Good ideas are literally "a dime a dozen". Individuals conceptualize revolutionary new products and new services with each passing minute of each day. Although there is such a steady stream of ideas that can be marketed successfully and developed into a lucrative business, there are actually few new businesses that make it past the "initial stages" into actual existence.Why is this, and what factors contribute to the abandonment of great ideas...more
1. On Benjamin Franklin:In 1757, Benjamin Franklin published "The Way To Wealth", a basic summary of his 25 year "Poor Richards' Almanac." In "The Way To Wealth", Honorable Mr. Franklin states the following:"Then since, as he says, the borrower is a slave to the lender, and the debtor to the creditor, disdain the chain, preserve your freedom; and maintain your independency: be industrious and free; be frugal and free. At present, perhaps, you may...more
A) If you are going to transform yourself into a financial wizard, with money, security, and assets, then you need to begin this transformation by clearing out the cobwebs, and making way for a new tomorrow.B) We are all perfectly capable of becoming "Financial Wizards." None of us are without the ability to amass vast quantities of prosperity and wealth, in an easy, painless fashion. Benjamin Franklin believed that we are all equal, entitled to equal opportunity. If we just take a few simple steps, each day, we can achieve greatness.C) But the first step is to take responsibility, and many "Financial Wizards" have debt issues, credit issues, budget issues, and spending issues. We're all human. So, the first step is to address these issues one at a time, and take ownership of them, and change them.D) But, hey listen! They ain't no big thing, you hear me!? These are SMALL issues to deal with, not large ones. These are little tiny duckies. You need to realize that, in order to tackle them and move on. Let's take a look at these lil' tiny duckies Gee aren't they cute? No big deal:1. THE DEBT DUCKIE!2. THE BUDGET DUCKIE!3. THE SPENDING DUCKIE!4. THE lil' FICO DUCKIE!1. THE DEBT...more
Bridging finance, also referred to as "bridge loans" and "bridging loans", have nothing at all to do with re-constructing the London Bridge. Bridging finance is typically a short-term loan that a business uses to supply cash for a real estate transaction until permanent financing can be arranged. The word "bridge" conveys the fact that the loan is...more
The single most expensive stock market trades are those made with emotions, but, of course, you are not an emotional trader are you? Before you bought that stock, mutual fund or Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) you did your research to be sure that what you were buying would return a good profit over the long haul. You bought it and over time you look at...more
Towers Perrin, the corporate benefits consulting firm, surveyed over 1000 American workers and found the following: Only 51 percent of all workers trust their organizations to tell the truth in employee communications Only 48 percent of all workers with more than five years of tenure believe their companies are honest in their employee communications Only 44 percent of all workers over age 50 trust their organizations to tell them the truth in employee communicationsOrganizations then wonder why worker productivity decreases, employee loyalty is at an all time low, and human resource situations increase. Your employees see everyday, at least in their eyes, the following: Record profits, yet massive layoffs Hearing how important they are, yet having their jobs outsourced Experiencing changes to their jobs, yet not being asked for their ideas Being told how they are doing a great job, yet being yelled at for mistakes in front of colleaguesNo wonder there is tension in the workplace. When I work with organizations, the following three concerns are the ones usually express: "My supervisor, manager, etc., doesn't know how to communicate with me." "I am the last to hear about bad...more
We consistently face new and ever growing challenges in the workplace such as reorganizing, downsizing, and "left out sizing." We are faced with the question, "How do we lead in this storm of change?" It may seem difficult at times and the decisions...more
How many times have you heard something similar to this in a customer service situation? Customer: "Why don't you just do it this way, and it will take care of the situation." Customer Service Person: "I understand what you are saying, but we can to...more
Recently, a business associate, Mike, mentioned that he was doing a show at a local university and stopped by the faculty dining hall to get lunch. He said that, while waiting on line, the service was poor. The line moved slowly, the counterperson...more
Recently I was facilitating an Outstanding Customer Service program and broke for lunch. Knowing that the restaurants in the area had much to desire as far as service I gave the students an extra fifteen minutes for lunch. Sure enough a group of four...more
Recently on the television reality show, The Apprentice, Donald Trump would give the ultimate winner the dream job of working for him, running one of his divisions and earning $250,000 per year. On the final episode, the choice came down to two...more