6A- Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

Kalie Novosedliak
Professor Pryor
ENT3003- Assignment 6A
5 February 2020


Economic Trends:

1. "Japan's Economic Growth Falls Sharply as Exports Slow"

     A. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/13/business/japan-economy.html
     B. I believe there is opportunity here because Japan's economic growth has dramatically decreased due to a decreased Japanese dollar, lowering exports, and and slower consumption. This is mostly a result of the trade war between China and U.S., because the demand for Chinese exports(made with Japanese machinery) has decreased, ultimately creating for slow global growth and having a particular harsh effect on Japan's economy.
    C. I believe the prototypical customer in this opportunity are employees of large Japanese businesses/firms. With a decrease in demand for specific goods and serviced produced by these workers, they first handedly experience possible drawbacks in income or availability of work.
    D. I believe this opportunity is relatively difficult to exploit because it is a result of other uncontrollable economic factors. As the third largest economy in the world, Japanese exports hold a strong influence on their economy, government, and citizens, so a recession like this is difficult to exploit.
    E. I saw this opportunity because I realized how it can affect Japanese companies and their employees who greatly depend on their jobs. This opportunity has a large potential to affect the lives of many Japanese people and families, so I feel it's important to look closer at this opportunity and if there is a potential solution to prevent it from growing.


2. "GDP: U.S. economy grew 2.3 percent in 2019, the slowest of Trump's presidency"

     A. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/01/30/us-economy-grew-23-percent-2019-slowest-trumps-presidency-held-back-by-trade-fears-global-slowdown/
     B. I believe there is opportunity here because it examines Trump's influential decisions on the growth of the U.S. economy. An example of this would be the trade war between the US and China and the potential effects it had on US economic growth. It also predicts the potential future US economic trends, so I see opportunity in how to make sure the US economy is growing at an increasing rate, to reach Trump's promise of 3%.
      C. I believe the prototypical customers in this opportunity are US global companies/firms and people who work in the US, especially those who work to make globalized goods and services. The growth of the economy has a direct effect on these companies and how successful they are.
       D. I believe this opportunity is relatively difficult to exploit because it is on such a large global scale. There are a lot of varying factors that play a role in the decision making process in regards to the US economy and how it affects other countries' economies as well.
        E. I saw this opportunity because it is important to keep an economy growing and reflect on the growth rate and why it may or may not be growing as much as Trump promised in order to attempt to improve going forward.



Regulatory Changes:

1. "'Getting Worse, Not Better': Illegal Pot Market Booming In California Despite Legalization"
   
     A. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/27/us/marijuana-california-legalization.html
     B. I believe there is opportunity here because law enforcement officials are constantly finding illegal marijuana farms and are searching for a solution to prevent from this problem worsening. Although marijuana has been legalized in California, Gavin Newson, the governor or California, believes the issue of illegal marijuana is worsening rather than improving.
     C. I believe the prototypical customer of this opportunity are these illicit marijuana consumers. Because so much marijuana is produced by uncertified or licensed farms, it is dangerous to consume unregulated marijuana.
     D. I believe this is a relatively difficult opportunity to exploit simply because law enforcement officials cannot control so many illegal marijuana farms. These exist without the concern of the law, so it would be difficult to find a way in gaining control over unregulated farms especially because there are so many in California.
     E. I am from California, so I saw opportunity in this because I am curious in how exactly the illegal marijuana market effects our economy as a whole in California. I am aware that this is an issue currently being faced, but I am interested in the potential opportunity of this problem in my state.


2. "Virginia: thousands of armed protestors rally against gun control bills"

     A. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/20/virginia-gun-rally-activists-richmond
     B. I believe there is opportunity here because of the disagreement on the strict laws in regards to gun control made by state Democrats. Many gun rights activists are upset with these new laws, and democratic politicians throughout the US are trying to impose harsher restrictions on gun control regardless of the opinions of gun rights activists.
     C. The prototypical customers of this opportunity are those who obtain are are pursuing to obtain a gun in Virginia or the US, as gun law enforcements vary throughout the country however have become increasingly stricter with democratic influence. 
     D. I believe this opportunity is relatively difficult to exploit considering the fact that these new laws are very unlikely to change in gun rights activists favor. Democrats of Virginia who impose these laws on guns are confident and unwilling to change.
     E. I see opportunity in this because there are so many gun rights activists who are unhappy with the increasing popularity of the democratic influence in regards to gun control and the strict laws being imposed. It is such a controversial topic in today's political climate.