On Fri, 1 Jun 2001 11:59:14 Jim Elwell wrote: >Marcus writes: > >> Thanks, Jim, for your insightful explanation about this issue. >> However, please allow me to highlight one thing, which is based >> purely on economics (or finance, if you will...). True, even >> though the costs associated with changes to the above *can* be >> high. They do not necessarily have to be so. Through smart >> planning and replacement strategies coupled with coordination >> with the parties involved what actually could happen is an >> ultimate savings to all parties concerned! .... > >I have no argument with this, if by "smart planning" you imply that you will >allow manufacturers adequate time for tooling to deteriorate and be replaced >and inventories to be used up. > >Anything less than 10 years would be too short. Even at 10 years, there >would be some losses. > Such time frames could vary depending on the industry. Some sectors of the economy may require that long a time frame, I don't know (I can't claim to be knowledgeable about the needs of every business sector...), but others may not. That's why it's so crucial to do this via legislation using the tool of a Metric Board, for instance, to make sure this transation goes as smoothly as possible. >Finally, if there are "ultimate savings to all parties concerned," why do we >need mandates? Due to the logistics surrounding such an effort! You should probably know, Jim, how some industries are so intertwined or dependent on each other. You have both the vertical and the horizontal integration aspects to worry about that would require strict coordination. No company in any industry can work in a vacuum! Let's look (and learn) at the DOT experience. Was it enough to get DOTs to 'go metric'? Heck, no! They forgot the 'suppliers', the 'middlemen', etc, and, hence, the whole effort flopped! Every dependent sector MUST get involved on this. If they don't the effort goes down the drain (we all should know that by now!). I have yet to meet a business owner who doesn't want to make >money, so if you educate them as to the savings, they will convert of their >own accord. > Probably true, but it may suffice for one rotten chain in the whole link to put an entire effort in jeopardy (again, let's remember the DOTs situation). Noone can afford making that kind of mistake again, fair? >Perhaps we need more educating of the business community, and less chasing >after politicians who have many others doing the same. >... We certainly agree on the educating part. But many will come with the old rhetoric of "well... I'll go if everyone does, or if he does, etc, etc". And then noone gets anywhere. Sad, but true... Marcus Get 250 color business cards for FREE! http://businesscards.lycos.com/vp/fastpath/
