Branding The Ford Motor Company
March 31, 2008
Branding The Ford Motor Company
by: Scott White
Have you seen the new commercial and re-branding from Bill Ford and the Ford Motor Company? As you know Ford is in big trouble. So they seem to be changing their positioning and re-Branding. Here’s the brilliant re-positioning they came up with (and it pretty much includes everything):
1. American Auto Industry is facing new challenges and fierce competition: Ya think Bill? Maybe the writing has been on the wall for the last 15 years? Maybe Bill Ford was on a golf course somewhere counting his millions. You’re too late Mr. Ford! Telling us that you’re behind is like leaving the barn door open…we know it.
2. Ford is making new investments in R & D: Wow, Ford, you’re blazing a new trail…By the time you catch up to BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota, Honda they’ll be out with their futuristic space age models that fly which will again put you 20 years behind. Face it Ford, we don’t buy your cars because of R & D. We use to buy your cars because they were American made and RELIABLE. Now they’re made everywhere and they are not RELIABLE (hmmm, am I hinting at the correct positioning Bill?). Since you can’t have the luxury, sports car markets why don’t you make your cars more RELIABLE.
12 Basic Stock Investing Rules Every Successful Investor Should Follow
March 30, 2008
There are many important things you need to know to trade and invest successfully in the stock market or any other market. 12 of the most important things that I can share with you based on many years of trading experience are enumerated below.
1. Buy low-sell high. As simple as this concept appears to be, the vast majority of investors do the exact opposite. Your ability to consistently buy low and sell high, will determine the success, or failure, of your investments. Your rate of return is determined 100% by when you enter the stock market.
2. The stock market is always right and price is the only reality in trading. If you want to make money in any market, you need to mirror what the market is doing. If the market is going down and you are long, the market is right and you are wrong. If the stock market is going up and you are short, the market is right and you are wrong.
Other things being equal, the longer you stay right with the stock market, the more money you will make. The longer you stay wrong with the stock market, the more money you will lose.
A Very Brief History of the Industrial Revolution
March 30, 2008
A Very Brief History of the Industrial Revolution
by: Jim Staller
The Industrial Revolution refers to the period in the mid 1700’s in which significant advancements were made in the application of our technological knowledge and discoveries. It signaled a transition from an economy based on manual labor in agriculture to an economy dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. The first industrial revolution had a profound impact on modern society. Although there is some debate surrounding the origins of the movement, most agree that it began in Britain with the invention of the steam engine.
The steam engine was powered by the burning of coal, which boiled water, and created pressurized steam. This pressurized steam was used to power industrial machinery, primarily used in the manufacture of textiles. The second industrial revolution merged with the first industrial revolution sometime around 1850, when the benefits of the first phase became fully realized. The second industrial revolution was a direct product of the wealth and technological advancements created by the first phase.
IRS Audit: What to Watch Out For; The Self-Employed Are in the Bullseye
March 29, 2008
IRS Audit: What to Watch Out For; The Self-Employed Are in the Bullseye
by: Howard Schwartz
Tax-Definition.org ( http://www.tax-definition.org ) is announcing the following IRS Audit Tips-
Tax Tips for IRS Audits: http://www.tax-definition.org/irs-audit/
According to latest reports, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, is increasing the total number of income tax returns selected for audit. But it isn’t as bad as it sounds, because the audit rate has actually gone down. On an average, the IRS audits around 1 percent Americans every year. That minimizes your chances for receiving an audit notice from the IRS, but doesn’t completely rule it out.
On your part, you need to ensure that your tax return doesn’t attract unwarranted importance. This becomes more important if you’ve made some manipulations in your returns. Your objective should be to show your returns to be as normal as possible so that they mix in with the innumerable other returns. Still, many Americans do make the mistake of showing huge deductions or losses in their returns, which makes IRS audits inevitable.
The Truth About Bankruptcy
March 28, 2008
The Truth About Bankruptcy
by: James Carter
The prospect of bankruptcy is an ever increasing reality facing many individuals. Figures released recently by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) show that bankruptcies and insolvencies have hit an all-time high.
The Figures For 2005:
13,501 people declared bankrupt in UK
6960 adults entered into voluntary insolvency known as Individual Voluntary Agreement
What To Do If You Are Thinking Of Declaring Yourself Bankrupt.
It’s better to enter into an IVA than to declare yourself bankrupt. Under an IVA, borrowers agree to pay a fixed monthly amount over an agreed period, subject to approval by three-quarters of their creditors. In return, the interest on their debts is frozen, and some of their debt - in some cases, up to four-fifths (80%) is written off.
What Has Caused This?
Te lending boom which began roughly a dozen years ago led to a rise in credit problems. However, these figures are even higher than those recorded in the recession of the early Nineties. This sounds off a big alarm bell regarding how we manage our finances.
Unsecured Personal Loans
March 27, 2008
Unsecured Personal Loans
by: Matthew Bourne
Unsecured personal loans are personal loans designed to be undertaken without the need to secure the loans against collateral, such as a property or a car. This makes unsecured personal loans ideal for people who do not own their own home and for people who have no other type of collateral to secure personal loans against.
The extent of borrowing on unsecured personal loans is generally less than on secured personal loans, and the APR on unsecured loans is often higher than on secured personal loans. But, having said this, unsecured loans of up to £25,000 are possible from some personal loans companies. You can also obtain personal loans with repayment terms on unsecured borrowing of up to 10 years, and an APR of between 5.5% and 8% on unsecured loans.
Who qualifies for unsecured personal loans?
Unsecured personal loans have a wider reach than secured personal loans. Both tenants and homeowners can take out unsecured loans, as well young people who have no verifiable personal credit history. Additionally, unlike secured personal loans, unsecured loans are also open to people who have a poor credit record. If you have a record of defaulted mortgage payments, arrears on other loans payments or have CCJs filed on your personal credit record, making you ineligible for secured personal loans, then personal unsecured loans may be for you.
Getting Discounts From Your Auto Insurance Company
March 26, 2008
Getting Discounts From Your Auto Insurance Company
by: Stu Pearson
Let’s face it an auto insurance company is a business that is created to make a profit and if we are not careful we might end up paying super high premium rates when we could have paid much lower premiums if we only did some research.
Here is a list that I hope will help car owners in lowering their premium rates:
• Safety devices against car thieves
Who would ever think that theft devices are valuable not only in guarding your car against thieves, but also in lowering your premium? Theft devices come in various types. Some are automatic while some need to be manually operated. All these theft devices provide extra premium discounts. In some states window sketching may also be a source of additional premium discounts.
• Multiple car discount
Let us say that you have two cars (for the sake of the illustration) that you want to insure with an auto insurance company. Usually you have to pay separate premiums but did you know that you could actually save a great deal on the premium that you will be paying for your second car? How? Consult your insurance agent to help you.
Interview Tactics - Stand Out From The Crowd
March 25, 2008
Interview Tactics - Stand Out From The Crowd
by: Simone Emmons
Going into an interview without a plan is like committing employment suicide. There are several things that you can do to prepare for an interview that will make a lasting impression in the interviewer and make your skills stand out from the crowd.
Once you get a call to go in for an interview, your number one priority becomes PREPARATION. You can never be “too ready” for an interview. The more prepared you are, the harder it will be to make mistakes. Here are several things that you can do to prepare for an interview.
· Know Your Contact
When you do get a call for an interview, ask the name of the person or persons that you’ll be talking to. It’s a nice edge to be able to greet your interviewer by name at the beginning of the interview without waiting for them to introduce themselves. It’s the first indication that you’re on top of things, and have prepared beforehand.
· Do Your Research
What My Horse Had For Breakfast
March 25, 2008
Let’s see, he had some oats, fresh alfalfa and his vitamins. I know from the mixture that is great food and he will win the seventh race this afternoon. He can’t lose because of his diet and a great jockey will be riding him.
Kinda reminds me of what my broker (horse trainer) told me to do when I was selecting a mutual fund to buy. He said to check out what was in the fund (the mixture of stocks, like my horse’s breakfast) and to see if there was a good fund manager (the jockey). I did what he said and carefully read the annual report and the prospectus too. Sounds great so I bought it.
What I can’t understand is I did all the things the horse trainer said I should and “Rocket”, my horse’s name, still came in 6th in an 8-horse race. All I wanted him to do is come in first and I can’t say I’m crazy about that mutual fund either.
That fund has a 5-star rating, is managed by one of the great names on Wall Street and has 60 of the best known company stocks I can think of and yet it is going down. I am doing everything that conventional wisdom says I should, but I continue to lose. Is there and answer?
What Household Budget Percentage Breakdown Is Typical?
March 24, 2008
What Household Budget Percentage Breakdown Is Typical?
by: Brad Homer
The typical American household budget percentage breakdown looks like the list below. For most of the categories a range is shown. A range makes more sense to help you see where your personal budget fits (or doesn’t fit.) If your budget doesn’t fit the typical American household budget, rejoice! The average American household budget is jacked up - we carry too much debt and we just don’t save enough. We’re so worried about our neighbor’s new pool, our co-worker’s new car and our friend’s new designer shoes that we spend more than we earn to try and keep up. But take heart! Review the percentages below, compare your household budget and then read on to find out how you can move yourself into the elite minority of Americans who have mastered where their money goes.
Typical Household Budget Percentages
33-38% Housing (59%-66% of this is on shelter - mortgage interest, property taxes, repairs, and rent, and other items)
15-19% Transportation (38-48 of this is vehicle purchase - 2 cars per household average)
13-14% Food Budget (55% at home, 45% away)
0-2% Alcohol
