Keep in mind all is not lost in GLD, the commodities expert Jim Rodgers who co-founded the now closed Quantum Fund with George Soros has been quoted saying that Gold will continued to surge as much as $3,500. But remember- you gotta know when to hold’em and when to fold’em. To your success.
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http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=119
The link led me to the Digital Ethnography department at Kansas State University. This very insightful clip is called “A Vision for Students Today”. 
Take a quick look at it as it is quite fascinating. Again special thanks to Gaetan!
What I love about these postings is that they are more than just a pitch for a seminar- they always contain a great deal of insight and value for viewers. This clip in particular features Ken McElroy, one of Robert's real estate advisors/partners. In this segment Robert & Ken highlight some of this issues facing the real estate market as a whole- particularly the downfall of the high end apartment/condo market.
More so, for those readers who live here in the Lehigh Valley, you will no doubt see the correlation of how this relates to the slowdown and downturn of the high-end condo market (ie Riverport and Eastonian). I found the A-B-C concept very insightful and I am certain that you will as well. Don't miss the hidden lessons of this clip! Opportunity is EVERY WHERE! http://www.richdad.com/RichDad/RichContent.aspx?cpid=65
Audible is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary this year and I am so grateful that they, unlike many .coms of the past 10 years, have been able to stick it out. After all they provide me with full unabridged audio files of the latest best selling books at a price you cannot beat. As a matter of fact just yesterday I upgraded my membership to Platinum Status. For only $22.95 per month I receive the following:
Receive 2 audio credits each month. This is great! I can use 1 credit per book- regardless of size! This is key for an unabridged book junkie like me. I only pay $11.50 for an unabridged audio book which would cost $50-70 bucks in CD format. This saves me about $1200 bucks a year and gets me to listen to a minimum of 24 books per year. This is welcomed “forced” learning for me.
Save 30% on all audiobooks and programs not purchased with audio credits. This is a nice feature particularly if you like smaller books (ie books under $10 bucks) as it makes better sense to use the 30% discount versus the book credit.
Rollover up to 12 credits. This feature is a blessing for me, due to my travels. For example last month I did not have a chance to spend my 2 credits for the month of February and they expired. I no longer have to call customer service to ask them to reinstate my expired credits. (Note- Audible does has the BEST customer service of ANY company that I have worked with!)
A complimentary subscription to the audio version of The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. (Of course I get the WSJ!) I love this service as I get my daily dose of the WSJ wherever I am in the world. As a matter of fact I am listening to it as I pen this post.
In addition to these benefits, one of the most important features that I have come to appreciate, and now have come to expect from any online content provider, is the fact that THEY store my content on their server. I don’t have to hog up my systems with the data. I can simply go online to access my content. This is a very cool feature.
I use this service to wirelessly access all of my audible.com content via my cell phone (Moto Q) via a free service of Audible.com called Audible Air. This service allows me to WIRELESSLY download any content from my Audile.com library. It actually pulls my WSJ subscription down from the cloud for me every morning. Very, very cool.
On a final note of my praises for Audilbe.com- they are in the process of being acquired by Amazon.com, which in my opinion will be great for customers of both companies. I cannot wait to integrate my audio books from Audible with my Amazon Kindle*- I will be able to read and listen at the same time so as to deepen my comprehension of my learning materials. I hope this post helps you!
*Yes- I am eagerly awaiting my Kindle from Amazon. It is currently on back order. I placed my order on February 28th and expect to receive it by the end of March. Yes- I am being hopeful! :)
I was intrigued and I empathize with both employers & employees alike. Here are my comments to the article:
First a compliment to Brian Callaway and the Mcall for this kind of local reporting an coverage.
I must say that as both an employer and an educator I empathize with both sides of the issue. The most important thing to recognize in the 21st century is that the world as we know it is less than 15 years old. You see in 1989 the Berlin Wall came down (thus signifying the end of the industrial age) and in 1995 the World Web went up (thus signifying the dawn of the information age). The world has changed yet unfortunately both our educational system and our business models have yet to change.
As employees we cling to an entitlement mentality which is a hangover from the industrial age. As employers we are stead fast in our philosophy of managerial capitalism which causes us to view our people as liabilities versus what the truly are- assets. Again the world has change and so must we.
Here are my suggestions for perspective employees:
Know that in the 21st century the most important attributes which you bring to the table is your reputation, not your resume. This can only be conveyed by how you act and how people know you. Here are four simple things which you can do in your professional life to enhance your reputation whether you are the CEO or just starting out in the mail room:
1. Show up on time.
2. Say Please.
3. Thank You.
4. Do what you say you’re going to do.
Simple? Yes. But not overly simplistic. You see most people; particularly those with advance degrees think that reputation and referability are a matter of talent, genius and charisma. These traits will certainly get you in the door, but they will only get you so far. The talented will get arrogant and show up late. The genius will get cocky and not express gratitude/appreciation and disrespect others. And the charismatic will ultimately drop the ball and not deliver.
These four traits are simple and easy to apply and make a world of difference to both employers and colleagues alike. Why?
1. Showing up on time- shows that you respect not only others, but more so yourself.
2. Saying Please- shows respect & dignity
3. Saying Thank You- shows appreciation.
4. Doing what you say- shows that you have integrity.
Here is my suggestion for employers:
1. Realize that “the fish stinks from the head down”
2. Stop treating your people like office furniture
3. Realize that professional development is like taking a shower- if you only do it one time a year both you and your people will stink!
As I noted in my previous post, most owners and employers are stuck in an industrial age mindset of “managerial capitalism” which too is a hangover from the industrial age. Stop viewing employees as liabilities on your balance sheet and start to see them as assets. Change starts with you.
The Fish Stinks from the Head Down. My uncle Vito from Queens taught me this. He is in a very unique line of work (and no it is not waste management.) What Vito says is very true. As an employer/manager you must realize that you cannot take your people to a place where you yourself have yet been. Rather than pointing the finger at your people, look at yourself. Bottom line- if you want better employees become a better employer.
Stop Treating Your People Like Office Furniture. Realize that people have hearts, minds and souls. They are working not only because of a paycheck. More so people what to know the work that they do is making a difference. Get in touch with your people to know what their dreams are. (See below action steps on how to do this.)
Realize Professional Development Is Like Taking A Shower- If you only do it one time a year, you will stink! Funny but so true. In a world that is ever changing you must constantly stay on top of your game to stay with the times, let alone try to get a head. If you want your company to earn more, both you and your people gotta learn more.
Action steps:
1. Go buy the book- The Dream Manager, By Matthew Kelly (currently at the top of all the business best seller lists) www.DreamManger.com
2. Read the book (it is a quick read and will take no more than 2 hours)
3. Contact me via www.LehighValleyBusinessCoach.com and I will tell you how to apply the Dream Manager concept to your life and your company via a complimentary consultation.
4. Watch your people change because you made a commitment to change yourself first.
I trust this advice will help you. To your success!
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There is absolutely no doubt that Chris and I took our relationship to a whole new level directly in part to the amount of quantity time we just spent together. 4 solid days of just us. It was so powerful and restorative. Give it a try sometime.
You see, when it comes to time & relationship management we have it all wrong! How many times have you tried to “schedule” some quality time with your spouse or friend? You say- “Hey honey, how about we have some quality time this weekend.” And then it never happens. Why? Because you are going about it in the wrong way.
You can’t schedule/create/or manufacture quality time. The fundamental fact is that quality time only arises from quantity time. That’s right- Quality time is a byproduct of Quantity time. Think about it. Recall the last road trip/car ride that you took with a friend. Remember how much fun you had. Remember all of the great memories. You experienced Quality time… but the reason why is because you had a Quantity amount of time together. Am I starting to make some sense?
You see we, particularly in western culture, have it all backwards. Most people have Quantity time at work and try to squeeze in quality time at home. When in fact you cannot do this. What is the solution? What is the secret? Here it is…
Quality time at work. Quantity time at home. In other words, focus on results at work (quality) not time. Get in, get focused and get your job done. Then GO HOME! Stop hanging around your office wasting time because you “have to” be there. Know what your outcome is. Focus on the result, get it done and then GO HOME!
With more time at home….quality time with your family will magically appear for you. Your life will transform. Don’t take my word for it, try this yourself.
Action: Take a People Day (a 6-12 hour block of time focused on one person/relationship)
Good luck and enjoy the renewal of that relationship.
]]>The conversation kinda went like this:
Scott & Sean: “Hey Tony we are working on a new movie called Hell’s Half Acre and we would love to have you make a cameo in it.”
Tony: “Okay what do you need me to do?”
Sean: “We are making a cool, but campy slasher movie in which the bad guy goes around the town killing everyone. Pretty original right? Well Tony we would like you to play the part of “Pastor Casillo”. Pastor Casillo is the town preacher. A kinda over-the-top televangelist guy who is a mix between Oral Roberts, Tony Robbins and that southern guy name Joel something who smiles a lot. The scene that you would be in would basically consist of you holding a prayer rally for the people of the town, telling them not to fear the bad guy named Derek.”
Tony: “Okay…but what I’m I supposed to do? What should I say? Can I see the script?”
Scott: “Well we don’t think you need a script. Just be yourself.”
Tony’s thoughts: Needless to say I was not flattered!
Sean: “Oh, and there just one other thing… you are also going to get shot at the end of the scene.”
Tony: “How?”
Scott: “With a shot gun.”
Tony: “Where?”
Sean & Scott in unison: “Right in the head.”
Tony: “Cool! This sounds like fun! Let’s do it!”
That conversation took place about 3 years ago. Then yesterday I received a package in the mail. When I opened it I found a DVD wrapped in shrink wrap with a gruesome picture of the bad dude Derek on the cover pointing a shot guy at me. (Just how I remembered him before he shot me in the movie!)
I popped the movie into my laptop and watched the movie with delight. As the critics say- “It is an insanely fun non-stop cheese ride!” I could not stop laughing throughout the movie. If you want to see the trailer of the movie go to: www.HellsHalfAcreMovie.com. Once you watch the trailer be certain to order your own copy so you can watch yours truly take a shot in the head- it is a steal at only $11.99 a copy! Not only will you laugh your ass off, but more so you will be supporting two of my friends who made their vision a reality. Buy the movie today!
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"Tony what the hell are you talking about? Do you have any clue? Right now "the market" is tanking? Don't you watch CNBC? Get a grip the dow is around 12,000? Where have you been? What are you smoking????"
Well I will tell you what I am smoking- GOLD! That's right the shinny stuff that they stockpile at Fort Knox. When I say "this" market is booming I am referring to the gold/silver and precious metals market. Not "the market" (aka the dow) which most people commonly refer to.
I have been tracking the price of gold for the past 3 years and have been investing in gold for the past 2 years (when everyone was hyped on RE). Where did I learn about this underreported asset... from my mentor Robert Kiyosaki and The Rich Dad Company. As a matter of fact so can you if you visit www.RichDad.com and view his predictions for 2008. So far he has been right on the money (pun intended!).
You can purchase physical gold in the form of coins and bullion via companies like www.Monex.com however you may offset your gains due to insurance and storage costs. For the common investor, like myself, I prefer to hold the majority of my gold holdings via an exchange traded fund such as GLD. Even though Gold is at an record highs, I still believe that it is a good time to buy gold as a long term hedge over the next few years.
The larger lesson to keep in mind regarding this post is that when someone asks... "How is the market doing today?" The intelligent investor will ask- What market are your referring to? The dow, the nasdaq, the RE market or Wegmans?
If you are looking for a great way to increase your financial literacy so you to can become an intelligent investor they remember to join us for our monthly Cashflow 101 Game night.
Have fun, learn about money & network with other likeminded people. To learn about our upcoming game night be certain to visit www.LehighValleyBusinessCoach.com.
To your success!
Tony D’Angelo
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There are four foundational days to The Time EmPowerment System. They are as follows- Peace Days, People Days, Performance Days and Preparation Days. Each day has a specific focus and purpose. I will share more about each type of day in future entries. For now I just want to express to you the power of what I call a Peace Day.
A Peace Day is a 24 hour block of time in which you do no work related activities. No email, no business phone calls, no meetings, no projects, no cell phone, no journal reading and yes even no blogging. The purpose of a Peace Day is just that… Peace. The ground rule for a Peace Day is to engage only in activities, relationships and experiences which rejuvenate, refresh and recharge you. I will expand on the Peace Day concept in future entries. But for now, I am making this entry on a Performance Day as I prepare for an enjoyable string of Peace Days at our family retreat home at Lake Naomi.
Next time I will explain what I mean by the Entrepreneurial Insight… If you want to increase your productivity take more Peace Time, until then… take more Peace Time.
]]>more Health, more Wealth, more Love and more Time to enjoy them all.
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