Review of Reading Materials

Supertrends: Winning Investment Strategies for the Coming Decades by Lars Tvede

2011-07-19T23:28:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 472 pages
Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (June 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0470710144
ISBN-13: 978-0470710142

This is quite an intriguing book, and an excellent one at it. If you have no time for details, just flip all the way back to Appendix A: The 100 most dramatic events, 2010 - 2050, to get a summary and gist of it all. Otherwise, the chapters itself are mind-numbing at most parts.

Split into 5 parts, the salient parts are summarized for my future understanding and reference.

1) Superscares
Crises:
- A great explanation of business cycles by looking at inventories (4-5yrs), capital spending (9-10yrs) and property (18 -20 yrs).

Money and Assets:
- MV = PQ.
- Money flow can dry up very quickly and assets with huge values (i.e. property) can drag the economy down fast

Bubbles, Scares and Crashes:
- The fact that these exists does not mean trends will not continue.
- The key thing is to realise if trends end or they are over-inflated

2) Supertrends
Population growth, female emancipation and aging:
- Global population will rise but stablised, however urban population will increase dramatically with focus on emerging markets.
- More will progress up Maslow's hierarchy of needs, fueling explosion of leisure activities.
- Increased female emancipation leads to less children plus decreasing workforce ratio rapidly later.
- Huge increase in aging support.

Globalisation, urbanisation and wealth explosion
- Growth explosion by emerging markets as they leapfrog with better technologies than the past with no legacy infrastructure

Intelligence, knowledge and innovation
- Moore's law in practice for many technologies (compounding effect due to meta-ideas)
- Meta-ideas fueling increase in IQ over the years
- Focus on genomics and computing

Environmental and resource strain
- Increase in population plus longer lives
- A good comparison was done of various stands on global warming. Author seems to be inclined that this is a scare and would drive bubbles in commodities and alternative.

3) Superempires
Tribes and Empires (a good historical narrative was shared)
- Empires decline due to the disappearances of the following: the need to achieve, the will to achieve, the opportunity to achieve and the incentive to achieve
- Future empires will not be geographical but economical and through social fascination (social fabric achieved by certain ideals or way of thinking)

War, terror and the bottom billion
- Most wars will be civil and terror-related
- The bottom billion will have missed the boat, as they are locked out due to a vicious cycle of problems (landlocked, conflicts, natural extraction economies, bad governance and bad neighbours)
- Drivers of war and peace was nicely presented

4) Supersectors (7 of them in the order below)
Shape of things to come
- Most technologies are S curves
- 2 key factors - rapid growth and a great profit model
- Categories - Asset, network, speed, customer relationship, cost-cutting, financial timing, financial arbitrage, active financial
- 20 drivers of civilization summarized (as above)

1. Finance
- Controls everything. Has strong entrenched network effects

2. Real Estate
- Residential property is a business cycle kick-starter; commercial property is a lagging indicator
- Increase in holiday homes and global tourism due to increasing middle class
- Focus on urbanising cities, cities where people want to work, high IQ areas, network effect areas + scarce land
- 3 crucial aspects of property markets: location, valuation and property cycles (a 30-step review of timing is provided)

3. Commodities
- Many commodities are unlikely to face an end limit; we will be able to replace with alternatives or extract better
- We become more effective in growing food
- Energy will have alternatives before we finally break the fusion barrier.
- Pressure for commodities will get greater due to increase in population and urbanisation but we will be able to cope.

4. Alternative Energy
- Going solar and being more efficient
- Debunking hydrogen

5. Genomics and Biotechnology
- Essential an Information Technology
- Gene manipulation to improve food production and longevity

6. Information Technology
- Will continue to explode, reaching human brain capability by 2030
- RFID, GPS and mobile phones (location technology) will provide new possibilities
- IT will become more unbundled, atomized, instant, mobile, contextual, autonomous, virtualize physical items and more real time
- People must focus on creativity for jobs

7. Luxury
- Driven by growth in wealth, especially in emerging markets

8. LifeStyles
- IT will shift the focus of jobs to service and creative sectors
- Future economy will be storyteller economy (luxury, finance, sport, health/food particularly)
- Focus on the experience!

5) Superbrains
- Virtual/microscopic developments follow aggressive progression curves whilst physical/industrial technologies are much slower
- If a human need can be met by IT or molecular technology, solutions will evolve much faster than demand
- There are 5 rules for intelligence
- Happiness stems from having a (1) pleasant/comfortable life (2) engaged life and (3) meaningful life. Essentially, freedom (particularly economic)

Integration Marketing by Mark Joyner

2011-05-14T17:41:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 26, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780470454596
ISBN-13: 978-0470454596
ASIN: 0470454598
Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches

In summary, the book is nothing new but it serves to reinforce strong concepts of anchoring one's business and growing it phenomenally. Concepts are one thing but execution is key. The book brings the concepts across clearly enough but leaves the execution to the reader.

The book is structured into 3 parts: The Idea, the Strategy and the Mastery.

Part 1: The Idea

- Upsell and cross-sell

- See/know the battlefield

- Integrate your self into a Traffic or Integration stream

- Definitions of Integration Marketing concepts are given here

Part 2: The Strategy

- With integration marketing, opportunities open and you will earn more profits faster

- 4 Steps - Identify deals, testing integration, strike deals that at effortless and not time-consuming, duplicate and scale

Part 3: The Mastery

- Future definition especially between Traffic streams and Integration Streams Integration points. The latter is more important as the targeted audience is already engaged

- Focus on External Internet Marketing instead of Internal as it is where you capture larger audiences

- Mathematics concepts are introduced to better calculate the chances of growth for different marketing actions

- Create ecologies that forces others to sustain your business as well

Waiting by Ha Jin

2011-05-08T18:29:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Vintage (September 19, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375706410
ISBN-13: 978-0375706417
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches

Read this book when I was in reservist onboard a ship.

It is a very easy read, showing insights into a very Chinese culture in a Communist China via a love story.

Some parts are quite random and the story flows like a life story without too much of a heavy plot.

Good for easy light reading?!

The Wallstrip Edge by Howard Lindzon

2009-09-14T18:38:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Business Plus (February 18, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446508640
ISBN-13: 978-0446508643
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.1 inches

Lindzon is a great advocate of momentum investing/trading as seen by this book. It gives a different perspective/method of investing as compared to Fundamental Analysis or Technical Analysis as it leans more towards behavioral science.

My personal opinion is that this technique might not apply well in other markets.

Here’s the summary of the content delivered and the content reorganized for reference. Under each point, I have emphasized his key message.

Trends

Charts have little value as they add noise only
Valuation matters only at extremes of the market. Valuation is difficult as well and hard to time.
Trending stocks are hard to value
Filter out noise

Daily volatility is normal due to the massive amount of information or data exchanged everyday. Most of it is noise and does not impact prices in the long run
Keep an eye out for trends instead
Either trade or invest, not both. Doing both causes you to lose focus.
You don’t have to trade too often. Doing so frequently shows that you are influenced by noise which is unpredictable.

Everlasting Trends

Information – companies that help to shrink the world like Fedex, Google
Vices – gambiling, smoking
War and Defense
Health Wellness and Vanity

Hot trends

IT especially Human Computer Interface for connectivity
Medicine and its alternative (Spirituality and Wellness)
Oil and alternative energies
Consumer electronics focusing on fashion

Tips to find trends

Select from all-time-highs as this is where the money is flowing
Select an all-time-high stock which has traded for sideways for a long time. Longer the better.
Look at stocks that have real visible presence and earnings.
Be wary of stocks which has already risen more than a few times from its first all-time-high
Research sufficiently

Don’t overdo it
Focus only on all-time-highs
Look at bloggers

Other Tips

Manage your Money well

Sell the losers and ride the winners
Never average down
Buy when the market is healthy (more all time highs to choose from)
Determine your risk tolerance
Have a strategy
Aim to survive for another day
Sell on the way up as trends do end
Practice effective exits and stop loss
Never ever leverage

Bear Markets

Look out for great brands/leaders on sale
Avoid the following industries

Airlines
Electronics
Components

Avoid stock tips
Use/leverage social networking

Bursting with Energy by Frank Shallenberger

2009-09-14T18:35:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: Basic Health Publications; 2nd edition (December 24, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591201276
ISBN-13: 978-1591201274
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches

The book is split into 2 parts

How your health is related to the amount of energy you have
8 Secrets of improving your energy

Dr Frank’s health theories are based on the premise that the level of energy dictates how healthy we are. This reflects how old we are as well, not in terms of years but rather, physical ability.
The first part of the book tells us the mechanism of oxygen usage for generating energy and what factors affect this. It also reveals what causes diseases and why we feel lethargic at times. Some of the myth busting revelations gathered from this book are:

Obesity is resultant of the lack of energy (of inefficiency) and causes a vicious cycle
This cycle is usually a resultant of imbalanced carbohydrate intake, hormonal changes and body condition inefficiency
Exercise does not have to be hard (anaerobic) to burn fats. This instead will make you lose fats slower.
Energy affects all parts of your physical condition and efficiency

8 Secrets of improving your Energy

Water

Drink sufficiently especially when you wake up

Rest

Rest during anabolic phase (6pm-6am) as body repairs itself during this time
Don’t eat 3 hours before sleep
Sleep in the dark

Sunlight
Supplements

Use this with a good diet to have the best nutritional synergy

Food

Eat unlabeled food (most natural)
No trans-fat
Eat less more especially carbohydrates (or those high in glycemic index)
Fast occasionally to detoxify
Eat slowly

Exercise

Especially when older
Exercise between FBT (fat burning rate) and ATR (anaerobic threshold rate)

max heart rate is 208 –(0.7*age)
FBR is 0.65 of max heart rate
ATR is 0.85 of max heart rate

FBR and ATR is subjective depending on health. FBR can be estimated by a slight difficulty in talking when exercising.
Alternate between Interval and Circuit training

Breathing

Breathe with your stomach and not your chest

Bio-identical hormonal replacement

There is much emphasis on Dr Franks product range as well although many of his advice can be applied via one’s effort.

Beowulf

2009-01-20T22:22:00.001+08:00

Read the show and watched the show. A bit sad for a story like this.

The Lead Ladder - Marcus Schaller

2008-12-28T18:43:00.002+08:00

Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (August 25, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0071479090
ISBN-13: 978-0071479097
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

This is a very short and easy book to read. It summarises the necessary details and guides the reader on a step by step journey in building leads. The content is cast in a way that it follows a salesman who has failed in his sale business and is starting to build it from scratch with the help of a friend.

The Lead Ladder is characterised by a pyramid shape where the base forms the reach, then leads, then one-to-one consultations then to clients. At every step higher, the number drops and the service is more personalized and differentiated. Schaller advises to 'work backwards' in determining the number of clients needed then calculating the size of your reach. This determines the type strategy in collecting leads.

It is important to focus on a particular niche or market as well so that your marketing message is not lost on the reach. The message must be focused enough to answer any potential clients' questions or needs.

Managing leads database is critical and followup is a must. Being consistent will win you clients as different clients move up the ladder at different speeds.

Diablo - The Kingdom of Shadows

2008-09-03T22:29:00.001+08:00

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Star Trek (July 30, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743426924
ISBN-13: 978-0743426923

Diablo: The Black Road

2008-09-03T22:24:00.002+08:00

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Star Trek (April 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743426916
ISBN-13: 978-0743426916

Diablo - The Sin War

2008-08-25T09:02:00.000+08:00

6 *

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 427 KB
Print Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books (April 27, 2007)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B000QBYF54

Diablo - Moon of the Spider

2008-08-25T08:58:00.000+08:00

Publisher: Pocket Star (December 27, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743471326
ISBN-13: 978-0743471329
Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches

A book on necromancers and how they struggle to maintain the Balance of Good and Evil.

This book sees the resurrection of Astrogha, servant of Diablo with the help of a legendary necromancer. But a young necromancer guided by fate is pitted against him.

Permission Marketing - Seth Godin

2008-07-16T16:26:00.002+08:00

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition (May 6, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0684856360
ISBN-13: 978-0684856360

Published in 1999, this book is ahead of its time and one can see many of its principles employed in the world today especially on the Net. Godin speaks of the evolution of marketing from an Interrupting one to a Permission-based one. This is because the world is increasingly being flooded by advertising but the attention of individuals have not grown in comparison. Attention has become a commodity.

To keep mass marketing alive, it is proposed to (1) advertise in odd places, (2) make advertisements more controversial and entertaining, (3) keep advertisements fresh by churning them more and (4) replace them with direct mail and promotions. The latter only catches the attention for a while if relevancy is not kept up. In all, there is a vicious cycle if the old marketing ways are still employed - spending more to have more interruptive advertisements which cause people to 'tune out' and make advertisements less effective, which leads to more spending on even more advertisements to catch attention.

Permission Marketing is like courting - anticipated, personal and relevant. It is about stretching the life of the customer and leveraging on the experience of a previous sale to make the next sale. It is about the customer volunteering to want information instead of bombarding them with excessive data. Interruption is essential as a prelude to permission (granted if it is relevant). With permission, use frequency to hammer in concepts and cause familiarity which in turns breeds trust. Once trust is in place, it is increasingly easier to make repeat sales.

There are several levels of Permission stated:
1. Intravenous
Magazine subscriptions and hospital treatments are examples. Customers allow the suppliers to make decisions for them. Deep trust is implied.
2. Purchase on Approval
Negative option or automatic opt-in. An example is credit cards.
3. Points
Loyalty points are an example. Keeps customers engaged and returning . There are various forms of points system. Points can have a certain value r a chance to get something.
4. Personal relationships
Not scalable but powerful.
5. Brand trust
Leads to extensions of the same brand on different products.
6. Situation
Leverage on selling other products when customer is buying another product. "Want to upsize your meal?"
7. Spam

Permission is non-transferable, selfish, a process and cancellable anytime. Non-transferable because it is personal and needs relevanc. Selfish because it is consumer-centric and they are in control of whether they want your product. A process because it is a dialogue that improves or mars the relationship. Cancellable as the consumer is in control.

Myths about marketing on the web (revised)
1. Traffic hits is the best way to measure success
2. Great content is why people return
- relevancy is more important
3. Technology makes you sell better
- nope. they only make it easier or more efficient.
4. Search Engines are key to traffic

The web makes it easier for direct marketeers because of the speed of response, low cost of frequency and publishing, testing is faster. To evaluate a Permission Marketing program, note these points:
1. What is in it for consumers?
2. How much does incremental permission cost?
3. The level of permission earned and how is this being increased.
4. How much does incremental frequency cost?
5. Response rate
6. Permission viewed as an asset
7. Leveraging on Permission
8. Lifetime of permission granted
9. Is retention a lot easier/cheaper than getting fresh permissions?

The book also has case studies on permission marketing by organisations - how they failed and suceeded. Excellent book to own.

The Big Moo by Seth Godin

2008-07-16T16:16:00.002+08:00

Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Amazon Remainders Account (October 20, 2005)
ISBN-10: 1591841038
ASIN: B000GIW464
Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 1 inches

Compiled like the Chicken Soup for the Soul, the Big Moo is a aggregation of writing from pioneers in different areas in the ways of being REMARKABLE. Godin talks about the need to be different, to be the purple cow amongst the brown. Even so, you must need a Big Moo to change the game and be that pioneer of a new trend.

There are amazing stories - some simple, some deep. And they are all insights to how these remarkable people think. Subject include dealing with failure, having persistence, playing as opposed to mere working, being creative, be extraordinary in the ordinary, doing things NOW, being extreme, pushing the envelope, overcoming fear (vs anxiety), making wrong decisions etc.

It's not exactly a wealth of information but rather, it is a wealth of experiences that the reader can tap on. Perhaps you can garner something new from it or goad you on to greater things.

5*

How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath

2008-06-15T11:17:00.003+08:00

7 stars

Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Gallup Press; 1 edition (August 10, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595620036
ISBN-13: 978-1595620033
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches

At first glance, you would have thought this thin book has little substance. 128 pages with almost every alternate page of a quote with a picture of a bucket, you might think you have been ripped off. However, happiness in life often lies in simplicity and one does not have to find all ways and means to be happy. This book is about that. Just a simple theory about a life that is a bucket and how happy you are depends on how full is your bucket.

The theory originated from Don Clifton, a psychologist who focused on the positivities in life to to promote happiness. The theory of the Dipper and the Bucket centralizes on the fact we have buckets to fill but often, we use our dippers to empty them. The book is split into 6 main chapters and their summaries are as follows:

Chapter 1: Negativity Kills
The chapter begins with history on how American POWs were treated in North Korean camps. Deaths were not caused by torture but an emotionally draining experience of killing relationships. Prisoners were infused with so much negativity that they lost the meaning to live.

Chapter 2: Positivity, Negativity and Productivity
Productivity is powered by positivity. Lack of appreciation, disengagement, unproductiveness can be caused by negativity. And this can spread from one person to another. Hence the dipper theory.

Chapter 3: Every Moment Matters
A good relationship should have a 5:1 positive-to-negative interaction ratio. It's always better to have more positives but an upper limit exists. This is because positivity must be grounded in reality.

Chapter 4: Tom's Story - an overflowing bucket
This part is a short autobiography of the author on his trials and how positivity helped him weather them.

Chapter 5: Making it Personal
There is no one single way to impart positivity to others. You must individualize each attempt,, catering to the target person's character.

Chapter 6: 5 strategies for increasing positive emotions
1. Prevent Bucket Dipping
2. Shine a Light on What is Right - instead of focusing on what went wrong, see what went right
3. Make best friends - have great relationships
4. Give unexpectedly
5. Reverse the golden rule

You can visit www.bucketbook.com for questions, tests and other reading material.

Million Dollar Habits - Brian Tracy

2008-06-03T16:58:00.002+08:00

9 stars

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Entrepreneur Press; 1 edition (May 2, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599180294
ISBN-13: 978-1599180298
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 i

Despite the title focusing on 'million dollars', Brian Tracy manages to put together an excellent well-rounded book on the topic on personal excellence and how to get there. The main concept of it is that habits get us to where we are and they can be learnt. Brain reveals to us tips on develop ingcrucial lifelong habits to better our life in all aspects - career, personal relationships, finances, fitness etc.

7 Steps to a new habit

Make a decision
Never allow an exception
Tell others (be accountable)
Visualisation
Affirm self (self talk)
Persistent practice
Reward to reinforce

The idea is not to overload oneself and take one step at a time, a habit at a time so we won't be overwhelmed. The following are categories of habits that can be developed according to one's wants and aspirations.

Habits to Succeed
- self-discipline
- be an optimist
- be mentally hardy
- know what you want
- be future oriented
- focus on your goals (do goal setting)
- excellence orientation/mastery
- know your key skills
- Develop your weakest skill that is material to your career (weakest skill = slowest pace)
- lifelong learning (read, learn from experts, courses/seminars)
- action oriented
- mix around with the right people

Habits of Millionaires
- take charge of finances
- frugality
- Law of attraction
- Wedge theory (save 50% of future increases)
- Insure

Habits to be paid more and promoted faster
- focus on jobs that are easy to do and easy to learn
- contribution orientation
- seek opportunity vs security
- find/do your ideal job
- Start earlier, end later
- Ask for more responsibility
- Take initiative
- Look like a winner
- Focus on customer service (internal and external)
- Be a good team player
- Help others to improve
- imagine you are self employed
- Be positive and cheerful

Habits of Top Business People
- Clarity
- Set goals and objectives
- Focus on marketing and sales
- Think like a customer
- Flexibility
- 7 points: Plan, organise, find the right people, delegate, inspect, measure, keep others informed.
- be open
- 7 foundations: productivity, customer satisfaction, profitability, quality, employees, organisational development, innovation

Habits for Marketing and Sales Success
- Specialize in one area
- Be different from the rest
- Determine your best potential customers (focus)
- Focus and concentrate on Sales efforts
- 7 Ps: product, price, place, promotion, packaging, positioning, people
- Meet, exceed, delight then amaze your customers
- Referrals and resales are key to profitability

Habits of Personal Effectiveness
- personal strategic planning
- Personal productivity (work hard, fast, smart, efficiently, better, on your strengths
- Focus (why am I paid? What are the high value activities? What only I can do? What is the biggest single contributing thing that i do for the company? What is the best use of my time?)
- Do the important only - Pareto, overcome procrastination, ABCDE method

Habits for Getting Along with Others
- make others feel important
- fearless and spontaneous
- be a relationship expert
- 5 points: acceptance, have gratitude, compliment always, build other's esteem, listen
- prioritize relationships esp with family
- learn forgiveness

Habits for Health and Well-being
- maintain ideal weight
- get rid of 3 white poisons: sugar, salt, flour
- eat right, slowly (> 20mins), timely (heaviest at the start and mid)
- do it slowly and steady
- Exercise
- Relax FULLY when it's time
- Sleep and rise early
- Drink lots of water
- Moderation
- practice solitude

Habits of Character and Leadership
- develop your character
- imagine and act like that ideal
- develop a vision
- aspire
- courage
- responsibility
- honesty and integrity
- 3 primary virtues: Prudence, Just, Benevolent
- Loyalty
- Faith
- Persistence
- Gratitude

The Rules of Office Politics - Dr Rob Yeung

2008-05-14T11:24:00.000+08:00

8 stars

Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Cyan Communications (January 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1904879853
ISBN-13: 978-1904879855
Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.7 x 0.9 inches

"Rules of Office Politics" is an excellent guide to increasing one's awareness of office politics in any career. Office politics is unavoidable and needs to be managed.

A good insight, shared by Dr Yeung which I think is most important, is that office politics need not be unethical. A general impression of office politics is one of backstabbing or sacrificing others for one's benefit. To be well-versed in office politicking can be used to understand relationships better and leveraging on them for the benefit of others.

This short and sweet book is split into 3 sections:

1. Assessing the political landscape
- understanding the realities of work
- use the grapevine as a source of information
- observe, listen, ask questions
- be a confidant, keep secrets
- perception is more important than reality
- figure out who are the key people and what issues that matter
- focus on a few key people
- network
- know the rules of the game that the senior management play
- take your time

2. Building significant relationships
- identify goals and plan
- build teams
- know which button to push for each individual, be flexible
- play to others' needs
- accumulate favours
- deepen relationships
- know who has access to the big shots
- have a good mentor
- build credible reputation and develop a profile
- champion company ideals
- Leverage on situations, networks
- Use non-verbal leakage to convey messages
- be humble
- seek criticism not praise
- help your boss (manage him)

3. Confronting adversaries
- know how you are vulnerable
- concentrate on those who matter
- know the other's intentions
- collect evidence
- get second opinion
- steer away from official channels first
- pull adversaries to your side
- continual reinforcement
- prepare an exit strategy

To really appreciate the essence, I would encourage reading the book in its entirety and reflect on the concepts.

Marketing to the Social Media Web - Larry Weber

2008-05-13T16:59:00.000+08:00

7 stars

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Wiley (June 22, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0470124172
ISBN-13: 978-0470124178
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches

"Marketing to the Social Media Web" gives any business owner a good reason to leverage on the internet to grow their business. It talks of the current trend where the internet is on the rise to take a bigger pie in any business' revenue. The book expounds on the paradigm shift all marketers have to make and how all these new tools change how people buy things.

To summarize, the learning points of the book are as follows:

1. The Web is not a one-way street for a monologue

Communication in a digital environment is an evolution from the traditional way of communication. It allows new possibilities in a globalized but shrinking world.

4 main strategies centres on reputation aggregrators, blogs, online communities and social networks.

Marketing must be more consumer centric. Customers are more vocal, hence marketeers need to participate in their conversations instead of a monologue.

Instead of broadcasting, the media needs to aggregate information for consumers to choose and pick.

The content must be compelling.

2. The marketer's new focus: Community and content

A community of interest and content is where real feedback is and where people are truly interested in a product. The control of information shifts from marketer to consumer. Hence marketing has to be honest and transparent because people can talk abt it.

Some opportunities to market (strengthening and expanding relationships):

- targeted brand building

- lead generation

- partnerships

- R&D via collaboration

- empolyee communications

3. Making the Transition to the social web

1. change marketing mindset - dialogue instead of monologue

2. A living brand - away from brand essence and brand recall. A stronger dialogue. better engagement

3. Segmentation by what people do, feel and think - for targeting

4. Targeting by behaviour instead of traditionally demographics - groups of interests and behaviours instead of narrow one-to-one

5. Communicate interactively - compelling environments to engage

6. Customer generated content - increasing visual content

7. Viral marketing - make pple share

8. Reviews by customers instead of only the experts, voting

9. Sponsor instead of publishing content, more meaningful dialogue

10. bottom up strategy - from the customers

11. let users decide

4. 7 steps to build your own customer community

1. Observe and create a customer map

2. recruit community members

3. evaluate online conduit strategies (below)

4. Engage communities in conversation

5. measure the community's involvement

6. promote your community to the world

7. improve the community benefits

5. Making use of 4 online conduit strategies

1. Reputation aggregator strategy (in search)

2. Blog Strategy (or podcasting)

3. E-community strategy

4. Social Networks strategy

Affiliate Millions - Anthony Borelli, Greg Holden

2008-05-13T16:41:00.000+08:00

6 stars

Hardcover: 253 pages
Publisher: Wiley (April 13, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0470100346
ISBN-13: 978-0470100349
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches

This is a wonderful book for anyone who have never touched affiliate marketing before or have no knowledge about the subject. It is a book for beginners and goes through step by step on how to create compaigns and making a business out of it. A important point to note is that affiliate business tactics change in a short time and some of tools highlighted in this book might be obsolete in a couple of years. Some of the concepts might still aid anyone or give good advice to a current affiliate business owner.

The first portion of the book tells of the author's inspiring story of getting into the business and that anyone can follow suit. It also teaches the basic concepts of search and affiliate marketing. The second part emphasizes on building the campaigns. The last section talks about improving and managing the business, including the tax portion.

I note that this business is only suited for those who are willing to fork out a small sum of money to try pay per click advertising. And you need persistence. There will be falls so the idea is to persevere.

The Crisis of Global Capitalism - George Soros

2008-05-13T16:19:00.000+08:00

4 stars

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: PublicAffairs; 1 edition (December 2, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1891620274
ISBN-13: 978-1891620270
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches

This book is highly philosophical and takes a while to digest. It is not the typical investment book but rather the detail elaboration of the concepts Soros has borrowed and modified in his life. The concepts protrayed are a reflection of his investment philosophy and his view of the capitalistic world today.

"The Crisis of Global Capitalism" is split into 2 halves - the first half deals with the concepts themselves and are highly conceptual, the second half applies these concepts to the present capitalist system and highlights practical examples.

In short, Soros does not believe in equilibrium to exist as a final state but rather uses 'reflexivity' to describe how the market works. Reflexivity is the 2 way feedback mechanism between perception and reality. The former drives movement in the market. In a way, social forces and perception largely determine economics.

Soros believe that the current system will break down one day because of the huge growing perceptual differences that causes large swings. One day, the swings will go beyond the point of return (like a rubber band), causing the system to snap and crumble. Soros believes that it is necessary for an open society (another concept) where a proper feedback mechanism is in place to keep the swings small or at least in check.

*Note that my summary here is based on my interpretation of his writings and may not be representative. This is because I recognise my inadequacy to understand fully his concepts well.

Saving Fish from Drowning - Amy Tan

2008-04-26T17:14:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 528 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (September 26, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 034546401X
ISBN-13: 978-0345464019
Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1.5 inches

Amy Tan can be hilarious with her prose.

Saving Fish from Drowning leaves the reader with a lot to reflect about especially about life. Sometimes we intend the best and impose our standards on others - trying to 'save' others from themselves or from their current predicaments, but in the process, we do worse for them.

This book is about a 'ghost' telling a story about her companions travelling to Burma. They got 'kidnapped' by a tribe in a case of 'mistaken identity' where one of them was recognised as a saviour.

Funny, witty and sometimes sad.

Great book to read.

Mylot Blog Registration (Temporary)

2008-04-05T17:01:00.001+08:00

myLot User Profile

A Whole New Mind - Daniel H Pink

2008-03-13T13:23:00.000+08:00

8 Stars

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (March 24, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1573223085
ISBN-13: 978-1573223089

In this book, Pink talks about humanity's transition into the next age.

Ages: Agricultural (strength) --> Industrial(Machines) --> Information(knowledge worker) --> Conceptual(holistic thinking)

Our transition is fueled by the 3 As:

1) Abundance - from fulfillment shifting from utility(meeting basic needs) to experential(meeting wants)

2) Asia - outsourcing and growing competitiveness

3) Automation - increasingly sophisticated computers to replace routine jobs

Pink discusses that in order to stay relevant and ahead, we just develop our mind holistically - shifting our emphasis on the left brain more to the right brain.
The differences between the 2 halves are:

1. One controls the opposite side of the body

2. Left - sequential, right - simultaneous

3. Left - text, right -context

4. Left - details, right - big picture

To develop the right side to meet the increasingly vigourous needs of the future, Pink suggests to hone our 6 senses of the right brain. These 6 senses are separate but they are closely linked and overlapped. Pink also adds a portfolio segment at the end of each 'senses' chapter on how to develop that particular sense.

(1) Design

It is illustrated that the world is moving beyond functionality to something that adds in an engaging experiential component to life. Design can only make the difference between 2 products with the same function. To develop this, we can diversify our learning, don't conform to the masses, be choosy and to learn how to be creative.

(2) Story

We remember details better if they are part of a bigger story due to the emotion factor. Such engaging experiences will only attract.

(3) Symphony

This is the ability to synthesize than analyze. Seeing relationships, connecting different parts, recognising the bigger picture and creating new from old are ways to be different. This is something a computer cannot do. We ought to practice drawing, being metaphorical and keep asking 'why nots' instead of 'why'.

(4) Emphathy (feel bad with; different from sympathy - feel bad for)

The ability to connect with people is increasingly being recognised as a necessary trait in a globalising world. This can be seen in the need for people-skills in job recruitment as well. We can hone this skill by volunteering and putting ourselves in people's shoes constantly.

(5) Play

It is a trend that people are seeking work that are more 'play'. Passion is the key word. Entertainment is one of the largest industry and merging it with work to value-add gives greater incentive for people to seek this course.

Humor is equally important to develop meaningful relationships and creating better lives.

(6) Meaning

There is an increasing connection with our work and something spiritual. The need to connect with something deeper gives meaning to our experience in life. We can hone this by dedicating work to some cause or to show gratitude daily.

The book is summarised into 3 questions:

1. Can someone do what you are doing for cheaper?

2. Can a computer do what you are doing faster?

3. Are you offering something what others cannot?

Empathy Quotient

Systemizing Quotient

Humor scale

Spot the fake smile

Reading the mind in the eyes

Spirituality and Well-being

The Punisher

2008-02-14T19:20:00.000+08:00

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Del Rey; 1st edition (March 2, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345475569
ISBN-13: 978-0345475565
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches

A good leisurely read to refresh what has been shown in the movie. Sadly, it does not fill in on any extras that can shed more light about THE PUNISHER.

8 Secrets of the Truly Rich - Bo Sanchez

2008-02-14T19:14:00.000+08:00

In this book, Bo corrects the false belief of equating materialism with being rich. This is a sticking point with many Christians who seek to give of themselves and be 'poor in spirit'. It is actually good to be rich as we can give more if we are. And God will always want the best for us and give us abundance in life. Money is crucial if we want to do much for God and ourselves, most aptly summarise in quoting him here:

"Money is not the most important thing in the world but it affects every important thing in the world".

People don't get rich because (1) they don't want to subconsciously, (2) they are financially stupid and/or (3) they don't ride something to wealth.

Bo shares his 8 secrets in bite-sized chapters summarised below:

1) Be totally responsible for your success

Where we are now is due to our choices, thoughts and habits. We can change this by creating a new pattern of success. But first we must take ownership of our life and stop the blame on (1) the government, (2) our family background, (3) the devil and (4) God.

2) Enlarge our psychological wallet

- Changing our core beliefs about self and money

- Increasing our money comfort zone by being more comfortable with larger amounts of money

- Imagining earning more

- Slef-image attracts your level of success

- Solve contradicting desires by being clear on our purpose

- Remove negative family labels

- Train when we are young (it is ok to have money; we have to work for the things we want; it is easy to earn if we focus on it, we must focus on profits, we ought to learn to sell)

- Increasing skill sets to match our psychological wallet

3) Get rid of crazy religious beliefs

- Don't romanticize poverty

- Recognist that the rich can get into Heaven

- Don't hate yourself or indulge in suffering because we so-called 'deserve it'

- Don't over-rely on God; God gave us stewardship for a reason

- Don't disguise laziness as faith

- Don't be obsessed with miracles like striking the lottery

- Don't be fatalistic; we must work and trust, not doing the latter only.

4) Be completely committed to your dreams

- For dreams, there are the Wish level, Want level and the Committed Level - be at the Commited level because it shows you want it bad enough.

- Be the scriptwritter of your life

- Write your dreams down and read it daily

- Apply the power of attraction/focus to increase the awareness of opportunities and to change predominant thoughts

5) Raise your financial IQ

Like ohter types of IQ, this can be learned and developed in time.

- Look for financial mentors

- Avoid bad debt by (1) writing a deadline for financial freedom day (2) creating new ways of cheap pleasure (3) scheduling steps to financial freedom (4) not borrowing if you cannot afford it (5) negotiating with your creditors

- Get insurance at 10 times your annual expenses

- Build your retirement fund NOW by compounding in investments

- Save 20% of your income

- Invest young

- Read (books and news), Listen (seminars) and Practice (via financial mentors, volunteer in small businesses, do your own small one)

6) Ride something to wealth

- Diversify in multiple streams of income

- Compounding

- Utilize your core gift to earn (Be good at it; Enjoy doing it; Be paid for it)

- Learn to sell

- Have a entreprenuer mindset (Profits are better than wages); if you cannot handle the growth of a business, grow yourself first

- Expand territories and do more

- Have passive income (developing a replicable system)

- Have exponential income by leveraging

- Build a dream team and having synergy

- Spend 80% in marketing and 20% in developing

7) Have a bias for action

- Don't feel self-sufficient (by relying on God too much)

- Look for natural signs and not supernatural

- Make things happen (perfection is never a good strategy)

- Fail your way to success (the more you do, the more success you get)

- Take bold massive action (not small steps always)

- Hustle - always be on the ball for solutions

8) Win in all areas

Areas like relationships, maturity and emotional level, using your core gift, health, wisdom, money, spiritual

- Follow your inner compass (which is God's voice and love)

- Define your own success and don't compare

- Give our best and to compete with self only

- Give more so you receive more

- Sacrifice wealth for others- to see the poor as family and not charity

- Have God as your champion partner because He takes care of all your miss shots.

7 Secrets to Real Freedom - Bo Sanchez

2008-02-14T18:37:00.000+08:00

Bo talks about addictions in life and how we can be free of them in this book. He first recognises the fact that we are all sinners and hypocrites but then, knowing so, we can choose to not to be over time. Most of all, it is always our minds that limits our freedom. This book is great for people who are religious in nature who are looking for a Christian perspective on being free from crippling habits.

An addiction is defined by Bo as (1) a habit that cannot be stopped, (2) something that done repeatedly and (3) a habit that is harmful to life. Bo says that there is no one way to be free but many ways.

His book is divided into 7 parts and many small digestible chapters on how to get rid of addictions. They are as follows:

1) Discovering what you really need

- To recognise your hidden addiction (Eating, dieting, starving, spending, smoking, anger, worrying, complaining, coffee, sleeping, cleaning, working, lusting, religion, games, TV etc)

- To understand your hidden addiction is trying to do - (1) avoid a pain (2) fulfill an underlying need. Bo mentions that we all have a 'love tank' that needs to be filled.

- We can get rid of such an addiction by any various ways like - maturing, spiritual conversion, healing the past, dealing with the present, group therapy etc.

2) Focusing on Ambition and not Addiction

- "What you focus on grows" - we ought to focus on our goals and solutions instead of faults and barriers

- We must tame impatience and impulsiveness (delaying gratification)

- Our goals must be MAGIC (Measureable, Ambitious, Godly, Imaginative, Complete)

3) "Loving the Sinner and the Saint within"

Bo says that before we can deny ourselves, we must have a self that we accept and love in the first place.

We can love ourselves by:

a) Forgiving ourselves (We must not be 'proud of our sins' by hanging on to them)

b) Accepting weaknesses (There is nothing to forgive in weaknesses; we only forgive sins. Weaknesses are gifts to us for making us humble, making us more merciful to others and bonding us with other people who are suffering).

c) Feeling our feelings (instead of acting on our feelings) - this make us more aware of what we are going through and validates our emotions instead of dismissing them.

d) Trusting our needs - God always wants us to enjoy life, in the right way. We have to identify what drains us in meeting our needs (emotional, family, professional life, physical, financial, spiritual)

4) Shaping our outer world before it shapes us

The two most powerful forces in our lives are our relationships with others and the media. Hence to recreate our outer world, we

a) Say "NO" to toxic people who

- encourage our addiction

- hurt us

- manipulate you

- control you by force

- pass their responsibilities to you

- whine and invalidate you

b) Say "YES" to terrific people who

- nourish you emotionally, spiritually and intellectually (been there done that/mentor)

c) Control your media by what you read, watch and listen

One good quote/explanation from the bible was the good samaritan. He not only took care of others but he made sure he took care of his own needs (settling his own business) by enlisting other people(innkeeper) to help him help others.

It is always good to hang out with people you think you ought to learn from. You mirror the net worth of the people you mix around with.

5) Redefine yourself

"God made you so He knows you the best. For any broken parts, it makes sense always to go back to the manufacturer."

Bo talks about self-portraits in this part. Our self-portrait should originate from God and we are a child, a friend and a champion of God. We ought to focus on this divine self portrait and never give it up because it is who we truly are.

I figure it takes reflection and discernment here to figure who we truly are and how our talents can be used for the good of everyone. When our talents are deployed to the best use, we will feel accomplished even though they might be small things.

6) Get rid of Toxic faith which kills, harms and robs

5 symptoms of such faith are distorted images of:

a) God (that He is judgemental). God is never preoccupied with sin. Our relationship must be based on love and not shame.

b) Faithfulness (that it must be legalistic). We must not be so rigid that we let rituals overrule love.

c) Self (that we are condemned). We are the most loved by God.

d) Faith (which is hyper). Faith does not solve everything. God plays his part and so must we.

e) Faith system (which sometime abuses us). Our faith systems facilitates our relationship with God and not destroys it.

Real faith is about being loving and ready as God is. He is always patient and trusting, and ever waiting us to be ready to welcome Him.

7) Take Charge

We must be responsible for our own mess instead of blaming others. More often than not, we blame God for putting us in this circumstances (when it is actually the result of our choices); we blame the Devil for the evil in our lives (when we are actually giving Him more power to do so); we blame others for doing bad to us (when actually we allow them to do so by giving them power).

We ought to make things happen instead of complaining most of the time.

Bo talks about Learned Power and Learned Helplessness. Both of which we reinforce one day at a time, one choice at a time.

Sometimes we also blame ourselves but that makes us lose the power over our own lives. Having power means taking responsibility. Shaming only works against the self. Any examination of conscience msut focus on receiving love that will heal instead of harping on the sin that we have the change - the more important of the two is love and not the sin.

Clueless in Starting a Business - May Lwin, Adam Khoo, Jim Aitchison

2008-02-04T23:54:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 162 pages
Publisher: Pearson Education Asia (August 31, 2003)
ISBN-10: 9812445072
ISBN-13: 978-9812445070
Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches

This book has many examples of business that started from scratch with the chapters towards the end focusing on mission statements and vision values.

The 3 co-authors managed to squeeze the bare essentials of starting out in a business in this little book. It serves more to inspire and convince readers to be entrepreneurs, but to do so would need more in-depth study and planning.

The most valuable segment I consider would be the equation in 'Growing Your Business'.

Here are the highlights:

Motivation for starting a business

Characteristics of a entreprenuer includes taking ownership, taking action, thick-skinned, opportunistic, goal-oriented, people person

1. Ask yourself "Why" - Some reasons: to have passive income, to be financially free, to pursue your passion, monetizing your hobbies, to be more flexible etc

2. What? - Always try to do something that has already been tried but creatively filling the gaps

3. Start NOW!

4. Myths of starting a business - young, saving sufficient capital, having necessary experience, being smart, having good qualifications

Getting Started in a business

1. Decide what type of business - sole proprietry or partnership

2. Decide which industry and what business

3. Determine gap in supply

4. Define the difference

5. Inspire the self

Write out the business plan in detail covering

- cover letter

- content page

- executive summary

- organisational chart

- production or service

- marketing plan

- financing plan (provide numbers with consideration)

- operations and control

- plan of growth

- appendix

Opening your business

- Location - this book emphasized much on FengShui

- Staffing needs

- Equipment

- Supplies

- Values and Mission Statement

Growing your business

This part can be summarised into this equation for growing the customer base.

Prospects * Conversion rate = Customers * Average Sales Value * Repeat rate = Sales Revenue

Increasing the individual variables

1. Prospects - advertisements, surveys, web, email, flyers, networking, talks, seminars, cold calls, database (you can buy them), referrals, samples

2. Conversion Rate - early bird, premiums, lucky draw, discounts, credit payments, benefits list, testimonials, moneyback guarantee, good presentation, NLP

3. Average Sales Value - bundling, increase prices, suggest the most expensive one first, sell add-ons, buyers checklist, focus on quality, tell the full range of products and services

4. Repeat rate - regular newsletters, greeting cards, keep in touch, loyalty membership, redemption points, exceed expectations

Get Paid More and Promoted Faster - Brian Tracy

2008-02-04T23:51:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 110 pages
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1st edition (August 9, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1583762078
ISBN-13: 978-1583762073
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches

Short and sweet! Easy to read and digest.

1. Decide what you want exactly

- Idealisation

- Do you regret what you are doing now?

2. Select the Right company

- High growth

3. Choose the Right Boss

- Clarity

- Communicative

- Caring

- Comfortable

4. Develop a Positive Attitude (especially applicable for performance under stress)

- Make it a habit

5. Create a Successful Image

- Dress like the top management

6. Start Earlier, Work Harder, Stay Later

- Commitment to work

7. Push to the Front

- Ask for things to do

8. Ask for what you want then work towards it after being told how to get it

9. Guard your integrity as a sacred thing

- Truthfulness

- Dependability

- Loyalty

10. Think about the future (future-oriented)

- Have your goal in mind

- Idealisation

11. Focus on goals and having clarity

- Decide what you want

- Write it down

- Set a deadline

- List them down

- Transform this list to a plan

12. Concentrate on Results

- Focus on high value activities

- Focus on what others cannot but only you can give

- Make the most valuable use of my time

13. Be a problem solver

- Focus on solutions and not problems

14. Unlock your inborn creativity

15. Put people first

- Reciprocity and gratitude

16. Invest in yourself continually

17. Commit to excellence

- Key result areas (make the maximum impact)

18. Concentrate on the customer

- Meeting then exceeding expectations

- Delighting then amazing the customers

19. Focus on the bottomline

- Revenue

- Costs

20. Develop positive and not negative power

- Expert power

- Personality power

- Position power

21. Get the job done fast

- Always act fast (be known for it)

- Don't procrastinate

Perfect Phrases for Negotiating Salaries and Job Offers - Matthew J Deluc and Nanette F Deluca

2008-02-04T23:49:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (November 21, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0071475516
ISBN-13: 978-0071475518
Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

This book is filled with examples of phrases for negotiation. The intial portion is devoted to negotiation preparation depending on the circumstances one is in: employed, jobless (long or short term), entry level etc. The later portion centers mostly on examples in a wide variety of cases. It would be perfect for those who need to memorise phrases but it is great for those who formulate their own phrases for comparision.

Preparing for Salary Negotiation

The 2 rules for negotiations are - Do not negotiate if you don't want the job and Be careful of what you ask for.

1. Assessing own situation - jobless, retrenched, in a current job, new entry etc

2. Assess self - skill sets, experience

3. Assess the market, industry and economy to appreciate the limitations of the employer

4. Assess own needs

- Define compensation holistically: money, bonus, benefits in terms of health and vacation, perks and other intangibles (Separate the must-haves, nice-to-have and give-aways)

- Measure the cost of the new job: appearance, transport and time, lifestyle and other commitments

Guidelines for Negotiation

1. Use silence as a tool

2. Control disclosure

3. Be firm

4. Consistency

5. Remember what is important to you

6. Find out when they need an answer

7. Ask for offer in writing

8. Keep the door open

Phrases for Negotiation

This portion covers the following scenarios:

1. Dealing with salary questions before and during recruiting (and selection) process

- salary range (pros and cons)

- age

- interviews with HR for lateral moves

2. Negotiation of the total compensation package

- Always ask in writing

- Never accept on the spot

- Higher salary, bonus, options, shorter review period, starting rates, flexi hours, home working, lesser-days work, perks, memberships, training, contract, severance, tuition refund, childcare, benefits, time off, sabbaticals, religious activities

- Counter offers under new employers and current employers

- Finalisation - accepting, rejecting, multiple offers

- Following up even none offers

3. Negotiation at current job

- Performance reviews

- Salaries

- During terminations - asking for downsizing, pay decrease, date to leave, reference letter, staying as consultant, outplacement assistance

- Asking for a raise/promotions citing no longer feeling challenged, time, vacant higher post. (This can be done after the completion of the project, market conditions, personal issues, internal inquiry, another offer coming in, replacement of position)

4. Other special circumstances

Appendix includes compensation checklist and assessment and some sample letters for reference.

The Rules of Job Hunting - Rob Yeung

2008-02-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Cyan Communications (January 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1904879861
ISBN-13: 978-1904879862
Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.6 x 0.9 inches

Though being a small book, it packs a punch when dealing with job hunting holistically, covering the reasons for finding a job, creating great CVs, networking, itnerviews and negotiations. Rob manages to focus on the important aspects of job hunting, targetting the essentials that boosts your profile and removing redundancies that can drag you down.

Here's the summary in parts which captures most of his message:

1. Understanding oneself

- Strengths and Weaknesses

- By gathering feedback from others

- Knowing exactly what you want (life, goals and dreams) instead of casting a wide net for any job

- Know your priorities in a job in terms of: autonomy, support, family, responsibilities, location, colleagues, company size, social contribution, order, advacnement, ethics, security, leadership, moeny, recognition, mobility, creativity, variety

- Have a vision statement

- Have a plan that is SMART (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound)

2. Creating a great CV

The benchmark here is to have 1 in 4 CVs that can land you in an interview.

- Always tailor to the required job

- Compact but with white spaces too

- Start from scratch, include relevant and recent details of working experiences only

- Keep it simple

- Decide the most appropriate format: Use a chronological format if continuing the same career path; Use a functional format for changing industries to target the required and transferrable skill sets

- Quantify your results

- Summarize your CV into a profile statement (different from vision statement)

- Exclude hobbies unless they have accolades

- Exclude martial status

- Have a proper email address

- Get a 2nd opinion on your CV in context of the job

- Append a good cover letter

3. Networking for opportunities

- List all the people you know in a sitting (from the closest to the furthest) and see who you can call

- Always call people for information (in terms of contacts and referrals) and not for jobs

- Develop a sense of ettiquette

- Always be ready for an interview

- Maintain visibility by always following up

- Have 3 types of referees: Factual, Personal Character, Credibility at work. Make sure these referees are notified of the job applied for.

- Set targets in networking

- ACE your emotions by Accepting, Capturing and Expressing

4. Being unforgettable at interviews

The four most important traits one need to present during the interview are:

1) Chemistry

2) Confidence

3) Capacity for growth

4) Competence

- Remember that the 1st (1st impression) and last 5 minutes (recency effect) are the most important

- Prepare 7 stories of success (especially for entry level) to cover topics on: problem solving, communication, customer/client, leadership, strategic planning/commercial, coaching and development, innovation/change.

- For competency-based questions, use "I or me" focusing on STAR (situation, task, action and results)

- Use your weakness/failure to your advantage, attributing failure to uncontrollable factors; divulging a minor weakness to reveal a strength that is needed for the job. Most important is the way that the weakness was dealt with.

- If the weakness is apparent, simply highlight it at the onset (like pregnancy)

- Talk long term

- Use body language - Listening, right tone, volume, pitch, speed

- Mirror interviewers

- Dress one notch better

- Defer money matters till later (next meetup)

- Prepare for any aptitude test

- Discuss other offers but no names

- Ask questions regarding challenges, autonomy, culture, requirement

- Be positive and optimistic

- Followup letter with reference to openings in other areas and addressing key points in the interview

- Ask for feedback after for learning sake.

Tai Chi

2008-02-04T23:37:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Duncan Baird (July 28, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1844832627
ISBN-13: 978-1844832620

This is a really brief book on Tai Chi that covers the bare essentials only.

The first part describes the background and history of Tai Chi, followed by the principles/essence and practicalities of regular Tai Chi.

The second part focuses on the basic movements of Tai Chi, using photographs.

In short, Tai Chi is good for the mental and physical health, with much focus on meditation and mental strength. This book is peppered with quotes. A good beginner's guide to read but too small a book to own.

The Effective Executive

2007-12-27T19:31:00.000+08:00

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 298 KB
Print Length: 178 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books; Revised edition (September 10, 2002)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B000FC11JW

Drucker talks about the executive in the context of working in an organisation.

The irony of the organisation lies in the fact that instead of being a means to an end, the organisation works to its own survival. Over time as any young organisation grows old and large, it tends to focus more inward than outward in contribution. Drucker debates upon working as an executive to achieve a balance in working for the survivability of the organisation versus real contribution as a whole.

The realities of being an executive in an organisation:

1. Your time belongs to others

2. We are dictated by events and not, ideally the other way round.

3. Contributions are effective in context of usefulness to others

4. The organisational demands of work does not accurately reflect and meet the actual needs of the outside world.

His core premise is that effectiveness can be learnt. Effectiveness is a habit which needs to be practised. Key features of effectiveness are as follows:

Time-awareness
Time wasters arise from
- lack of system and forsight
- overstaffing
- mal-organisation via excessive meetings (less time for work)
- Information malfunction (communication)

To manage time well, we

Record
Manage systematically

identify and eliminate the unnecessary
delegate or relinquish activities that can be done by others effectively
ask feedback on how one wastes others' time

Consolidate - Set aside, analyze, prune allocat

Focus on Contribution - mindset shift from procedural to conceptual

Assume responsibility for results
Understand what is needed

Organisations need performance for

- Direct results

- Building values and their reaffirmation

- Succession planning

Effective human relations can be achieved via

- communcations

- teamwork

- self-development

- development of others

Building on Strengths - focus on attitude and practice
"There are no all-rounded people"
"Feed opportunities, starve problems"

Staffing for strength

- Don't assumre that jobs are natural; jobs are man-designed and can be flawed

- Make jobs big and demanding to draw strength and for passion-finding

- Appraise for strength and not weaknesses

- Staff opportunities and not problems (make weakness irrelevant by focusing on strengths)

Managing bosses

- Do what is right

- Make bosses effective and perform

Concentrate - First things first
- Discipline
- Concentration (courage to do so)
- Focus on tomorrow; don't spend today doing yesterday's work

Priorities - we usually plan beforehand (usually too much) but postphone and abandon later

Posteriorities - deciding what NOT to tackle

Decision Making

Elements

- Exception (no rules - more decision thinking) or generic (following principles/rules and minor adaptations)?

- Clear specifications for decision accomplishment (boundary conditions)

- Do the necessary and right, not compromise

- Action

- Feedback

In reality, effective decisions is the making judgements of opinions than facts. There is a need to disagreement first before there is a proper understanding. Disagreements break preconceptions, bring out alternatives, simulate imagination.

The Richest Man in Babylon

2007-12-27T19:26:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Signet (February 3, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451205367
ISBN-13: 978-0451205360
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2

Clason wonderfully puts down the principles of wealth management in parables. There are a lot of repeated reinforcements to strengthen the concepts as the average reader easily devours this small but substantial book.

My summary of the book will follow the chapters:

1) The story tells of the difference between the rich and poor. The difference does not arise from physical looks, IQ or skillsets but rather, having the knowledge of wealth management.

2) You decide what to do with what you earn.

- Hard work is not everything

- Save at least 10% of earnings

- Invest the savings in someone who knows his stuff to make the investment work for you

- Depend not on brute will power but shrewdness too.

- There is no such thing as finite wealth; everyone can always earn more

- Don't deprive yourself too much, enjoy life too as that is what we work for.

3) 7 cures for the lean purse

- Save 10% of earnings. One can always find that one can do with 10% lesser. The feel of a fuller savings purse further motivates.

- Budget and control expense. This practices delayed gratification

- Multiply by having income streams

- Stop loss or prevention; better safe than sorry. Always consult the wise.

- Always own a home

- Insure future income

- Increase the ability to earn, gain respect and improve self

4) Luck is defined as action on opportunity

- focus on expertise

- don't let opportunities go

5) 5 Laws of Gold

- Save 10% (again!)

- Put savings to generate income

- Protect principle by being safe and putting them in safe hands

- Don't be hasty for quick bucks

- Avoid unfamiliar businesses

6) The importance of protection of principle

- Helping others should not cast a burden onto self.

- Have a form or security when you lend

- Make sure the other is adequately skilled/prepared to pay (or make him prove it)

- What you lend is rightfully yours and yours to decide with it.

- Keep your money safe

- Multiply your money

- A litte caution is better than great regret

7) Insurance - we can ill-afford to be without adequate protection

8) Determination determines our way; desire forms our foundation for wealth

9) For the bankrupts

- pay back slowlyby setting more aside and making agreements on timeline

- the result will be that one will be a better man with better wealth management skills

10) Work is always to be enjoyed and will always prove to be the best option one can take in earning one's wealth.

11) This chapter gives a historical sketch of Babylon in its richness, more of its wisdom than actual wealth.

The Asteriod Wars Series by Ben Bova

2007-12-15T22:28:00.000+08:00

A tri-book sci-fi series by Ben Bova tells about a ruthless magnate, Humphries, trying all means to gain monopoly of the Asteriod Belt for commercial means. This is painted with a backdrop of the earth disintegrating under a new world order and adverse climate change.

Humphries is opposed by a variety of characters, most notable is Randolph who appeared in Bova's other books, throughout the 3 book series.

The Precipice sets the stage of venturing into the Belt. The Rock Rats reveals the struggles of prospectors at the belt with particular attention to Humphries' love and his rival, Lars. The Silent War continues the rivalry after the apparent defeat of Lars and the silent rise of a 3rd empire coming in between the competing Humphries and Astro.

A good series to read if you are an ardent fan of sci-fi and space exploration. Well painted with potential reality of the future of mankind.

Hannibal Rising

2007-11-07T08:42:00.000+08:00

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Dell (May 29, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044024286X
ISBN-13: 978-0440242864
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches

Creepy.

The book makes one uncomfortable on how stone-cold-emotionless a person can be.

The storyline basically describes the origin of the famous Hannibal Lector.

The Spiral Staircase

2007-11-02T12:00:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperPerennial; New Ed edition (January 3, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0007122292
ISBN-13: 978-0007122295
Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1 inches

Essential Manners of Men

2007-11-02T11:00:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Collins; 1 edition (October 21, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060539801
ISBN-13: 978-0060539801

Peter Post focused on 3 main aspects of etiquette in life - Daily living, Social living and Living on your job. The essence behind etiquette is essentially having respect and consideration. As long you embrace these 2 qualities in your daily dealings, you may be regarded as a well mannered person already.

Daily Life

Kitchen (be responsible for your own mess, no half done chores, help clean up consistently)
Bathroom (sink, toilet seats, toilet paper, personal items)
TV (don't hog)
Telephone (pick up if no one else does, take down messages)
Driving (don't be aggressive, be humble especially for directions)
Communicating (have clarity, coherence and brevity) - never let a phone call interrupt a face to face communication unless absolutely necessary
Email - what ever is sent out should be regarded as public always
Greetings (stand, smile, eye contact and proper handshake)
Introductions - introduce the less important to the more important

Social Life

Dress smart, smell fresh, look good
For dating (flowers, hold doors and chairs, walk on the outside, paying)
Always bring a gift to a party
Table manners (elbows on the table is ok at conversations, passing food to people's left hand, always take the cue from the host)
Flirting - the key is the intention to start a relationship

Job life

Avoid 2 behaviours - being superior and being rude (putting down others)
Interviews (punctual, prepared, dress one notch up, greet as above, thank 2 times - after interview and after you get home)
5 Questions to ask in an interview
- Which responsibility is the most important in the job?
- Review your resume
- Strengths of the company
- main problems faced by the staff today
- describe a successful candidate for this job
5 Questions to answer
- Why this job?
- What you know of the company and why here?
- Your strengths
- Hardest thing faced in your previous job
- more about yourself

You Can Read Anyone

2007-10-11T17:00:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 204 pages
Publisher: Viter Press (March 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0978631307
ISBN-13: 978-0978631307

This is not a typical read-people book. Besides interpreting behaviours, Lieberman also addresses deeper issues that cause these behaviours to surface. The book is split into 2 portions – on how to interpret actions and their deeper underlying motivations. And excellent book to read!

For part 1, there are 7 areas to learn what other people are thinking/feeling

To find out whether they are hiding anything

Mind Read – observe response by linking subject by association with another. A defensive reaction or increase in interest might indicate something.
Checking for prior knowledge – by using false facts to see whether they are being corrected
Ask their opinion on subject
Dodge or declare – associate some activity with a fact and notice how the person reacts to the activity
Fear of folly – attaching marker to suspicion and not to the suspect
Ask how would they do it – avoidance of most simple way would indicate something

To find out their level of interest

Ghost image – facial expressions and usage of individualistic words (like me vs him) or group words (like we)
Projections – coming up with correlations
Language – euphemism as an indicator of disinterest
Using positive markers – to see whether person ignores or attach themselves to the marker.

Gauging confidence
Self-esteem does not guarantee confidence but influences it somehow. Confidence is contextual and self-esteem is not, hence the former does not affect the latter.

Physical appearance (trembling, increased rate of blinking, vocal changes, swallowing)
Increased focus/awareness can indicate increased level of interest and possibly lower confidence
Checking for over-compensation (defensive and hence lower confidence)
Checking for superfluous gestures as lower confidence

Checking how things really are.
The self-concept is shaped by events that are (i) personal specific (personal events), (ii) personal non-specific (transitory – good weather etc) and (iii) generic (general news). We hone in on certain events based on our predispositions, which further changes our perspective. Humans try to achieve a consistency in perspective. How do we find out their outlook on certain events?

Ask opinion about an unusual yet ambiguous event and see whether there’s optimism or pessimism
Look out for contradictions
‘Clean slate’ – people are more optimistic of the future if they are forgiving of the past
Eye-assessing cues (for a right-hander)
oLooks up – recalling visual
o Looks left – remembering
o Looks down – language and feelings
o Looks right – constructing data

Measuring interest levels

More time invested, more effort indicates high interest.
o Eye pupil dilation to take in more visual
o Eyes keep going back to the same object

“Curiosity reveals the cat”
o sending blank emails to ‘lure attention’
o Create incentive and note whether there is any followup

Shifting reality – confidence is inversely proportional to interest level. Vary the success level and note any shift in mood (while maintaining possibility of success).

On whose side?

Helpfulness – gauge by varying effort level
‘Free exchange’ – bait with false information and see whether it is corrected or see whether information is volunteered
‘Eager Beaver’ – engage in a conversation that lets person volunteer information without effort, then ask about the key issue, noting any deviation in helpfulness.
6-Star Test
oInterest (followup)
o Loyalty
o Pride – gives praise and no jealousy
o Honesty – when it upsets
o Respect – curiosity versus concern
o Sacrifice

The Big-Sell – note whether manipulative words are used. Such words are used for emotional theft.

Emotional Profiling
Human nature is powered by 3 forces

Soul – conscience to do what is right
Ego – the desire to look good
Body – the want to escape

Self-esteem and self-control is closely intertwined. *Anything we do depending on others (for attention or approval) wears at us emotionally*

For part 2, the books goes deeper into human nature and how to measure self-esteem.

Profiling using SNAP
There is a difference between personality and character. The former varies according to circumstances and moods.

Colours of Thought
Primary

Self-esteem (master primary color) – self-worth, self-love
Confidence/self-efficacy – degree of competency in a given situation
Level of interest – personal stake

Secondary

a. Effort
b. Rationalisation
c. Beliefs
d. Moods

Self esteem and ego are inversely related. The ego distorts clarity of perspective and directs the person to put effort in changing the world instead of self. The bigger the ego, the easier it is to tell what a person is forced to see.

Impact of self-esteem (Maslow)

Type of interest – the lower the esteem, the higher the need for instant gratification and lower emotional maturity
Confidence – higher esteem translates to increased perseverance and less preoccupation with performance.
Effort – this affects mood. Higher the esteem, the stronger the call to do the right thing in the face of greater effort
Values/Beliefs – the higher the esteem, the healthier the values
Justification – higher the esteem, the broader the perspective and less self-delusional.
Mood override – higher the esteem, lesser dependence on mood.

5 pitfalls in identifying self-esteem

Ego as self-esteem
Confidence as self-esteem
Success translating to having higher self-esteem
Humility is weakness (on the contrary, it is fulfillment and emotional freedom)
Mood as self-esteem

The level of esteem can be gauged by the reflection of how a person treats himself and others. It is best to have low ego and high esteem. Low esteem and low ego usually describes people pleasers. Low esteem and high ego are people who abuse, are arrogant, attention-seeking and complains.

Automatic Wealth

2007-10-11T16:56:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Wiley (February 28, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 047171027X
ISBN-13: 978-0471710271

There are 6 steps in this book in order to achieve automatic wealth:

Face facts – start now!
Plan to be wealthy
Develop wealthy habits
Increase income radically
Have additional streams of income
Invest

Masterson advocates that wealth should not be an end in itself but rather a by-product of doing what we love to do. Thus it is important to love what you do by asking (i) what (ii) where and (iii) with whom.

The chapter on planning to be wealthy is a good aid to help structure one’s lifetime goals into smaller and more manageable parts. This way, we can relate the little things we do now with the bigger picture. We split our lifetime goals into 7-15year portions, then yearly, then monthly, then weekly then daily. Tasks are split and ranked according to their urgency and importance.

Time can be streamlined by

Check email 2 times a day only (important stuff should be met over or discussed verbally)
Track time
Have agendas for meetings and jobs
Delegate
Hire great people and fire bad ones
Group similar tasks in blocks

Masterson makes it a point that we should get up early as a habit as we do more and that we should make healthy-lifestyle (diet, aerobic, strength, flexibility, mental) as one of our lifetime goals.

A way to supercharge income is to

Work hard
Be good at what you do (learn by telling, showing, involving and teaching)
Multiple streams of income
Live in an inexpensive home
Spend moderately
Save extraordinarily
Pay yourself first
Count your money

To be a great employee and supercharge your income

Worker longer, smarter and harder
Understand your responsibilities
Help your boss to do better
Be noticeably good
Let the right people know how good you are
Be invaluable
Learn a financially valued skill (marketing, sales for starters)
Know the company’s core profit strategy (and be the critical factor in this)

Primary benefits of products/services
Secondary benefits (psychological)
Competitive advantages and how they are employed

Masterson also highlights the essentials of marketing. His notes on multiple streams of income is split into income-generating businesses and equity businesses. There’s a huge focus on real estate as well.

Much of the information here can be found in his other book “Automatic Wealth for Grads” as well.

The Gentleman's Guide to Life

2007-10-11T10:50:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1st Paperback Ed edition (May 11, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 060980202X
ISBN-13: 978-0609802021

Friedman can be a tad bit vulgar at times which makes you wonder about his advice on ‘being gentleman’ for his book. But I figure he pitched his content on being witty so as to make the subject more interesting.

This book blasts the reader with humor more than with information about being a gentleman. It’s a leisure read to reinforce what the general reader would usually know. The book is split into 4 sections:

Living large
This describes general etiquette manners. There are general knowledge on music, wine and art.
Looking Good – the ‘yes’ and ‘nos’ of dressing, clothes, fabric etc.
Feeling Strong – On exercise, food and diseases
Loving Well – focus on the relationship with the other – sex, behaviour , attitudes, what to say and not, commitments, breakups

There are better books out there… and it does not tell you what you do not know.

Norwegian Woods

2007-10-01T10:58:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: The Harvill Press; New Ed edition (2001)
ISBN-10: 1860468187
ISBN-13: 978-1860468186
Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches

This book is a little warped with many sexual references.

Apparently Murakami took a different approach in this book from his other books. There's a sense of wittyness in the little things, things that make one laugh or smile at the unexpected jokes pulled. But all these with a dull and pessimistic backdrop. It does seem that japanese authors have a dreary way of looking at life.

Norwegian Woods brings the reader through a life of a teenager turning adult encountering love and death. The content is not complicated but it can get rather confusing. Probably cultural difference play a huge role.

Never thought I would read such a book.

A Short History of Nearly Everything

2007-09-27T11:20:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Broadway (September 14, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 076790818X
ISBN-13: 978-0767908184
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches

Of course this is not a book that can contain the 'nearly everything' Bill Bryson titled the book after. But he manages to squeeze the many milestones in history into this book. The flow of the book has kinks as Bryson jumps across time frames, trying to group his narration under subject titles.

Bryson captures the macro and the micro, the ancient past and the forward-looking future, the absolutely normal to the quirky and the most famous to the most obscure. He is funny with his words and his traveling experience add great depth to the book.

The flow of the book goes like this (with descriptors of what interested me)

Universe
He puts the concept of space in perspective by comparing distances and sizes.
Solar System and the Earth
His mention of what is beneath us is intriguing as we know more about space than the earth's core. The concept of a planet is actually very hazy. And of course, it's very difficult to find planets sometimes, even in our own solar system.
Science as a whole
He gives a good history of the many scientists especially the lesser known ones. The characters were elucidated well and it can be seen that science was influenced much by politics as well. People are famous more by circumstances than their work.
Measurement and Astronomy
Geology
The ice age is supposed to be the norm for earth. It is very interesting to note that whatever we do now as absolutely little impact on the earth in the long run as nature correct itself. Study of the tectonic plates and its theory is fairly recent only. The ice age might be a trigger in the formation of the current land mass locations and hence shaping evolution at the same time.
Chemistry
Physics
Einstein's Era
Life
Earth is actually a very dangerous place to live in, in the long run. We can be prone to asteroid collisions, solar flares removing the earth's magnetic field (and cosmic rays will shred us to pieces), huge volcanic eruptions (one to be due soon) etc. But we can be incredibly resilient as well. At least life is. Life is never wiped out since its inception; only species are. And extinctions are part and parcel of life, pardon the pun. Life is too much varied to be recorded down at all.
There was good mention on the seas and its great unknowns and possibilities as well. The learning point on the currents shed light on how life thrived in some parts and how it balances natural forces.
Evolution
The more complex we are, the more vulnerable to extinction we will be. Evolution is shaped by the many changes in Earth's history. We evolve to suit the current environment; humans now try to control the environment to ensure our survival. Our DNA is super efficient despite it being 97% garbled in content. And everyone of us are different genetically that we can create new species if given time to.
Humans and our history
Our history in the perspective of the Earth's history is incredibly short. And what we do now will have little impact on the earth in the long run.

I think i would find it hard to summarize this book since in essence, it's a summary already. Good book for general knowledge.

The Bull Hunter

2007-09-06T11:43:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Wiley (June 3, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0471719838
ISBN-13: 978-0471719830
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches

Denning's book focuses on getting returns not only from an uptrending market but also from a downtrending one. His definition of a bull hunter is basically an opportunist. It is a plethora of opportunities in today's world because of the introduction more sophisticated market instruments like options, ETFs etc. Denning also highlights the trend of the global economy and the gradual shift of wealth growing from the West to the East.

Fundamentally, wealth can only be generated by means of an increase of capital intensive investments like manufacturing and infrastructure. This forms the basis in powering the economy. Services, financials and IT all follows the growth of capital intensive development. When the latter exceeds the former i.e. financial activity far exceeds real economic activity, a bubble might be in development. This can be seen when capital(financial) markets capitalization exceeds GDP.

The decline of England to US and currently, US to China is due to several factors. The latter's factors currently being
1) Increase of consumption leading to increase of trade deficit
2) An aging population
3) Lesser tangible assets

The 4 threats US is facing is
1) depreciating dollar
2) housing issues
3) increasing debt and
4) obligations to aging population

Denning advises focus on infrastructure development in the emerging markets like China and India. This translates to an increase in demand for oil and gas and other resources like food commodities.

His case on China:
1) China is smart enough to let foreigners build the capital/infrastructure in the country
2) There is a demographic danger in a sense that migration from the rural to urban poses a huge challenge for the politicians.
3) He advocates buying Western companies doing business in China instead of US-listed china companies due to regulations and risks involved.
4) strong political risk with Taiwan

His case on India: (1 billion populations)
1) The economy is domestically driven; self-sustaining
2) Huge political risk with Pakistan
3) Needs foreign investment to grow like China
4) Movement from rural to urban can only be achieved by intensive investments in infrastructure and transport.

Thoughts for equity focus investors:
1) Commodity markets esp food
2) money migration from the West to the East
3) Global economy alignment due to a debt-burdened US dollar.

Strategies for tomorrow's market
1) Look towards emerging markets and using ETFs
2) Looking at the rule of 3 - telco, financial, energy resources
3) Dollar and foreign trade - look at companies where the sector is exporting and contributing to surplus' of the country. For US, this includes chemicals, aerospace, scientific instruments as they are difficult to replicate.

Benefits of ETFs
1) Diversification (in sector)
2) Focus (on growing markets)
3) Eliminate fund manager risk
4) All-day and strategic trading
5) Low cost - tax efficiency, low fees, no minimum investment
6) Transparent holdings

A pretty good book outlining the trends in the future.

Overcoming 7 Deadly Sins of Trading

2007-08-28T13:32:00.000+08:00

Paperback
Publisher: Traders Press, Inc. (2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0934380910
ISBN-13: 978-0934380911
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces

Roosevelt shares common traits or emotions traders undergo during the course of their trading activities. These common traits are as follows:

1. Fear (versus excitement, intuition or protectionism)
This feeling is a future-based emotion. It can be a fear to start trading or fear to stop loss. It makes a trader lose control and often paralyzes a person. An antidote is to recognise our desires and turn this emotion into a caution-based feeling. This is only possible if one is clear on the aims and strategies laid out beforehand.

2. Greed
This is spurred on more by opportunity cost than anything else. The perception of scarcity distorts the correct view that the market is always there. A solution is always to think of abundance and to exercise caution.

3. Recklessness (excitement seeking or anxiety)
A cure is to be confident and to have a plan. One ought to feel detached and think of the big picture.

4. Perfectionism
This has been ingrained into us since young as we seek for the ideals. We have to recognise that trading is about approximations and not to seek so much control as the market forces are outside us.

5. Pride
Over confidence can interfere with clarity of strategy. We need to be always cautious and learn how to cut loss.

6. Anger
This emotion affects everything else and our mood. We should use it to act on what we can control and do it reasonably. We must not be personal when it comes to trading.

7. Impatience
This is due to opportunity costs as well. We have to learn to wait and to practice timeliness.

Good trading patterns can only be achieved via strong personal character and virtues. This is done by having clarity, calmness, consistency, courage, cautiousness, commitment to excellence and confidence.

This book is excellent in identifying trading sins and dispositions. It helps one to associate one's trading patterns and our own fallacies. At the end of most chapters, there are sections on inventory-taking and on how to adjust. Also, it reveals supporting beliefs so we can learn to incorporate them into our character formation.

Automatic Wealth for Grads

2007-08-27T17:21:00.000+08:00

Mainly the book tells us that wealth is dependent on what we want in life. Wealth is about how long your assets can last and not how much you have. This focuses on income minus expenses instead of real absolute amount of wealth.

Masterson advocates increasing income and savings for the reasons of compounding them. Compounding depends on time, amount of wealth and the ROI (rate of investment) A ROI of 18% is recommended. Always pay yourself first.

Ways to increase one's income:
1) Become an extraordinary employee
- Get in early
- Understand your responsibilities
- Focus on important things
- Never say NO
- Improve one's skills
- Communicate your progress
2) Be in a fast growing company
3) Be indispensible

He also gave some good career advice. Career choice is character dependent and we should do something that suits our personality and gives us fulfillment.

Some notes on certain sectors are:
1) Retail (difficult to be rich unless there is expansion)
2) Service (Increasing wage is met my increasing hours. A good entry level to learn trade)
3) Wholesale
4) Manufacturing
Important thing is to research on which industry is booming and how it suits one's character. Masterson advises that to be a top-earner, we have to focus on profit-generation instead of administrative or technical positions. We ought to learn how the company generates profits (1. Learn how your job contributes to this. 2. Make sure that the top knows how well you do so.) It is always almost necessary to develop one's sales skills (which can be applied in many areas) He also gave some good interview skills and suggestions.

Key points on Marketing
You have to know the difference between
1. Wants and needs
2. Features and benefits
3. Benefits and deeper benefits

Steps to develop one's own business
1. Take small steps
2. Develop expertise and niche
3. Find the right environment (especially motivational)
4. Learn whatever in one's current job first
5. Make sure the business benefits others

9 points to take note of in one's business
1. Make the first step
2. Lower price in a new market
3. It's all about selling
4. Business must be growable without personal involvement
5. Know your stop loss
6. Improve your strengths then eliminate your weaknesses
7. Focus and not diversify
8. Let winners run and cut losses
9. Follow Pareto's Law

Masterson shows that real estate is one of the better investment options (in America) and to reap benefits from the stock market, one must be:
1. Modest
2. Humble
3. Consistent
With this, he advocates Index Funds.

He wraps up his book by advising us to be cautiously optimistic always and finally, on how to enjoy life which was ultimate aim of us trying to accumulate wealth in the first place.

A pretty good book on a general overview on investment strategies. He gives some insightful views on career management and guides readers to decide what can be the best for each individual for any given career.

Rich Dad's Guide to Becoming Rich...Without Cutting Up Your Credit Cards review

2007-08-26T20:24:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 88 pages

Publisher: Warner Business Books (December 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0446697524

ISBN-13: 978-0446697521

This book focuses more than financial literacy rather than the know-hows to be rich. Kiyosaki mentions that there are many ways one person can be rich. The key issue is the 'price of getting rich'. There can be a lot more sacrifices involved when one becomes rich by being stingy than being poor and enjoying life. The price of being rich is not measured in money terms but rather in time.

The book elaborates on the "prices" of the following:

Of being cheap
Of making a mistake – always see this as a stepping stone to learn
Of education – focus more on financial than academic education as "bankers ask not for report cards but financial statements". Of course, ignorance is worse.
Of change – "Change is the only constant in life" and we should use it to our advantage.

Kiyosaki, with focus on education mentioned that there are 2 sides of the coin in everything – Newton's Law e.g. to be a good policeman, one must learn to be a good crook. Understanding all facets are important to financial education. We cannot be "financial losers who cannot afford to lose".

Last but not least, not all debts are bad and we should make use of debts to our advantage.

Real Money Rea;l People 2

2007-08-26T20:21:00.000+08:00

Author	Leong, Chan Teik.
Publisher	Singapore : Prentice Hall, c2002.
Physical Description	ix, 122 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.

Real People Real Money 2 brings together stories of successful men and women across different industries in the Singapore context. So if you want to be inspired or hope to garner some tips on how to be successful as an entrepreneur, self-employed business person or even an employee, do read this book.

The following are the people highlighted in this book (the ones in bold are the ones I am interested in) :

Olivia Lum (Hyflux)
Ho Leng Woon (AP Oil)
Peter Tan (Fischer Tech)
Lim Boon Chay (Paris, the Gourmet)
Sally Low (Insurance agent)
Sam Goi (Tee Yih Jia)
Lin Jianwei (Raffles Town Club)
James Lee (Real Estate agent)
Natasha Kwan (Microsoft Singapore – head)
Rix Chan (Great Eastern Life Insurance agent)
Steve Ting (Frontline)
Roland Low (Tat Seng Paper Containers)
Dora Hoan (Best World Group)
Lim Chung Chun (Fundsupermart)
Winston Chiam (NTUC Income Insurance agent)
Andrew Sin (Miyoshi Precision)
Tony Kwong (Manufacturing Integration Technology)
Chan Thye Yuan (Lantrovision)
Kwek Siew Jin (ex Chief of Navy, Managing Director of SMRT etc)
Ng Ser Miang (Managing Director of TIBS)
David Tan (FanatiQ)
Elsie Foh (President of Financial Planning Association)
Edward Navarro (CEO of Prudential Assurance Singapore)
David Beynon
Edmond Villani (CEO of Zurich Scudder Investments)

All information are correct at the time of book publish.

Blink

2007-07-08T22:11:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books (April 3, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316010669
ISBN-13: 978-0316010665

Similar to his documentary style in Tipping Point, Gladwell discusses the power of the subconscious snap judgments.

Does having more information mean having more power? It doesn't seem so. His discussion concludes that information-overload can lead us to make worse decisions than making snap judgments. This is because we often absorb excessive and unnecessary information that confounds with the relevant ones that help us to make the correct decision. Pondering and over-analyzing can confuse us more often than not. The skill here is to know how to filter the information.

Experts in different fields come about from long term exposure to their subject matter. They filter information effectively and efficiently because they have 'trained' themselves to do so. Exposure develops expertise.

A common example most can relate too for the above 2 points: Driving. It would be almost impossible for anyone to take account of all these at anyone time when driving - action of the hand on the gear, sequence of checking the mirrors, which leg on the clutch and the accelerator, how deep to breathe, talking, steering the wheel etc. If we micromanage all these actions to the detail, information overload would make us really lousy drivers. But we drive 'instinctively' and filter all the little details, it would so much more natural and comfortable to drive.

Gladwell also talks about how we are primed to do certain things because our subconscious takes over. We easily change our minds in different contexts and we process information differently between the short run and the long term. Long term exposure develops unconscious associations and guides our future thinking and filtering processes.

The book is peppered with other interesting information. One I remember is that there should not be any contempt in marriages.

I conclude that after reading this book, there seems as though there is nothing I can change. I can't think faster, or think without thinking. But the awareness of such helps me to be more cautious of my decisions, and that snap decision-making can be very good as well.

Christ The Lord - Out of Egypt

2007-07-08T21:53:00.000+08:00

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Fawcett; Reprint edition (October 31, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345436830
ISBN-13: 978-0345436832

This novel gives a perspective to a young Jesus. There were few references to how Jesus lived when he was a child; the gospels have a huge void in Jesus' life between the age of 8 to 33. Anne Rice tries to fill the void by telling a tale as close as possible to historical texts and references.

This book only covers a year of his age 7. It's very interesting how Rice paints a picture of the holy family and its extended members as well.

Rice gives a touching testimony on her faith journey while researching for this novel.

A good read for reflection.

The Tipping Point

2007-06-11T12:35:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (January 7, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316346624
ISBN-13: 978-0316346627

This book talks about how social epidemics occur. It applies to fashion trends, crime rates, technology adoption etc. It is particularly interesting to note how it can affect the results of marketing strategies and ‘tipping’ your sales to super-volumes.

Gladwell highlights 3 rules of social epidemics. (1) The Law of the Few, (2) Stickiness Factor and (3) the Power of Context.

The Law of the Few highlights 3 types of people who contribute most to the ‘tipping’ due to their characteristics – the connectors (social glue), mavens (data banks) and salesmen. Connectors are people who have extensive networks (especially to influential others) and most people can somehow link back to these few people within their own networks. Mavens (educators and helpers) are informational experts in their own fields and exert a considerable force in the markets because they pass on information to others. Salesmen (persuaders) are excellent non-verbal communicators who convinces others of the information.

The Stickiness factor is about the product/information itself. It is about creating a connection between the product and the people, getting them involved emotionally. It is also about presentation, practicality and being personal to the target audience. One thing that still sticks to many is Sesame Street, even to adults.

The Power of Context reveals that events are largely shaped by environment. Symbolism is key. Even the smallest things affect action due to what they represent. They give cues to people. The Zimbardo Prison experiment is a good example given. It also sheds light on how people can be so different with other groups of people and in different situations. Organisations may like to take note the human capacity to handle relationships for effectiveness.150 is the best maximum size for a ‘close-knit’ group for most to know each other.

There were numerous interesting examples the book tells to illustrate the concepts. Definitely an excellent read.

Technical Analysis of Financial Markets

2007-05-03T17:04:00.000+08:00

&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/ifram &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;amp;gt;Hardcover:&amp;amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;amp;gt; 576 pages &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;amp;gt;Publisher:&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;amp;gt; Prentice Hall Press; Subsequent edition (January 4, 1999) &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;amp;gt;Language:&amp;amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;amp;gt; English &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;amp;gt;ISBN-10:&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;amp;gt; 0735200661 &amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;amp;gt;ISBN-13:&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;amp;gt; 978-0735200661&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[endif]--&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[endif]--&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoBodyText"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;This highly academic book covers technical analysis almost in its entirety. It has taken me several weeks and 40 over pages of notes to record down what I have garnered from this text. Murphy has certainly written a great educational text despite it being published a few years back.&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[endif]--&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The following are the chapters within the book itself and some inadequately brief descriptions:&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[endif]--&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" start="1" type="1"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Philosophy of Technical Analysis&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The basics with an argument against fundamental analysis &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Dow Theory &amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The beginning of stock analysis&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Chart Construction&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Basics Concepts of Trend &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Trends can be relative at different points of a chart so trend analysis is more of an art than rocket science. &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Volume plays a huge role in trends&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Major Reversal Patterns&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Pre-requisite is to have prior trend&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Many patterns and can often be misinterpreted&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Continuation Patterns&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Made up of triangles&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A resting pause in trends&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Volume and Open Interest&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Volume precedes price&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Increasing volume suggests continuing trend&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Long Term Charts&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Not for trading purposes&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Moving Averages &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Best for trending markets and worst for sideways/choppy market&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Use for signaling a change of trend&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Oscillators and Contrary Opinion&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Best in non-trending markets, especially for end of market moves&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Point and Figure Charting&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Pure study of price movement&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Japanese Candlesticks&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Trend must be determined before interpreting Japanese candlesticks&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Has many reversal and continuity patterns&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Elliot Wave Theory&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Important factors to note are pattern, ratio and time&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Characterized by 5-wave advance and 3-wave decline&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Each Wave is characterized by a smaller wave&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Time Cycles&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Longer term – more than 2 years&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Intermediate term – 9 to 26 weeks&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Short (trading) term – 4 weeks&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Computers and Trading Systems&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Money Management and Trading Tactics&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Intermarket Analysis&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Cascade effect: Currency affects commodities, which affects bonds, which affects stocks&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Stock Market Indicators&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The more market averages move together, the stronger the trend&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Putting it all together&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A checklist is made to systematically analyze the market and to facilitate decision making&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Appendix&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Advance Technical Indicators&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Market Profile&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Essentials of Building a Trading System&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Continuous Future Contracts&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/ol&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;!--[endif]--&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/o:p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;;" lang="EN-US"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Anyone who wants a well-rounded picture of technical analysis is highly recommended to read this book. Just be warned that it is not for the leisure-reader or the light-hearted. &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Hardcover: 576 pages

Publisher: Prentice Hall Press; Subsequent edition (January 4, 1999)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0735200661

ISBN-13: 978-0735200661

This highly academic book covers technical analysis almost in its entirety. It has taken me several weeks and 40 over pages of notes to record down what I have garnered from this text. Murphy has certainly written a great educational text despite it being published a few years back.

The following are the chapters within the book itself and some inadequately brief descriptions:

Philosophy of Technical Analysis

The basics with an argument against fundamental analysis

Dow Theory

The beginning of stock analysis

Chart Construction
Basics Concepts of Trend

Trends can be relative at different points of a chart so trend analysis is more of an art than rocket science.
Volume plays a huge role in trends

Major Reversal Patterns

Pre-requisite is to have prior trend
Many patterns and can often be misinterpreted

Continuation Patterns

Made up of triangles
A resting pause in trends

Volume and Open Interest

Volume precedes price
Increasing volume suggests continuing trend

Long Term Charts

Not for trading purposes

Moving Averages

Best for trending markets and worst for sideways/choppy market
Use for signaling a change of trend

Oscillators and Contrary Opinion

Best in non-trending markets, especially for end of market moves

Point and Figure Charting

Pure study of price movement

Japanese Candlesticks

Trend must be determined before interpreting Japanese candlesticks
Has many reversal and continuity patterns

Elliot Wave Theory

Important factors to note are pattern, ratio and time
Characterized by 5-wave advance and 3-wave decline
Each Wave is characterized by a smaller wave

Time Cycles

Longer term – more than 2 years
Intermediate term – 9 to 26 weeks
Short (trading) term – 4 weeks

Computers and Trading Systems
Money Management and Trading Tactics
Intermarket Analysis

Cascade effect: Currency affects commodities, which affects bonds, which affects stocks

Stock Market Indicators

The more market averages move together, the stronger the trend

Putting it all together

A checklist is made to systematically analyze the market and to facilitate decision making

Appendix

Advance Technical Indicators
Market Profile
The Essentials of Building a Trading System
Continuous Future Contracts

Anyone who wants a well-rounded picture of technical analysis is highly recommended to read this book. Just be warned that it is not for the leisure-reader or the light-hearted.

The Makings of an Asian Entrepreneur

2007-05-03T12:53:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 120 pages

Publisher: Prentice Hall (April 2004)

ISBN-10: 9812446834

ISBN-13: 978-9812446831

Kenny Yap is the executive chairman and managing director of Qian Hu Corporation Ltd, listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The family-run fish business is diversified but is most famous for its ornamental fish.

This book proves that a family-run business can be successful if it is well-managed and driven by passion. Kenny mentions the following as the qualities that keep the family business going:

Define roles and responsibilities
Everyone contributes and works
Communicate frequently, both formally and informally
Get in-laws out of the picture
Passion and drive
Passing down of family values and house rules
Be strict and firm, yet patient
A succession plan that need not include the next generation

Kenny peppers his book with comics and nostalgic photographs. His Chinese sayings give it a truly Asian touch. He mentions about the initial failures and about the balances the business has to make. They include family and work life, profiting and social responsibility, crisis and opportunities embedded in them, the decision to take the business public etc.

He places much importance in

Education
Networking especially with the government and the community
Harnessing the media
Being transparent and accountable
Giving back to the community

There was much advice given on being an entrepreneur, taking a company public as well as expanding a business abroad. The biggest difference is his opinion on having friends and family in the business. I figure that their success in this is their ability to communicate and work things out.

Finally, Kenny ends off with ‘fishy’ and insightful parallels of business management with different types of ornamental fishes.

Rich Dad's Prophecy

2007-04-27T11:26:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Warner Business Books; Reprint edition (January 2004)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0446690341

ISBN-13: 978-0446690348

Robert Kiyosaki’s book links the impending US market crash to the nation’s 401(K) law. Within the next 20 years, the law encouraging the current way of preparing for retirement would be unsustainable. As the baby-boomers get older and retire, they would withdraw their investments from the stock market, causing a huge demand deficit and hence causing a crash. Kiyosaki also relates well to the changing demographics with the coming crash.

Kiyosaki urges us to start ‘building our arks’ for the future. His safest bet is on financial education. Paper-assets-diversification is for people who don’t have time to educate themselves financially. But if you are a savvy investor, the way to go is concentration. Concentration amplifies the returns due to the risk but education reduces the risk. The only diversification we should do is education and between asset classes. Kiyosaki also advises us to learn to start small and to build our own businesses.

He challenges our financial assumptions and draws our attention to the CASHFLOW Quadrant.

The trends are predicted to occur in the near future are:

Millions will be destitute in their old age.
Increasingly expensive medical care
Increased terrorism
Japan will be on the brink of collapse and depression due to demographics and culture.
China will become the largest economy
The world population will continue to age.
Wall Street obsolescence
Decline of the huge corporations

The controls over one’s Ark

Self – know your financial status and be educated
Emotions – the 3 levels of controlling thought
Excuses
Vision – lookout for emerging technologies and declining (huge, existing and replaceable) technologies
Rules
Advisors
Time (ultimately self)
Destiny

This book is a good read and is simple for any beginner who is interested in embarking on a quest for his/her own ark.

My Story - Lim Goh Tong

2007-04-27T11:23:00.000+08:00

Paperback: 188 pages

Publisher: Pelanduk Pubns Sdn Bhd (December 30, 2004)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 9679788598

ISBN-13: 978-9679788594

This book is an inspiring story of one who carved his own destiny in construction, real estate, entertainment and the casino industry. Lim Goh Tong is renowned for many ‘firsts’ in Malaysia and even Malaysia. This biography charts his life-story with touching poignancy and motivates any reader to conquer any life obstacles to achieve what he/she wants.

The chapters records Lim Goh Tong’s life according to his …

Beginnings – birth and background

Formative years in business – life in China then in Malaya

Family

Mining ventures

Construction projects

Most renowned project – Genting Highlands

Diversification – into real estate, entertainment especially Star Cruise

Succession

Most people, who would associate him most with Malaysia’s Genting Highlands, would be pleased and inspired to know that Lim Goh Tong has made many other significant contributions which we cannot dream anyone could achieve in a lifetime.

Master Your Money Type

2007-04-20T14:29:00.001+08:00

Hardcover: 366 pages

Publisher: Warner Business Books (January 2, 2006)

ISBN-10: 0446578010

ASIN: B000KJTOOO

Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches

This book gives a good insight into how one’s personality and past are closely linked to our management of finances. Awareness of your money type would make you better understand why some people can be entrepreneurs, investors, employees or gamblers. And such awareness can make you understand that it can be useless forcing yourself to stay in a job you dislike.

Goodman categorizes 6 money types. He identifies our money management style with much of our emotions and deals with them at their roots. The book sheds light on how we view money and how we can better react to these issues.

Most of us are “mix-breeds” between money types so we need not strictly fit ourselves into a particular type.

Strivers – Value prestige and having money can give you that. May overspend to build on status. Always seeking to acquire.
Ostriches – money-phobic
Debt Desperadoes – Gets a high on spending blindly or tend to always land in debt situations. Lack of control in spending.
Coasters – Take the easy life for granted. Limits self.
High Rollers – High risk takers. Over-confident and idealistic.
Squirrels – Values money and is afraid of loss. Live below means. Risk-intolerant.

A good beginning book to read in discovering self.

The Next Great Bubble Boom - 2005 to 2009

2007-04-16T11:49:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Free Press (September 2004)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0743222997

ISBN-13: 978-0743222990

Harry S. Dent makes a startling yet convincing argument on the current boom we are now experiencing. He draws much of his conclusion based on demographics. Population and age plays a huge role in the economy due to changes in policies and laws to suit people, and the needs of people change across time. The predictions follow closely to Elliot Wave patterns.

Since he mentioned that the boom will persist from 2005 to 2009, a rudimentary research for the past 2 years till now (2007) has confirmed much of his forecasts. Locally speaking, I can safely say that as the region is still hugely dependent on the US economy, Singapore will continue to ride on this boom as well.

There are much lessons I learnt in this book as listed.

Buy and Hold is not advisable. Marketing timing reaps more profits.
Technology S-curves

Greatest growth is spurred by 50% penetration of a major technology (like the Internet in 1990s and in the future broadband

Cyclical trends

80-year economic cycles (4 seasons)

Innovation (1968 to 1980s) – focus on small cap; rising inflation

Growth (1980s to 2009) – 2 phases on disinflation followed by stable prices; invest in large cap

Shakeout (2010 to 2022) – focus on bonds; disinflation

Maturity (2023 to 2048) – 2 phases on inflation followed by stable prices; more gradual economic growth than ‘growth season’.

10-year cycles
4 year presidential cycle
Annual seasonal cycle (note that Feb, May and Sept are probably down periods to buy in

Boom from 2005-2009

2003-2004 – recovery
2005-2006 – acceleration
2007-2009 – Bubble

Bear market from 2010 to 2022

2010 – 2012/14 – deflationary crash
2015 – 2019 – bear rally
2020 – 2022 – 2^nd crash
2023 onwards – Bull market

The author also guides the reading on certain investment strategies on different regions and sectors as well life-planning at the different years.

The book is an interesting read though there are doubts on how much of it are applicable to Singapore. Nevertheless, the US economy is definitely something we ought to look out for.

A Guide to Investment in Stocks and Shares

2007-04-11T21:42:00.000+08:00

(Out of print - You probably can get it in the local Singapore Library as I did in the picture)

Paperback: 124 pages

Publisher: Educational Publications Bureau Pte Ltd (1984)

ISBN-10: 9971023539

ISBN-13: 978-9971023539

Wong Yee managed to condense the essentials of stock market trading into this small book. Given that this book has been published 20 years back, it goes to show that there are some age-old advice we should all follow. I summarize them as follows:

o Big players dominate/manipulate the market to profit

o The way to conquer the market is to first conquer your emotions.

o Know when to take profit and when to cut losses

The author also goes on to explain financial statements, charts/trends and some crucial accounting ratios we ought to pay close attention to, like P/E ratio, liquidity and profitability ratios.

I enjoyed the real life examples given of the bear markets in the 1980s and 1990s because they are locally (Singapore) orientated for me to pick up some tabs. Other than that, quite a bit of the information is outdated – the Straits Times Index, Singapore stock market trading system etc.

The most interesting information I garnered was the author’s Bull Market Analysis (bull phase pattern).

A bull run typically consists of 3 phases of 3 upthrusts each.
Each phase has a correction after each upthrust; the last being a consolidation.

A correction is characterised by a dip of at least 20% of the increased gain during the uptrend.
A consolidation is a huge correction.

Upthrust 2 is the shortest while upthrust 3 is the longest.
Upthrusts are characterised by huge activity and high volume.
A bear raid follows the final upthrust of the 3^rd phase.

Interestingly as well, there is no apparent pattern (unpredictable rebounds and uncertain low points) to a bear raid hence it is not recommended to trade during a bear market.

Predators and Profits

2007-04-10T23:21:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Pearson Education; 1st edition (April 22, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0131402447

ISBN-13: 978-0131402447

The theme of the book is investment protection and it covers quite a bit of ground. The author paints a background of the current state of the market system – where an investor-and-organisation-orientated market is replaced by personal-greed-and-quick-profiting market. This can be seen be the in the trend of ballooning stock prices in comparison to company earnings.

Martin Howell exposes the trends and tricks in how investors can be cheated of their money. The book is U.S-oriented, highlighting famous examples like Worldcom, Enron. It also focuses on the Internet Bubble as an illustrative instance where stock prices can hit the ceiling even without any earnings. The number of red flags he assigns to each topic gives an indication on the severity of the outcome.

Admittedly, if an investor is to look into all the points Howell has thrown forth, we might not have enough time to even place our order for any stock. Don’t read this book if you are a beginner. It would be a good book for supplementing a broader knowledge.

The main themes for investment-protection are summarized (the sub-points are contextually-relevant to my understanding and learning) as follows.

Fundamentals

Invest in what you understand only
Public’s opinion of the company’s product is a good indicator of it possible sales
Look out for ballooning P/E ratios
Avoid companies that are too reliant on too few aspects of its business (not diversified)
Please diversify.
Sudden change in corporate strategy is suspicious.
Capital-developing funding is cut to boost profit earnings.
A company that grows a lot faster than its rivals without apparent reason gives cause for concern.
Higher debt levels than rivals.

CEOs and Board of Directors

Avoid family-run businesses in general
Aggressive and bullying CEO
Excessive remuneration in times of loss is a warning indicator
Top executive themselves own too little of the company’s stock
Board rarely meets
Elderly, non-prominent executives, politicians or academics might not serve the company well.

Media

"Pro Forma", "normalized" and "non-recurring" are key words to mean earnings before possible huge costs.
Media can excessively hype up stocks but look out for reputable publications (Reuters, Fortune, Wall Street Journal) that gives contrarian views.
Beware of analysts who summaries other reports than visiting the companies themselves.
Sell when a rating is cut.

Accounting

Auditor's opinion is an important indicator. Unexplained resignation or firing gives a huge cause for concern.
Declaration of fraud would only uncover bleaker news in the following months. Recommended immediate sell.
Confusing and lengthy financial statements can mislead investors.
Pay attention to cash-flow despite increasing profits.
Suspicious: Earnings growth is a lot faster than sales growth.
Unreasonable depreciation can hide costs.

Others

Managers who divert a hot stocks from one fund at the expense of another to boost ratings.
Fund shareholder letters are used to solicit for more sales than to inform.
If major funds avoid a particular stock, so should you.
Sell when there’s a fraud probe or a filing for bankruptcy protection
Avoid stocks undergoing reverse-stock splits (especially to maintain their share price to be listed)
A short-seller has the company in mind is a sell-sign.
Don’t chase IPOs after they start trading
Rating agencies give good indicators of companies’ debt.

Yes, You Can Time the Market

2007-04-10T09:34:00.000+08:00

Hardcover: 240 pages

Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (April 4, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0471430161

ISBN-13: 978-0471430162

Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth managed to distill 4 crucial factors in order to time the market. Their research is based on many assumptions like taking a long-time frame, S&P 500 index (US-based analysis), 15-year moving average, regression-to-mean, mid to large cap stocks etc. I like their pro-statistical stance on the latter and tend to see the market behaving as such as long there are no major upheavals.

I conclude from reading this book that market-timing is impossible for short-term trading and possible for a long-term view. It was shown using historical data that market-timing using the 4 factors beats dollar-cost averaging, these can be warning indicators of imminent slump in the market. All 4 values are compared with their long-term averages and are as follows:

Price
Buy low. We compare this figure to its long-term average. (High if above the average) Relevant using regression-to-mean.
P/E ratio
Buy low. Also compare to its long-term average.
Dividend yields*
Buy high. This is reasonable when you are looking at large and mid cap stocks. It is an indicator that they have earnings to distribute. For penny or growth stocks, companies usually channel their surplus for growth instead.
Fundamental value (using Tobin’s Q = market value/asset value here, or alternatively price to book-value)
Buy low. Note that Tobin’s Q only account for tangible assets while intangible assets can make the company worth a lot more.

The rest of the book calls for diversification and does some analysis on some of the crucial periods from before the Great Depression till after the Internet Boom. There is some discussion on bonds and technical notes on risks as well. A good read especially when their theories are supported by the charts generated.

Some of the current S&P500 ratios are updated here.

http://www.yesyoucantimethemarket.com/

Cell by Stephen King

2007-04-05T12:42:00.000+08:00

I read this book when I headed down to Japan for my family trip. It was quite a pretty good read like many of King's gory and bizarre stories. As what the review has mentioned, it can be pretty hard to put the book down sometimes.

The storyline kept me on my toes most of the time due to the curiosity of how the "pulse" came about that triggered the whole sequence of events. I was half expecting a more complete elaboration of the origin but I guess the ending reminded me that King is a fiction eerie story-teller instead of a sci-fi weaver.

After reading the book, I wondered about the real implications of the using the cell-phone too much..