CA: (Silicon) Valley CEO poll paints miserable picture for doing business

Mercury News ^ | 2/4/04 | Steve Johnson

[NormsRevenge]

The cost of workers' compensation insurance, health care and employee recruitment -- along with burdensome laws and regulations -- are making life miserable for many Silicon Valley firms, according to a survey to be unveiled during Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's San Jose visit Thursday.

[NormsRevenge]

.

[RLK]

``Unless the state changes its way of doing business, the valley will not be able to compete globally,'' concluded the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group's poll of chief executive officers and other top managers at 105 local firms.

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When ypu srt up industries and donate technologies to foreign countries using cheap labor, don't be surprised at the consequence that you can't compete with what you have created.

[dasboot]

Many lawmakers regard that as a ``social welfare issue,'' said Carl Guardino, the manufacturing group's CEO. ``They have to be reminded it's a bottom-line business issue.''

***WHAT!!!?????

[martin_fierro]

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Silicon Valley Slang

[null and void]

They are Caleeeforneeea law makers. Pray for us.

[freebilly]

When ypu srt up industries and donate technologies to foreign countries using cheap labor, don't be surprised at the consequence that you can't compete with what you have created.

I work with manufacturing companies around America. The California manufacturers I work with have the highest costs. Even with out of state freight charges it's much less expensive to deal with manufacturers from the south and the midwest.

I spoke with a relatively small manufacturer of stainless steel tanks today ($7 million/year in revenues). He's relocating from California to Nevada. His savings in workman's comp alone will be $400,000. He'll probably save that much in various taxes as well.

His story isn't unusual. The cost of doing business in the Golden State is so high that many companies have decided to cut their losses.

[Standing Wolf]

I spent quite a few years in Silicon Valley, the People's Republic of California. I miss it about 1% as much as a migraine head ache. I liked the easy money, the weather, and the proximity to some of the best beaches in the world, but the ludicrous cost of living, millions of illegal aliens, and loss of my civil rights compelled me to return to the United States.

[dasboot]

Never mind the lawmakers; sounds like some ceo's are 404.

It warn't necessarily my sister.

[RLK]

I would not attempt to set up a business of any kind in California or Massachusetts. States with populations of hippies looking for businesses to prey on can go to hell.

[GeronL]

These companies should consider moving out of Kalyfornia

[mpreston]

Moving out of California doesn't mean moving out of the USA. The rest of the US has it's own set of regulation problems but not like the West coast. High tech is slowly migrating to Colorado, Texas and South Carolina. That said, California still has a chance to turn it around but the clock is ticking.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Although Schwarzenegger already has declared most of those issues his priorities, it could take some persuading to get him and other state officials interested in affordable housing. Many lawmakers regard that as a ``social welfare issue,'' said Carl Guardino, the manufacturing group's CEO. ``They have to be reminded it's a bottom-line business issue.''

You mean, instead of allowing all that vacant land to be used as shiny new corporate parks the various city halls should have been passing out licenses to develop apartments, condos, and houses? Geeeeeeetttttt out!

[Vision Thing]

I would not attempt to set up a business of any kind in California or Massachusetts.

I think the exit plans for most Massachusetts-based startups involve selling out to other companies outside of MA. There is no long-term value in permanently running a company out of MA.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

I tend to be an optimist. Things are bad, true. But as long as the weathers great, the scenery is great, people will want to live here. Talented people as well. And as long as that remains true, there will always be companies that want to be here as well.

I wrote off LA after I moved from there but 5 years later they seem to be doing better than the Bay Area. One never knows.

[Lancey Howard]

The cost of workers' compensation insurance, health care and employee recruitment -- along with burdensome laws and regulations -- are making life miserable for many Silicon Valley firms

The whining grows irritating, doesn't it?
Hey, Silicon Valley firms.... MOVE!!
There are plenty of states which would roll out the red carpet for you. Meantime, quit whining.

[NormsRevenge]

And folks thought all the w(h)ine in California comes out of the Napa Valley. ;-]

[freebilly]

High tech is slowly migrating to Colorado, Texas and South Carolina

Alabama and Tennessee too, if you can believe it.

[freebilly]

There are plenty of states which would roll out the red carpet for you

That's exactly what's happening. The companies that remain in CA are paying too much for what they're getting in return.

[skeeter]

Alabama and Tennessee too, if you can believe it.

All those Alabamans & Tennesseeans better watch out what they hope for. With prosperity will come all the attendant problems.

Part of me hates to see the good times end, but if a little less prosperity means an improvement in social conditions here the other part of me welcomes the change.