I watched a short CNN video report on the current conditions in Shanghai China. The reporter said that it was one of the most modern and materialistic cities in the world. Then I watched the report of the North Korean delegation's surprise visit to South Korea. And finally there are the demonstrations in Hong Kong over China's seeming heavy handed move toward firmer control of the Hong Kong government. What's going on here? The government of China seems to be pushing the edge of control in Hong Kong while pressuring North Korea to smooth the relations between North and South Korea, while many of its people are enjoying the height of success of capitalism.
What a challenge all this is to our understanding of the world and the ebb and flow of business in it. It reminds me of my last visit to West Point, where the Academic Dean talked to us about the education of today's military cadets. He spoke about how lessons in the battle field today are reaching the classrooms tomorrow. I don't think educating our soldiers in the past had ever been this interactive. It's a difference that is predicated by the moving and shifting of warfare conditions in the life of a modern soldier.
Is the business world any different? Are we not facing moving and shifting economies which create centers of capitalism today where there were empty fields yesterday? I wonder how our business schools are keeping up? Can they adjust to the rapidly changing social and economic changes that are occurring? Can they move lessons learned in Shanghai to the classrooms like our military is doing for our fighting leaders?
I have a lot of question and few answers. The answers are best left to folks with a much better understanding of the topics that I do. None-the-less, all of this impacts our daily life. Check how many things you buy each day are made in China. But that's for another day.
Hey, colder weather is on many of us. Check your vehicle's tire pressure for safety! And if you have a tire pressure warning system and it goes off, slow down and have it checked immediately.
Gene Canavan is a retired West Point Graduate and Paper Mill Utilities Manager and lives in Prattville, Alabama, USA.
