Everybody’s Going Global
The word “global” and its offshoots (globalization, globalize, globalability) is fast becoming the business cliche of the 1990s, much like “achieving synergies” was in the 1970s, “restructuring” and “enhanced shareholder value” during the 1980s.
“Globalize or die” has become the rallying cry. Consider a speech last week by Time Warner’s Steven J. Ross, who said “globalization is an economic fact of life” and listed “globalization” as one of four fundamental forces that will drive the corporations that do well in the next century.
It’s all weighty stuff, although the multinational firms don’t have a monopoly on globalization. Southern California boasts a number of firms that globalized long before it became fashionable.
Among them:
* Global Auto Brokers, Orange
* Global Kenya Safaris, Fullerton
* Global Bakeries, Pacoima
* Global Stamps, Pomona
* Global West Alignment Specialists, Montclair
* Global Pool Service, West Covina
* Global Janitorial Supply & Equipment, Monterey Park
* Global Auto Car Parts & Auto Dismantlers, North Hollywood
* Global Limousine, Los Angeles
* Global Physical Therapy Service, Pacoima
* Global Frozen Foods, Los Angeles
* Global Diner, Pasadena
Important Endorsement
Citing the “enormous stress” that Kurds fleeing from Iraq are under, an Irvine health food firm, Alcer Corp., is sending them 75,000 packets of its E-mergen-C, Vitamin C Potassium drink mix.
If it’s any comfort to the Kurds, the company insists that E-mergen-C “is a favorite of Sly Stallone, Chuck Norris, Cindy Crawford, Madonna and many other celebrities.”
But the IRS Gets Some Back
In addition to making news by going after the Venice chain-saw juggler last week, the Internal Revenue Service in a less publicized move offered one of its biggest rewards in history, $25,000.
The reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who placed 11 pipe bombs at its Fresno Service Center on April 1. No one was hurt in the lunchtime attack, but the bombs did damage cars and buildings.
For the record, an IRS spokeswoman says, the reward is taxable. But, she adds, the IRS does not plan to withhold any of the money for taxes.
Briefly . . .
The “Tire Retread Information Bureau” describes Earth Day as “a perfect time” for motorists to buy retreads for their cars . . . Business consultant McKinsey & Co.’s director of communications is named Stuart Flack.
