Everyone needs to consider their investments in corporations that have been using job cuts as an alternative to growth, and in essence keeping their bottom line in shape. With the economy in a recession, it's that time again for large corporations to start slashing jobs and trimming the fat, all in the name of profitability. However, I think we may start finding out that there is not a lot of fat to cut, and through this exercise we could be...more
With the absolute implosion of global financial markets, the investment world is learning that alternative investments need to be private. I don't think there has ever been a better illustration of a "pull down" effect within the last 70 years. It almost seems ridiculous to keep using the word "historic" as each day seems to be, or break a piece of financial history. Looking at the first half of 2008, we all sat back and said, " Wow, that was...more
Author: John DashfieldWhen you think about it, every single product and service begins its life as somebody's problem. We all have things in life that we'd rather pay somebody else to do, either because we simply don't want to do it or don't have the expertise. The reason we buy products is because they save us time, money, effort or enhance our lives in some way. How often are you innovating new products, services and ideas to help your clients? Often, the businesses that stand out from the crowd are the ones that really take the trouble to listen to their customers and then do something about it by helping them solve their problems. This is where the opportunities for growth are. Something new gives you a reason to speak to your customers and build your reputation. I believe there is opportunity around us all the time but we have to be on the lookout for it. I've heard many fascinating stories about how people have developed their businesses and one of my favourites is my sister Anne's idea. Going back a few years, when Anne's children first went to school, they soon started getting invited to their friend's birthday parties. At the end of the party the kids are traditionally...more
This investment perspective comes straight from the rooms in banks that are filled with the proverbial bean counters known as underwriters that are making the lives of hard money lenders very easy and very profitable. It's clear that the banks are running out of money, good decisions and good excuses for denying loans to businesses, property...more
Howard Brodsky set out to conquer the carpet world. Dan Bleier just wanted to save his family-owned business. But both cherished their independent status in a retail chain, "big box" business world. Now, each realizes success through a purchasing cooperative.The pair spent almost eight months reviewing different business models, disqualifying one...more
Most IT jobs consist of doing work in a constantly reoccurring cycle: define, design, create, test, deploy, repeat. When we get our first IT job or when we jump onto a new program, this can all seem so very new and exciting. However, once we reach the fourth or fifth cycle, it all starts to see the same. We also start to ask the BIG question: why am I doing this and does anyone really care?Ultimately this is THE BIG question. I know that I have grown bored with my IT jobs once they seemed to be repeating themselves. An interesting point to understand here is that just when I became most valuable to my employer, I was no longer interested in doing the job. If you've got a team working for you, this is going to be a big problem for you too.There are two ways to deal with this type of "IT job cycle" burnout that actually work. The first is to have a manager who is a real leader. The phrase that we always used was "I'd crawl over broken glass for him." These folks are very rare, but you'd recognize them by the fanatical loyalty that they create in their teams. The few times that I've had such a boss, I really felt that he "had my back" and I worked hard to make sure that "I had his...more
Corporate frauds undermine organizational effectiveness. Understanding the root causes of corporate frauds and dealing with them is critical to advancing organizational effectiveness and corporate integrity. Understanding corporate frauds is more...more
Magical but Simple Do-It-At-Home VirtuesMost of the "blockages" to success are originated in cosmic imbalance that slows down the process of attracting abundance or financial prosperity. Learn how to induce your own "Good Luck" combining two magical...more
Trading As A BusinessTrading in the financial markets, whether it be the Stock Market; the Commodities Market; the Futures Market; the Forex Market; or even the Options Market; is taking big risks on your hard-earned money.You have to treat trading...more
Are some customers better than others? Of course they are. So how do you attract the customers you want and deflect or discourage those who would do better elsewhere? First, know your customers. Which ones are making your business successful? Which...more
Credit cards are considered to overpass gap between requirements and contentment, disquiet for purchasing and smile for escalating capability of procure even with inadequate cash in hand. Since these synthetic cards came to market, they have allured...more
Many kinds of loans are available to the Non-Resident Purchasers in France. Some of them are: French Fixed Interest Rate Loans The interest rate is fixed at the starting of the loan for the duration of mortgage period of 5 to 25 years. The positive...more