What Will You Exchange Time For

Success Tip Numero Uno

Exchanging time for money = Work

Exchanging time for knowledge = Study

Exchanging time for Fitness = Exercise

Exchanging time for Leisure = Not Work, Study or Exercise. #successORfailure

A Short Note on the Future of Economics of MY Malaysia Tanahairku

Econs...never my best subject and yet when I think of my beloved country, Malaysia, I am inspired to write this article - so that we may all be focused on the main issues that affects us in our daily life. As a commoner (one of the many Rakyat), perhaps this is all that I will do as I'm sure governing a country and to lead its people forward is no simple task...

To move forward as a nation, we need to know and determine the factors affecting our nation's health and whether anything can be done for its betterment.

To simply "put it" - we need to know just how much risk Geopolitical instability is to our nation's growth. Say what?

According to an online dictionary, Geopolitic is defined as the relationship among politics and geography, demography, and economics, especially with respect to the foreign policy of a nation.
 

A good example of a governmental policy employing geopolitics: The Nazi doctrine holding that the geographic, economic, and political needs of Germany justified its invasion and seizure of other lands (I add - people's rights inclusive).

You see, Malaysia is considered a still developing country (rated just above Third World). While our optimism for our economy is increasing, it is anticipated that future growth will come from developed markets that are less plagued by geopolitical dilemmas. 

So what's our biggest hurdle? Geopolitical instability.
 

Attacking and addressing this hurdle is made simple by looking at the common examples* of Geopolitical dilemmas,

_1. Slow growth of the GDP / Low demand for Exports;

_2. Low returns from savings and investment;

_3. An inflation rate that is higher than rate of returns from savings and investments;

_4. Sociopolitical instability from a highly combustible cocktail of politics, religion and race;

_5. Unemployment; and

_6. Exchange Rates.

* such a broad range, are we exempted and able to escape at all? Sigh!

So how do we renew and boost our optimism for our nation's future economy?

First things first, we need structural policy and regulatory reforms that are aimed at increasing consumer confidence and greater social and political stability.

By the way, rationalizing subsidies is not one of them as it will only "fuel" inflation (pun intended) - besides, the only major good I see is the elevation of the nation's credit standing for other nations to approve better terms for lending to Malaysia!

Increased foreign investment (not in terms of loans) are a great way to boost our economy and is only attainable when the rate of return on investment is enticing to the investor. 

A Contrasting Example for Investors:

Would you yourself invest in a business where the cost of operations leaves you next to nothing profits? You hire and/or pay less. Then you decide to invest in machinery as automation reduces manual labor, hence less workers to be paid. Then at the end of the day you realize you are paying for power at a premium too. Booyah and I haven"t even mentioned other business factors viz. cost of capital, property and rent, etc!

In fact any other actions that will address the above listed dilemmas in earnest will fair well but please bear in mind that not ALL action is better than NO action.

I rant, I rave and life goes on... 

Footnote:
Breaking news! Still reeling from its aftershock and again, why? Appended today September 26, 2013 - price for RON95 petrol is poised for 'another' increase in near future and this time it's supposed to also 'help' curb petrol smuggling. Way to go - we will never learn.

Curbing Inflation in Malaysia

In times of inflation, the key investment principle to remember is to protect your wealth from being depleted due to inflation. But just how do we do that when investment returns on i.e. savings & deposits are even lower than the perceived rate of inflation?

While the wealth of the government is not the wealth of the people, we shouldn't be shocked when they decide to reduce and/or remove subsidies - in other words telling the people to spend more of their (the people's) wealth on things that the government feels is right.

Facing reality, ready or not, inflation is a growing problem in Malaysia and continued subsidy rationalization will only make it worse. But wait, isn't it the government's top priority to curb inflation? I guess not!

I for one am already experiencing the aggravated effects of the recent increase of 10% in the price of petrol.  High petrol prices sets off inflationary pressures that have a dramatic effect on us (The Rakyat) making us suffer from a rise in prices for the Essentials (Food & Water, Housing and Electricity). When prices are rising and up, they stay up! Need I say more?

Elsewhere in the world, petrol prices are closely watched as they have the ability to trigger a spiral of rising prices. When that happens, what happens? INFLATION INCREASES!

While this article may not be picked anytime soon by the brains behind the latest price hike, I hope that whoever does will at least make sense of why inflation should be curbed.

TESCO Malaysia Everyday Offers, Or Not?

Believe it or not but even the best of Malaysia's superchain hypermarkets do screw up, more than once! 

That's why it is always better to check, check and triple-check before you commit to your purchase. Although there is a written code that in established stores such as Tesco for them to honor the price tag on the product, what happens when instead of a tag -- a generic master tag on the shelf and/or bin is used AND WRONG? 

Hypermarkets are fond of saving manpower on price tagging, so they did away with individual item tagging. It made their life so much easier as price changes could be effected with just a simple one tag change per barcode.

Let me quote my personal experience at Tesco:

I am not too fond at times (too many to count) of having to be informed by the Tesco cashier to get a refund from the Tesco Customer Service Counter. More often there is a queue of customers already waiting their turn. Most of the times when I feel that my time is more precious I would just accept having paid extra because on top of the time spent in queue there is also a waiting time for their Customer Service representative to run to wherever the product in question is located to verify the difference!

Why can't anyone or someone please do their pricing changes efficiently?

I do believe that Tesco already has in employ more than sufficient staff at hand (reference: Kepong Village Mall, Tesco HQ - staff parking already spilled over to 2nd level) to manage and overcome the said problem. Perhaps THEY don't see it as a problem, who knows?

So coming back to the picture proof -- quite hilarious, really. I was informed by one of their floor staff who was busy stocking up the bin, that the product referred to by the price tag was not the product displayed below it but actually meant for another product???

Question: If not, why continue stocking up the same product displayed "since" another product was supposed to be in place?

My actual question was one of curiosity as I only wanted to know why the promotional price is higher than the previous normal pricing!

Lesson learned -- always compare pricing and never believe in "promotions". Lastly, do check the expiry too!

P/S Complaining is also futile, the real people in charge who do care are not easily reachable...

Holidays a'loomin Cops a'bloomin

Major holiday (Chinese New Year) coming up, fast approaching and I'm ready to rock and roll...so's police season!

Careful when driving, mind your stops n' turns.

See a traffic policeman, FEAR NOT! Instead if stopped, asked how you can help -- but beware! They can come in other colors besides Black and White.

Unsuspecting motorists caught unawares as camouflaged cop wearing dark jacket pretends to be a tree in hot afternoon signals buddies a stone throw away. The biggest crime you can have during cop season is beating the lights and illegal turns -- so if you do happen to be stopped, be a good samaritan and offer tea, it's hot after all.

On a serious note -- drive carefully, observe courtesy and the rules of the road.

Wishing all and sundry an early Chinese New Year Greeting (cops aside) that's gonna be full of goodness, health and prosperity! Cheers! Oops...I meant well, if you know what I mean.

Realistic Materialistic Reality

How much money you make during the next 2-5 years

Will probably be the average of all the people you are associating with

RIGHT NOW.

What's that number?

Who are you associating with?

How successful are they?

Motivation for Success

Before anything else, we need motivation to accomplish anything!

You need to decide what you truly want to do and do it. Often we entertain what we want to do and make excuses as to why we can't accomplish it. The truth is that the time we have taken to dream up excuses as to why we can't do something, we could have done it. What have you been dodging doing?

Take this very moment to do it, clean out the clutter, clear out the system.
Once you have done it there's space in your mind to think about additional things.

Motivation has become a popular word today. There are motivational coaches and speakers, and motivational books and articles. What is it really, and why do you need it?

Motivation is a driving force. In order to achieve anything, you need a driving force, otherwise nothing will materialize. A wish isn't solid enough to make you take action. A wish is a weak hope. Only a firm desire can drive forward, to act and accomplish aims and goals.

In order to get motivated, you need to recognize exactly what it is that you want, to own a strong desire, and to be willing to do whatsoever it takes to achieve your goal.

More than often there's lack of motivation or only a short-lived one. How many times have you began enthusiastically a weight loss program, started a bodybuilding or aerobics training plan or began to learn a foreign language,
only to quit after a short while? Few individuals have enough willpower and self-control to go through to the end with what they start.

It easier to show motivation in association with a subject that's dear to you. If you want something, but you don't feel motivated enough to act, this means that the desire isn't important enough. To be motivated to take action and do
something in respect to your want, you need to possess a really firm desire.


Remember, my friend, which the first step to accomplishing anything is to take action. It is imperative to your success! You can take action and get on the road to success!

Cut Your Credit in 7 Easy Steps

Help! My customers just won’t pay me on time – some don’t even bother to! Cash flow’s bad with money flowing out faster than money crawling in…
Are you to blame yourself? Yes and No. Yes because you allowed it to happen without pre-empting the possibility of the event happening. No because it is your right to be paid for products delivered and services rendered. But just how often do we come across good customers who pay when they are expected to or pay without being asked?
Here are just some ways to cut your credit risk in 7 easy steps and minimize your business from closing down:

1. Pull out your customer statement of accounts
Take a trip down memory lane to visit those customers who just love to see their account with you grow faster than a fixed deposit account. Hang on. That’s your money that’s being tied up here that we are talking about. Sure, it'll bring back memories of the excitement not so long ago when the orders flooded in and business was deemed good because sales figures were good. But without looking at your debtor records regularly, you won't know what hit you until it’s too late. So go find those files!

2. Make the most of your credit given
The easiest way to avoid giving credit is not to do business, but I'll assume that you don't find that a very viable strategy. You can, however, pick customers where you know that it is safe to give credit or reduce giving credit. Know your customers.

3. Use your business financing facilities -- wisely!
Business financing facilities gives those who are fortunate enough to qualify for them great means to fund their business and achieve important business goals. Using these facilities to finance credit given to customers is not practical.

4. Be smart about credit control
Millions of companies unwittingly into a credit crunch simply because they don't keep records or take the time to scrutinize the aging list. Missing out on proper systematic and consistent credit control is hazardous for your company’s financial health. And if you do it well, don't just assume that you will recover your money from the errant customer.

5. Give extra credit
No, I am not talking about the pat on the back. You can actually encourage customers who are good paymasters to spend more with you by upping the credit limited you give them. Customers love knowing that you give them extra credit that is available for them to take advantage whenever they want.

6. Think about next year
There's only so much you can do to cut your credit exposure and collect in a year. If you wait until the last minute to request for payment, you may never get your money at all. With some advance planning, you can get a head start on next year's business plan. Things like checking your credit exposure, withholding and monitoring helps put you in better shape next time around.

7. Celebrate!
With all this planning, your ability to do business is enhanced.

Dim Sum A Chinese Delicacy - A Reflection on the State of Wealth and Economics

Dim Sum is a Chinese delicacy that is commonly enjoyed in the mornings over a pot of nicely brewed Chinese Tea. The Chinese believe that the tea helps to dissolves the oil in food and aid in digestion.

The name Dim Sum is aptly translated into "A Spot of Heart" meaning that it is prepared with a tinge of heart. Heart-full preparation to create these mouth sized bites of wonder.

I'm a bit saddened by the kan-seongs (traders) in the Dim Sum industry for raising the price of Dim Sum to almost double of what it was back in 2007 (last year). Its not that its no longer affordable but the price hike is ridiculous. It was so much a joy whenever I got wind of the latest promotions here and there with Dim Sum going at 50% discount -- seems that this will no longer apply. I am certain that many other business people in the food and services industry raise their prices not solely due to increases of the raw materials or resources that they use to in delivering their product or service but more often because of their own personal greed and increases in their own cost of living as an individual. Look at it: The employees are not getting paid any more, are they? There is simply no sense of balance here.

Okay, enough on the short insight. I vow not to indulge in Dim Sum but shall still enjoy it once a bluemoon (never on a shiny day or a weekday) as it is no longer good value for money...

Do You Need Life Insurance?

This is a common financial issue that has a fairly black-and-white solution. If you have a family that relies on your income, you need insurance.

If not, you don't, no matter what the salesman says. The more complicated question is how much insurance do you need? First, add up the assets you'll leave behind. Maxing out your financial investments builds savings that could help take care of your family. Second, estimate the obligations you want to cover--the mortgage and child care, for instance. Subtract those obligations from the value of your savings to figure out how much insurance you need.

Most people are better off with a term policy, rather than whole life, which includes a (pricey) investment component. A healthy 40-year-old man can buy a $500,000, 20-year term policy for about $400 a year. Term is a beautiful thing, because most people don't need insurance once they hit 60 as most have paid off debts, college is saved for or paid for, and retirement savings should cover survivor income.

Cheapy the Cheapskate

Ever heard of the saying, "a cent for a cent's worth"? An eye for an eye, that's what I've heard almost too often but when it comes to getting quality and good value for your money; is a $1 really a $1's worth? This rings true in most cases when you engage an unscrupulous vendor to give or sell you his service/product. When you see that the quality of the same is way less than what you thought your money's worth is...but is it really true in such circumstances. For instance, if you buy a K-car but you expected an European finishing and quality, is that realistic or even possible? Satisfaction is very subjective to the individual and it is in this aspect that we must also remember there are guidelines and standards for acceptance. Bigger brands sell at higher prices and do you know why? It's not because of their exceptional quality, sometimes you get same and even better from lesser known brands, or even the processing that it goes through. Its because of the marketing $ that went into bringing about the product to you. So next time don't be too concerned about the brand. Think more in terms of whether it suits so, you like it, and of course more importantly, is it worth it.

Cheapy the cheapskate are those who are always out looking for bargains at the expense of other people, takes liberties with free items, and are willing to pay much less than the actual determined value of the product or service they want.

More on winning the Lotto and its free

SIMPLE STRATEGY TIPS ODD-EVEN LOTTO NUMBER TIPS
When you select your Lotto numbers, try to have a relatively even mix of odd and even numbers. All odd numbers or all even numbers are rarely drawn, occurring less than 3 percent of the time. The best mix is to have 3/2 or 2/3 which means three odd and two even, or two odd and three even. One of these two patterns will occur in 68 percent of the drawings.

HIGH-LOW LOTTO NUMBER TIPS
Winning numbers are usually spread across the entire number field. If we take a number field and cut it in half, we have the low half and the high half. In a 52-number game, numbers 1 to 26 would be in the low half, and numbers 27 to 52 would be in the high half. All high numbers or all low numbers are rarely drawn, occurring only 3 percent of the time. The best mix is to have 3/2 or 2/3 which means three high and two low, or two high and three low. One of these two patterns will occur in 64 percent of the drawings.

LOTTERY NUMBER GROUP STRATEGIES
Look at a list of past winning numbers for the Lotto game you play, and you'll see, more often than not, that one or more of the number groups is not represented. For example, in the combination 5-14-30-32-43-52, there are no 20's. Tracking and studying Number Groups can help you decide which group to omit and which group to give extra heavy play.

LOTTERY GAMES SKIPPED STRATEGIES
List the number of games skipped (games out) since the last hit (win) for each of the winning numbers during the last five games. Then mark the number of times each skip occurred. If any skip from 0 to 5 did not occur, play the Lotto numbers that are out that many games. (Help working with lotto games skipped.)

LOTTO NUMBER SUM ADVICE - PLAY A BALANCED GAME
After you choose five numbers you want to play, add them together and make sure that the sum of the six numbers adds up to somewhere between 106 and 179. Sums that fall within that range will account for over 70 percent of all lottery jackpots won.

REPEAT HITS LOTTERY TIPS
In the 6/52 MEGA Millions, on average, one lottery number will be a repeat hit from the last drawing every other drawing or 42 percent of the time.

HOT NUMBER LOTTERY SECRETS
Numbers that have been out (losers) for six games or less account for about half of the winning numbers. Losing numbers that have been out for 10 games or less account for about two-thirds of all the winning numbers. Losing numbers that have been out for 13 games or less account for about three-quarters of all the winning numbers. This tells us that hot numbers are more likely to hit, but don't forget to include at least one long shot in your group of 6.

COLD NUMBER LOTTERY SECRETS It is difficult to know when a cold number will end a long losing streak. If you play a number every drawing because you think it is due, you could be chasing it for many months. Although, when a number has been out for 70 games or so, it might be worth chasing.

Lottery Pools and Lottery Syndicates POOL YOUR WAY TO LOTTO RICHES
Several of the 101 lotto jackpots won were won by groups of people who pooled their money. Sharing the ticket cost with others stretches your Lotto budget. By playing with a group, you can afford to buy more lottery tickets—and play larger wheeling systems—than you could (or should) by yourself. Draw up an agreement and have the members of your pool sign it. When you form a Lotto pool, your group is also pooling its aggregate luck. A jackpot could happen because of the luck just one member brings to your pool. Select your partners carefully. Share your luck with winners, not losers. Avoid negative people. Not only are they unlucky, but they dampen enthusiasm and drain energy from others. You want to enhance your own luck, not dilute its strength. One quick way to tell winners from losers is simply to ask them: "Do you think you are a lucky person?" Many people quickly admit, "I'm unlucky. I never win anything." They won't bring good luck to your group either. CASH IN ON A POSITIVE ATTITUDE No one should play games of chance out of desperation because they need the winnings. The needy have a greater fear of losing the hard-earned money they gamble with. It is just one of life's dirty tricks that the very fear of losing blocks the winning forces. Thoughts are charged with energy, especially when triggered by emotion. Fear attracts exactly that which one fears. A strong desire for a goal that is charged with positive energy, attracts a positive response, especially when every effort is made to attain that goal.

AVOID NUMBER COMBINATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DRAWN BEFORE
Many players like to bet the numbers that have won someone else a big jackpot, and by doing so, they are almost guaranteed NOT to win one themselves.

AVOID BETTING CONSECUTIVE NUMBERS
Even four consecutive numbers is a very rare occurrence that, in most Lotto games, has never happened once.

AVOID BETTING ONE LOTTO NUMBER GROUP
Never choose all six numbers from one number group, such as all single digits, or all teens, or all 20's, etc. All five winning numbers drawn from one group is highly unlikely.

AVOID THE COMBINATION 1-2-3-4-5-6
The most popular set of numbers most often played is: 1-2-3-4-5-6. Thousands of tickets are bought with this combination every drawing. The selection is too far out of balance to come up in a random drawing.

AVOID PATTERN BETTING
Pattern betting is an even more popular method of marking bet slips. Patterns of numbers marked in a row to make a straight line, either across the bet slip vertically or diagonally get heavy play—which means sharing the prize with others if the numbers are drawn as winners. Other designs such as patterns of initials or numbers or crosses also get heavy play.

AVOID NUMBER MULTIPLES
Other popular combinations that get heavy play are the number multiples, especially 5-10-15-20-25-35 and 7-14-21-28-35-48.

AVOID ALL SAME LAST DIGITS
Many people like to play same last digits, such as 3-13-23-33-43-52, or all digits that end in seven, or some other favorite lucky number. Even four same last digits occur in less than two-tenths of one percent of all drawings. Winning sets of numbers with no more than one repeated last digit represent nearly 90 percent of all drawings.

AVOID LOW NUMBER COMBINATIONS
The majority of Lotto players like to play the calendar numbers, such as birth dates and anniversaries—and their children's ages. This means that the most heavily played numbers are 1 through 31. MEGA Millions has 52 numbers. If you play only the calendar numbers, you might be sharing your jackpot with dozens of other winners. It's not to say that you shouldn't play your personal numbers if you feel they are lucky for you.

In Lotto, the Trend is Your Friend---hogwash or good sense you decide...

How to win - A free lotto strategy that guarantees your chance at winning

Similar to the ideology that if you do little wrong, its a little wrong, and if you do a big wrong, its the mother of all wrongs, and if you don't do anything you are never wrong. Applying the same concept to winning the lottery and attempting to hit the jackpot of mega millions, you have at least a chance of striking and winning the lottery if you buy at least a ticket. With your single betting slip, you are at least guaranteed an opportunity, without it you get zilch. This advice is free but your bets are not. Remember, one last bit of sagely advice---bet only within your means....

Never accept cash without a record

Especially when you're working with friends or relatives. I had this bad experience with a relative who insists that he paid me cash for a contractor's invoice. Funny thing was there was no record of any sort except the fact that there was an invoice and a call from the contractor demanding payment. Excuse me but I do have some confidence and personal principle when it comes to money. End of the matter was that the relative agreed to pay reluctantly but then again that left a lot of bad blood abrewing because he still thinks he's right and so do I. So if you ever chance to come across such incidents, do not ever accept cash without a record. Of course there were times as well when the customer insisted that he paid cash for my services...

Central banks coordinate global cut in interest rates

In a move of unprecedented scope, the world's major central banks lowered their benchmark interest rates Wednesday, a coordinated effort to halt a collapse of share prices and a freeze in credit markets that threatens to set off the first global recession since the early 1970s. The action failed to calm gyrating markets, however, amid the growing realization that a serious and prolonged recession may be difficult to avoid. The Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the central banks of Canada and Sweden all reduced primary lending rates by a half percentage point. Switzerland also cut its benchmark rate, while the Bank of Japan endorsed the moves without changing its rates. In another monetary first, the Chinese central bank joined the effort — without explicitly saying it was doing so — by reducing its key interest rate and lowering bank reserve requirements to free up cash for lending. The Fed's benchmark short-term rate now stands at 1.5 percent. The European Central Bank's is 3.75 percent.Taken together with other moves in the United States, Britain and Continental Europe in the last few days, the rate cuts look like part of a broader, global strategy that embraces aggressive use of monetary policy and taxpayer recapitalization of ailing banks, generating cautious optimism among crisis-weary analysts.

U.S. may take stakes in banks

Having tried without success to unlock frozen credit markets, the Treasury Department is considering taking ownership stakes in many United States banks to try to restore confidence in the financial system, according to government officials.

Treasury officials say the just-passed $700 billion bailout bill gives them the authority to inject cash directly into banks that request it. Such a move would quickly strengthen banks' balance sheets and, officials hope, persuade them to resume lending. In return, the law gives the Treasury the right to take ownership positions in banks, including healthy ones.

And October's emphasis is...

The emphasis is on money this month: how to get it, keep it, grow it and spend it. The global crisis is sending shockwaves into each and every nation where there is a financial market and it does not seem to be over too soon. Better be prepared if not already otherwise the consequences may be dire. Buckle-up and weather out this storm period.

Along with acquiring and using money in smart ways are issues concerning credit, debt, interest rates and the way your money is being managed. Look at the housing market and stock market. You are advised to do very careful research during the advanced 3 weeks before applying for loans or credit. Instead of spending additional money on new items, do what you can to pay down existing debt. If you're stretched to the max, remain as calm as possible and check out any and all options that help you protect yourself, your income and quality of life. Job seekers may get jobs but not receive the same level of pay that they would have a year ago.

If you're not on the jagged edge financially, don't quickly make any final decisions that affect your finances. Take your time, you'll have a better view of things. You'll also be treated with greater respect. You may also be paid more or receive benefits that you wouldn't ordinarily get.

If you feel pressure to make a choice and hurry through a process, don't. If at all possible, keep yourself steady, focused and calm for just a few more days. If you jump the gun or feel so nervous about money that you agree to less than ideal terms and sign documents, you're likely to be at a loss. Rewards and opportunities are only what you make of them. Remain calm and very hopeful - and you'll probably be better off.

Freddie Mac shakes up management

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three top executives are departing mortgage finance company Freddie Mac, which was seized by the government nearly three weeks ago.

The McLean, Va.-based company said its chief financial officer, Anthony Piszel; chief business officer, Patricia Cook and Timothy McBride, senior vice president for government and industry relations are leaving the company, effective immediately.

McBride's departure comes after the government banned all lobbying activities at Freddie Mac and its sibling company, Fannie Mae, as part of the Sept. 7 government takeover.

Freddie Mac named David Kellermann, previously the company's senior vice president and corporate controller, as acting chief financial officer, reporting directly to new CEO David Moffett.

The company said it would undertake an external search to fill the CFO position permanently.

The company said its business divisions will now report directly to Moffett, rather than the chief business officer, whose position is being eliminated. Freddie Mac is also establishing a new position of chief credit officer and named Raymond Romano to that role on an acting basis.

"I am excited about the changes we're making today, and believe they position us to best achieve the mission and goals of the company over the long term," Moffett said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the government seized control of Fannie and Freddie and agreed to pump as much as $200 billion into the firms to help keep them afloat.

Shares of Freddie Mac rose 2 cents to $1.88 in afternoon trading.

10 bizarre and daring feats of salesmanship

From Fortune's "The Art of Selling" special report continues with a look at how legends mastered the sales pitch - and raked in the revenues.

Mary Kay Ash
The beauty queen motivated her commissioned sales force with a woman's touch, offering diamonds, trips, and pink Cadillacs to top performers. A year after Mary Kay's launch in 1963, sales were $198,000; in 2007 they were $2.4 billion.

Brownie Wise
Formerly a rep for Stanley Home Products, Wise convinced stubborn inventor Earl Tupper that salespeople needed to demonstrate his plastic containers' patented "burp," ushering in an era of suburban Tupperware parties.

Gerard Lambert
The "Father of Halitosis" called bad breath a medical condition in Lambert Pharmacal Co.'s 1920s ads. In the process he made Listerine a bestseller.

John H. Patterson
National Cash Register's founder had strange and stringent rules for his hires. He built fields on NCR's campus and required salespeople to do exercises. He dictated how much they could pay for neckties.
He once fired an employee who nearly slipped from a horse during a character-building equestrian event he organized. Seen as the father of the modern sales force, Patterson mentored (then fired), IBM founder Thomas Watson Sr.

Herman T. Smith
The first black salesman hired by PepsiCo, the 28-year-old Smith was charged in 1940 with cornering the black consumer market, getting a jump on rival Coke. He and his team couldn't stay in white-only hotels, so they made train reservations on Pullman sleeping cars.

Joe Girard
Guinness World Records' top salesman sold 13,001 individual cars (six cars a day) in 15 years at a Chevy dealership near Detroit. Every month he mailed cards to his customers that read simply, "I Like You."

Tom Siebel
Oracle sales veteran Siebel started his own software firm in 1993. Though the Valley had gone dot-com casual, his strict code required salespeople to wear suits; he also named every conference room at headquarters after a customer.

Alfred Fuller
Fuller Brush legitimized door-to-door selling, with its salesmen visiting nearly nine out of ten American homes in the first half of the last century. In Disney's Three Little Pigs (1933), the wolf dresses up as a Fuller Brush man to get inside the house.

Big Pharma
In the '90s Big Pharma discovered that attractive, peppy cheerleaders made perfect pitchwomen. An outfit called Spirited Sales Leaders has placed more than 60 cheerleaders and dancers in pharma sales forces in the past four years.

Wall Street in Chaos

Last week, Wall Street whipped up a hurricane of uncertainties, with some of America's wee-established financial institutions falling like like a pack of cards. The struggling economy is already on the minds of many and plaguing the world community. The result will be long lasting and disturbing.

I wonder is if this will be enough for the person on the street to look at their own spending seriously enough to cut down on spending, reduce their debts, and attempt to live within the budget of what they can afford and within their means.

How will we make it through this global turmoil that is affecting our daily lives?

In such situations, the best financial advice includes,

Being smart and avoid panicking. Have long range financial planning. Don't overreact with your emotions.

Make sure your deposits in a bank are insured. If not, change banks to one that is.

Protect the foundation of your financial life by spending wisely and reducing your credit in the market. Take a good, hard look at how you manage your money. Your personal financial plan with goals and objectives must be able to sustain you and your dependents in the event of financial mishaps.

If you invest your money, make sure that your investments are varied and not all in the same stock or share. Get a reliable financial consultant who is able to help you grow your money and reduce your risks.

You are in control so don't panic and never allow the situation to control you. Your money is within your control. When you take charge you are not only going to manage your financial issues better, but you are also being responsible for your future.