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Looking for Expertise? Mark Consulting Group is now open for Business January 25, 2012

Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.
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As a professional consultant, entrepreneur, and executive, I have decided to once again hang a shingle and open my newest venture Mark Consulting Group.  Unlike other companies I have founded, this will remain a boutique consulting operation focused on helping companies with strategy, marketing, bizdev, operations, branding, and the like.  We have significant social media expertise and the other principals bring a variety of unique skills to the table.  Our objective is simple.  To help you increase revenue through increased business or retain more profit through increased operational efficiencies. Either way, your business is more successful.  Please take a moment to review my website and if you have a particular need, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.  We have work samples on the site.  http://www.markconsultinggroup.com

Two Leaders Lost; Reflecting on Vaclav Havel and Kim Jong Il December 19, 2011

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In the past few days the world has lost two leaders who could not have more profoundly different.  As leaders of countries have a profound impact on global risk, it seemed appropriate to discuss these two leaders and their differences.

Vaclav Havel (1936-2011) was a Czech writer, dramatist and politician.  He is largely responsible for the Czech revolution which peacefully defeated communism and implemented democracy in Czechoslovakia in what is know known as the Velvet Revolution or Velvet Divorce.  He was the last president of Czechoslovakia and first president of the Czech Republic.  Vaclav was a prolific writer who changed peoples’ perspectives on politics, life, and economics.  One of his quotes is: “We had all become used to the totalitarian system and accepted it as an unchangeable fact and thus helped to perpetuate it”.  You can read more about Vaclav here.

Kim Jong Il, or the “Dear Leader” (1941-2011 ) was the dictator of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).  This is more commonly known as North Korea.  While many believe, and it is put forth that North Korea is Communist, in truth only their economic system is Communist.  They are a dictatorship.  Preceding Kim Jong Il was his father Kim Il Sung (the Great Leader), and proceding his reign is his son, Kim Jon Un (the Great Successor).  Compare the words of Vaclav Havel above, with those of Kim Jong-Il in the song: “There is no motherland without you”.   You can read more about Kim Jong Il here.

“You pushed away the severe storm.
You made us believe, Comrade Kim Jong-il.
We cannot live without you.
Our country cannot exist without you!”

Vaclav Havel fought his entire life for the values of Democracy, freedom, and prosperity for his people.  He lead the only violent free revolution which resulted in two countries being formed- the Czech Republic and Slovakia.  He was revered throughout the world and will certainly be missed.  Kim Jong Il fought his entire life to maintain an iron clad grip on power by oppressing and imprisoning those who dare speak against him.  North Korea is one of the poorest countries on Earth yet they pursue nuclear weapons with a passion.  He was universally reviled and will only be missed because it is unclear what his successor brings.  Sometimes “The Devil You Know is Better Than The Devil You Don’t.”

Vaclav you will be missed.  Kim Jong Il, God help us if you are missed.

Updated Whitepaper- Deterrence Theory & Modern Piracy December 19, 2011

Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, Uncategorized.
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I spoke on this topic at the Piracy Week event in London this past October.  It was a well received presentation so I thought I would repost the whitepaper with a few updates.  Deterrence theory plays a part in crime prevention, security and even dealing with teenagers ;).  You can download the paper here.

Understanding how people respond to deterrents as well as the rational actor model will help develop strategies for dealing with piracy and other crimes.  It should be noted that deterrence theory really goes out the window once someone is taking action for ideological purposes.  (that is my disclaimer)…pic was taken from johnbsheldon.com

Updated Whitepaper; Weapons & Tactics in the Prevention of Hijackings December 19, 2011

Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, Uncategorized.
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Originally I named this paper “Weapons and Tactics in the Prevention of Piracy” but in retrospect the title was incorrect.  Piracy is a multi-dimensional problem that could refer to a single act “The ship was pirated” or a larger geopolitical issue:  “Somalia leads the world in piracy”.  Weapons and tactics are simply tools that can be used to delay or prevent a single act.  For this reason, I renamed the paper.  You can download and read the paper here. 

Filipinos & Piracy December 19, 2011

Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, Uncategorized.
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BBC News published a story relaying the heavy toll that piracy takes on the Philippines.  According to the report, fully 1/3 of the Worlds’ seafarers are from the Philippines.  This means that every time a ship is hijacked it is highly likely that Filipino sailors will be involved in some manner.  “Every time there’s a report of a ship hijacked off the coast of Somalia, almost always there’s a Filipino involved,” admits Deputy Foreign Minister Esteban Conejos.  The comment continues: “Since 2006, a total of 748 Filipinos, in 61 vessels, have been hijacked in this way.”