Top 10 Predictions for the Year of the Rabbit
Top 10 Predictions for the Year of the Rabbit 2011
1. Asia will continue to grow rapidly, but maybe 2% to 8% slower depending upon the country.
2. Eastern Europe will also continue to do well but 2% or 3% slower
3. Training and Speaking will continue to be HOT in AsiaPac. USA will still look for cheaper options like virtual meetings and Webinars.
4. China will buy mineral rights at and accelerated pace and soon own almost anything in the ground worth owning (other than oil). The rest of the countries seem to be sleeping on this one.
5. US economy will still be pretty flat with healthcare and IT doing better than most industries (similar as 2010)
6. Australian and Mongolian mining will continue to grow and carry their countries forward.
7. US dollar will continue to slide by another 5% to 10% against other currencies. Easy way to pay off debt with cheaper dollars and sell more goods abroad. The US will continue to print more dollars to meet deficit spending.
8. Inflation will grow 1% to 3% in US and Europe. Governments figured out workers see their retirement portfolios ‘growing’, they are happy (even though they are losing.)
9. Food will be more important than financing by the end of the year with potential shortages of rice, corn and meat due to freakish weather, fewer people working farms in China and much of Asia, increased demand for meat and growing populations worldwide.
10. Gen Y will start more businesses and borrow more money to finance these start-ups as well as finance their ‘essential’ lifestyles.
Smile Maker: Michael’s Top 10 Worst Predictions for the Year of the Rabbit!
10. Hollywood movies will start showing solid family values again! Movie families will go to church (or other worship), love, share, eat and stay together with no foul language or divorce… just like The Simpsons.
9. Michael Jackson comes back from the dead! It was all a publicity stunt.
8. North Korea apologizes to South Korea and begs forgiveness! It sends a big bunt cake and flowers.
7. The top 10 worlds arms dealers, the USA, Russia, UK, China, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Brazil and the Ukraine will all stop selling weaponry! They instead decide to invest that $1.5 TRILLION in technology to feed the world and save our planet.
6. Kissing goes out of fashion and tickling is considered a better alternative.
5. The top Taliban leaders form a rock band and go on tour as, “Man-Gaga”
4. Returning troops from Iraq come home to magically created jobs, the economy booms and 2 million babies are born 9 months later.
3. The Dead Sea comes to LIFE! Scientists find ancient drain plug, pull it and the water starts circulating… leading to new life.
2. Beer replaces most hospital drugs for pain relief. Lager drips (IVs) become common.
1. Rabbit stew #1 dish in most Chinese restaurants.
1, You mean Asia will grow 92 to 98 faster?
2.Eastern Europe will grow 97 to 98 faster?
3.USA is selling there ware cheap and making imports expensive?-so why buy from outside–buy USA-
4.Sure we all like to yak–so yakity yak
Best wishes for the New Year Mike & Family.
from Toby
Thanks Toby for your comments.
First… the slightly slower growth comments were intended to predict growth rates in 2011 to be slower than tose of 2010… As Singapore grew by about 17%… I am predicting Singapore will grow 2% to 8% slower in 2011, I.E. 8% to 15%, for example. Not sure where the 92% to 95% figure comes into play. Same for Eastern Europe. I just don’t see the recovery rates (probably due to depleted inventory / stocks needing to be replaced) continuing at their high level. Granted, I’m NOT an economist and my predictions are my best guess, not to be invested in based upon my numbers.
Your third point regarding USA is correct and consistent with what I was saying. If USA goods are cheap, the WORLD will buy more USA goods and the USA will buy more USA goods. This is good for the American economy. The problem with the USA buying more goods is… they do not have cash and their credit is at its limits. The reason the USA purchased so much since the Clinton years was a result of American’s borrowing against their home values. They thought homes ALWAYS go up. They took out a 2nd or 3rd mortgage for another $50k to $500k and then SPENT it. Today, 1 in 6 homes in the USA is either behind on their mortgage payment or in foreclosure. About 55% of Americans are ‘upside down’ on their mortgages (They owe more than their home is worth.) The average American has $10k on credit cards and in my age category (50′s) it is closer to $30k PLUS the 2nd or 3rd mortgage. SO… how are they going to buy much of anything?
Sorry if you seem me as yakity yak. I am guilty as charged. And…it is a blog, right?
God bless you Toby and may 2011 be your best year yet.