Assignment 6A - Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

1. Economic- The Bond Market Is Giving Ominous Warnings About the Global Economy

• Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/upshot/the-bond-market-is-giving-ominous-warnings-about-the-global-economy.html
• I believe an opportunity exists because the article uses comparisons from past economic downturns and also compares the economy to other countries'. The article looks at Current Events and how it could have an impact on this trend and compares it in detail providing explanation.
• I believe the prototypical customer will be the consumer in the United States. The article outlines that the current trends in the Bond Market is signifying the beginning stages of an economic downturn, so the consumer needs to be aware of it. This will likely affect home-buying, loans, and other government-subsidized programs.
• In  this case, I believe the opportunity is going to be easy to exploit as although the notifications are subtle, the majority of the country is already planning for the next recession. The alertness will make it easy to capitalize on the opportunity presenting itself.
• As a young adult in the process of getting out of the Rental Cycle and looking to buy a home, I identified this opportunity because a Recession will lower the price of homes, especially in my area. Both my fiance and I are in a stable position at work that will not be affected by economic downturn, so a recession affecting the home-buying industry will likely do more good than harm for people like us. However, although it may potentially benefit us, it may cause an issue for those in other fields that will have a direct impact, such as real estate or construction.

2. Economic- This Boutique Bike Shop Shows How Trump’s Tariffs Can Hit the Little Guy

• Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/business/pello-bikes-china-tariffs.html
• I believe there is an opportunity because the article uses actual numbers and cites specific examples in the form of using a small bike business as an essential Case Study. The article takes prior sales and compares them to the company's current numbers to identify the trend with President Trump imposing higher tariffs in relation to trade with China.
• The prototypical customer, in this case, would be the small business owners who get their product from China. They see the most direct connection with the tariff due to them importing their goods or manufactured product from China, so the opportunity would make them the most identified customer.
• The opportunity will be difficult to exploit, as it has to do with government-approved tariffs. Finding an opportunity to benefit these small business owners would require the entrepreneur to not cross any wires with the government, causing it to be more difficult to see it come to fruition.
• I identified this opportunity because quite a bit of the members of the association I work for are small business owners. We have a variety of membership types, ranging from contractors to suppliers, and I believe all parties would be affected by this. The suppliers would see a direct connection if they are getting their product from China and would thus need to increase their cost to make up for it. The contractors would then need to pay them more for their product due to the rise in tariffs.

3. Regulatory- Federal Travel Regulation; Clarification of Payment In Kind for Speakers at Meetings and Similar Functions

• Source: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=GSA-FTR-2019-0006-0001
• I believe there is an opportunity here based on the specific requirements outlined in the Regulation. Speakers who are traveling for the purposes of a convention or meeting usually receive "in kind" donations and this regulation is proposing a change in the parameters of what is included.
• The prototypical customer would be the Speakers themselves, as this regulation has a direct influence on what they are allowed to receive as "in-kind" donations. As such, they are not able to receive a waived or discounted registration fee in regards to expensing their travel.
• The opportunity would be difficult to exploit as there is a lot of gray area associated to "in kind" payment and donation. 
• I identified this opportunity as an event planner because we often have speakers and guests at our events which we allow in for free. If this goes through, they must pay the full price and expense it in order for them to participate in speaking.

4. Regulatory- Safety Zone for Fireworks Display; Patapsco River- Middle Branch, Baltimore, MD

• Source: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCG-2019-0267-0001
• I believe there is an opportunity in this regulation because they are planning on closing off an entire portion of the River due to the Fireworks celebration. This route is often used as travel and could potentially cause delays if it is closed for too long or at the wrong time of day.
• The prototypical customer would be those that use the Patapsco River as a method of transportation- ie, small boats and cargo barges.
• The opportunity would be easy to exploit as this is only during a set time of day to make room for Fourth of July fireworks.
• I identified this opportunity because I enjoy watching fireworks, particularly over bodies of water. I know a similar regulation must be in place for the annual Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display in Louisville, Kentucky so I found this regulation interesting.