PIIGS, Turkeys and the War of Influence
by Adam J. Kovitz
I am anything but an expert on international finance, but I do keep up with international news as much as I can, and therefore, rely upon the media (mostly through the internet).by Adam J. Kovitz
One of the more interesting terms I've noticed the various media using in the past few years is "PIIGS", an acronym for the European Union's more troubled countries: Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain. I find the term to be interesting in that while it may be a descriptive term to economically define a collection of countries, I could only wonder how I might feel if I was a proud, patriotic native of one of these lands rich in history and culture. Sure...the term can be argued to describe the economic component of the countries and not the countries themselves but tell that to the Portuguese, Italians, Irish, Greeks and Spaniards - they look at "PIIGS" as just plain derogatory.
Across the "pond" in the U.S., the upcoming Holiday Season is about to be ushered in this week with Thanksgiving. Tradition dictates that the celebration of the holiday includes lavish feasts consisting of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and the loosening of many a waistband. Additionally, it is a well known fact that the U.S. has the highest obesity rate of any other country in the world (Portugal is #15, Italy is #25, Ireland is #13, Greece is #5 and Spain is #12). As an American, I have to ask, who are the real "pigs"?
And despite the excess, the U.S. is still suffering from one of the worst economies since the Great Depression of 1929, yet would any non-governmental media agency dare to include the U.S. in any pejoratively-termed expressions such as "PIIGS"?
In the past I have mentioned that World War III will not be a conventional war; it will be a war pitting rhetoric, will power and resolve against each other over the medium of the internet - and it's happening now. Influence is the key asset in this war and those who are capable of organizing and arming the many with a similar message such that it rises above the usual noise and cacophony will reap huge rewards.
Where do entrepreneurs and emerging enterprises fit in with this War of Influence? The answer is anywhere where there are profits to be made, and if ethical, not at the expense of others. Amidst the doom and gloom of the media, the politically-charged terms used to polarize and divide like "PIIGS", "tax and spend" or "right-winged nut job" will not be used to emotionally sway savvy CEOs but serve as indicators and beacons of opportunity and chances to unite and offer solutions.
Such a time is now...TNNWC asks you to unite with us in cooperation and see beyond the noise. Our solution for staying savvy and informed? Read The National Networker Weekly Newsletter, The BLUE TUESDAY Report, The National Newspicker and Left, Right and Center for a full-spectrum of views and perspectives. They're all free and available to you at any time.
NOTE TO OUR READERS: Both The National Networker Weekly Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report are released the first four Mondays and Tuesdays of the month. The publications will resume normal operations after next week on December 6th and 7th, respectively.
Adam
www.TNNWC.com
http://adamjkovitz.blogspot.com
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