Module 3

Mod 3:

The more I read “The world is Flat”the more my perception changes about the world. Not only does globalization 3.0 require businesses to intervene with each other and develop standards so that they can easily and efficiently interface, but it also challenges countries and individuals alike to think deeper then there personal pocket books. To collaborate with another country and help their economy will in return help our own economy and help build international relations. I now realize that better the world's economy is flowing, the better America's economy will flow as well. Think about this, if we as American's can outsource or offshore jobs to Mexico, the better the Mexican Economy would be, thus greatly reducing the number of illegal Mexican aliens sneaking into our country to work under the table and take away jobs from us Americans. Consequently, if that was the situation, it wouldn't matter if the Mexican was working in America or Mexico because both economies would be thriving and there would be job opportunities for everyone.

When I first started reading about outsourcing I was filled with a sense of greed until reading further and learning how it actually helps and not hurts. Well, once again, Friedman has taught me how offshoring can actually be beneficial. The main difference between the two is; outsourcing is a specific function that your company is doing and sending it to another location to be done by someone else. Offshoring on the other hand is moving the whole factory to another location. This is beneficial because we can take advantage of the low cost, high quality products that saves the consumers a considerable amount of money, which in turn effects the Federal Revere helping to keep interest rates low so Americans can afford to buy home at a reasonable rate. Another fact Friedman pointed out is that many people forget about all the offshoring coming to America. This is great for the world's economy.

Another important flattener of the world is the supply chain model, and Wal-Mart for its major role in refining the supply-chain to an almost prefect science. In a nut-shell a supply chain is a method of delivering, sorting and keeping track of inventory with information systems. This requires common standards, just like a computer network so that different supply companies can keep caught up with the demand of their products. If I was to walk into Wal-Mart and buy a banana, as soon as I purchase this said banana, Wal-Mart's computer system will then record the transaction to its database so that  Wal-Mart knows the banana has been sold and needs to be replace. The genius of Wal-Mart is they allow there supplier companies access to their database, and thanks to the common standard developed between Wal-Mart and the supplier, the supplier knows immediately that they need to ship another banana to the Wal-Mart supply-chain, which then will be shipped to the correct Wal-Mart store.

Wal-Mart has the most efficient supply-chain in the world, and they use it to their advantage by passing the savings to the consumer. Once the consumer figures out that not only is Wal-Mart cheaper then other stores, but has the same quality of product, Wal-Mart was able to spread like wild-fire and become the giant corp. that it is today.

Finally, Google (and other search engines) are, in my opinion, one of the biggest flatteners of all. I can remember being in high school and having to go to the library to do any research, no matter what the subject.  Well, if the internet is the information super-highway, then Google is not only your navigator, but also your vessel in which gets you to get the information that you are seeking. I don't think I have been to a library since Google took off. I no longer need to.

From a business stand point, Google has improved the way we shop in two ways! With help from Google's PageRank Technology, a person can find what they are looking for with great accuracy, allowing an individual to do their own outsourcing, supply-chaining, and offshoring. But even more important, is the database that Google builds around your query's. This allows for companies to target only the people that are interested in their product. (Last thing I want to see is an ad for tampons).

Yet, while Goggle was the brain behind personalize ads, other companies have taken the same idea. Facebook is a good example of this! Say I'm on Facebook and push the like button for the 'Dallas Cowboys'. Immediately I see ads about Dallas Cowboy sports wear and other Cowboy memorabilia. Sure companies benefit from Google because Google is the number one search engine in the World, making it the most visited website in the world. However, Facebook is actually just as good or better then Google because people spend more time on Facebook and input more personal information then Google; I know this to be true because I goggled it!