Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas. Yes we say Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas. To my thousands of readers and followers. What a year. I would call it a good year not a great year. However, it could have been a lot worse except for my portfolio. I talked to my Broker this morning (he is also my nephew) and he informed me that my investments had increased by $14 in the last 30 days. Now I can retire.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Number 6 and you thought I forgot.
6. Progressively increase their responsibility until you name them President and COO. You remain Chairman and CEO until you retire. When you do this, be there to help not direct and let them lead no matter how hard it is.
Even after you have given them the title, the heir apparent should be responsible for specific things with enough responsibility and authority to make a difference yet be accountable to you and others until you see them in action. This includes being involved in Marketing Plans, Sales Initiatives, your outside council, your outside CPA and your insurance broker(s). Other than day-to-day decisions, they should not unilaterally make decisions without discussion with your team. Obviously, you and the heir apparent can, probably decide anything. However, it is always advisable to "seek the council of the wise" prior to making major, life changing decisions.
When you decide the time is right for them to assume the throne, do it right. Don't just say that you are no longer the President (or whatever). Do what you would do if you hired someone. Give them credit for a job well done, write a letter to "All Employees" announcing the change and don't joke about it. People will take it as seriously as you present it. By the way, the heir apparent will appreciate being treated as a top manager not as your relative.
That's what I think. What do you think?
ps: My wife says that I do not always have good grammer and spelling. I think I am perfect. What do you think?
Even after you have given them the title, the heir apparent should be responsible for specific things with enough responsibility and authority to make a difference yet be accountable to you and others until you see them in action. This includes being involved in Marketing Plans, Sales Initiatives, your outside council, your outside CPA and your insurance broker(s). Other than day-to-day decisions, they should not unilaterally make decisions without discussion with your team. Obviously, you and the heir apparent can, probably decide anything. However, it is always advisable to "seek the council of the wise" prior to making major, life changing decisions.
When you decide the time is right for them to assume the throne, do it right. Don't just say that you are no longer the President (or whatever). Do what you would do if you hired someone. Give them credit for a job well done, write a letter to "All Employees" announcing the change and don't joke about it. People will take it as seriously as you present it. By the way, the heir apparent will appreciate being treated as a top manager not as your relative.
That's what I think. What do you think?
ps: My wife says that I do not always have good grammer and spelling. I think I am perfect. What do you think?
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Auto Makers Bailout AGAIN!
Yesterday and today, I took a little while to listen to the automakers present their case for a "bailout". I thought that they were especially forthcoming and to the point........this time! You remember the boondoggle of arriving in Washington with hat in hand after having flown in on their private jets. I agree that was pretty dumb, they should have "jetpooled" I guess. The bigger deal though is the need to ask for money. I do not believe it especially given their propensity to largess. Let them go into Chapter 13 and reorganize.
What was more interesting was the incredibly stupid questions from the Senators and Congresspeople most of whom have not one minute of business experience. A few did, but not many. One of the interesting points was that Senator Dodd had met with a large number of car dealers ( I think 300) in Connecticut prior to the sessions this week. Smart. He found out what the car makers were telling them was true. NO ONE IS BUYING!!!! Even with outrageous incentives, no one is buying except that few people in the country can get a Dodge Charger. There is a waiting list. Why are they not buying. It is an amazing and mind boggling problem and reason for not buying. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY AND CANNOT GET ANY!
Another case for the bailout might be that with gas prices coming down, people may soon begin to buy cars too. That is true in my view. One of the main keys to economic recovery is 'REASONABLE" gas prices. Next, stop all the government involvement except for interest rates. Rates are low, but banks aren't lending or at least they are not lending to normal people. Typical banking, if you do not need the money, the banks will lend it to you. They frown on people borrowing because they need to!!
What do you think.
What was more interesting was the incredibly stupid questions from the Senators and Congresspeople most of whom have not one minute of business experience. A few did, but not many. One of the interesting points was that Senator Dodd had met with a large number of car dealers ( I think 300) in Connecticut prior to the sessions this week. Smart. He found out what the car makers were telling them was true. NO ONE IS BUYING!!!! Even with outrageous incentives, no one is buying except that few people in the country can get a Dodge Charger. There is a waiting list. Why are they not buying. It is an amazing and mind boggling problem and reason for not buying. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY AND CANNOT GET ANY!
Another case for the bailout might be that with gas prices coming down, people may soon begin to buy cars too. That is true in my view. One of the main keys to economic recovery is 'REASONABLE" gas prices. Next, stop all the government involvement except for interest rates. Rates are low, but banks aren't lending or at least they are not lending to normal people. Typical banking, if you do not need the money, the banks will lend it to you. They frown on people borrowing because they need to!!
What do you think.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Different Christmas Poem
I really do not have anything to add to this but to say God Bless America and God Bless our troops.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq
By the way, we say Merry Christmas and we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If you do not know Jesus as Lord, I would invite you to comment to this blog post and give me a way to contact you and I will be happy to explain how you can have eternal life in Jesus Christ.
What do you think?
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq
By the way, we say Merry Christmas and we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If you do not know Jesus as Lord, I would invite you to comment to this blog post and give me a way to contact you and I will be happy to explain how you can have eternal life in Jesus Christ.
What do you think?
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