Module 3

Let’s put it this way, the phrase “History repeats itself” is one of the most truthful quotes to date.  We are literally living a cycle of repeating circumstances. From the battle for equal rights for women to the fight for equal rights for every race. Also the constant ups and downs of the economic market, which have included economic recessions and economic expansions. It is just something that comes natural for us as human being. Now let me explain as to how these constant cycles apply to offshoring.

Jamestown and many other American colonies were fresh grounds that were established for the purpose of not only expanding the British Empire but also as important part of economic plan for British Empire. Imagine they discovered land that would be able to grow crops such as rice, indigo, coffee, and many other products. But the best part is that the land would be worked by cheaper labor and would help create a faster way to receive goods. The definition of offshoring according to “The World is Flat” is this; “produces the very same product in the very same way, only with cheaper labor, lower taxes, subsidized energy, and lower health-care costs.” (Page 137-138). Now let’s fast forward to the years of the 1980’s when the fresh new grounds of international trade in China had just begun. For the first time, we would be able to make products under the cheap and well-disciplined laws of the Chinese work force, and then sell those products at an international level. That change to the day has created a wave of enthusiasm for offshoring to other countries to create the same product but to make it cheaper and make more profit.

            Supply and demand is a never ending cycle and it is also a double edged sword Now that is due in part to supply chains. Now when the flood gates were opened into China with the offshoring, it also created a great effect on the supply chains. Imagine that a man in the United States of America was getting paid around $4,000 dollars a month to fulfill a certain skilled job and someone else in China could fulfill the same skilled job but for around $150 dollars a month. There is no question about it, it is much cheaper to buy shoes at Wal-Mart when they have been offshored, rather than made locally in America. Then once those shoes are purchased at the cash register, the process starts all over again. Wal-Mart contacts the vendor, the vendor makes and ships the items to a warehouse to be inspected, sorted, and shipped. From there it arrives back to that store and is place on the shelf, right where you found it.

            Could you Google that for me? A phrase that is just a house hold name not only has given us answers but also helps to inform the customer if that product is really what he is looking for. We can literally google any business and research what kind of company they are and see if I should purchase that product. No more hiding secrets from the public eye. Google in short has literally given us the ability to check up on something within minutes to be able to help us moving forward with any decision. Businesses use this as a way to promote their products and the best part is almost everyone has an equal chance.

            The cycle as always will continue to keep evolving and revolutionizing how we act and or think. The best part to all this is, we are improving and everyone has a chance to expand their thoughts, ideas, and business. Now the question is are we going to be a part of this great economical movement or are we just going to watch, history repeat itself?