It is hard to think of an aspect of our material lives that Amazon has not touched. Amazon has become such a ubiquitous and practically tangible presence despite being based entirely online. A brick-and-mortar store might tear down what has made Amazon so successful: its adaptability. Founder Jeff Bezos originally contemplated naming the firm “Relentless,” a name which hints, albeit somewhat sinisterly, at its tenacity, and its drive into untapped markets. First, Bezos wanted Amazon to be the world’s biggest bookstore.
Business
CONSCIOUSLY LIBERAL | The End of Trumpflation?
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On November 9, the day after the US Presidential Election, I wrote a blogpost regarding market responses to the surprising Trump victory. It was an extraordinary day for markets as portfolio managers, institutional investors, traders, etc. scrambled for dividend-yielding stocks after pulling out of safe-haven investments. That marked the first day of Trumpflation, which famously led the DOW (DIA) and S&P 500 (SPX) to a 109-day streak without a decline of at least 1%. Both indexes were able to continue their streak even after the Feds raised interest rates to 0.75–1.00%.
Business
SERENDIPITY | Business Club Clutter
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Passing through Warren Hall and Mann Library, the typical student is likely exposed to a quarter card too many; these ubiquitous advertisements are found scattered across tables, the floor, and even pasted comically onto urinals. I would liken this experience to that of radiation exposure. Some radiation exposure is okay – a few x-rays here or there can’t hurt. A ton of radiation exposure is not. Sitting in a human-sized microwave will certainly melt your brain.
Business
MANGA MONDAYS | Advertising with Anime: Places as Products
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If you’re ever riding a train in Japan’s Tottori prefecture, you might be lucky enough to ride the “Conan Train.” Which, as it happens, is exactly the same as a regular train, except for the fact that the outside is a giant advertisement for the “Conan” anime (that’s “Case Closed” in America). Why, you might ask, is there such an over-the-top advertisement for an anime in the middle of Japan’s least populous prefecture? Surely the advertisement would reach more people in Tokyo? As it happens, Tottori prefecture is the home of Gosho Aoyama, the author and illustrator of the Conan manga. Thus, it’s not that someone is advertising the anime or manga.
Business
SERENDIPITY | Charlie’s Cold Coffee Challenge (CCC)
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Why do we go to college? You’re probably thinking that the answer here is simple. Well Charlie, if you would stop writing this article in the middle of Sociology 1101, you would probably realize that you go to college for the superior education and job opportunities! Yeah, most of America would probably agree with you. In typical Charlie fashion, I’m going to counter the first paragraph I’ve written for this article and say something vaguely controversial that I’m sure everyone reading this will agree with anyway (I tend to do that all the time in order to increase viewership and Facebook likes): we don’t go to college for the textbook education.
Business
CONSCIOUSLY LIBERAL | Market Response to Trump Win
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November 9, 2016
Markets were disturbed when it dawned on investors that Trump became the frontrunner for the presidency. The shuffling and rumble were the manifestation of adjustments in market expectation of a Clinton presidency. Paul Krugman, when apparently asked about the markets and its trouble at the time, glibly stated that the markets would be down forever because of the uncertainty and incompetence Trump represents and will reflect in his policies. Although the elections last night were disturbing, has the US market been fundamentally damaged? In the beginning, around 9-10 p.m. ET when Clinton was losing Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Florida, Trump became the favorite to win and uncertainty riveted the markets (the Mexican peso went down, safe-haven investments went up like gold and U.S. Treasury bonds, etc.).
Business
SERENDIPITY | SH*T CHARLIE DOES: COLD SHOWERS
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I started cold showering over the summer. Did I do it to seem suave and perpetuate my image as an interesting business person? Perhaps. However, this habit was not premeditated. Why did I start cold showering?
Business
SERENDIPITY | 6 Things All High-Performing Business Students Should Do
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1. The Humble Brag
They say America runs on Dunkin, but I say otherwise. This pristine country runs on the humble brag. What exactly is this nuanced art? Well, somewhere down the line, it became socially unacceptable to run around flaunting your job offers, Rolex watches, 4.3 GPAs, high school accomplishments, Yeezies, and social standing.
Business
CONSCIOUSLY LIBERAL | MARKETS: New Census Data and Why We Should Proceed With Caution
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A new census found that median household income in the US had risen by 5.2% in 2015 compared to the rise in income in the previous year. Although this is good news, the data turns out to be more a reflection of the health of the labor market, rather than the health of the economy. In other words, rising median income, according to a New York Times article, was due to the expansion in employment. Although gains were made in median household income, we have yet to see the market move in the direction that one would predict it to move if the health of the economy had adequately recovered. According to a Financial Times article, the months prior to the past month of August have shown decent consumer spending.
Business
THE DISMAL SCIENCE | The Dismal Major
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If you have always wanted to be an economics major but couldn’t quite fit it into your schedule, this article will save you a lot of time. Keep reading for an overview of some of the core and elective classes in the curriculum.
Business
SERENDIPITY | A Societal Necessity: Women’s Diversity Programs
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As an Asian male, it’s quite safe to say that my peers and I get the shortest end of the recruitment stick. It’s no secret that we’re perceived as the meek and subservient types that belong in the professional friend-zone. I’m not complaining — simply framing. What I mean by this, is that based on what I face when it comes to finding jobs, I should be incredibly angry at the world of diversity programs. When thinking of white males getting the inherent recruitment benefits stemming back from the pilgrimage days and women and underrepresented minorities getting the recruitment benefits of decades worth of guilt, I was formerly angry. Amidst my mound of salt, I never really stopped to empathize and examine the other side of things.