meek-investor

TOPICS: Knowing who your ideal clients are, April Ennis, Michael Port, Steve Farber We welcome April Ennis to the podcast. She graciously stepped in when Roger was unavailable recently. Jane and April talk about finding the right clients for you. Rather than chase everyone, they discuss the idea of seeking out a well-defined client who suits your needs and who will enable you to do the very best work you can. The video Here is the video of the Google+ hangout recorded during the recording of the podcast episode: Links to people and things we mention April Ennis Michael Port Steve Farber New rallying point You are a big part of the story of this podcast. We'd like you to be an even bigger part of it. To help with that, and to help us have discussions about being genuinely attractive in business, we've established a LinkedIn group . Please knock on the door and we'll let you in. Country tally We're hoping to get a listener in every country in the world. The amazing, sup...

After successful listing of SPH Reit, good news for SPH shareholders is the proposed SGD0.18 special dividend will be paid out on 16th August. The payout is attractive as it amounts to 75% of SPH’s FY12 payout and will potentially boost SPH’s FY13 dividend yield to beyond 9%. Cheers to all SPH shareholders.

Does man (and woman) have a foot fetish ? I think so. What is it about feet that makes people get completely bowled over by the marketers and pamper and cosset it. No I'm not talking about the ridiculous pedicure . I'm talking about footwear and the amounts we splash on it.Each one of us is an Imelda Marcos - before you snigger, go and count the footwear in the shoe rack. Hyperbole dominates the footwear marketing industry. To think that by wearing "LeBron Zoom Soldier", I'll be able to dunk a basketball is pure fantasy, but it appears I am willing to buy the dream for $299 or thereabouts.  The sight of a Rajalakshmi tottering on high heels on the mistaken assumption that it makes her a 6 footer is equally humorous - I don't have the heart to tell her that her width is somewhat more than her height ! But surely the game has been taken to an altogether new level by Under Armour . Under Armour is a sports outfit company. They mostly make sports clothing, shamele...

After missing out on the Mapletree family and Cache IPOs, finally I got lucky this time and received 1 lot allocation of SPH Reit. Actually  I have just applied for 1 lot at the ATM as I did not want to waste time transferring money over to my POSB a/c as I expected SPH Reit to be many times over-subscribed. SPH Reit was offered at 90 cents apiece at the top end of its price range and indeed it turned out that the stock was 37 times subscribed. I have 1 lot now and I intend to hold it long term and accumulate more in the future. The shares jumped 9.4% to 98.5 cents at the close of trading today. SPH REIT debuts at 9% above IPO price Wednesday, 24 July 2013 © 2013 - The Edge Singapore

TOPICS THIS WEEK: What is being genuinely attractive in business? Listener Marti Konstant put us on the spot. She asked what it means to be genuinely attractive in business today. What is the podcast about? Good question and it lead to a lively conversation in this episode of the podcast. The video Here is the video of the Google+ hangout recorded during the recording of this week's podcast episode: Links to people and things we mention Marti Konstant Mamukko New rallying point You are a big part of the story of this podcast. We'd like you to be an even bigger part of it. To help with that, and to help us have discussions about being genuinely attractive in business, we've established a LinkedIn group . Please knock on the door and we'll let you in. Country tally We're hoping to get a listener in every country in the world. The amazing, super, fantastic, wonderful Phil Sorrell has produced an interactive map for us. If you have a Twitter account, you'll be abl...

Just read from Channel NewsAsia that Detroit on Thursday has became the largest city in US history to file for bankruptcy protection after decades of decline and mismanagement rendered the home of the USA's auto industry insolvent. I think this is not a piece of good news for investors on Alternative Investment - Detroit Exit Strategy. For details, refer to article on Channel NewsAsia: Link to Detroit is bankrupted Another report from CBC News, with some photos of the houses in Detroit, looking so desolated and dismal. Link to Detroit is bankrupted

Ambient news is proving a significant challenge to news organizations trying to serve readers on multiple digital platforms and maintain their print and broadcast news operations. Contemporary technologies all around us are now delivering breaking news, sports scores, and market updates on electronic screens and displays in elevators, taxis and buses, bars and restaurants, on the sides of buildings, through smartphones, and via social media. In years past, we all had to deliberately turn to newspapers or radio and television newscasts, or at least glance at headlines at news stands, to get a quick overview of major events. That era is past. Today news is free and ubiquitous and, unfortunately, provides all the news that most people want. This is bad news for those trying to provide news commercially. In the past, newspapers and newscasts filled their space and time with non-news features and information designed to attract audiences that wanted only a little news. M...

Can you do the CanCan at Cannes?  You can ask this week’s guest that question and many more* as we welcome the fabulous Anna Seregina! Anna Seregina is a San Francisco-based stand-up comic and performer. She was born in Moscow, Russia, which could explain her deep-rooted cynicism. It could also explain nothing. After being involved in theater and improv for nearly a decade and being funny for nearly a lifetime, she decided to take the plunge into stand-up comedy. Her style can nearly be defined as vocal and un-lady-like, drawing heavily on what little life experience she has. She has been described as having the "worst aura." She has performed in the 2013 & 2012 SF Sketchfest, the inaugural SF Comedy & Burrito Festival, the 2012 SF Comedy Day Festival, and the Bruise Cruise Festival. She is a regular performer at the Porchlight Storytelling series, and has been picked as one of six emerging stand-up acts in the Bay Area comedy scene by Bold Italic. Most facts about he...

Before we all take flight on bald eagles into the night’s sky, ablaze with spectacular fireworks (made in China), to celebrate the breech birth of this pretty bitch Amurrica let’s get together and celebrate our greatest national tradition, Business. With Drennon Davis! From his elaborate characters and sketches, to his provocative songs and animation, Drennon has made a name for himself as one of the most innovative minds in today’s comedy scene. His live performances of the Imaginary Radio Program combine live music and beat-boxing with one-man sketches into a show that the Los Angeles Comedy Bureau writes "not only lives up to its name, but exceeds expectation in what you could possibly think it is." Drennon was featured on NBC's Last Call and was a semi finalist on Last Comic Standing. And THE FUTURE: Kelly Anneken! Kelly Anneken is the co-founder & artistic director of East Bay feminist sketch comedy troupe Femikaze, sketch writer for SF talk show "A Funny Ni...

This week, it just so happens that we get to laugh at a buncha Peaches.  Who knows, maybe we’ll even be managed by Tom Hanks!!  THERE’S NO CRYING IN BUSINESS. This week’s line up is full of heavy hitters like Colleen Watson! Colleen may be perceived as cynical, but that’s just because life is crap. She’s the kind of girl you’d get drunk with at a bar because she was sitting next to you, you’re both drinking, and she won’t leave. She is a rising comic in the San Francisco comedy scene and was a part of the 5 Funny Females tour. She’s a regular at Rooster T Feathers and the San Francisco Punch Line. She has worked with acts such as Dave Attell, Doug Benson, Chris Kattan, Laurie Kilmartin and Arj Barker. You can see on stages nightly through out the Bay Area. The infectious (in a good way) Shanti Charan! Shanti Charan’s bubbly personality and contagious smile lure in audiences and her comedic abilities keeps them laughing. She is a fast-rising fresh face in the Bay Area comedy sc...

TOPICS THIS WEEK: World Domination, Chris Guillebeau, Chase Jarvis, Creativity, Risk Taking Jane is just back from the World Domination Summit. In this episode of the podcast we discuss some of the main things that she learned regarding community and creativity. The video Here is the video of the Google+ hangout recorded during the recording of this week's podcast episode: Links to people and things we mention World Domination Summit Chris Guillebeau Chase Jarvis New rallying point You are a big part of the story of this podcast. We'd like you to be an even bigger part of it. To help with that, and to help us have discussions about being genuinely attractive in business, we've established a LinkedIn group . Please knock on the door and we'll let you in. Country tally We're hoping to get a listener in every country in the world. The amazing, super, fantastic, wonderful Phil Sorrell has produced an interactive map for us. If you have a Twitter account, you'll be a...

By any reckoning, this should be an extremely successful business. You have a fantastic distribution set up - reaching every nook and corner of your geography that nobody else can - in what is essentially a distribution business. You have an envious relationship with the consumers. In many places your representative was a trusted friend and confidante. People looked forward to his arrival. You had a state sanctioned monopoly. You have a significant price advantage. You enjoy innumerable fiscal benefits that no competitor enjoys. You have a great brand , so great that collection of your merchandise was a major hobby with an English word specifically only for this. Songs have been written about you that have reached the top of the charts - here (this is the first version - the Beatles and the Carpenters came later) , in case you are musically inclined.  With such advantages. you should be roaring away to glory, shouldn't you ? And yet you are a colossal failure and a sitting duck in...

Last month I have a post discussing the alternative investments that I came across in the market place.  I have done further research and found that some of the companies selling these investments are on Monetary Authority Singapore (MAS) Investor Alert List. The following companies are on that MAS Investor Alert List: 1. Solomon Alliance Management Pte Ltd   - Hong Kong Land Asset Acquisition   - German Government Listed Building Projects. 2. WealSol Pte Ltd  - Brazil Opportunity investment 3.    Infinity Treasures Pte Ltd  -  Detroit Exit Strategy  - Canada Crude oil The MAS Investor Alert List From time to time, MAS receives information on unregulated persons who have been mistaken as being licensed or authorised by MAS.  Consumers should exercise care when dealing with these persons or with other persons acting on their behalf.  Overseas consumers who receive solicitations by persons who claim to have an operation in ...

There is one ritual that happens in all companies periodically without fail - an organisation restructuring. Old structures and divisions are thrown out of the window and new structures are announced. HR types take great pleasure in redrawing organisation charts, rewriting job descriptions and the like. Communication types have an orgasm designing communication packs and writing words like "restructuring to stimulate growth", "bringing the organisation closer to consumers" and such other waffle. CEOs like to stand up to the press and announce the change , to make up for lack of anything else to say about their companies. MIcrosoft did just that today , the trigger for this post. Steve Ballmer's version of the blah blah is "We are ready to take Microsoft in bold new directions". Balderdash. I have never seen a more futile activity than an organisation rejig. And yet companies do it all the time. The pattern is all too predictable. If the current organis...

Last Sunday the Straits Times had an article showing that it is possible to save $100k with roughly 6 years of work. So, did I save $100K by age of 30? No, I did not as I have not met most of the  assumptions in my earlier post : 1. Starting pay $2,550 No.  My starting pay was below $2K. 2. 1.5 months bonus every year No.  I had only 1 month bonus for the first six years of my employment. 3. 4% pay increment every year Yes.  My increment was more than 4%. 4. Saving rate 50% of pay No.  I did not save 50% of my pay. 5. 60% of saving on investments with 4% returns   No.  I did not have investment strategy when I was young. Furthermore, I did not make other  sacrifices: 1. Work near your home, minimize transportation cost No.  I did not work near my home, so considerably more transportation costs incurred. 2. Absolutely "No-no" owning a car Yes. I did not have a car. 3. Pack your own lunch t...

Finally, SPH Reit is coming soon.  Although the market sentiment has changed quite a lot since when SPH first announced that they are listing a REIT. Still, Paragon and Clementi Mall are prime shopping malls and I would love to add SPH Reit to my portfolio. Also, special dividends from SPH is coming after successful listing of SPH Reit. SPH REIT to raise up to $504mil in IPO Tuesday, 09 July 2013 © 2013 - The Edge Singapore

Today the Straits Times has an article showing that it is possible to save $100k with roughly 6 years of work. The article showed that it is possible with a starting salary of $3,050, 15 months salary a year (3 months bonus), pay rise 4.5% a year and saving rate of 50% your annual pay. For curiosity's sake, I ran a calculation with the following assumptions: 1. Starting pay $2,550, 2. 1.5 months bonus every year, 3. 4% pay increment every year, 4. Saving rate 50% of pay, 5. 40% of saving at bank generating 1% interest, 6. 60% of saving on investments with 4% returns (e.g. dividends from stocks). Age Monthly Pay TakeHome Pay Annual Pay Save 50% 40% at bank 60% invest Total Savings 25 2550 2040 27540 13770 5563 8592 14156 26 2652 2122 28642 14321 11404 17872 29277 27 2758 2206 29787 14894 17535 27881 45416 28 2868 2295 30979 154...

TOPICS THIS WEEK: 45 Conversations, Mamukko bags A year ago, Jane and Roger didn't know each other. The first time they had any real contact was during Jane's first run over  45 Conversations  recordings. Twelve months later Jane is connecting with the original 45 people she spoke to. So we decided to incorporate her round 2 conversation with Roger into an episode of Business Jazz. From left to right: Attila, Levi and Roger holding the Mamukko "Digital Storyteller" bag. The bag will soon have its own webpage from where its story will be told. The video Here is the video of the Google+ hangout recorded during the recording of this week's podcast episode: Links to people and things we mention 45 Conversations Mamukko New rallying point You are a big part of the story of this podcast. We'd like you to be an even bigger part of it. To help with that, and to help us have discussions about being genuinely attractive in business, we've established a LinkedIn grou...

Apparently men are heavier than women.  Did you know that ?  In many parts of the globe, that is probably true, but in India ?? Can you believe that Rajalakshmi, she of the considerable proportions, is inferior to Ramamritham, when it comes to the weight stakes ?? I somehow, seriously doubt that. But not, it appears GoAir, an India based airline.  This is the news from GoAir , that set off this post. Cabin attendants, flight attendants, stew, whatever name you wish to call them, are predominantly women, everywhere in the world. It all started in the initial days of flying. A pretty young air hostess was part of the decor of the plane. Nervous travelers, usually pot bellied men, could relax by looking at a smiling pretty face. As the years went by, the pot bellied business traveler remained the same, at least pot belly wise, but the nervousness disappeared. The flight attendants meanwhile aged, and age discrimination laws in the US and Europe ensure that these days its a m...

Bank of China will increase the Fixed Deposit promotion rates from 5th July.  The 12-month FD rates of 1.18% p.a. is highest in Singapore now.  The minimum deposit amount for BOC FD is S$50,000. This promotion is valid for customers with fresh funds only, meaning it is not applicable for money transferred from existing BOC accounts. There are few branches of BOC in Singapore: 1. Battery Road (BOC Building), 2. Chinatown branch (Furama Hotel), 3. Katong branch (188-192 East Coast Road), 4. Middle Road (BOC Plaza), 5. Maxwell Road (Maxwell House). According to BOC's website, this promotion is for a limited period only. Promotion Details:   SGD Time Deposits Promotional Interest Rates % p.a. 3-Month 6-Month 9-Month 12-Month S$50,000 and above 0.55% 0.85% 0.95% 1.18% Please let me know if there is better offer in the market.

No. Stock Name Lots Portfolio% Avg Cost$ Breakeven$ Market$ 1 Starhub 5 20.73 3.22 2.92 4.18 2 SPH 4 16.55 3.98 3.68 4.17 3 SGX 2 13.95 2.68 0.97 7.03 4 CapitaLand 2 6.11 3.91 3.69 3.08 5 CapitaMall Trust 3 5.94 1.71 1.24 1.995 6 CDL HTrust 3 5.06 1.66 1.22 1.70 7 Starhill Global 6 5.03 0.71 0.58 0.845 8 Suntec Reit 3 4.69 1.52 1.21 1.575 9 SingTel 1.2 4.45 3.21 3.05 3.77 10 AIMS AMPI Reit 2 3.25 1.635 1.66 1.64 11 Hyflux 2.5 3.10 1.70 1.58 1.25 12 HPH Trust 3 2.71 0.90 0.88 0.735 13 FE Orchard 1 2.06 1.18 0.88 2.06 14 CapitaMalls Asia 1 1.81 2.12 2.06 1.825 15 CitySpring 3 1.40 0.65 0.49 0.47 16 Sing Post 1 1.29 0.875 0.73 1.30 17 FE HTrust 1 0.96 0.93 0.93 0.965 18 SP Ausnet 0.7 0.91 0 0 1.395 Movement in my portfolio in June:- Sold:- Nil Bought:- AIMSAMPI Reit. Dividends collected in June: $115.68 2013 avg dividends/month: $344.59