McDonalds answer to $15/hr min wages

[UglyCasanova]

Sure, until the smart business person sees what the TCO is and the impacts are to their business and realizes robots have their place but are still a ways off in being able to replace humans.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...s-halting-robots-reign-on-the-production-line

I agree, but the gap is shrinking quickly.

 

[Jaskalas]

That the old "robots" from decades past, which are just pre-programmed mechanical actions, have trouble being programmed for a variety of custom tasks... makes no difference to the robots of 2020 and beyond.

Do people really want to compare 1980s computers to what we have today?
This notion of a comparison is a non starter.

 

[Linux23]

shit, with machines making fast food, why don't americans just stick their pie holes in a feedbag and keep it moving since quality is definitely not a priority.

 

[Zaap]

Since when did quality and 'fast food' go hand-in-hand?

 

[soundforbjt]

I can't remember the last time I ate at one.

 

[highland145]

I can't remember the last time I ate at one.

But $15/hr is good...or did I mix u up with someone else?

 

[highland145]

Since when did quality and 'fast food' go hand-in-hand?

Since America doesn't eat at home...other than packaged crap.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It's an empty threat. Mc Dees and the other large national fast food chains have been buying up every automated fast food operation with a viable business plan for the last twenty years. Fast food operations will remain staffed by humanoids in the majority of cases for the foreseeable future.

 

[Zorkorist]

Soooo, we're back to reducing the cost of labor.

Maybe someone could reduce the cost of Government, and their wild spending, into debt.

-John

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Soooo, we're back to reducing the cost of labor.

Maybe someone could reduce the cost of Government, and their wild spending, into debt.

-John

It could be done easily but, it will never happen. 90 percent of what government does at all levels is manage information. If only a technology existed that could manage, sort and, apply policies equally without regard to special interests.

 

[Zorkorist]

The Federal Government takes, via taxes, on the promise that they will help negotiate between states (interstate commerce) provide for the national defense, etc.

Nobody expected them to be this American Hitler, that is currently living large and spending us evermore into debt.

-John

 

[MagickMan]

That the old "robots" from decades past, which are just pre-programmed mechanical actions, have trouble being programmed for a variety of custom tasks... makes no difference to the robots of 2020 and beyond.

Do people really want to compare 1980s computers to what we have today?
This notion of a comparison is a non starter.

My smartwatch blows the doors off PCs even just 25 years old, but it isn't capable of providing the same user experience. 9x outta 10, people choose grocery checkers over self-checkout, because they prefer the experience. While McD's and the like may try kiosks as a novelty, people will gravitate to other people (or other establishments) to get that experience.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Soooo, we're back to reducing the cost of labor.

Reducing the cost of labor through actual technological advance is a good thing. It's like moving from candles to light bulbs. The cost of labor is, indeed, an excellent force for driving technological advance, freeing that labor to produce wealth in other sectors.

 

[UglyCasanova]

For business owners you're right, the reduced cost of labor all else being equal is great. For the labor themselves, ask them how well that $15/hr is working out now that they are freed up to produce wealth in other sectors.

 

[JackBurton]

So it is your position that everyone in the US can make 6 figures?

No, most are stupid, and make excuses to get sympathy. That's how they make their way through life.

 

[sm625]

a shop is opening up in my hood, here's their answer to $15 minimum wage

This is what vape shops do.

 

[sm625]

Automation might be inevitable but that doesnt mean the government should specifically put in place policies that hasten the uptake of retail POS automation at the cost of current employment. The process should occur as naturally as possible. The draconian minimum wage laws are responsible for the vast majority of kiosks in this country. And now that this damage has been done, the cost of the kiosks are coming way down. POS automation is probably 10 years ahead of where it should be in a free market. Those ten years means a lot of people will be out of work before the free market is able to transition them.

 

[JimmiG]

McKiosks!

I for one welcome these automated underlings

We have these at many hamburger joints in Sweden. We also have minimum wages of about $13/hr.

 

[Spungo]

McKiosks!

I for one welcome these automated underlings

I saw some of those recently. They work pretty good, and I find them easier to use when I'm not wearing my glasses.

I really don't see a problem with the collapse in shitty jobs.
I buy tons of stuff on Amazon. Should I feel bad that some kid isn't getting paid $8/h to process my order? On the contrary, increased demand for warehoused goods means there are more warehouse jobs. Warehouse jobs pay significantly more than cashier jobs. Companies like UPS are doing better than ever, and I know UPS pays employees a hell of a lot more than Best Buy ever will.

 

[highland145]

We have these at many hamburger joints in Sweden. We also have minimum wages of about $13/hr.

Cut out half of the $8/hr employees and the company is coming out $3/hr ahead...win.

 

[-slash-]

What's really funny is that he thinks that a salesman's function cannot be replaced by automation or outsourcing. He is one of the lucky ones who happened to grow up during a time of great economic opportunity where a person with next to no education could get a great job, earn a six figure salary, and live in a 5000 sq foot house. This used to be possible, but is extremely unlikely nowadays. His hubris is such that he thinks all of his success is of his own hands, and doesn't understand that the world has moved on. He didn't need a college education with 35k debt to get a decent job, so no one else needs it. They are just lazy, which is why they are working at McDonalds trying to survive until they can get a start in life (where they will probably earn closer to 45k/year than the six figures he got).
But when someone looks at a salesman's job, what part of it actually requires the human presence? Describing the product? Nowadays people can buy almost anything online, and if there's a question on the product, just email 'John' who works from India and he'll happily assist you while earning $3.50/hr. Is the salesman responsible for haggling for the 'best price'? As Amazon has demonstrated, a product's pricing is a result of supply and demand. It can easily be automated, or set by the original producer. Perhaps marketing is the salesman's special skill? After all, sales involves informing people about opportunities, and convincing them they should do business with you. How else could a potential client know about your excellent customer service? It certainly is too bad that there's no way for people to read reviews about companies to decide whether they should do business with them. In fact, the best reviews might be from previous clients! Customer reviews...what an idea....
The truth is 'sales' is being reduced down to a simple transaction management job nowadays. In fact, the most value that a salesman can bring to a business is by upselling a client. Kind of like "would you like fries with that?". So don't begrudge the salesmen their opinions, their 'path to advancement'. After all, the world isn't quite as fair to the 18 year old with no college nowadays.

You cant blame the economy for ones ineptitude to prove their value without a degree. Whats funny is you attributing intelligence and personal drive to "luck". I see guys every day with "bad luck". That or they're just piss poor workers.

 

[Mai72]

I love capitalism. Capitalism is why my wife and I were able to raise our kids in a 5000 sf house that we had custom built. I've only had one full time hourly job in my life and that was back in the early 80's, but it ended due to the effects of the recession. As luck would have it, the only jobs I was able to find, were sales jobs. Most of my adult life I've earned a 6 figure annual income, mostly on straight commission. I'm confident that I could be dropped off in a strange city with only my clothes and I would be employed within 48 hours and have a good paycheck shortly after. I've always chosen a job where the employer offered health insurance, so never really been without that either. Am I well educated? Not at all. I barely have a HS diploma. I got married at 19yo and our first child was born when I was 20. I have on the job business education, acquired over many, many years. My dad had a sit down with me one day and told me that I would probably never get a well paying job, given my education, unless I learned sales and found a job in it. I've always been of the belief that people are responsible for creating their own path to advancement. So when I hear stories of people complaining and pushing for higher minimum wages for Mcjobs, the only way I can respond is to challenge them to do something about their situation and accept some responsibility for the path their life is on.

You remind me of Grant Cardone. If you're in sales you should know his name. He's pretty famous. His real estate portfolio is worth about $350m. Has a New York Times bestseller "If You're Not First, You're Last." And "The 10X Rule." Grant also made much of his initial wealth from sales.

Anyway, Grant has always talked about the power of being an effective salesperson. If you want to create your own economy than going into sales is the only answer. There is no possible way to make a lot of money quickly than sales. But, people unfortunately look down on salespeople.

 

[ivwshane]

You remind me of Grant Cardone. If you're in sales you should know his name. He's pretty famous. His real estate portfolio is worth about $350m. Has a New York Times bestseller "If You're Not First, You're Last." And "The 10X Rule." Grant also made much of his initial wealth from sales.

Anyway, Grant has always talked about the power of being an effective salesperson. If you want to create your own economy than going into sales is the only answer. There is no possible way to make a lot of money quickly than sales. But, people unfortunately look down on salespeople.

Yeah I'm sure the negative feelings towards sales people aren't warranted at all! We certainly couldn't look to the Republican front runner who happens to be a salesman and see any dishonest dealings he's been apart of, right? I'm sure he's one of a kind in that respect. /s

 

[Joepublic2]

a shop is opening up in my hood, here's their answer to $15 minimum wage

So some expensive, easily steal-able/breakable electronics? Ditto on the kiosks. I doubt those kiosks are still going to be cheaper when they have to hire a security guard because fired workers keep on walking in with a hoodie on and smashing them to bits with a crowbar.

 

[CZroe]

*yawn*

This just replaces the order/payment-taker. It's really nothing new.

Limiting this to food orders to exclude the obvious (mail orders and such):
I ordered Taco Bell from an app almost a year ago. I ordered Chipotle with an app a few years ago. I ordered from a kiosk at Jack in the Box 6 or 7 years ago. I ordered pizza with an app back in 2008. Heck, I ordered and paid for pizza, wings, and sandwiches online without picking up the phone at least 17 years ago. I did self check-out at grocery stores at least 18 years ago.

Limiting this to food orders means I have to exclude Fandango/TicketMaster, department store self check-out, ATMs, and pay-at-the-pump (I wasn't even old enough to drive), but they certainly deserve honorable mentions.

I don't consider faxed orders and Sonic drive-thru because it does not go into the order queue automatically/electronically.