tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79517707600405285122024-02-20T21:52:03.470-08:00meek-investorAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.comBlogger842125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-89555774399027540612013-09-22T20:52:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.973-07:00This is why business leaders are reviled<div style="text-align: justify;">If you behave like this, you deserve to be cursed, reviled, and generally hated. Unfortunately many business leaders are exactly like this, which is why a business tycoon is considered by society as a figure to be loathed. The "this" I refer to is Stephen Elop, Chairman of Nokia being entitled to a $25m payout for the the sale of Nokia's handset business to Microsoft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nokia, as everybody knows, has been in dire straits for quite some time. In 2010, the Board fired its existing Finnish leaders and brought Stephen Elop, from Microsoft, as the CEO to "rescue" Nokia. Elop abandoned Nokia's operating system Symbian and tied its fortunes to Microsoft by adopting the Windows platform. It did not work and Nokia has continued to slide. During Mr Elop's tenure, Nokia's market capitalisation fell by $ 14 bn - that's the amount Nokia's shareholders have lost. Finally Nokia has decided to sell its handest business to Microsoft for under $ 10 bn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Elop's contract when he joined Nokia, had a change of control clause - that is if some company bought out Nokia, he would be entitled to a payout. This is not unusual in CEO contracts - for if the company is bought out, the first act of the new owners would be to sack the CEO. So the change of control clause and a payment is acceptable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is ridiculous is that Elop and Nokia are using this clause to justify the $ 25m payout to him. This is absurd. Elop came from Microsoft; within 1 year of his coming he tied Nokia's fortunes to Microsoft by adopting the Windows platform. Then he orchestrates the deal to sell the business to Microsoft; as part of this deal he returns to Microsoft and is now front runner to succeed the retiring Steve Ballmer as Chief Executive of Microsoft. For doing this he gets a payout of $ 25 m in addition to the salary he has been drawing for the years he was in Nokia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is a huge uproar and <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/529a62c6-22fb-11e3-86d6-00144feab7de.html">even the Prime Minister of Finland has weighed in</a>. No doubt, as the outrage spreads, Nokia will be forced to reconsider and Elop himself might be pressured by public opinion to forgo this payout.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why do business leaders and companies do such stupid things. Elop is a very bright man by any account. But what he clearly lacks is grace and a sense of right and wrong. He is a rich man and does not "need" this $ 25 m. Wouldn't he have liked to have gone down as a saviour of Nokia - he found a home for its business which otherwise might simply have had to go into bankruptcy. Beyond a point is money so important, or would you like to leave a legacy, earn respect and go down in history as a "good man".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Instead Elop will be remembered as a greedy , money grabbing, no scruples carpetbagger. Whatever he does in Microsoft in the future will forever be tainted. Did not Elop, a career Microsoft veteran learn anything from Bill Gates,a stellar example of how to be rich ?</div><br />Why are business leaders like this ? Does greed overwhelm all virtues ?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-91995944733730764102013-09-18T07:57:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.980-07:00Who has jurisdiction over me ?<div style="text-align: justify;">The principle of jurisdiction is a basic tenet in law. Jurisdiction refers to the law, the court, the authority that is applicable to you . You are then required to follow that law and be subject to oversight by that authority and that court. In the good old days, jurisdiction was simple - where you were decided who had jurisdiction over you. I live in India and so the laws of India apply to me. The government of India is the authority that has jurisdiction over me and the courts in India are the forum I can go to. Simple.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the world started to globalise, the issue of jurisdiction started to become more complicated. If I did a commercial transaction with say an Australian company - who would have jurisdiction ? Australia ? India ? That is why in contracts involving multiple countries it is always stated which law would apply and which courts would have jurisdiction. But physical presence or assets always enables that country to have jurisdiction . Although I am an Indian citizen, when I travel to say Burkina Faso, the laws of that country shall prevail - If the law there says that I have to yell Abracadabra loudly three times at 4.27 AM, I better do so.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The arrival of the internet completely destroyed the fundamental principles of jurisdiction and unfortunately there are no legal treaties or conventions that seem to have decided this. Which is why jurisdiction has been "usurped" by the country that is powerful - the US of A. I am an unapologetic Americophile and have great admiration for that country; yet I find the behaviour of the United States utterly deplorable and downright repulsive in this matter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am referring to the famous NSA and the spying it is doing on the world. All the hullabaloo in the US has been about spying on American citizens. But what about foreigners like me - the US has no jurisdiction over me and yet it intercepts every email of mine and reads it, if it wishes to. Forget a non entity like me; the US has been hacking Dilma Rousseff, the President of Brazil. Now, it is fairly certain that she is no security threat to the US and yet the NSA has hacked her, simply because it could. Brazil is furious and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/17/brazil-president-snub-us-nsa">she has cancelled her visit to the US</a> triggering a diplomatic row.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It all boils down to jurisdiction. Google, Microsoft, et al - virtually every internet company of any note is headquartered in the United States and its servers where data is stored is physically based in the United States. The NSA is therefore claiming jurisdiction and forcing these companies to turn over every data to it - of you and me as well, although we may have nothing to do with the United States.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The danger of balkanisation of the internet is obvious. Brazil is the first to respond (it is really pissed off that they hacked Dilma Rousseff). Brazil is contemplating a law that will force the likes of Google and Microsoft to store any data that originates from Brazil in servers in Brazil itself. Then the likes of the NSA have no jurisdiction and can be told loudly to %$#^ off.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is easy to turn a blind eye to the NSA's shenanigans and argue that they are welcome to pore every inch over my boring life and inane communication. But that misses the point on civil liberties - a prize that over the centuries, generations have fought and guarded zealously. If I decide to post my mug shot publicly on Facebook, then I have no right to claim privacy. But if I send a private email to a friend in India, then it is none of the NSA's business to snoop into it. I have no problems if the government of India wants to read it (although I would vigorously oppose that without a court warrant), but I will not tolerate the government of the United States reading it under any circumstance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What about the NSA argument that this is necessary to combat terrorism and is for security considerations. Bullshit. That may have been how it started, but it has gone way beyond that now. Is Dilma Rousseff or the German embassy in Brussels remotely connected with terrorism - and yet both have been hacked into. The sanctimonious nonsense of the US objecting to organised Chinese hacking is now exposed - they are no better than the Chinese and even the Chinese did not go far enough to hack Dilma Rousseff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Why this post in a politics free business blog ? Simply because I am amazed that the fury over the NSA actions is not greater around the world. I may be an insignificant individual but I must speak my mind that the US has absolutely no jurisdiction over me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-59309109393375918852013-09-11T18:55:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.944-07:00When you pay to sell a business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqh6nTZocW0/UjCKQrynVkI/AAAAAAAAA7w/B40ENvP6iNg/s1600/Freshandeasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqh6nTZocW0/UjCKQrynVkI/AAAAAAAAA7w/B40ENvP6iNg/s1600/Freshandeasy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mergers & Acquisitions are often the glamorous side of business. CEOs love them - you go through the excitement of doing a deal, get on to the papers and TV, become famous etc etc. Most of the haggling on the deal is on the price - how much the buyer is willing to pay the seller. But how about a M&A transaction where the seller has to pay the buyer in order for the buyer to buy the business !! Fanciful ? Well, that's exactly what has happened with the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/10/tesco-strikes-deal-fresh-and-easy">sale of Fresh & Easy by Tesco to Ron Burkle</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tesco is an UK based grocery retail giant; it is the third largest retailer in the world. From the UK, where it is a household name, it has expanded in Europe and Asia. But in the US, the largest retail market in the world, Tesco was non existent. In 2006, it decided to foray in to the US with the branding of Fresh & Easy - in small store grocery format, primarily in the Western states. It never took off and Tesco faced mounting losses despite opening some 200 stores. Its investment and trading losses cumulatively mounted to some £ 1.8 bn. Something had to give.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tesco tried to sell, but there was no buyer. Finally it found a buyer willing to take it on, but only if Tesco lent him £ 150 m in loans. This is unusual - we have heard of companies being sold for $1, but for something to be sold at negative value is rather unique. The reason why Tesco was willing to do this was simply that the cost of closing the stores and making all the employees redundant would have been far greater than what they were able to finally strike in the deal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why is Ron Burkle doing this deal. Evidently he believes he can make a success of this business. You have to be somewhat sceptical about this - If Tesco, a great company, could not succeed, could he ? But then in the retailing world, the US is for Americans and Europe is for Europeans. Even Walmart has not succeeded in creating a great business in Europe despite acquisitions. And no European retailer has really succeeded in the US. Not sure why this is so, for you would expect retailing to be a pretty similar business anywhere, but that's the way it is. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It must have been extremely humiliating for Tesco to do this deal. Quite apart from paying somebody to take away a business, it represents a failure of their strategy to enter the US. They are admitting defeat and walking away, perhaps not to enter back for a long time, if at all. Its actually a more far reaching retreat for Tesco - they recently announced that they were in negotiations to put their Chinese business in a joint venture with a Chinese company. Retailing is a pretty brutal business.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm sure Tesco's boss Philip Clarke is not going to be on TV or on the newspapers for this one.</div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-35650909173932805182013-09-10T00:28:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.916-07:00From Draught to Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKAeqqgtL4U/Ui7I96rND_I/AAAAAAAAA7g/nX6MfotFYW0/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKAeqqgtL4U/Ui7I96rND_I/AAAAAAAAA7g/nX6MfotFYW0/s320/beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This blogger is not a beer drinker.. He is therefore completely ignorant of the niceties of beer and therefore eminently qualified to comment on developments in the beer industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In many countries in the world, people, especially men, gulp down enormous quantities of beer. Most of it is mass produced by the beer giants of the world - Diageo, Anheuser Busch, SAB Miller, Heineken and the like, including our own home grown United Breweries. Bottled or canned beer is by far the largest selling channel for beer - the one that keeps afloat the likes of Diageo, et al. But nuanced beer drinkers consider this somewhat of a travesty in beer drinking - apparently they have no taste. Hence the onset of draught beer which is served out of cask or a keg. Go to a pub and barmaid will pour out a pint of draught, topped with a nice head. This blogger has a partiality to buying rounds for whoever he is with - not to taste the subtleties of the draught but to ogle at the barmaid - who is invariably pretty and used to men ogling !!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But apparently even draught is "rubbish" to a true connoisseur (can such a specimen exist ?) Enter craft beer., something this blogger had not heard of before and hence this post. Craft beer is apparently produced by microbreweries - small independent breweries and supposedly offer great quality, taste and variety. They have to be small - no giant multinational can qualify to make and sell craft beer. Craft beers have evidently loyal clientele and apparently possess great virtues of taste and subtlety.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If this is so, then this blogger was surprised to read that <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-09/sam-adams-creator-becomes-billionaire-as-craft-beer-rises.html">Jim Koch , the owner of Boston Beer with the famous Sameul Admas brand has become a billionaire</a>. Good to see an entrepreneur succeed and become a billionaire, but since when has a billion been "small". Apparently craft beer has been taking the American beer market by storm. Considering that every individual who can, does drink beer by copious quantities in that country (remember six pack was originally a concept of a carton of beer, before abdominal muscles usurped the term), you would expect the market to be flat, if you will pardon the pun. The overall beer market indeed is, declining by some 2%. But craft beers are growing by 15%. Thank you very much.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps there is a growing consumer fatigue with mass produced, similarly bland tasting food that the large food and drinks behemoths make. For improving margins, they have continued to chip away at quality and ingredients. That food is cheap, but perhaps far too much liberties have been taken in terms of customisation and taste. In many segments, the small food maker has started to grow. Just goes to show that the food industry is one of the most difficult to standardise and globaliise, for we will always have different tastes and demands. Even Nestle, the world's largest food company has a market share of less than 5% of the overall food market.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So craft beer it is. If you are in the US, go for Sam Adams. If in the UK, try BrewDog's fancifully named <a href="http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article/hello-my-name-is-beastie-ab11-and-more">Hello, My Name Is Beastie.</a> There are a couple of beer connoisseurs amongst this blog's readership. Learned comments and sneers are welcomed. This blogger is happy to buy them a round, for he rather fancies the barmaid ! </div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-21000214595891238802013-09-03T16:00:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.899-07:00The Business September 4, 2013: Windy City Of Angels EditionThis week, The Business welcomes four, count 'em, four great guests. Two hail from the greater Bay Area, and two come from Los Angeles, though by way of very different places. Fight your post-Burning Man depression, or continue your Bay Bridge jubilation this Wednesday with all your pals at The Biz.<br /><br /><b>FROM THE WILDS OF LOS ANGELES</b><br /><br />We have Brandie Posey and Brendan McGowan. Ms. Posey is a standup comedian, podcaster, and karaoke jockey extraordinaire. She's originally from Annapolis, Maryland, but lives in LA, where she does her podcast Lady to Lady, which also has a live show at the prestigious UCB Theatre. She also once played Brody Jenner's sister on MTV's <i>Bromance</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/webassets.ticketmob.com/LS/images/comedians/156412101002246519226463188281n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/webassets.ticketmob.com/LS/images/comedians/156412101002246519226463188281n.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><br />(Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Brandazzle">@Brandazzle</a>)<br /><br />Brendan McGowan is a standup comedian and the walking embodiment of the city of Chicago. He's a audience butcher, joke maker, stacker of premises, player with language, and the nation's freight handler. His comedy is stormy, husky, and brawling - truly, he's witty, with big shoulders.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IORg5XMuhZw/TNRn_8fs4SI/AAAAAAAAAiw/YVFTNlbUsAo/s1600/Brendan+McGowan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IORg5XMuhZw/TNRn_8fs4SI/AAAAAAAAAiw/YVFTNlbUsAo/s320/Brendan+McGowan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />(Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/BMcGComedy">@BMcGComedy</a>)<br /><br /><b>FROM THE BAY</b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.maryvannote.com/">Mary Van Note</a> was called a "zine-queen comedian" by the SF Bay Guardian, because of her jokewriting craft, and also all the actual crafts she can make. She's the rare breed of comic that can actually make comics, a cross-stitch expert who leaves her audiences in stitches. She also had her own IFC web series - "The Mary Van Note Show: Gavin Really Wants Me" - opening the door for such IFC-come-latelies as Marc Maron and Scott Aukerman. It's been too long since she's been to The Business, and we're very excited to see Mary perform - and see what she's wearing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6987406050_07e396a8b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6987406050_07e396a8b2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br />(Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/maryvannotes">@maryvannotes</a>)<br /><br />Ben Kolina is a standup and podcaster from Livermore, California, where he runs his own tap room show. His delightful comedy was forged in the right-field bleachers of the Oakland Coliseum, walking the delicate line of cracking up other bleacher creature and avoiding ejection from the premises. Since then, despite being from a small market, Ben Kolina has enjoyed wild success around the Bay, although sometimes his punchlines don't work in the postseason. He also has a delightful sports podcast called Balls & Stuff.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000022726251-1m79xc-crop.jpg?69e2a4e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000022726251-1m79xc-crop.jpg?69e2a4e" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />(Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/benkolina">@BenKolina</a>)<br /><br />All this, and Nato, Sean, and Bucky, too! Nato has a lot to say about Macklemore. Sean has a lot to say about food trucks and vampires. Bucky has a bone to pick with the entire Mission District. And YOU can be a part of it for just five bucks. BYO-Burrito or Bacon-wrapped hot dog, but for Brendan's sake, put some celery salt on it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-78897212574965399202013-09-02T20:26:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.965-07:00The pressures of being a business leader<div style="text-align: justify;">On hindsight, the surprise is that it hasn't happened more often. Last week Pierre Wauthier, the Chief Financial Officer of Zurich Insurance, tragically <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/6a0a2678-0e68-11e3-bfc8-00144feabdc0.html">committed suicide</a>. This starkly illustrates the unbelievable pressures top business executives function under.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Zurich Insurance is one of the top insurance companies in the world. Recently, it has been going through a bad patch, although by no means disastrous. The CFO is often the one required to stand up before investors to explain results and is invariably the target of criticism and calls to be sacked. The circumstances behind Mr Wauthier's unfortunate demise are not fully clear, but it is inconceivable that work pressures did not play a part. His widow has certainly hinted that Josef Ackermann, the Chairman of Zurich bore some responsibility. Ackermann denied any such thing but promptly resigned as Chairman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Only a certain breed of individuals reach the top of the business world. A masochist streak, politely termed as "the killer instinct" is one of the pre requisite qualities. Perhaps such individuals also possess tremendous resilience - maybe one of the reasons why we don't witness such unfortunate events more often. Otherwise the tremendous pressures exerted on those who have a Chief prefixed to their title can drive more normal human beings around the bend.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Take the case of a CFO. He has some (maybe even a lot) of influence on the company, but doesn't really run it. The CEO and the heads of the component businesses are the ones who really run the company and whose actions determine the financial results. And yet it is the CFO who is the public face of the company to the financial community - investors, lenders, markets and the like. Every quarter he has to forecast and deliver results - for which I would argue that he has only limited influence. The average tenure of a CFO has come down to between 4 and 5 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You may argue that he (it is rarely a she) is paid handsomely for all this, but trust me, after a point money s not the chief motivator. Despite the greed, many of this lot do this for the fame , prestige, power and the like. We must remember that they are also human beings like you and me. Sometimes you have to wonder if the pressure is worth it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The issue of pressure is , of course, applicable at all levels in an organisation. The insane hours, the 24 hours work day demanded by globalisation, the physical exhaustion of travel all contribute to a different work spot than what it was even 20 years ago. In this forum , we have talked often of the social contract of organisations with society. There is also the familial contract and the personal contract which is under immense strain. Something for sociologists to ponder about.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile a moment in mourning for Wauthier and words of condolence to the family would be appropriate.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-54844736400508021082013-09-01T05:16:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.797-07:00My Stock Portfolio @ end August 2013<html><body><table border="10"><tr> <th> No. </th><th> Stock Name </th><th> Lots </th><th> Portfolio% </th><th> Avg Cost$ </th><th> Breakeven$ </th><th> Market$ </th></tr><tr> <td><center>1</center></td><td>Starhub</td><td><center>5</center></td><td><center>20.84</center></td><td><center>3.22</center></td><td><center>2.87</center></td><td><center>4.20</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>2</center></td><td>SPH</td><td><center>4</center></td><td><center>15.60</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">3.98</span></center></td><td><center>3.50</center></td><td><center>3.93</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>3</center></td><td>SGX</td><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>14.43</center></td><td><center>2.68</center></td><td><center>0.97</center></td><td><center>7.27</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>4</center></td><td>CapitaLand</td><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>6.05</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">3.91</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">3.69</span></center></td><td><center>3.05</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>5</center></td><td>CapitaMall Trust</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>5.54</center></td><td><center>1.71</center></td><td><center>1.22</center></td><td><center>1.86</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>6</center></td><td>CDL HTrust</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>4.64</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.66</span></center></td><td><center>1.16</center></td><td><center>1.56</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>7</center></td><td>Starhill Global</td><td><center>6</center></td><td><center>4.56</center></td><td><center>0.71</center></td><td><center>0.57</center></td><td><center>0.765</center></td><td><tr><td><center>8</center></td><td>Suntec Reit</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>4.53</center></td><td><center>1.52</center></td><td><center>1.18</center></td><td><center>1.52</center></td><td><tr><td><center>9</center></td><td>SingTel</td><td><center>1.2</center></td><td><center>4.15</center></td><td><center>3.21</center></td><td><center>2.95</center></td><td><center>3.51</center></td><td><tr><td><center>10</center></td><td>Hyflux</td><td><center>2.5</center></td><td><center>2.93</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.70</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.58</span></center></td><td><center>1.18</center></td><td><tr><td><center>11</center></td><td>AIMS AMPI Reit</td><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>2.87</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.635</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.66</span></center></td><td><center>1.445</center></td><td><tr><td><center>12</center></td><td>HPH Trust</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>2.75</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.90</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.88</span></center></td><td><center>0.745</center></td><td><tr><td><center>13</center></td><td>FE Orchard</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.86</center></td><td><center>1.18</center></td><td><center>0.88</center></td><td><center>1.875</center></td><td><tr><td><center>14</center></td><td>CapitaMalls Asia</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.78</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">2.12</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">2.06</span></center></td><td><center>1.795</center></td><td><tr><td><center>15</center></td><td>Frasers CT</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.78</center></td><td><center>1.79</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.85</span></center></td><td><center>1.79</center></td><td><tr><td><center>16</center></td><td>CitySpring</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>1.35</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.65</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.48</span></center></td><td><center>0.455</center></td><td><tr><td><center>17</center></td><td>Boustead</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.30</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.44</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.50</span></center></td><td><center>1.305</center></td><td><tr><td><center>18</center></td><td>Sing Post</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.24</center></td><td><center>0.875</center></td><td><center>0.69</center></td><td><center>1.245</center></td><td><tr><td><center>19</center></td><td>SPH Reit</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>0.95</center></td><td><center>0.90</center></td><td><center>0.93</center></td><td><center>0.955</center></td><td><tr><td><center>20</center></td><td>FE HTrust</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>0.86</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.93</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.93</span></center></td><td><center>0.87</center></td><td><tr> </tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></table></body></html> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Movement in my portfolio in August:-</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sold:- Nil</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bought:- Frasers CT.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dividends collected in August: $1,503.17</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2013 avg dividends/month: $466.59</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">August was a milestone month for me. This was the first time that my dividends harvest exceeded $1,500 in a single month.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-61781869217294017572013-08-28T08:25:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.807-07:00Staying Invested in Turbulent Time<span style="font-size: large;">Now is turbulent time in the stock market and the risk averse persons should stay by the sideline during this uncertain time, with the coming QE tapering, Syria conflict, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For example, China Minzhong unexpectedly plunged more than 50% in just a couple hours and afterwhich trading of the stock was halted. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I have mentioned in my earlier post that the money invested into stocks should be the </span><span style="font-size: large;">extra cash that you can afford to hold aside or to lose. And preferably on those blue chips that are able to ride through these turbulent "waves". Even in the event that the whole stock portfolio is badly hit, there is no immediate impact on you or your family's livelihood and commitments.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My stock portfolio is still staying afloat at the moment. However, it is supported mainly by SGX and Starhub, which I have gotten at a relatively low cost.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When there is danger, there is also opportunity...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-87230060747768389442013-08-26T11:51:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.969-07:00The Business August 28th 2013: The Back to Business Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">Get your Trapper Keepers and your troll doll pen toppers, The Business is back in session.<br /> <br /> We’ve picked a few teacher’s pets to celebrate with, like Kevin O’Shea!<br /> <br /> </span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8y_flw9L81b2lIzh0aRPOt8pfGEXsfSReU6Tu-VzYumlSLq_s2Ja5pgQgASPq3jMP1_4_cNtuMGTwrcBXnOOiNd7P1Y544eyy2fHsxjyy9x8-hQQQOz0ot8NE5SR4M0u-RkUQRzjq6IH/s1600/oshea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8y_flw9L81b2lIzh0aRPOt8pfGEXsfSReU6Tu-VzYumlSLq_s2Ja5pgQgASPq3jMP1_4_cNtuMGTwrcBXnOOiNd7P1Y544eyy2fHsxjyy9x8-hQQQOz0ot8NE5SR4M0u-RkUQRzjq6IH/s1600/oshea.jpg" /></a><br />Established in 1984 following the mergers of Steven and Cathy O’Shea, Kevin O’Shea has been one of San Francisco’s leading manufactures of mirth, laughter, hilarity and all around good times! Kevin has been commonly described as clever, absurd, awkward but in a funny way and too smart for his own good. He has been seen on the Independent Film Ch<span class="text_exposed_show">anel and ComedyCentral.com. He is a favorite of comedy festivals such as: The SF Sketch Fest and the Bridgetown Comedy Festival. Go see him now as his 4th quarter productivity has never been higher!<br /> <br /> From the Far East, Joe Alfano!<br /> <br /> Based in New York City and proud native New Yorker, Joe produces “Thunderbird”, a monthly comedy show. He performs at The Broadway Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, and Laughing Devil Comedy Club. In 2012, Joe was featured on James Holeva’s “Let’s Get Creepin’ Comedy Tour” and played “Abe” in the comedy web series “Happy Cancer Chick”. He was recently selected for the 2013 Laughing Devil Comedy Festival.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3EgIA1VaRwRaTm0_xsxKej8OnGTRNOCOTzpGkjrNPfth273i6BTu3q6bf6EEszqyo0mW3PI7VRrOXkL1avDRkxTzGPa_dDpJmd_fGNaMZMx13UD_ndNvBO8wAWwbsbDZQshnnK0Z_B7M/s1600/tobin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3EgIA1VaRwRaTm0_xsxKej8OnGTRNOCOTzpGkjrNPfth273i6BTu3q6bf6EEszqyo0mW3PI7VRrOXkL1avDRkxTzGPa_dDpJmd_fGNaMZMx13UD_ndNvBO8wAWwbsbDZQshnnK0Z_B7M/s1600/tobin.jpg" /></a></div> <span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Friend of The Business and all around cool dude, Joe Tobin.<br /> <br /> Originally from Philadelphia, Joe has become a regular in Bay Area comedy clubs, and he has been fortunate to work with such great comedians as Dave Chappelle, Jake Johannsen, Doug Benson, and Zach Galifiankis, to name a few. (Joe Montana once shook his hand and said, “good job.” This may have been the highlight of his career.)<br /> <br /> Plus, rounding out her month long residency with The Business, Anna Seregina!<br /> <br /> With all your Business regulars: Nato “A+” Green, Bucky “Milk Money” Sinister, Caitlin Gill* and Sean “Sharp Pencil” Keane!<br /> <br /> This show is just $5. JUST $5. Get your tix in advance because we sell out. <br /> <br /> BYOBurrito but only if you have enough for the whole class.<br /> <br /> *in detention.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-47586297085865745982013-08-26T11:40:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.930-07:00The Business August 21st 2013: The Wizard from the Far North Edition<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">This week’s show promises to be magical.<br /> <br /> Seattle is full of wonderous creatures, Emmett Montgomery is a prize among them.<br /> <br /> Utah born, Seattle based comedian Emmett Montgomery found the comedy stage in late 2004 and has been failing beautifully ever since. Emmett has been involved in a lot of things including critically acclaimed comedy collectives, post apocalyptic variety shows, underground wrestling leagues and family friendly comedy nights in pizza restaurants. Mr. Montgomery has been featured the film <span class="text_exposed_show">“Seattle Komedy Documentary”, the coffee table book “Seattle 100: a portrait of a city” and the Bumbershoot, Bridgetown Comedy and Sasquatch festivals. In addition to wandering the country telling jokes he currently curates and hosts a love letter to Seattle in the form of variety show/sharing party entitled “Weird and Awesome with Emmett Montgomery” at the beloved Annex Theatre and is a member of the Seattle chapter of the Bushwick Book Club, a collection of musicians and artists that create and perform original works based on literary sources. Emmett lives with his beautiful wife and hideous cat in a possibly haunted building in Seattle and enjoys making puppets.<br /> <br /> We will also welcome funnyman Torio Van Grol. <br /> <br /> Torio now resides in San Francisco, where he regularly performs the hilarious observations he's made about this Golden State of ours. He runs a monthly shows in Sonoma, titled Back Alley Comedy, featuring some of California's best headliners. He also finished runner-up in Rooster T.<br /> Feather's New Talent Competition of 2013, almost finally making his father proud of him.<br /> <br /> Plus the phenomenal and precious Matt Leib!<br /> <br /> Matt Lieb is a comedian, writer, actor and street musician/Bone Thugs-N-Harmony cover band. He was named “one of my all-time favorite Bay Area performers” by the award-winning SF blog Courting Comedy and, in that same post, described as “extremely talented, charmingly dark and genuinely pleasant”.<br /> <br /> And these wunderkinds plus your regulars and resident guest! “Annacadabra” Seregina, Bucky “Big Wand” Sinister, “SuperNATOural” Green, Caitlin “just gave you” Gills and Sean “The Magic Man” Keane.<br /> <br /> Buy your tix in advance cause YOU KNOW WE SELL OUT.<br /> <br /> BYOBurrito, if you use it as a wand, everything you point at will be burritos. </span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-59099263197981208352013-08-11T12:03:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.942-07:00The Business August 14th, 2013: The Between New Breaking Bads Edition<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">SURE this week won’t feel like a never-ending yawn of time stretching through the ages into the infinite as we wait for more Hank and Walt, but just in case, we put together an excellent mid-week distraction.<br /> <br /> We are delighted that our guest for this whole month will be back, the delightful Anna Seregina. She will be joined by the HIGHLY ADDICTIVE Kate Willett.<br /> <br /> </span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN-tjBzRnTGUSbuV6HoyRhnFmyMwPZzPciiDGdKp0Npg9knAJgz3lgnC_1CwvDuHnJfWcTNqS_QAeODQU393R8PojZKxoKORhnzLeJMeqnb6Mkt1E-HuOgDL6DBjtoap46OmO_QTl1G71/s1600/kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN-tjBzRnTGUSbuV6HoyRhnFmyMwPZzPciiDGdKp0Npg9knAJgz3lgnC_1CwvDuHnJfWcTNqS_QAeODQU393R8PojZKxoKORhnzLeJMeqnb6Mkt1E-HuOgDL6DBjtoap46OmO_QTl1G71/s320/kate.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Kate Willett is a San Francisco based comedian and actress. She recently appeared as a performer in SF Sketchfest, and regularly performs at clubs<span class="text_exposed_show"> and theaters all over CA. As an actress, she has performed throughout the United States with companies such as Shakespeare and Company, Word for Word, Woman’s Will and the Samuel Beckett Theater in Dublin, Ireland. She is the host of a weekly radio show, called The Mission Position on radiovalencia.fm. She’s also the co-producer of the weekly Mission Position show in Lost Weekend Video’s famous Cine Cave, Comikaze Lounge, and Comedy at Deluxe.<br /> <br /> We’ll also get a little bump of some new shit from the East Coast from guest Alex Grubard!<br /> <br /> In 2013 Alex was the winner of LOL at The Grand Opera in Wilmington, Delaware, performed stand-up on mtvU’s “College Quickes,” and co-wrote the sketch show One Hit Wonder which will appear in the 2013 Live Arts & Philly Fringe. 2012 began with Grubard being named one of Philly’s “Comics to Watch in 2012,” “Top Philly Comedians of 2011” and “Top 10 Philly Comedians.” He was a fan favorite during the 2012 Cape Fear Comedy Festival, the 2nd F. Harold Comedy Festival, 2012 Live Arts & Philly Fringe and 2011 1st Person Arts Festival.<br /> <br /> All this plus your regulars! “Cooklin” Gill, “Butane” Sinister and “Nitrogen”* Nato Green.<br /> <br /> We sell out! Get tix in advance. <br /> <br /> BYOBurritos, BITCHES! <br /> <br /> *No idea if Nitrogen is a part of making meth or Breaking Bad. Just sounded cool. NITROGEN. NITROGEN! See?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-72961312487443697402013-08-11T12:00:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.952-07:00The Business August 6th, 2013: The From Russia With Jokes Edition<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">JUST ADDED: Special guest Sheng Wang! You know Sheng from his half-hour special on Comedy Central, and from generally being the funniest dude in the world. We're glad to have him back at the Biz.<br /> <br /> This week, and every week in August, we welcome friend of The Business and super cool lady, Anna Seregina.</span></span><br /><span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl"><br /> </span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGA0T7HNhDq2Xd4-COXDp8XiuPRRszXV9JbeQHZOHJwohKJrrmfF1CbguMC_sxowBVGEKauzmOUWXg175-nTO3aGxB1iWWpnZPr53yISRXUqBP6F5IeZ7KEwMbPpV4BJo34y8f91BPCTm/s1600/anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGA0T7HNhDq2Xd4-COXDp8XiuPRRszXV9JbeQHZOHJwohKJrrmfF1CbguMC_sxowBVGEKauzmOUWXg175-nTO3aGxB1iWWpnZPr53yISRXUqBP6F5IeZ7KEwMbPpV4BJo34y8f91BPCTm/s320/anna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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 theat<span class="text_exposed_show">er 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 her are true. Most truths about her are facts. She is a sensational dancer. <br /> <br /> We are also very please to serve up a tasty dish, Johan Miranda. Johan is some top notch, home grown talent.<br /> <br /> And who knows?!?!? We may have A VERY SPECIAL GUEST!!!!!?!!!! (Maybe not... BUT MAYBE!!!!!!?!!)<br /> <br /> All our regulars will be there, Caitlin Gill, Sean Keane, Nato Green and Vladimir Putin. JUST KIDDING it’s Bucky Sinister. <br /> <br /> Just $5 <br /> <br /> “THIS SHOW?!? $5?!?! YOU CAN’T MEAN IT. “<br /> <br /> We do. We really do.<br /> <br /> We also sell out. Get your tix in advance. <br /> <br /> BYOBorscht.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-22664791330883432802013-08-11T11:54:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.902-07:00The Business July 31st, 2013: The Summer Fun in the Sun (or maybe fog) Edition<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">Come join us for hot fun in the Summertime before its not summer anymore and we have to have fall time fun. What I’m really saying is, let’s kill some time together before the return of Pumpkin Spice lattes!!<br /> <br /> YOU KNOW WE GOT GUESTS.<br /> <br /> </span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6mi7BQh9r-UX7iFjiRBBtZjAO-ELdQwzTLhL1N91NwLAHVBHG_Fs8W4DuP72_-H_Y0b3y-utOLn94eeWrQO0wquNEL5kVGIxi8XXfUpeAofhc5FMT3S317GDC9tdBebtp0L7NYYfZUc5/s1600/george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6mi7BQh9r-UX7iFjiRBBtZjAO-ELdQwzTLhL1N91NwLAHVBHG_Fs8W4DuP72_-H_Y0b3y-utOLn94eeWrQO0wquNEL5kVGIxi8XXfUpeAofhc5FMT3S317GDC9tdBebtp0L7NYYfZUc5/s1600/george.jpg" /></a></div>George Chen has finally found a proper outlet for his brand of sarcasm and self-deprecation. These traits were ill-suited to the other worlds he has occupied as a musician, writer, and filler of 1099 forms. As a promoter he has organized comedy shows on a moving bus, at a sti<span class="text_exposed_show">ll-life drawing session, and inside a comic book store. Of these attempts to put on comedy in unlikely locations, the best thus far has been the weekly showcase Cynic Cave at Lost Weekend Video (organized with Kevin O’Shea). He also co-produces the monthly multimedia show Talkies.<br /> As a performer he has appeared at Holy Fuck, Venice Underground Comedy, The Business, and the Porchlight Storytelling Series.<br /> <br /> Bart Freebairn is a stand up comedy comedian. He has been doing comedy for a while now and travels around Australia doing comedy to people and whatever else is around. He’s had the pleasure of performing at festivals like Melbourne comedy festival, Adelaide Fringe festival and Brisbane Comedy Festival. <br /> <br /> He is very excited to be back where the toilets spin in the right direction. THE AMERICAN DIRECTION.<br /> <br /> Andrew Holmgren, comedian, is a sharp-shooting merrymaker, hardboiled in the San Francisco Bay, that finds utmost joy in disseminating his humor across the country. One-part noble knave, one-part calming confidence man, and one-part evergreen mocker, Holmgren speaks with frank sarcasm and idyllic crassness. A budding star, Andrew Holmgren has performed at the San Francisco Punch Line, Noise Pop Festival, the International Hemp and Cannabis Festival, San Francisco Indie Fest, San Francisco Comedy Day, and the Sacramento Comedy Festival (earning the Best of Fest award). Also, he has opened for the reputable Will Franken and Moshe Kasher and curates the popular Get Yucked Up comedy showcase under Bay Area comedy outfit, Sylvan Productions, of which he serves as producer/artist. <br /> <br /> And of course Steve Hernandez. When you see him, you will laugh, and you will want to hug him. He will be into that. He is big into hugs. He’s also big into producing some of LA’s best comedy shows, including the spectacular Chatterbox. <br /> <br /> And your regulars! Nato Green, Sean Keane and the lean mean Bucky Sinister machine. <br /> <br /> Just $5! ONLY $5. <br /> <br /> We sell out! Get your tix in advance.<br /> <br /> BYOBurrito and dress it in a miniskirt. It’s summer, let it all hang out.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-35195652250687276532013-08-11T11:51:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.914-07:00The Business July 24th, 2013: The Put Your Hand In Your Mouth Edition<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw43eSOY36yCLPw9ZA0Re6z4XTraXm85TqYojLWOWjrERsU0EDCVv8zhlnEs9HBPNQkWGdbKr42cINLHbY1cFbersFYZc2FtUNLag4dhVPRtAPx7P0Qo5FRAtRnXq7IN3ev3YqTFutSLv/s1600/fluty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw43eSOY36yCLPw9ZA0Re6z4XTraXm85TqYojLWOWjrERsU0EDCVv8zhlnEs9HBPNQkWGdbKr42cINLHbY1cFbersFYZc2FtUNLag4dhVPRtAPx7P0Qo5FRAtRnXq7IN3ev3YqTFutSLv/s320/fluty.jpg" width="320" /></a><span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">This week The Business welcomes a home town hero and co-host of one of our favorite shows, Hand to Mouth, the indomitable James Fluty!<br /> <br /> James Fluty is a San Francisco comic and co-creator of Hand to Mouth a monthly, topic-based comedy show. He was described by tonegazer.com as “funny and intellectually stimulating” and described by the New York Times as part of a “shockingly high percentage of adults without health insurance”. He has performed at major clubs including the San Francisco Punchline, the Purple<span class="text_exposed_show"> Onion and Rooster T. Feathers. He’s appeared on Current Television and KOFY TV and in the award-winning short film Tiger Cop which can be seen at Funnyordie.com. He also co-wrote and starred in the mockumentary Awareness of the Outer World which became a You-tube featured video.<br /> <br /> Plus we are making new friends! We have two guests this week in town from New York ON BUSINESS.<br /> <br /> Amaya Perea writes for Cracked, Hahajk, Hello Giggles, Funny or Die and her own bio. She’s performed at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival and her jokes have been featured on the Huffington Post, Splitsider, Witstream and Timeout New York.<br /> <br /> Boris Khaykin is a comedian and musician based out of Brooklyn, NY. His stand up has been featured on the “Live at UCB” Stand Up Showcase, Collegehumor Live, Huffington Post Comedy, North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival’s “All Star Showcase”, and more.<br /> <br /> Plus all of your regulars, with all their hands and mouths.<br /> <br /> $5. JUST $5.<br /> <br /> Get your tix in advance! We sell out! <br /> <br /> BYOBurrito and use your hand to bring it to your mouth.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-75325486648370790702013-08-11T03:37:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.964-07:00The awful Zero Hours Contract<div style="text-align: justify;">This <a href="http://indigoite.blogspot.in/2009/07/titan-steps-down.html">eminent and good friend</a> has often remarked that I have turned into a socialist (even a communist) in my old age. He claims my writing in this blog is veering constantly to the left. Other readers of my blog ,might wonder, if this is left leaning then what will the true loony left be called. But I know I am going to get a mouthful from him for this post, which is admittedly leftwards tilting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On matters relating to labour and worker law, I have often argued that countries have brought excessive legislation defending the existing worker and making it expensive to employ any more.Who in his right mind will employ a worker in France, for example. All this misguided legislation only keeps out a large portion of the young out of the workforce. Companies need some flexibility to ramp their worforce up or down based on conditions of their business and marketplace. Minus this flexibility, no modern company is going to hire.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But companies have gone to the other extreme and misused the flexibility to create completely unfair job practices. Take the case of the "Zero Hour Contract" - a British invention and used to the hilt by a wide swathe of so called respectable companies. As a worker you enter into a contract with the employer . but there are no working hours guaranteed, hence the name zero hours contract, You are expected to sit glued to the telephone. When they want you, they'll call you. You have to jump like a jackrabbit and run to the office or factory or store or whatever and you work for the hours they tell you to. You get paid (often the minimum wage) for the hours that you do. Then off you go without knowing whether you have to return tomorrow or not. Back to the vigil by the telephone. During this time, you cannot accept any other employment, even if the phone never rings. And when it rings, if you cannot come to work, you've really lost it and won't get an opportunity for quite some time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/28/sports-direct-staff-zero-hour-contracts">Sports Direct</a> has become the notorious poster boy for this with apparently 20,000 of their total 23,000 employees on Zero Hour Contracts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This sort of behaviour is why companies and businessmen are hated by the general public, who think they have no scruples or morals in the eternal quest to make more money. Flexibility in the labour pool is one thing. But to keep 90% of your workforce 'flexible" and not even telling them whether they have to come to work tomorrow or not, is surely extreme. There is no business in the world which cannot know how many workers it needs for the next one month at least. Some sort of rostering is surely possible. And preventing the guy from finding work elsewhere when you have nothing for him, is positively outrageous.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In such an atmosphere, how can there by any training or skills building. What sort of employee commitment can you expect. Will the worker have one good word to say about the company. And you think this is an efficient business model. And this is a sustainable approach for success . Only a moron can think so.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Peculiarly, one of the organisations discovered to be using this rather widely is Buckingham Place !! Pip Pip, Your Majesty - this is just not cricket !</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Employers have to understand, and demonstrate, that if they want softer laws, they will have to behave reasonably and not exploit. If they can't, or won't, then they should stop moaning about excessively rigid labour laws. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-8830448379715774562013-08-10T20:57:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.822-07:00UOB Structured Deposit 2013 Series<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">UOB's Structured Deposit 2013 Series was eye-catching as 9.3% looked quite interesting:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqTd7kF6q74Fy0csq9jbDEAteU4E3ZBS9fwJftKENEtT4VzwHNJ8DF9_89I1-yU8BlhjibMbTAMTlMvhkGcgc8rOwGmW0k_AS_z2VrEvL7swf_4Tc6bL1lTnPMKg9WNHZ9etgGpUy6eI/s1600/sd2013series1_prdt_innerpage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqTd7kF6q74Fy0csq9jbDEAteU4E3ZBS9fwJftKENEtT4VzwHNJ8DF9_89I1-yU8BlhjibMbTAMTlMvhkGcgc8rOwGmW0k_AS_z2VrEvL7swf_4Tc6bL1lTnPMKg9WNHZ9etgGpUy6eI/s1600/sd2013series1_prdt_innerpage.jpg" height="76" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Other promotional information:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1<em>. Total Guaranteed Fixed Interest of 9.3%</em></strong><em> of the Principal Amount over 5 years</em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>and 11 months (equivalent to an effective interest rate of 1.5687% per annum)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>2. 100% Principal Amount guaranteed</strong> when held to maturity. </em></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This structure product has a bonus interest component linked</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> to 5 Singapore companies' shares price performance:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Potential Bonus Interest</strong> of up to 10% linked to 5 Singapore Company Shares</em></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeff5" style="padding: 3px;" valign="top" width="40%"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Shares in Underlying Basket</span></em></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeff5" style="padding: 3px;" valign="top" width="60%"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">DBS Group Holdings Limited ("DBS")</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Keppel Corporation Limited ("KEP")</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sembcorp Marine Limited ("SMM")</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Singapore Airlines Limited ("SIA")</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Singapore Press Holdings Limited ("SPH")</span></em></span></em> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The potential bonus will be given out if all the above 5 stocks are above 105%, compared with the initial stock prices when the structure product begins.</span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Assuming an investment amount of S$10,000, held till maturity:</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">1. Best case scenario - If all 5 stocks are above 105% their initial values:</span></em><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="color: white; padding: 3px;" width="20%"> </td><td bgcolor="#f2f2f7" colspan="3" style="padding: 3px;"><div align="center"><strong>Best Case Scenario (Maximum Interest Potential)</strong></div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>End of Year</strong></div></td><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Guaranteed Fixed Interest Rate on Principal Amount</strong></div></td><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Potential Bonus Interest Rate on Principal Amount</strong></div></td><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Total Interest Payable</strong></div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><blockquote><div align="center">1.55%</div></blockquote></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><blockquote><div align="center">Not Applicable</div></blockquote></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><blockquote><div align="center">1.55%</div></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">2</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">2.00%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">3.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">3</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">2.00%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">3.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">4</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">2.00%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">3.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">5</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">2.00%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">3.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">At maturity</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">2.00%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">3.55%</div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#f9fcff"><td style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Total interest payout</strong></div></td><td valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>9.3%</strong></div></td><td valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>10%</strong></div></td><td valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>19.3%</strong></div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeff5"><td style="padding: 3px;"><div align="center"><strong>Principal + Interest payout </strong></div></td><td colspan="3" valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>S$10,000 + S$930 + S$1,000 = S$11,930</strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>2. Worst case scenario - If any one of the 5 stocks are less than 105% their initial values:</em></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="color: white; padding: 3px;" width="20%"></td><td bgcolor="#f2f2f7" colspan="3" style="padding: 3px;"><div align="center"><strong>Worst Case Scenario (Minimum Interest Payable)</strong></div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>End of Year</strong></div></td><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Guaranteed Fixed Interest Rate on Principal Amount</strong></div></td><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Potential Bonus Interest Rate on Principal Amount</strong></div></td><td bgcolor="#d2dbe9" style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Total Interest Payable</strong></div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><blockquote><div align="center">1.55%</div></blockquote></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><blockquote><div align="center">Not Applicable</div></blockquote></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><blockquote><div align="center">1.55%</div></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">2</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">0%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">3</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">0%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">4</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">0%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">5</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">0%</div></td><td bgcolor="#f9fcff" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">At maturity</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">0%</div></td><td bgcolor="#eeeff5" valign="top"><div align="center">1.55%</div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#f9fcff"><td style="padding: 3px;" width="20%"><div align="center"><strong>Total interest payout</strong></div></td><td valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>9.3%</strong></div></td><td valign="top"><div align="center">0%</div></td><td valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>9.3%</strong></div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeff5"><td style="padding: 3px;"><div align="center"><strong>Principal + Interest payout </strong></div></td><td colspan="3" valign="top"><div align="center"><strong>S$10,000 + S$930 + S$0 = S$10,930</strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">However, upon closer examination, this structured product is less appealing. In actual fact, it is just an effective interest rate of 1.5687% p.a. for 6 years. Yes, your principal amount is guaranteed, but it is also locked in for the next 5 years and 11 months. There is a loss of liquidity, if any other opportunity arises.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Next, that the additional 2% bonus interest is not easy to get. You would need all of the 5 stocks to be 105% over the initial entry price in order to get the 2%. And it is 2% or nothing, there is no in-between bonus. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">But can this happens? The main activities for these 5 companies (DBS, KEP, SMM, SIA and SPH) cover finance, marine, property, air transport, media, etc; which is a very wide coverage. It is a long shot that nothing bad would happen in such a wide field for the next 6 years, be it financial crisis, property bubble, oil price, regional conflict, pandemic, earthquake, volcano eruption, etc, etc. Just one of the stocks not doing 105% and the bonus interest will not materialize. Also, SPH price was hyped up by the launch of SPH Reit and it is not clear how the stock will move in the future.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Moreover, the interest rate 1.55% is fixed, which means it won't get higher with market fluctuation. As the 12 months FD is now at 1.18% p.a. (Bank of China), I would be very surprised if the 12 months FD rate will not move up to exceed 1.55% in the near future. Furthermore, ICICI Bank is already offering 1.55% p.a. for FD on 36 months tenure term. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This structure product supposed to end 31st August, but according to UOB's website, applications are now closed due to overwhelming response. People are rushing to take up this 1.55% p.a. structured product, but is it a really a "smarter way to invest"?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">One last point, I wonder why UOB wanted to use its rival DBS as one of the 5 companies in the basket. Why not UOB???</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-72616086245752207782013-08-09T08:00:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.833-07:00English Premier League: Starhub Vs SingTel<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The match between Starhub and SingTel has kicked off. This is the first year that EPL is available on both SingTel mioTV and its rival Starhub.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">SingTel announced that the EPL, which kicks off on Aug 17, will cost $59.90 a month by itself (stand-alone fee). This will be available to both SingTel's mioTV and Starhub subscribers.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">MioTV customers will also be able to buy a bundle of football programmes, including the EPL, the Champions League and Spanish La Liga, plus entertainment programming, for $64.90. Last year, SingTel sold a sports bundle which included EPL for $34.90. Therefore, the cost almost double for SingTel mioTV subscribers for the new season.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Starhub subsequently announced their prices for the new cross-carriage Barclays Premier League on cable TV.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Customers who sign up for the EPL will now receive up to $30 off their bills per month up to a maximum total of $600 over the next two seasons.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This applies to all Starhub TV customers, both new and existing. For existing customers, this monthly rebate applies to whatever current packages they are on. The offer is also contract-free, and customers have until 30 September 2013 to sign up.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">However, new and existing Starhub customers still have to pay the S$59.90 (cross-carried EPL package) stand-alone fee announced by rights owners SingTel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If the Starhub TV bill amounts to less than $30 per month, it will be waived fully. So technically if a brand new Starhub customer signs up for its promotional HD pack of $22.47, after discounting the S$30 monthly rebate, he could end up paying simply just S$59.90 to watch the EPL on the telco's platform.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Competition is supposed to bring benefits to consumers, by offer more choices and supposedly at lower cost. However, this is not the case for EPL. The consumers are the casualties in the telco companies bidding war for broadcasting rights.</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-43106971173751280882013-08-08T02:56:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.925-07:00Business Jazz – 8th August 2013 – Hitting the Pause Button<center><iframe height="450" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2427831/height/450/width/450/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="450"></iframe></center><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><i><b>TOPICS: The podcast is put on hold.</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i> <br /><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></div>All good things come to an end. Or at least have the Pause button pushed.<br /><br />So it is with this podcast as well.<br /><br />Producing a podcast takes time and energy. We knew that going in. However, our schedules have conspired against us and we find ourselves needing to focus our attentions elsewhere. For the moment, any road.<br /><br />Will the podcast return? We can't say it won't, but we don't want to give false hope either.<br /><br />For now, we'd just like to say "Thank you" to you for taking the time to listen to the podcast. We truly appreciate that you did. It means more to us than you can ever imagine. You star.<br /><br /><b><i>Jane, Mark, Paul and Roger</i></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-27845198749293661202013-08-06T07:09:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.908-07:00What the Washington Post and Boston Globe Sales Tell Us About the New Breed of Owners<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The sales of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Washington Post</i> to Jeff Bezos and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boston Globe</i> to John Henry raise the question why people would want to own newspapers if they aren’t doing so for obvious financial gain.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There are clearly people who want to own papers for political purposes so they can directly influence debate and policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is certainly the case for the ultra-conservative Koch brothers, who have been trying to buy the <em>Los Angeles Times </em>this past year. But Bezos and Henry don't seem to fit that mold.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Bezos’ purposes for buying the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Post</i> are not the pursuit of profit. He certainly would produce better returns putting more effort into Amazon or another commercial firm. John Henry can expect far more returns from effort in his investment firm or his sports empire than the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Globe</i>. So why are they buying legacy media? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The answers lie in human traits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of us need diversions. We need toys to play with; things to spark our interest and imaginations. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Bezos can clearly bring ideas and expertise gained from shifting the mail order catalog concept to the web and contribute his innovative spirit to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Post</i>.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i>The challenges of learning the media business and trying to transform its distribution and operations are clearly interesting and attractive. And the price for the Amazon creator isn’t high. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">John Henry doesn’t bring great digital expertise to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Globe</i>, but he does bring strong organization, marketing, and turn-around skills and experience to the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also has strong local community ties and bringing ownership back to Boston is a gift to the city. Especially because hating everything associated with New York is the city's pastime.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The newspaper ownership will also make both of them more respectable as citizens, not just as businessmen. There is a long tradition of wealthy U.S. merchants, industrialists, and traders playing citizenship roles in public life and philanthropy after achieving immense personal success. These range from Andrew Carnegie to J.P. Morgan and J. Paul Getty to Bill Gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Some who moved into public roles have done so to gain respectability that eluded them because of harm they caused while climbing to the top; other because of a genuine desire to make society better. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The sales of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Post</i> and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Globe</i> reveal a breed of owner who wants not just respectability or making contributions to society, but a place to use their knowledge and abilities to tackle new challenges. Whether it will help the newspaper industry remains to be seen, but it will at least inject new ways of thinking into the industry. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-92025997858268654572013-08-04T06:23:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.841-07:00Shareinvestor Fair at Suntec, 2nd – 4th Aug 2013<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My main objective of visiting this Shareinvestor Fair at Suntec City was to see how Suntec City look like after the Asset Enhancement Program. Couples of month ago, when I passed by Suntec City Convention Center, it was still all blocked up under the AEP development. After the visit, I am quite impressed on how Suntec City has transformed itself. I am seriously considering adding more units of Suntec Reit to my portfolio, especially if the stock price goes below my average cost for Suntec Reit.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Secondary mission is to check out what type of investment options are available there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">At the fair, there are the usual <strong>Stock Broking Houses</strong> - OCBC Securities, CIMB Securities, Lim & Tan Securities, Phillip Securities, Thinkorswim Singapore and E*Trade.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The <strong>Contracts For Difference (CFD) and Forex providers</strong> - CMC Market, City Index, IG and Onada.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The <strong>Financial Educators</strong>:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group</u>, students can achieve sensational results through dynamic and comprehensive seminars and programs. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Online Trading Academy</u>, training to achieve highly-developed skills for virtually any trading instrument. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>V3Go Academy</u>, training to gain consistent profit across different markets such as futures, forex, stocks and commodities.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">- <u>VectorVest Inc</u>, provides stock analysis and portfolio management system that show you how to make <span style="color: black;">money in both up and down markets.</span><br /><span style="color: black;">- <u>WK Events Pte Ltd, </u> learns how to own properties with little or no money down.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Moreover, there are many alternative investments at the fair, and for some amazement and good laughs:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Alternative Investments (companies seeking investors' money):</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Art Futures Group (AFG)</u> - focus on Chinese Contemporary Arts investment.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Asia Plantation Capital (APC)</u> - investing in their plantations and trees.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Australian Wine Index (WPI)</u> - recommends wines with the best capital growth potential ranging from established wines with steady gains to cult wines that yield higher profit margins but with greater risk.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">- <u>Barons Group</u> - Barons FIS Plan, m<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993366;"><span style="color: black;">aximizing the waterfall effect of </span><span style="color: black;">securing 21% cash flow.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Bullion Investment Group (B.I.G)</u> - casino acquisition and operations, investors buy "seats" in their casino.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>GoldSilver Central Pte Ltd</u> - physical bullion trading in gold and silver.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Hatten Group</u> - Melaka properties investment, "guaranteed" returns 36% for six years.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Infinity Treasures Pte Ltd</u> (inside MAS IAL) - Exit Strategy (House flipping in Florida) - 15% fixed for 12 months and Crude Oil investment - 3% continual payout every 3 months for 24 months.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Prudential</u> - some unit trust giving 7.5% returns.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Shenton</u><u> Energy Asia Pte Ltd</u> - investing in fuel, 3% payout every 3 months.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Shenton Wealth Holdings/Dolphin Capital Asia Pacific</u> [both in MAS IAL]- Germany Government Listed Building Opportunity, with 24% gains in 24 months.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Walton International Group</u> - land banking, 21.59% p.a. annualized total return.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">- <u>Zochwell</u><u> group</u> - investment in Myammar's exploding growth.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">All these alternative investment providers said they have conducted due diligence into researching, investigating and analyzing their products. But if investors really buy their products, they are not acting diligently.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">There are also some free talks and paid workshops, but I did not attend those.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">free coffee offered by Nescafe was great.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-51623045591688407432013-08-03T04:23:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.851-07:00August Fixed Deposit Rates Update - 1.18% P.A.at Bank of China<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First some clarifications: Fixed Deposit is not for real investment. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My review on Singapore's FD is limited to S$50,ooo and below; and tenure term not exceeding 12 months. Fixed Deposit is for parking the emergency fund and allowing immediate access to the fund when needed. These are also based on the following considerations:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1. Singapore's Deposit Insurance Scheme maximum coverage up to S$50,ooo only.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2. Long tenure term will potentially affect your cash-out value for your emergency fund, as you may suffer a penalty fee for early withdrawal.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Back to the update: According to its website, Bank of China's Fixed Deposit promotion is still on. The 12-month FD rates of 1.18% p.a. is still highest in Singapore currently. The minimum deposit amount for BOC FD is S$50,000.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">This promotion is valid for customers with fresh funds only, meaning it is not applicable for money transferred from existing BOC accounts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There are few branches of BOC in Singapore: </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1. Battery Road (BOC Building),</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2. Chinatown branch (Furama Hotel),</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">3. Katong branch (188-192 East Coast Road),</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">4. Middle Road (BOC Plaza),</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">5. Maxwell Road (Maxwell House).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">According to BOC's website, this promotion is for a limited period only.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Promotion Details:</span><br /><table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="width: 500px;"><tbody><tr><td align="middle" rowspan="2"> </td><td align="middle" colspan="4"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">SGD Time Deposits Promotional Interest Rates </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">% p.a.</span></td></tr><tr><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3-Month</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6-Month</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9-Month</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">12-Month</span></td></tr><tr><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">S$50,000 and above</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">0.55%</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">0.85%</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">0.95%</span></td><td align="middle"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1.18%</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />Please let me know if there is better offer in the market.</span></span><strong></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-24061432002375605932013-08-02T02:10:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.904-07:00Business Jazz – 2nd August 2013 – Blending the Offline with the Online<center><iframe height="450" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2420543/height/450/width/450/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="450"></iframe></center><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><i><b>TOPICS: How be genuinely attractive by not being online</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i> <br /><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></div>Do you need to be online?<br /><br />Really?<br /><br />After all, we managed to survive without the internet for centuries. People were contented. Businesses succeeded.<br /><br />In this episode, Jane and Roger talk about how we still need to be active offline to make our online work.<br /><br /><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3>The video</h3><br />Here is the video of the Google+ hangout recorded during the recording of the podcast episode:<br /><br />First go:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VH5ZlVfhOJA?list=UUTwthpDIJE5U_McQyIyUYtQ" width="600"></iframe></center><br />Second go:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WSIwGKk6EqM?list=UUTwthpDIJE5U_McQyIyUYtQ" width="600"></iframe></center><br /><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3>New rallying point</h3><br />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 <a href="http://uk.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4952075" target="_blank">LinkedIn group</a>. Please knock on the door and we'll let you in.<br /><br /><h3>Country tally</h3><br />We're hoping to get a listener in every country in the world. The amazing, super, fantastic, wonderful <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/businessjazz/BusinessJazz-130613.mp3" target="_blank">Phil Sorrell </a>has produced an interactive map for us. If you have a Twitter account, you'll be able to add yourself to the map. Hurry – maybe you can be the first in your country.<br /><br />You can find the map here: <a href="http://www.wheredidthetigergo.co.uk/businessjazz/" target="_blank">Business Jazz Global Listener Map</a>.<br /><br /><h3>Listening to the podcast</h3><br />You can listen to this week's podcast using the player at the top of the post or download it directly here: <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/businessjazz/BusinessJazz-130802.mp3" target="_blank">Business Jazz – 2nd August, 2013</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/business-jazz/id570432961" target="_blank">We're also in iTunes</a>. We'd love it if you subscribed or left some feedback.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><h3>Business Jazz Players</h3><br />This podcast is a collaboration of people dotted around the world. Most of us have never met each other. It's quite a story and it's still evolving. If you'd like to read what's happened so far, you'll find it here: <a href="http://business-jazz.blogspot.ie/p/about.html" target="_blank">Our Story</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-2847163749692253722013-08-01T05:53:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.860-07:00My Stock Portfolio @ end July 2013<html><body><table border="10"><tr> <th> No. </th><th> Stock Name </th><th> Lots </th><th> Portfolio% </th><th> Avg Cost$ </th><th> Breakeven$ </th><th> Market$ </th></tr><tr> <td><center>1</center></td><td>Starhub</td><td><center>5</center></td><td><center>20.74</center></td><td><center>3.22</center></td><td><center>2.92</center></td><td><center>4.40</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>2</center></td><td>SPH</td><td><center>4</center></td><td><center>16.56</center></td><td><center>3.98</center></td><td><center>3.68</center></td><td><center>4.39</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>3</center></td><td>SGX</td><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>14.39</center></td><td><center>2.68</center></td><td><center>0.97</center></td><td><center>7.63</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>4</center></td><td>CapitaLand</td><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>6.09</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">3.91</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">3.69</span></center></td><td><center>3.23</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>5</center></td><td>CapitaMall Trust</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>5.74</center></td><td><center>1.71</center></td><td><center>1.24</center></td><td><center>2.03</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>6</center></td><td>CDL HTrust</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>4.71</center></td><td><center>1.66</center></td><td><center>1.22</center></td><td><center>1.665</center></td></tr><tr><td><center>7</center></td><td>Starhill Global</td><td><center>6</center></td><td><center>4.64</center></td><td><center>0.71</center></td><td><center>0.58</center></td><td><center>0.82</center></td><td><tr><td><center>8</center></td><td>Suntec Reit</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>4.50</center></td><td><center>1.52</center></td><td><center>1.21</center></td><td><center>1.59</center></td><td><tr><td><center>9</center></td><td>SingTel</td><td><center>1.2</center></td><td><center>4.41</center></td><td><center>3.21</center></td><td><center>3.05</center></td><td><center>3.93</center></td><td><tr><td><center>10</center></td><td>Hyflux</td><td><center>2.5</center></td><td><center>3.08</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.70</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.58</span></center></td><td><center>1.305</center></td><td><tr><td><center>11</center></td><td>AIMS AMPI Reit</td><td><center>2</center></td><td><center>3.00</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.635</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.66</span></center></td><td><center>1.59</center></td><td><tr><td><center>12</center></td><td>HPH Trust</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>2.60</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.90</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.88</span></center></td><td><center>0.74</center></td><td><tr><td><center>13</center></td><td>FE Orchard</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.91</center></td><td><center>1.18</center></td><td><center>0.88</center></td><td><center>2.03</center></td><td><tr><td><center>14</center></td><td>CapitaMalls Asia</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.88</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">2.12</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">2.06</span></center></td><td><center>1.995</center></td><td><tr><td><center>15</center></td><td>CitySpring</td><td><center>3</center></td><td><center>1.39</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">0.65</span></center></td><td><center>0.49</center></td><td><center>0.49</center></td><td><tr><td><center>16</center></td><td>Boustead</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.32</center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.44</span></center></td><td><center><span style="color: red;">1.50</span></center></td><td><center>1.40</center></td><td><tr><td><center>17</center></td><td>Sing Post</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>1.24</center></td><td><center>0.875</center></td><td><center>0.71</center></td><td><center>1.315</center></td><td><tr><td><center>18</center></td><td>SPH Reit</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>0.92</center></td><td><center>0.90</center></td><td><center>0.93</center></td><td><center>0.98</center></td><td><tr><td><center>19</center></td><td>FE HTrust</td><td><center>1</center></td><td><center>0.88</center></td><td><center>0.93</center></td><td><center>0.93</center></td><td><center>0.935</center></td><td><tr> </tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></td></tr></table></body></html> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Movement in my portfolio in July:-</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sold:- SP Ausnet</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bought:- Boustead, SPH Reit.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dividends collected in July: $25</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2013 avg dividends/month: $298.94</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bad month for dividends. Thanks to SPH's special dividend payout, August will be another dividend harvesting month.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-55073195516833740622013-07-30T10:51:00.000-07:002013-09-24T09:58:32.939-07:00Business Jazz – 30th July 2013 – Finding the Right Clients for You<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2417332/height/450/width/450/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="450"></iframe></center><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><i><b>TOPICS: Knowing who your ideal clients are, April Ennis, Michael Port, Steve Farber</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i> <br /><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></div>We welcome April Ennis to the podcast. She graciously stepped in when Roger was unavailable recently.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3>The video</h3><br />Here is the video of the Google+ hangout recorded during the recording of the podcast episode:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/exfFnnp-icY?list=UUTwthpDIJE5U_McQyIyUYtQ" width="600"></iframe></center><br /><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3>Links to people and things we mention</h3><br /><a href="http://about.me/aprilennis" target="_blank">April Ennis</a><br /><a href="http://michaelport.com/" target="_blank">Michael Port</a><br /><a href="http://www.stevefarber.com/" target="_blank">Steve Farber</a><br /><h3><br /></h3><h3>New rallying point</h3><br />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 <a href="http://uk.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4952075" target="_blank">LinkedIn group</a>. Please knock on the door and we'll let you in.<br /><br /><h3>Country tally</h3><br />We're hoping to get a listener in every country in the world. The amazing, super, fantastic, wonderful <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/businessjazz/BusinessJazz-130613.mp3" target="_blank">Phil Sorrell </a>has produced an interactive map for us. If you have a Twitter account, you'll be able to add yourself to the map. Hurry – maybe you can be the first in your country.<br /><br />You can find the map here: <a href="http://www.wheredidthetigergo.co.uk/businessjazz/" target="_blank">Business Jazz Global Listener Map</a>.<br /><br /><h3>Listening to the podcast</h3><br />You can listen to this week's podcast using the player at the top of the post or download it directly here: <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/businessjazz/BusinessJazz-270613.mp3" target="_blank">Business Jazz – 30th July, 2013</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/business-jazz/id570432961" target="_blank">We're also in iTunes</a>. We'd love it if you subscribed or left some feedback.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><h3>Business Jazz Players</h3><br />This podcast is a collaboration of people dotted around the world. Most of us have never met each other. It's quite a story and it's still evolving. If you'd like to read what's happened so far, you'll find it here: <a href="http://business-jazz.blogspot.ie/p/about.html" target="_blank">Our Story</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7951770760040528512.post-80045511838946039362013-07-29T07:35:00.000-07:002013-09-02T02:52:37.870-07:00SPH Special Dividend<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">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.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">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%.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Cheers to all SPH shareholders.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11234017384503630351noreply@blogger.com0