Since I moved to France, I have heard much about la crise. Newspapers abound with articles and editorials on the topic, people mention it during lunch break and discuss its more or less nefarious impact on their lives. When I was in a store in October to set up my local cell phone, I chatted with the …
In 2013, I intervened in Montreal’s political process and submitted a petition to my neighbourhood council. The video below (in French) shows me explaining the petition to the mayor and his staff.
Much proverbial ink has been spent on Mr Hollande and the affaire. This weekend, Le Monde had a big debate in its culture pages on how much should be publicly known about the private lives of les politiciens. It made an argument that I have come across various times already, and that relied on the idea …
The market runs daily in Nice, at the Cours Saleya, a large square in the old town that is across the street from the sea. Pastel coloured houses encircle Cours Saleya, chairs and tables spill out from ground floors where cafés have settled in. The market sells much (and then some) of what I can …
It has been a month that I moved to Nice for my sabbatical leave. I had barely set foot on the tarmac at the airport that the honeymoon phase set in. How could it not? There is the obvious, especially for someone used to Montreal winters: balmy temperatures that keep thick coats stowed away, the …
In 2009, I wrote an article about Chrysler called “Tout un défi!” (i.e., “What a challenge!”) for La Presse, a Montreal daily newspaper. The article discusses the future of Chrysler, which was then in the midst of a massive reorganization.
I recently watched the documentary Blackfish. It tells the story of Tilikum, a star orca at Seaworld Orlando. Orcas, in spite of being called killer whales, are not known to have killed humans in the wild. Left to their own devices, orcas roam the oceans where they cover daily distances large enough to put the …
Earlier this year, I wrote about how locavores may end up encouraging local firms to persist in doing what they are not great at doing. Yet such persistence is not necessary. In today’s interconnected environment, local firms can focus on doing what they are good at and leave the rest for others. A local firm does …
A few weeks ago, a friend contacted me with a business conundrum. His company was looking for help with a web-related issue. A foreign firm had provided an original and cost-effective plan for solving the issue. Domestic companies too had submitted solutions which were less original and cost-effective than that of Foreign Firm. My friend …
I am visiting family in Luxembourg. The news here closely follows ArcelorMittal, the international steel giant. The local media interest dates back to 2002 when Arcelor was born from the merger of Luxembourg’s ARBED with the Spanish Aceralia and the French Usinor. In 2007, Arcelor was acquired by the Indian Mittal. ArcelorMittal is headquartered in …
Elections are upon us in Québec, with all the ensuing brouhaha and commotion. After having lived here for a few years, I have sprouted an interest in Québec, and Canadian, politics. This in spite of the fact that I cannot vote, since I am not (yet) a Canadian citizen. But then again, I am told …
Last week, Mr Romney announced his running mate, Mr Ryan, a representative from Wisconsin. Mr Ryan is known for his libertarian thinking, which has been profoundly influenced by the writings of Mrs. Ayn Rand. Mrs. Rand, who grew up in Russia, embraced egotism (and hence rejected is rival twin, altruism). Not surprisingly, her economic views …
Remember Lehman Brothers, the once stellar investment bank, now defunct? Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, the barely salvaged bank? Dexia, the former banking behemoth spanning France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, shattered into smithereens? More recently, Barclay’s Bank, one of the largest in England, has come into spotlight, and very ingloriously so. It has admitted to manipulating the …