1. Economic Conflict: Are We On The Road To Recovery
In 2010/11?
Every day, well informed people tell me they are often confused about the direction and health of the economy. They also tell me how frustrating it is to get the real, unvarnished story about the economy. They read or hear one “expert” give what seems like a reasoned opinion but a minute later another “expert” gives the exact opposite opinion. Most people find it very hard to know which one is correct.
My presentation, “ Economic Conflict: Are We On The Road To Recovery in 2010/11” will eliminate both the confusion and frustration you may feel. First, I focus on the big picture so you understand the three, mainstream approaches or paradigms used by economists to analyze the economy. I look at the demand-side approach (used mostly by Democrats,) the supply-side approach (used mostly by the Republicans) and the Classical Liberal or Capitalist approach.
Once you understand why these economic "experts" talk about the economy the way they do and why they are likely to propose different kinds of policies or solutions; you will understand the big picture. For example, what do these different approaches think causes inflation or what do these three approaches think about a stimulus program or healthcare reform.
Then, when everyone is on the same page, we are ready to talk in depth about where the economy is headed in 2010 and 2011. I use my critical thinking skills to define and analyze the economy including economic growth, roadblocks and opportunities, and specific issues like: consumer spending, business investment, the recovery, housing, the banking crisis, inflation/deflation, the debt and deficits, etc.
No matter what the level of economic knowledge you start with, you will walk away from this presentation with a better understanding of:
1. The economy and how it’s measured,
2. The big picture (mainstream economic approaches and their focus),
3. How to interpret what the economic experts are really saying, and
4. Where the economy is headed in 2010 and 2011.
As with all my presentations, length and complexity are customizable to meet the specific needs of the audience.
2. Help. The News Is Driving Me Crazy
Are you almost afraid to turn on the news or pick up a newspaper? It seems there's a new crisis (credit, housing, jobs, environment, deficits, etc.) everyday that we have to understand and deal with. Yet in this crazy, upside-down world, we are still required to make important business and personal decisions, often without the necessary information.
My presentation, "Help. The News Is Driving Me Crazy!" shows you how the media, our major source of information, tells its stories. Explains why and how these stories are filled with biases, are sensationalized and often misleading and inaccurate.
How to focus on the critical information you need to close the information gap-- to go from what you know now to what you need to know-- so you can make decisions in a timely manner.
There are no prerequisites. One is not born a good decision maker. Decision making is a learned skill. In these turbulent times, critical thinking and decision making skills are invaluable. They can help you capitalize on opportunities and avoid costly problems.
The presentation is fast paced and laced with humor. It is also packed with content and is appropriate for everyone from a new hire, to a collaborative team to top management.
Depending on audience size, this presentation can be interactive using my audience response system to get feed back and direction from the audience.
3. This Is Not Your Nightly News
Unfortunatly, when you need information, you won’t see these stories on your nightly news show. This presentation exposes audiences to the critical thinking process, but its focus is applying critical thinking skills to some of the major issues of the day.
This presentation discusses a varity of current issues (what the media is saying, what experts are saying, the reasons experts give for their opinions, and possible conclusions.) The specific issues discussed can be determined ahead of time or depending on the audience size, voted on at the begining of the presentation. For example, a list of fove to ten major issues is put up on the screen; the audience, using an audience response system, votes on which issues are most important to them. The issues with the most votes get discussed and the total number discussed depends on the time available. There are other opportunities to participate as well.
Here are some examples of recent issues discussed: Where are oil prices headed? Are we moving toward inflation or deflation? Will the economic recovery be V shaped or L shaped? When will housing bottom and turn up? Is Commercial Real Estate the next shoe to drop? When will consumers start spending again? Are U.S. Treasuries the next bubble? Are we solving the credit crisis? Will globalization be allowed to continue?
The audience may not hear what they expect to hear or even the version of the story they would like to hear. But, they will hear a hard-edged, objective overview of the selected issues that will give them a new perspective and a better understanding of each issue.
If you would like more information
If you would like more information about any of these presentations or if you would like to book a presentation for one of your events, call Jim Zitek at 612-978-7222 or e-mail jim@zitek.net
This is a 20 to 30 minute presentation that illustrates the problems of current
Long-term, if we do nothing, the
Jim Zitek is member of the speaker's bureau of the Concord Coalition Organization. The Concord Coalition is a
