Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Great Post by James Altucher on Dreams of Greatness and the Reality of Business Ownership

I woke up at about 4am, made coffee, and read stories by Miranda July, Charles Bukowski (from his book “Hot Water Music”) Nora Ephron (from her book “I remember nothing”) and half a story from John Updike before I was ready to start my own writing for the morning. It was 4:47am when I got an instant message on Facebook. “Hi James. Can I just get one piece of advice from you”. I didn’t recognize his name. “Ildar” something.

The sun was just peeking through the curtains. I felt good. Within a few minutes, the first train going into the city would pass by the house. I like the sound of it. I don’t like to talk to people so early in the morning. I like morning sounds. Privacy. That’s why I wake up early to start writing. I wasn’t sure I wanted to IM with anyone at 5 in the morning. But…

“Sure,” I wrote.

He had a business selling eco-friendly bags. And he wanted to raise money from venture capitalists and wanted to know how to go about it.

Click here for full post.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Fed Data Dump Part II: What they didn't want you to know

Looks like the data implies that there is more structural disintegrity in the system worldwide than initially believed. Lots of US taxpayer money went to overseas banks. I am at the International Factoring Association Conference in Washinton DC this week and will hear one of the Federal Reserve board members speak on how the Fed operates and her forecasts for the future. Should be rather interesting...will post more after her speech and Q&A.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Time to start reviewing your supplier contracts?


It may be a bit alarmist, but I am of the opinion that if your products are tied in any way to the commodity markets (they probably are even if indirectly), then you need to take time to review potential impacts to your COGS as prices start to escalate.



The world is in much turmoil lately and this has already pushed up the costs of numerous items. Your supplier(s) will have to increase their pricing, and this means you may have to consider the same. Time to start discussing these matters with your colleagues and representatives.



The marginal growth of the US market seems to be more of a propping up than structural soundness. Look for opportunities to take discounts from your supplier(s) and incentivize your customers with them as well to maintain solid cash flow.



I expect in the next few weeks to get back to the more detailed posting that started this blog, but I will continue to place these smaller posts in the mix.
 
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