How To Be More Creative

By Admin | Published: December 25, 2012

“Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating.” -John Cleese

A lot has been said about how one can fuel creativity and how it works, but the fact is that thinking out of the box isn’t rocket science. Ideas and inspiration are everywhere. We just need to look in the right places- and the best place to do so is within ourselves.
Before you go on to unleash the full creative potential of your brain, however, you must do your bit to make small changes in your usual thinking patterns. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Whether you are a writer, musician, stockbroker, designer, painter, or factory worker- these few helpful tips can go a long way in unraveling your imaginative powers:

  • Take a walk outside: Yes, it’s that simple. Free yourself from the realm of the four walls for 15 minutes every day to closely observe the world around you. Look at the world with a fresh pair of eyes and notice the things you tend to take for granted every day. Chances are that the world will unravel itself to you in ways you’ve never seen before.
  • Listen to new music: Opening yourself up to new genres and musicians can, in turn, introduce you to new opinions, cultures, societies, and yes- ideas.
  • Observe silence: We all observe a few minutes of silence while mourning someone’s death, but fail to do so to give ourselves time to think. Take some time out every once in a while to enjoy some quiet and allow your creativity to surface amidst the solace.
  • Limit television viewing and your access to the internet.

Last but not least- go back to pencil and paper. Typing on a computer just doesn’t free our minds the way doing so on a piece of paper does. Try deviating from the norm and put pencil to paper to jot down notes or even create doodles in your spare time.

Source: Simon

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Five Tips To Ask For A Pay Raise

By Admin | Published: December 25, 2012

miror with boss and employeeMany employees feel they aren’t paid their worth despite giving their best shot at the job. If you are one of them and have been mulling taking a leap and asking your boss for a pay hike, you may find this article helpful. It’s natural to feel anxious and even wary about approaching your manager to discuss a better paycheck, but there are several ways to go about it without hammering a nail in your foot:

 

 

 

  • Set realistic expectations: This one is important. If your company is going through a rough patch such as suffering from the effects of recession, enforcing cutbacks, or tiding through a project that has surpassed the budget, postpone your plans of asking for a raise. It’s but natural for companies to not hike salaries during relatively difficult phases.
  • Look back at your work history: Have you helped resolve issues, helped projects forge ahead toward completion, improvise on any processes or systems, or accomplished anything of significance of late? If so, make a list of your endeavors that are backed up by tangible proof, and memorize it so you can strengthen your case when you talk to your boss.
  •  Be ready to negotiate: Most superiors who are asked for a raise try to negotiate to go ahead with some of their terms and conditions. Try to remain flexible and ask for perks such as a company car, a change in designation, or an extended vacation if a monetary raise is not possible.
  • Be presentable: This pertains to not just being physically presentable, but being verbally presentable as well. Remain positive, and make it a point to sound confident, but not arrogant. Tell yourself to remain composed and to thank your boss for his/her time regardless of the answer you will be given.
  • Keep the discussion centered on your achievements: Many employees make the mistake of asking for a raise due to personal issues. This is not advisable, as it may be viewed as a sign of weakness.

Lastly, know that your boss has his/her own deadlines and work to deal with, so make it a point to grab the bull by the horns at the right time.

Source: Simon on Pinterest

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3 Tips To Invest Smartly In The Real Estate Market

By Admin | Published: December 1, 2012

For millions of people the world over, their fortunes are tied up in their homes. Those who want to sell face the issue of not being able to sell a home as easily as a bond or stock. The fluctuating rates in the real estate market also make it difficult to handle property sales and purchases at the right time.
However, real estate investments can pay off in ways no other investments can if you invest right, and invest smart. To take things further, here are the top three tips to invest smartly in real estate:

  • Getting the basics right

For starters, you should do thorough research on real estate agents to ensure that they actually live up to their claims and promises. Also take into prime consideration your budget, good location and connectivity, and access to amenities.

  • Know that property does not always increase in value

Believing that property will only go up in value over time can be your undoing. If anything, the real estate market in the USA at present is a fitting example of this tip. Expecting a price rise amounts to mere speculation. One must consider an appreciation in property prices to be a momentary boon rather than a permanent fixture when investing in real estate.

  • Consider diversifying your portfolio

Investing in several instruments works well, because concentrating your money in just one or limited assets makes you more vulnerable to the ups and downs in the market. Don’t put a majority of your money in real estate, because for one, property is not easy to buy and sell. Second, market prices can remain dormant for prolonged periods of time, which can be a drag if you need buyers for your vacant house.

This is just an outline of what you need to keep in mind before charting real estate investment territory. Do your homework well, and you will be well on your way to making your property work for you.

One interesting infographics about real estate industry and social media

Source:  Pinterest

 

PS : You don’t need an MBA from a top business schools to make smart investment in real estate ! Simon Legouge did some really smart real estate investment

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3 Must-Read Books To Learn How To Do Business

By Admin | Published: December 1, 2012

Entrepreneurship and small business management is becoming increasingly popular by the day, what with more people expanding their professional horizons and scouting for new ways to turn what they love into a living. Setting out on your own can be an exciting thing to do, but it is imperative that you prepare yourself for a journey that will have its share of trials and tribulations. Acquainting yourself with the work of management gurus, successful entrepreneurs, life coaches, and business magnates can take you a long way in knowing the ins and outs of running a business.

To do list funny pic

Source : Le Routard an ethical blogger

Here are three recommendations for your bookshelf:

  • Jessica Livingston’s ‘Founders At Work’

Founders At Work is a must-buy if you are on your way to starting your own business from scratch. Livingston has included in-depth, inspiring interviews with the founders of some of the world’s most revolutionary companies. What makes Founders At Work stand out from other business ‘self-help’ books is that there is a ‘human touch’ to all these prosperous businessmen, who openly talk about the things that didn’t work out for them and the lowest point in their professional lives. This helps budding entrepreneurs a great deal, since it conveys the message that even the greatest business minds go through moments of self-doubt.

  • ‘New Sales. Simplified: The Essential Handbook for Prospecting and New Business Development’ by Mike Weinberg

Mike Weinberg’s book is a revelation. New Sales. Simplified… is a helpful guide on winning over new customers and bringing in more business, irrespective of whether you are a sales manager or in client servicing. This handy guide shows readers how to create and close deals, build a practical list of genuine prospects, use new media to their advantage, network successfully, establish a healthy relationship with clients, and much, much more. The written material in New Sales. Simplified… is complemented by numerous anecdotes and cases, which makes reading the book all the more pleasurable.

  • Michael Gerber’s ‘The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It’

The E-Myth Revisited… elaborates, in great detail, why discipline, thorough planning, and an adherence to certain systems are so crucial to building a good business. Gerber’s business guide has been around for a long time and is considered to be a bible by many businesspeople. One of the things that truly stands out is the emphasis on turning hobbies into flourishing businesses and focusing on revenue-generating undertakings.

These three books are just the starting point. If you scout around in your quest to sharpen your business acumen, you will be sure to come across a gamut of recommendations online and in any bookstore near you!

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How Is The EUR/USD Determined On The Forex?

By Admin | Published: December 1, 2012

Foreign exchange rates fluctuate on a minute by minute basis in response to demand and supply. Global currencies, just like goods (like gold or silver) and services, have their own markets. This means there is a certain amount of dollars the USA can make available for the European Union, and a certain amount of dollars the European Union (EU) wants from the USA.

different currency coins and notes
The price at which this amount is determined is referred to as the nominal exchange rate. If the nominal exchange rate is high, EU demand for the US dollar drops, while the USA wants to make more of its currency available during this phase. An equitable exchange rate is achieved when the supply of US dollars meets the demand for it.
If the supply increases or the demand drops, this nominal exchange rate depreciates. The converse holds true when supply drops and demand increases.
Euro and dollar rates are determined largely owing to changes in the demand/supply pattern. These changes are influenced by:

  • Speculation: Many people in the Forex market who buy and sell currencies to make money do so on the basis of what speculators say. Predicted outcomes on exchange rates have a huge outcome on the sale and purchase of dollars and Euros, which in turn leaves a mark on a currency’s appreciation or depreciation.
  • Trading: The demand for the US dollar is largely dictated by the EU demand for American exports, while the supply of the US dollar is influenced by the American demand for EU imports. If there is decline in interest for buying American goods, demand plummets, and the dollar depreciates.

Euro and US dollar exchange rates are also determined on factors such as a country’s debt and/or economic situation and the interest rates of the central bank. The sum of all the above mentioned factors determines currency prices at any given time.

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3 Tips To Invest Smartly In The Forex Market

By Admin | Published: December 1, 2012

The foreign exchange or forex market is a risky venture that was once the domain of institutional investors and banks. However, individual investors can now make the most of this venture with the help of online brokerages.

Forex trading involves speculation on the value of a currency in comparison to another and is mostly conducted via ‘margin trading’. Margin trading refers to a security deposit worth a small sum of the total trade value which is required for trading.
The forex market is one of the riskiest investment instruments because a majority of products in this sector are highly leveraged. In other words, you are responsible for the full trade amount despite margin trading. Furthermore, currency exchange rates, which are very volatile, can make you lose money if you aren’t careful and insightful enough
It is for these reasons that you must invest smartly from the outset itself. Here are three tips to help in this regard:

  • Research, research, and more research

Different risks are associated with different forex trading products, so you must read every product disclosure statement before going ahead and making an investment. Also make sure that the provider you will be dealing with is licensed and certified. If the provider does not have a license, you will need to find out whether it is regulated by the overseas authority in the country or base of operation.

  • Stay away from overleveraging

Leveraging is a requirement for profit making in the forex market, but many dealers encourage clients to indulge in high margin trading. This means that many traders control large sums of money, with less cash on the table. Although this seems tempting, the fact is that the exchange market is unpredictable. Losses can become magnified. Many brokers also use high leverage to get more earnings via the spread income.

  • Choosing the right courses and programs

Forex trading courses are aplenty, but the truth is that no one seminar or ‘toolkit’ can predict foreign currency movements. Avoid companies that make lofty promises by promising fast and easy money. Consider seeking the advice of a licensed adviser.

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Yes on 22 we did it !

By Admin | Published: November 3, 2012

We are very proud to have won 22 and we’re very happy about it ! Thanks again to all the people who voted.

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