Inflikt

Let’s first understand what maniac
means. According to Webster a maniac is “mad;
raging with madness; raging with disordered
intellect”. You don’t know anyone like that, do
you?

There is a book that is still in
print today that was originally published in
1841 with the title Extraordinary and Popular
Delusions of Crowds by Charles Mackay. He
explains in rather horrific detail how people
were caught up in the madness of buying property
in the South Seas in 1720, the numismatic coin
craze of 1980 and the tulip bulb trading in
1637. You wonder how people could have been so
gullible to have bought a single tulip bulb or
land they would never see for huge amounts of
money. Could anything like this ever happen
again?

I was floor trader on the commodity
exchange in 1973 when the Hunt brothers drove
silver from $2.00 per ounce to $54. That mania
lasted a few months and quickly tanked to $6.00.
I took part in that mania. I was one of the
maniacs.

When it was taking place it seemed
like the thing to do and very few questioned the
sanity of those participating. In fact, if you
weren’t part of the crowd there was something
wrong with you. When there is a stampede it is
best to run with the herd or be trampled to
death. However, there were a few who were not
mesmerized.

Today we are participating in one of
those manias only now it is called a bubble and
still is not being taken too seriously. Yes, it
is the stock market mania. Many are still
trapped in the madness of the crowd of the
1990’s who believe the “market always comes
back”. They are clutching their tulip bulbs,
sorry, stock certificates, and refuse to let go
of them because they know their value will grow
back to what it was 3 years ago. Stock owners
have become mad with what - greed? fear? denial?

When something, almost anything,
drops 50% in price it will take a 100% increase
in value to get back to “even”. With today’s
economic and world conditions that could be a
long time and maybe not in our lifetime.

Years ago I heard a story about how
they used to catch monkeys. A small hole just
big enough for the monkey to slip his empty hand
inside would be drilled in a coconut and candy
and fruit would be put in it. The coconut was
tied to a stake in the ground. When the monkey
grabbed a fistful of goodies he would not let go
even when the hunter came for him. Greed holds
him in an invisible grip.

Many investors today are like those
monkeys. They refuse to sell what is remaining
of the stocks and mutual funds they own even
though they can clearly see the major trend
continues down. They became mad with greed and
now fear of loss entraps them.

Until this madness is recognized
investors will continue to see their portfolios
become smaller and smaller. They must learn to
let go.

Written 3/10/03 but still applies today.

INVESTMENT LETTER 3 month free trial.
http://www.mutualfundmagic.com

Copyright Albert W. Thomas All right reserved.
Author of “If It Doesn’t Go Up, Don’t Buy It!”
Former 17-year exchange member, floor trader
and brokerage company owner.

Most professionals take pride in the work they do. Dealing with complaints is often challenging and upsetting. It is very natural to try to explain or justify what was done. The suggestions I have made in this list are not easy to do in the heat of a situation. So when you hear a complaint about you or your business/practice perhaps the best strategy is to count to ten and then do some of the following:

1. Listen - Resist the temptation to argue with the client. Instead ask questions to get to the bottom of the situation. What is the client really upset about? Show the client that you really understand the situation from the client’s perspective.

2. Don’t be defensive - This will get in the way of your listening to the client. Allow the client the time and space to be heard. If you get defensive you’ll build a wall between you and the client. Try to find ways to build a bridge so that you are aligned with the client.

3. If you agree that it was a mistake, fix it immediately or do what you can to satisfy the client and apologize. We all make mistakes at times. Check to see if there is anything in your office procedure that can help you to avoid a similar mistake again.

4. For a more complex issue research the problem before you make any decisions. Find out what actually happened. Is a system in your office not working correctly? Does it need to be fixed? Has the client misunderstood something? Give yourself time to figure out a fair resolution.

5. Look for lessons in the situation - If the situation was caused by something you or your staff control, find a way to fix it for the future. This means assessing the systems you have in place and your methods and procedures. It also may mean retraining an employee or employees.

6. Reeducate the client when necessary - How did you set client’s expectations? Were you clear about what he/she could expect? Help the client to understand the process now to guard against future misunderstandings.

7. Know that if one client complained there are others feeling the same way. What do you need to do to address the problem with the others? Who else might have been affected in the same way?

8. Give the client choice of possible resolutions. How can you make this right with the client? Negotiate a way that works for both of you. Sometimes just fixing the problem is sufficient. At other times the client is looking for something else. Look for an equitable resolution.

9. Thank the client for helping you with your business. As painful as they can be complaints from clients often let you know exactly where you need to work to improve your practice/business.

10. Follow up with those who complained to be sure they are fully satisfied. If you have altered a system or changed a way of doing business and the client is affected by that change, follow up to be sure that the client noted the change.

About Alvah Parker

Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. To subscribe send an email to join-roadtosuccess@go.netatlantic.com.

Parker’s Value Program© enables clients to find a way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. She is both a Practice Advisor and Coach to attorneys, managers, business owners, sole practioners, and people in transition. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.

By taking responsibility for your children’s online activities, parents can greatly minimize any potential risks. In today’s electronic age teaching your children about online safety is a must. Even if you think your child does not have access to the internet, these rules are important because internet access is everywhere!

1. Never give out identifying information: address, school name, or telephone number.

2. Get to know the websites your child uses. Have your child show you what he or she does online.

3. Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user. If a meeting is arranged, make it in a public place, and accompany your child.

4. Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your child to tell you if he/she encounter such messages.

5. Set rules and guidelines for internet use by your children.

6. Monitor your children’s compliance with your rules.

7. Learn more about out blocking, filtering, and content ratings.

8. Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child’s bedroom.

9. Get to know your child’s online friends, just as you would all of their other friends.

10. Post these rules near the computer as a reminder.

Find more rules located at http://www.myfirstbra.us/online_safety_for_girls.htm.

Kim Shire

MyFirstBra.us is a helpful guide for preteen, teens, and parents concerning training bras, and issues surrounding puberty & breast development, in young girls ages 8-16.

MyFirstBra.us is a community project of National Webworks. All authors are from National Webworks, Volunteers, or Contracted for research and writing.

Finding affordable health insurance is possible, there are many companies that will help you to find health insurance that will meet your requirements and stay within your budget. The fact is that many people simply do not know where to look for health insurance. Connecting with a company that is capable of hunting down health insurance providers can take the hassle out of buying health insurance. For individuals who do not want to use a company to locate affordable health insurance there is the Internet.

Thousands of people in the United States simply go without health insurance because they think they cannot find affordable health insurance. This would explain why there are many individuals in the United States who choose to go without health insurance. Those who do not have health insurance will be less likely to visit a doctor. This means that a lot of times illness and other ailments are not diagnosed until they have developed.

There are numerous different things that will determine what your monthly health insurance will be. Your health insurance rates will change depending upon the kind of policy you have. For example, do you only need health insurance for yourself, or your entire family? The answer will have an impact on any quotes you receive. Are you young, or are you in your senior years? Most health insurance companies adjust your premium based upon your age. Are you self-employed, or are you receiving health insurance through your work? This will also affect the cost of your health insurance.

You never know when an accident might happen and you need a trip to hospital for stitches or a broken bone. These bills will add up quickly but if you have health insurance, you can get the help you need without the worry of receiving a huge bill. If you can’t afford to pay off your medical bills, your credit rating could even suffer. If you have health insurance, you can prevent these problems from ever happening and your credit will be protected for your financial future and your health.

Another way you can make sure that your insurance rates are lowered is to increase the amount of your health insurance deductible. High deductibles equal lower monthly premiums. Anyone that has existing health problems which require extensive medical treatment may find it necessary to have a higher monthly premium.

Simply by researching health insurance options online and spending just a couple of hours searching may well save you money every month. Get a variety of quotes from insurance companies which meet your health and budget needs and you will find affordable health insurance. You may also find that purchasing health insurance online can save you money.

For insurance Please visit us at http://www.4insurancehere.com.

England?s stirring & frequently horrible history is in all probability largely echoed in its historic buildings & nowhere is this better visible than in those buildings allied to the Royal Family & their formal ceremonies.

For a great time now the English Monarchy has been believed to be major to the accomplishment of the UK. They have captivated foreign sightseers for many years and maintain to rouse the curiosity of foreign people of all generations. Buckingham Place has been regarded as the Capital’s home of the British monarchy from the time when Queen Victoria became inaugurated as queen in eighteen thirty seven. its one of a small amount of functioning royal palaces enduring in England currently.

Buckingham Palace is used mainly as a place of work, but can also turn out to be an activities venue for the fifty-thousand royal guests asked to the Palace annually. There are well over 600 bedrooms, including nineteen state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, seventy-eight bathrooms, 92 offices, but more extraordinarily an in-house theatre and swimming pool.

All through the spring & summer, travellers can trek around the attractive state rooms, that help form the heart of the Palace. These wonderful digs are covered with a gathering of the finest assets from the Royal set of works, including sculptures by Canova as well as paintings by the many legendary artists including Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto. Buckingham Palace history can be found at the official site for tourism in England.