How to Pick a Financial Adviser You Can Trust
“The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action.” – Frank Herbert Not all financial planners are bad. But many are bad for your wealth. Financial planners can screw things up for many reasons: Conflicted interest and just…
READ MOREThe Magic of a Dollar
“You can stroke people with words.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald It’s common knowledge that the word “free” is the most powerful word in the sales-and-marketing lexicon — and that the free offer is almost always irresistible. But experienced marketers know that, at times, charging a dollar can be more effective…
READ MOREHow to Judge a Learning Program
How many piano/guitar/you-name-the-instrument courses have a 90% success rate? Answer: none. How many language programs? Same answer. How many colleges or graduate schools or technical schools end up seeing 90% of their students graduate and then use the knowledge the attained in their careers? Again, the answer is zero ……
READ MOREHow to Use Mainstream Magazines to Guide Your Investment Decisions
“Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor the lack of contradiction a sign of truth.” – Blaise Pascal Is it possible to use Time magazine (or any other major mainstream magazine) as a guide when you’re looking for investment guidance? It’s not only possible but actually makes good sense,…
READ MORETwo Things You Must Do to Make Sure Your Good Business Doesn’t Fall Apart
One of the first things I did upon taking on AP as a client, many years ago, was to revamp the customer-service department. Employing models of other customer-service systems I’d established in the past, I replaced most of the staff with better-educated, more articulate, and more conscientious workers … I…
READ MOREReal Estate: Be a Sharp Investor First, A Sharp Borrower Second
“Genius is the ability to put into effect what is in your mind.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald (“The Note-Books,” The Crack-Up, 1945) Forbes published its first list of America’s Richest People in 1982. At the top of that list was a man named Daniel Ludwig. You’ve probably never heard of…
READ MOREHow Much Do You Want to Make? Here’s How to Do It
I’ve said many times that to become wealthy you need to learn and practice a financially valuable skill — and most such skills have something to do with helping a business make money. There is virtually no limit to the amount of money you can make if you become skillful…
READ MOREKill Your Customers With Kindness
“Sow good services; sweet remembrances will grow them.” – Madame de Stael Killing his customers with kindness has been the policy of PM, a restaurateur in my neighborhood, who has used it to develop a chain of eight or 10 businesses that are very profitable. Sometimes, he sells them and…
READ MOREAre You Guilty of “Executive Blah Blah”?
“An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success.” – Stephen R. Covey “Blah blah” refers to words that have little meaning. When we talk to a dog, the dog responds to…
READ MORESell First. Ask Questions Later.
“The first blow is half the battle.” – Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), She Stoops to Conquer Two separate start-up ventures recently profiled in Success magazine illustrate the importance of what I will pompously dub MMFs First Rule of Business: Sell first. Ask questions later. What I am about to say applies…
READ MOREThe Emotion to Pocketbook Connection
“When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bustling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.” – Dale Carnegie To be a successful businessperson, you need to understand the emotions that move people…
READ MOREHow I Plan to Beat the Stock Market Safely
“No one tests the depth of a river with both feet.” – Ashanti proverb I’ve been talking to people I trust and have recommended to you — and they’ve convinced me that right now there are still two good options for conservative investors like me. First, I am going…
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