applied know how
The Guardian reports; Voting in Indonesia’s presidential election has finished with both sides claiming an early victory and a messy couple of weeks in the offing.
• Quick counts – sample polls counted to give an indication of the overall result – suggested that former Jakarta governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the favourite going into the election, had triumphed. Jokowi told supporters that he had scored a victory.… Read more
One concept I’ve slowly learnt from business is that contrary to the commonly held wisdom, people who make the opening offer in a negotiation have the upper hand.
I’m currently looking for a house, overseas. And when I come to view places, typically there is a price indicated. Although I may disagree with it, that price certainly puts a value perception in my mind about the house.… Read more
Societe Generale is out with its famous quarterly black swan chart.
Black swan events are those that have a low probability of occurring, but also have the potential to roil financial markets if they occur.
With a 30% probability, a Chinese hard landing (four straight quarters of below 5% growth) poses the most significant downside risk, according to SocGen.
They think the likely triggers will be domestic issues.… Read more
Possibly yes.
Here’s a quick review of what’s currently impacting oil pricing.
The violence in Iraq continues as radical Islamist militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) try to seize more territory in the northern part of the country. Iraq is the second largest oil producer in OPEC (after Saudi Arabia) and the conflict is likely to affect production in the region.… Read more
“and now a few words from our sponsor” (audible groans I as ascend the stage)
… or “Les, we thought we’d kick of the training session -as you’re here- with a few words from you”
I think I’ve been introduced this way over a hundred times in my management career. I was rarely warned, and rarely prepared. But I coped. At the beginning badly, but as time and experience wore on, I coped better.… Read more