Friday 10 April 2009

THE WORLD ON THE BRINK

Yesterday I read in a business magazines that according to US Democratic Representative Kanjorski at 11 am on the 18th September there was a $440 billion electronic drawn-down of money market accounts in the US. The US Treasury had to pump $550 billion into the system, close down the money accounts and announce a guarantee of $250,000 per account to stem the tide. It was estimated that had they not acted swiftly by 2 pm $5.5 trillion would have been drawn out, collapsing the entire economy of the US, followed by the world economy within 24 hours. According to him it would have been the end of the economic and political system as we know it. My guess is that the Lehman Bank collapse on 16th acted as the catalyst. This must have been the financial equivalent of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Whew!!

Now back to “normal” stuff. This week our Investors in People renewal took place. As our reviewer had previously been made aware of my own particular succession planning strategy, i.e. slide off to Switzerland and other foreign parts, basically leaving “the team” to get on with things, she made this one of the focuses points of the visit. She asked everyone how the process was going and the consensus was that things are not better or worse, just different. Job done then!

Thankfully, we passed with flying colours again. She also added that after recently visiting a major supermarket chain to review their Investors in People status, in her opinion our planning, training and delivery procedures and processes are more effective than theirs. In fact she was impressed with the way we value our staff.

And the real “normal, normal” stuff. Our little ones perpetuating the ancient art of climbing trees. Now that's real life. Arn't they delightful?

And finally …. I believe that the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.

17 comments:

aims said...

Your first big of information brought chills.

Your second brought a smile and a nod of well done.

The third brought a grin.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Hi R&C Thanks for the visit to my mad house! Hope you got the cleaning done!
Your post made me sit up - very worryig the first part - it wouldn't surprise me to se a financial Arrmageddon, really wouldn't!
Nice to read about the normal things as well.
All Gordon Brown's fault! Got to blame someone!

Anonymous said...

The pictures of the kids in trees is worth a million bucks. Made my day. Flagmaker

Anonymous said...

Pardon my English, I thought I'd change the verb is to are, but evidently I didn't. Flagmaker

Dejavu said...

Haven't checked your news for some time. So glad to hear that the OG is doing well. From old friends now living in Haute Savoie.

Penny Pincher said...

I agree - you've hit the nail on the head 'make the most of everything' people are the happiest. I just seem to have lost the knack lately and am trying to rediscover my old optimistic self.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Same here aims

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Gordon Brown is as good as any to blame Eddie.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Somehow I don't think we will get many apples from those trees this year flagmaker, but who cares!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Dejavu? Is that you Michelle? Do tell.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I just followed the link to your recommended post ladythinker. Isn't that the funniest thing you have ever seen? Glad it cheered you up.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Madam
I would be highly honoured if you would call at my residence to collect your award - a highlt covetted Zombie Chicken Award.
Dress imformal - drinks at 1200 GMT
RSVP Eddie

Lin said...

Loved the kids in trees! Wonderful shot.

Maggie May said...

I love the pictures of the children in the trees...... just brilliant!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Eddie, I am highly honoured by your award. I will come over and pick it up asap.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

The children in the trees were not posed by the way Maggie, they head for the trees everytime they come over and we have the grazes to prove it!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I love it too Lin. Happy memories.