I heard that we’re having a recession.

You already know that we are dealing with many less than ideal economic conditions and the politicos certainly will remind us over and over. However, the solutions may be in your hands, not some mammoth government program.

A recession is generally associated with a decline in a country's economic activity and growth According to one widespread definition, a recession occurs when real growth is negative for two or more successive quarters of a year. "a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production and wholesale-retail sales.”

A recession may involve simultaneous declines in coincident measures of overall economic activity such as employment, investment, and corporate profits. A severe or long recession is referred to as an economic depression. Although the distinction between a recession and a depression is not clearly defined, it is often said that a decline in GDP of more than 10% constitutes a depression. A devastating breakdown of an economy (essentially, a severe depression, , depending on the circumstances) is called economic colapse.

Recession is one of the major themes, in the mainstream media, when discussing the economy. With the fall out from subprime mortgages, increasing numbers of housing foreclosures, and balance sheet write downs among the financial corporations, many business people are worried about the future of the economy. Instead of losing sleep, it is always best to take the initiative and a proactive approach with your company.

Making your company recession proof, or at least able to survive an economic downturn, requires some planning and creative decision-making. It is all too easy to simply say cut back on expenses and lay off staff. In fact, these rather simplistic steps may be counterproductive. It is of little value to an organization to leave a recession unable to capitalize on the return of better times. 

A recession proof company:

• is a creative company
• listens to its customers.
• values its employees.
• understands its costs of providing its products and services.
• lowers its debt levels.
• is flexible and seeks opportunities where other companies see only doom and gloom.
• Is not afraid to change the business model as the markets shift.

Are You Ready For Some Good News?

We are in the beginning of a technology revolution that will eclipse the Recession of 2008 and virtually every goal we set today. The near future is bright. The next decade is dazzling. The improbale we do right away, but the impossible may take slightly longer. Read on:

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Many of today’s leading communications industry associations are dedicated to research into advanced aspects of the networked world. The key is technology in moderation…. in the beginning.

The age of the Smart Building is here now and the increased savings are huge in many areas: POWER – CONTROL – COMMUNICATIONS – SECURITY – LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS.

Continental Automated Building Association www.caba.org

CABA is a not-for-profit industry association that promotes advanced technologies for the automation of homes and buildings in North America.

VISION

The knowledge-based forum for industry leaders who advance the use of technology and integrated systems in the global home and building industry.

MISSION

We are dedicated to advancing technology and integrated systems in homes and buildings, creating opportunities for our members' business activities and serving as a preferred global source of information, knowledge and networking for key stakeholders.

GOALS

1. To be recognized as the knowledge-based forum for leaders who advance the definition, development and delivery of the use of technology and integrated systems in the global home and building industry.
2. To provide members with timely and valuable information, products and services.
3. To encourage research and development in the use of technology and integrated systems in homes and buildings.
4. To represent CABA membership interests to selected external bodies.
5. To encourage creation of industry-wide interoperability of protocols and standards.
6. To maintain financial stability and seek opportunities to maximize member dues and non-dues revenue.
7. To ensure a strong, efficient and effective governance and a supportive

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Dot.com 2nd Decade (2001-2010) is bigger & better than anyone ever imagined.

In 1969, four research computers were connected to create the genesis of the Internet at the blazing server speed of 56 Kb. By 1990, there were 313,000 servers on the Internet. Today, Google.com by itself has more than 458,000 servers on line and some servers can operate at speeds of 92 terabits/second (two (2) billion times faster than the 1969 speeds).

Some experts estimate that 17% of the world population has used the Internet and the hypertext World Wide Web (August 6,1991). We may see that user group swell to 50% in the next few years. Internet growth has not slowed. In 1994, the Internet usage growing 2300% per year and Internet growth has not slowed.

Shocking statistics show the USA is third in usage behind China & Europe. However, the USA e-mail traffic has surpassed telecommunications and printed mail. Last year, there were about 170 billion e-mails per day (2 million each second). The introduction of cell phones/portable devices like the Blackberry and other smart phones is increasing the volume significantly. Estimates indicate that by 2010, the information flowing over the Internet will double every eleven hours.

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Accelerating change is an increase in the rate of technological (and sometimes social and cultural) progress throughout history, which may suggest faster and more profound change in the future.

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Kurzweil and The Law of Accelerating Returns

Kurzweil in his 2001 essay The Law of Accelerating Returns extends "technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history." He believes the Law of Accelerating Returns implies that a technological singularity will occur before the end of the 21st century, in 2045.

The essay begins:

An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological change is exponential, contrary to the common sense 'intuitive linear' view. So we won't experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century—it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today's rate). Within a few decades, machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence, leading to  technological singularity —technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history.

Moore's Law expanded

“The rate of technical progress amongst humans has also been exponentially increasing, as we discover more effective ways to do things, we also discover more effective ways to learn. Already within the past sixty years, life in the industrialized world has changed almost beyond recognition except for living memories from the first half of the 20th century.” This pattern will culminate in unimaginable technological progress in the 21st century, leading to a singularity. Kurzweil elaborates on his views in his book “The Singularity Is Near”.

Check out: www.acuta.org

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Once we install the infrastructure network, we can start teaching the systems to monitor and respond to our needs. Then we need the senses.

A sensor is any device that can take a stimulus, such as heat, light, magnetism, or exposure to a particular chemical, and convert it to a signal. Sensors have certainly been around for a very long time. Scales–weight sensors–were used by the Sumerians at least 9000 years ago. Thermometers–temperature sensors-were developed in the late 16th century by Galileo and others. Barometers–pressure sensors–were invented a few decades later by Galileo's assistant, Torricelli. More recently, scientists and engineers have come up with devices to sense light (photocells), sound (microphones), ground vibrations (seismometers), and force (accelerometers), as well as sensors for magnetic and electric fields, radiation, strain, acidity, and many other phenomena. From the metal detectors we pass through at airports to the smoke detectors that protect our homes, our modern civilization is utterly dependent on sensors.

While the concept of sensors is nothing new, the technology of sensors is undergoing a rapid transformation. Indeed, the forces that have already revolutionized the computer, electronics, and biotech industries are converging on the world of sensors from at least three different directions:

• Smaller: Rapid advances in fields such as nanotechnology and (micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)) have not only led to ultra-compact versions of traditional sensors, but have inspired the creation of sensors based on entirely new principles.
• Smarter: The exponentially increasing power of microelectronics has made it possible to create sensors with built-in "intelligence." In principle, at least, sensors today can store and process data on the spot, selecting only the most relevant and critical items to report.
• 3. More Mobile: The rapid proliferation of wireless networking technologies has cut the tether. Today, many sensors send back their data from remote locations, or even while they're in motion.  

As these forces converge, however, they pose daunting new challenges for researchers and society alike.

We have many things to be excited about. Think positive and look to the future for changes to evolve rapidly in your growing companies. Some business revenues that are only a few points of revenue today may end up “wagging the dog” in the very near future. Knowledge is power, and education is a very good road to that power.

Check out: www.bicsi.org www.njatc.org www.necanet.org www.naed.org www.thefoa.org for more training opportunities.

Whatever you do keep up to date by reading the top trade publications in the communications and cabling industries. Don’t forget the top magazine in Canada

Cabling Networking Systems Magazine www.cnsmagazine.com. They bring it all together.

But that’s just my opinion,

Frank Bisbee "Heard On The Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
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