Posts filed under 'Business Investing'
Pension Fund Politics: The Dangers of Socially Responsible Investing (Business Economics) This book shows that pension funds and mutual funds that screen investments according to social and ethical preferences frequently harm those people and causes (for example, the poor and the environment) that they are designed to help.
Customer Review: Valuable information for anyone wanting to understand how Socially Responsible Investing impacts pension funds
The idea of corporate executives looting and mishandling pension funds (defined benefit programs) and harming their retiree’s sickens all of us. Those that abuse these trusts (sacred trusts, in my book) should be punished. And if the law can’t get them, they deserve every bit of public opprobrium we can send their way. However, it is vital to realize that the boardroom is not the only threat to pension fund well being. This book talks about the threat from those who would use the treasury of the funds they have been entrusted to administer for political and social engineering ends; too often at the cost of the people who depend on that money for their retirement.
This book consists of four essays; each discussing a different aspect of the ways in which the politicization of the administration and investing of pension funds puts the beneficiaries (actually, owners) of the funds at risk. While the book does not claim that pension funds are currently at risk of failing because of this activity, it does point out the ways in which such activities are costing retirees millions upon millions of dollars. That some claim this is small potatoes compared to the billions under management shows the danger of this collectivist mindset. If those millions are measured against each individual retiree, how many pensions are effectively squandered? That it might be claimed it is only pennies is beside the point. Whose pennies and dollars and tens of millions of dollars are being co-opted to indulge someone else’s agenda?
The first essay by the editor, Jon Entine, lays out the nature and scope of the problem. While still small, the Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) movement is a disturbing trend. He does point out that that a CalPERS president had to be removed from the board because of his efforts to use the fund’s great power to intervene in a dispute between Safeway and the union for which he was also executive director.
The second essay describes the different approaches to SRI and its financial realities. The approaches range from screening (hospital worker’s funds not investing in tobacco stocks) to activist approaches to management (CalPERS) to transforming the corporation into a social entity with effects on its products and policies. The paper concludes that the amount of SRI is actually quite small and overstated. That its effects in the marketplace are nill and the purported benefits to investors is ambiguous at best. The paper concludes that screening is probably harmless because there are other investors to step in when the SRI fund pulls out. Screening makes sense when the members of the fund are like minded. However, in large funds with very diverse memberships, it is difficult to reconcile such deviations from the fiduciary responsibility maximum returns with such non-financial considerations.
The third essay lays out why the growth of these non-financial considerations and approaches threaten the property rights of the beneficiaries of the funds. The sheer volume of the money available attracts those who would use it for their own purposes. The author also compares the fiduciary responsibility required by these property rights versus the purely political Social Security program, which confers no property rights. The federal program versus state laws and regulations are also compared.
The fourth essay powerfully pulls together these threads to demonstrate the social agenda of many of these pension boards, how interconnected they are, and exposes their statements of these purposes. The seemingly benign but actually very radical notion of stakeholder ownership of corporations is also discussed. This popular doctrine is gaining ground in developed countries. The threats are not only to pensioners, but to the real owners of the firm, the shareholders, whose property is being disposed of by people who do not share their risk.
This is an interesting set of papers that I recommend to anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of this additional threat to the pensions of millions of Americans. As an aside, I think this book provides yet another reason to switch to defined contribution plans from these defined benefit programs that are failing at an ever increasing pace for a variety of reasons.
Tags: Investing book, Business Book, Business
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October 3rd, 2008
Cash Flow Strategies: Learn to start a business and make money investing in real estate, factoring notes, and other debt instruments. With the entrepreneurial spirit and a sharp eye on the big picture, coauthors Haris Saidi and Trena Saidi offer sound and savvy financial direction in Cash Flow Strategies. Specifically written for Americans who dream of starting their own businesses, this self-help guide shares the nuts and bolt of what to do and how to do it. With a firm grip and a guiding hand, the keys to gaining financial freedom have never been set forth so succinctly. Clearly presented, this guide ultimately serves as a valuable reference book that focuses on how to buy a product, service, or property at below market value and turn around to sell it for a profit. From research and marketing to making initial contacts, due diligence, and closing the deal, this book shows readers how to build a successful business and how to start today.
Customer Review: Great Book Wonderful Easy to Read Information
I found the book to be a very easy read and provide the fundamentals to start a business and learn about investing in real estate. It shows that you don’t necessarily need to have thousands of dollars saved in order to buy a home. What I like the most about this book is that it encourages and shows ways to build wealth in this “down” real estate market. This is the time to buy. You don’t have to spend $2500 to attend a Donald Trump Seminar to learn about basic fundamentals of real estate and know that it is a good time to buy. I definately recommend this book to anyone who is trying to get their feet wet and enter a very profitable investment arena.
U of L expected to announce multimillion dollar gift to business … - Birmingham Business Journal
Officials with the University of Louisville have scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference to announce a “multimillion dollar” gift to the school’s college of business. No other details of the gift were immediately available. Business First will …
Fujitsu May Sell Storage Business to Western Digital (Update2) (Bloomberg)
Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) — Fujitsu Ltd. is in talks to sell its unprofitable storage-drive business to Western Digital Corp. , three Fujitsu executives said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are preliminary.
Burger economics: How does Austin’s cost of doing business compare to the rest of Texas? (BizJournals)
A new report may shed more light on how Austin stacks up against other Texas cities when it comes to the cost of doing business.
Get the Greatest Degree of Perspective with US SOHO Business VoIP … - Forbes
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/076977/us_soho_business_v) has announced the addition of the “US SOHO Business VoIP Integrated Access Services Expenditures by Size of Business, 2007-2012″ report to their offering …
Mays School Sponsor to Talk Independent Business, Local Economy Save … - KBTX.com
COLLEGE STATION - Steve Bercu, 30-year president of BookPeople, an independent Austin bookstore, and founder and president of the Austin Independent Business Alliance, will speak in College Station October 2 on sustaining locally owned businesses in …
Tags: Business Book, Investing book, Business
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October 2nd, 2008
Doing Business And Investing in Malawi (World Business, Investment and Government Library)
Early Bird Sales Extended For Future of Business Media, Oct. 28 in NYC
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve extended early bird ticket sales for our Future of Business Media conference on October 28 in New York. No doubt that after yesterday’s bloodbath, our discussion of the future of the business and …
Manufacturing Troubleshooter Celebrates Six Year Anniversary
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), one of the Government’s most successful business support initiatives, is celebrating its sixth anniversary having provided advice to more than 2000 companies and saved more than £60 million …
Swanky Paper Puts Quality Back Into Stationery
Heather Cowdell is the woman behind this creative business. Where most stationery businesses have a hard time separating themselves from mass printers and their competition, Swanky Paper has some benefits that aren’t usually seen. …
Cox Business and Bloomberg Financial Present Free Forum Featuring … - MarketWatch
Tags: Business, Investing book, Business Book
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October 1st, 2008
Building Biotechnology: Starting, Managing, and Understanding Biotechnology Companies - Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Careers, Investing, Science, Patents and Regulations Building Biotechnology helps readers start and manage biotechnology companies and understand the business of biotechnology. This acclaimed book describes the convergence of scientific, political, regulatory, and commercial factors that define the scope of biotechnology. In addition to its popularity among business professionals and scientists seeking to apply their skills to biotechnology, Building Biotechnology has also been adopted as a course text in more than fifteen advanced biotechnology programs including MBA programs at UC Irvine, Tepper, and Schulich; the Johns Hopkins biotechnology MS/MBA program; and extension programs at Berkeley and UC San Francisco. This second edition significantly expands upon the foundation laid by the first, updating case law and business models in this dynamic industry and adding significantly more case studies, informative figures and tables.
Customer Review: Very informative overview of the biotech industry
Great book for anyone considering or pursuing a career in biotech/pharma. It covers the basic biology, business and regulatory processes of the industry in a way that is very digestable for a wide array of readers with different backgrounds (i.e. scientists, business professionals, clinicians etc.)It’s probably most appropriate for bioscience/business/medical/pharm students, professionals who are fairly new to the industry or to those who already work in the industry but would like to learn a bit more about the others areas of the sector that play significant roles in the research, development & eventually marketing of therapeutic medicines.
Customer Review: Great text on many levels.
I have always been interested in the link between a good idea and successful business. This well written text supplies readers with a great overview of biotech, as well as nicely focused examples of the history of the field.
I spent a nice Saturday on the beach reading this book not knowing exactly what to expect. I received an easy to follow enjoyable read that was informative. I ended up reading the entire book twice as well as a number of select chapters numerous times. Each time a picked up the book I got something new out of it.
I would strongly recommend this for any Biotech professional as well as interested MBA students/professionals. It pulls together nicely a number of very important parts to creating a successful start up company (biotech included)
As a scientist my ungood grammar and lack of a more creative summary don’t do this outstanding book justice. Worth every penny of $60.
Software Executive Forecasts Major Impact by Mobile Applications … - MarketWatch
Business owners brace for rough ride - Bizjournals.com
Triangle braces for business and philanthropic impact - Bizjournals.com
Tags: Business, Investing book, Business Book
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September 29th, 2008
Investing in Business
Banks try to save the newspaper business
By letting McClatchy stay in business, the banks are risking that the value of the company’s papers will drop even more. If McClatchy is sold off in pieces now, creditors might get most of their money back. …
Article Writing Services Of Clerical Business Solutions
Today businesses that survive and prosper are those that outsource their work to responsible and timely vendors. We have article writing covered for you! Clerical business solutions provides article writing services …
Small Business Facts for September
ECONOMY - As the economy began to decline late last year and the Federal Reserve adopted the role as the principal decision-maker on economic policy, how much attention did small business owners and managers pay to activities of the …
Azerbaijan Top Global Reformer
The sixth in the World Bank Group’s annual series on business regulations, Doing Business 2009, launched on September 10th. There are two ways a country can make headlines with its ranking in this report. One way is to make it to the …
Tags: Business Book, Business, Investing book
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September 28th, 2008
Doing Business and Investing in Panama (World Business, Investment and Government Library) Strategic and practical information for conducting business and investing in the country. Business opportunities, regulations, contacts and more.
Weighed Down By Business Cards? Try Dropcard
I hate carrying business cards. There, I said it. While so much of my work-time is spent on-line or at various Wi-Fi shops with coffee coffee shops with Wi-Fi, carrying business cards is a necessary evil in our world. …
Microsoft adds incentives to small-business program - InfoWorld
QLD Smart Skills
Online learning for small businesses…
Everybody’s Business In Financial Food Chains, Little Guys Can’t Win - New York Times
Tags: Business Book, Investing book, Business
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September 27th, 2008
Keys to Investing in Mutual Funds (Barron’s business keys) Few investments are as widely appealing as mutual funds. They permit individuals–including those with limited knowledge of financial markets, those planning relatively small commitments, and those seeking long-term fiscal stability–to join larger groups purchasing a variety of securities managed by experienced professionals. These investments, however, should never be made blindly, and this new edition of Warren Boroson’s Keys To Investing in Mutual Funds explains everything necessary to understand all the benefits and risks.
Customer Review: May be dated, but a useful primer
This is an excellent book to get a good overview of what mutual funds are and why they are such a good investment vehicle for many people. Written in a lively, engaging style, it lays out in brief chapters essential concepts in easy-to-understand language. While it is now dated, it is still a great place to start.
German business confidence sinks (CNN.com)
BERLIN, Germany (AP) — German business confidence has hit a more than three-year low as manufacturers in Europe’s biggest economy are becoming increasingly pessimistic about their export prospects amid world market turbulence, a closely watched survey found Wednesday.
Romney, in Detroit, meets with Metro business execs (Detroit News)
DETROIT — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney met with 15 Metro-area business representatives for about an hour Thursday, talking about the economy and the proposed federal bailout of the financial industry.
Pride International names head of rig business (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Offshore drilling contractor Pride International Inc. said Thursday it named Randall Stilley, formerly the top executive at Hercules Offshore Inc., to oversee Pride’s mat-supported jackup rig business.
Business method patents for life insurance (Bangkok Post - Thailand’s English news)
Ideas, concepts, processes and solutions for designing new life insurance products are patentable business methods in other countries, so it is surprising that life insurance companies in Thailand can copy newly launched life insurance products.
Calendar of major business events Friday (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Major business events and economic events scheduled for Friday: WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department releases second-quarter gross domestic product, 8:30 a.m.
Tags: Business Book, Investing book, Business
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September 25th, 2008
Venture Capital Investing: The Complete Handbook for Investing in Private Businesses for Outstanding Profits (Financial Times Prentice Hall Books) “
- Venture capital and buyouts from the investor’s perspective
- Start-to-finish advice on identifying winning business opportunities
- Evaluating management, finance, products/services, growth opportunities, and exit strategies
- Essential reading for every VC, leveraged buyout (LBO) funds professional, angel, and private investor
High risk, spectacular return…that’s the idea behind VC investing. But smart investors reduce unnecessary risks and maximize return at every step.
You will discover realistic guidance for identifying hidden opportunities…assessing products and markets…evaluating entrepreneurs and managers…negotiating and closing deals…and much more.
Venture Capital Investing also includes insider’s tools for expert investing: everything from sample due diligence questions to psychological assessments of entrepreneurs.
Whatever your role in investing in new companies, this book can help you reduce your misfires–and supercharge your profits.
Venture Capital Investing shows VC investors and angels exactly how to weed through scores of business proposals and find the gem that will deliver outstanding returns.
You’ll learn how to assess entrepreneurs and their management teams, and systematically evaluate every facet of the opportunity they may or may not present. The authors walk you through assessing financial statements, market niches, and competitive environments; appraising the real value of new product and service innovations; and investigating businesses that are already operating. They also offer expert guidance on improving your odds by building effective partnerships with your portfolio companies.
The authors’ best-seller Venture Capital Handbook is the top book for entrepreneurs seeking funding. Now, in Venture Capital Investing, they’ve created a classic for everyone who invests in small- and medium-sized businesses. ”
Customer Review: False review
I’ve noticed same comment made (almost word by word) to the previous book of Gladstone (Venture Capital Handbook) meaning that they’re not reviews at all but sheer PR or advertisement to sell books. I didn’t buy both of them.
Customer Review: VC Investing Basics
Much updated from previous editions, David Gladstone’s useful text provides a very cursory survey of deal and investment techniques, albeit for slightly later than “sexy” stage deals. However, as this book is designed for the novice, and as Lipper’s text has fallen out of print, this sadly remains the only general text on VC investing for the inexperienced, and is useful in context of the level which it is designed to educate. While the many checklists may be somewhat annoying to seasoned VCs, they are probably indispensable to the novice investor, since they provide a summary framework when working through deal and business terms. And while the book is designed more for later stage (through certainly not LATE stage, as some have alluded to) deals, the book is, again, designed to educate the novice venture investor, who really shouldn’t be doing high tech start-ups anyway. Irrespective of that, anyone who presumes to write a text on investing in high tech start ups would likely find his text applicable only for the next few months after printing. Ours is an industry that evolves very quickly, and changes rapidly in accordance to the latest trends. No one can teach you how to pick the winners in the trend that hasn’t happened yet. Getting the basics from a text like Gladstone’s, however, can give you the fundamentals on which to build that “knack”.
IBM and Volvo plan to set up trade unions in China - Xinhua News Agency
BEIJING, Sept. 20 — Software giant IBM and Swedish automaker Volvo are among the latest batch of Fortune 500 companies doing business in China that plan to set up trade unions in the country, a senior union official said on Friday. Yang Honglin
Evaluating The Ledger - The Ledger
There are times when it is very difficult to read The Ledger, and the challenges seem to be increasing. The number of spelling, grammar, and syntax errors seems to be on the rise. Errors in headlines and poor word choice indicate that it is not just
Investor’s Business Daily - Yahoo Finance
Even amid a gloomy economy, specialty chemical makers continue to shine. The question is, will continued turmoil snuff out the industry’s light? Jefferies & Co. analyst Laurence Alexander says the chaos brings risk to specialty chemical makers such
Tags: Business Book, Investing book, Business
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September 20th, 2008
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