LQJGRP��DQG�WKH�United States – indicated
a majority agreeing with
the view that “laws and
regulations are now
GHVLJQHG�WR�EHQH¿W�WKH�ULFK�´�
Oxfam’s suggestions for
the 2014 World Economic
Forum included a pledge
among its well-heeled
participants to not dodge
taxes and to disclose
investments in companies
and trusts in which they
DUH�WKH�XOWLPDWH�EHQH¿FLDO�owners, among other things.
It also proposed national
policies to strengthen the
political representation of
the poor and middle classes
in order to achieve greater
equity. That includes a
global goal to end extreme
economic inequality in each
country, as well as stronger
regulation of markets to
promote sustainable and
equitable growth.
Source: “Working for the Few – Political capture and income inequality,” 2[IDP�%ULHÀQJ�3DSHU������2[IDP�,QWHUQDWLRQDO��-DQXDU\���������
As the planet’s rich and powerful
prepared to gather in Davos,
Switzerland, for the 2014 World
Economic Forum last week, a global humanitarian
organization sounded the general alarm about
a centuries-old concern for them to urgently
address: haves and have-nots.
,Q�D�VXPPDU\�RI�LWV�EULH¿QJ�SDSHU�³Working
IRU�WKH�)HZ�±�3ROLWLFDO�FDSWXUH�DQG�LQFRPH�inequality�´�2[IDP�SURYLGHG�¿JXUHV�RQ�ULVLQJ�wealth concentration in the hands of a few and its
impact on the world, including:
��-XVW�RQH�SHUFHQW�RI�WKH�SODQHW¶V�SRSXODWLRQ�now own almost half of global wealth
��7KH�DVVHWV�RI�WKH�ULFKHVW�RQH�SHUFHQW�WRWDOV������WULOOLRQ�²����WLPHV�WKH�FRPELQHG�ZHDOWK�of the bottom half of the world’s population
global income inequality, the *OREDO3RVW�VLWH¶V������special report series on “7KH�*UHDW�'LYLGH�±�JOREDO�income inequality and its cost�´�WULHV�WR�EULQJ�WKH�message down to earth for Americans by comparing
income inequality in their country with the situation
in other nations.
The interactive feature matches income-distribution
¿JXUHV�RI�PDMRU�8�6��PHWURSROLWDQ�DUHDV�ZLWK�counterpart cities elsewhere in the world, like
%ULGJHSRUW��&RQQHFWLFXW��DQG�%DQJNRN��7KDLODQG��ERWK�ZLWK�RYHU����SRYHUW\�LQFLGHQFH���DQG�:DVKLQJWRQ��'�&���DQG�0RVFRZ��5XVVLD��������DQG��������respectively). Video essays accompany the data.
The series also includes dispatches from
FRUUHVSRQGHQWV�LQ�GLHUHQW�FLWLHV�DQG�FRXQWULHV�RQ�KRZ�LQFRPH�LQHTXDOLW\�SOD\V�RXW�DFURVV�GLHUHQW�dimensions – education, race, immigration, health
care, government, labor and natural resources. Its
U.S.-oriented perspective notwithstanding, the report’s