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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The Ultimate Power Grab - Douglas Castle's Applied Intelligence Report

The Ultimate Power Grab.
TheInternationalistPage at http://TheInternationalistPage.com
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Dear Colleagues, Members and Friends:

It is one thing to be victimized by a cleverly-disguised, subtle takeover of control...a plan or scheme of great engineering, elaborate progressive steps, and a formidable attempt at misdirection, distraction or obfuscation. It is much sadder to watch sovereign nations, deeply in debt due to years of systemic inefficiency, thievery and tremendous waste grope at the shrinking wallets of their citizens, states and businesses to pick up the tab so that they may continue their policy of empowering and enriching themselves.

Throughout the community of industrialized nations, governments are creating new agencies to "solve the problems" created by the old ones; they are trying to nationalize, federalize and control smaller geograpical subunits (already starved), businesses (except those who can afford it) and individuals to grab whatever funds they can to keep themselves afloat at the expense of their victimized constituents.

These big sovereigns are not serving or solving -- they are stealing in able to sustain themselves at the expense of the very citizenries which entrusted and empowered them. They only know how to take -- and they offer nothing in return except for specious rhetoric, steaming piles of teleprompted fertilizer about the "national security," "terrorist threats," and "protecting the people whom they are charged to 'serve'.

The one-time "slaves" have become the new masters. The one-time hosts have become the new parasites, metastasizing at an alarming rate, and with an instatiable appetite for money. They will either disregard laws or create new laws (and enforcement protocols) to get it. This effect is multiplied by the increased intertwining relationships and blurred lines between the highest levels of government and those corporate giants and financial institutions which are simply, to quote Man Of The Year Ben Bernanke, "Too Big to Fail."

Entrepreneurs and emerging enterprises which have not received the "Too Big To Fail" stamp of immortality are being starved of resources and being audited, harrassed and choked out of business...discouraged, burdened, scrutinzed andf beaten into submission only to increase the market share of the insatiable goliaths who are sleeping with their unholy respective governments. 

Without united entrepreneurial and activistic intervention the futurescape will be a bleak sci-fi scenario where a few giant olympians, in fortified quarters and armed to the pointed teeth, will be looking over a poverty-infested sea of the disenfranchised and doomed. I give this particular scenario five to eight years to become reality, unless there is an uprising which is serious enough to stop the trajectory of this voracious , amoral juggernaut which we have let grow, unpruned and untamed.

Then again, I should just bring you, gentle readers, up to date on the reality of what is occurring in the industrialized nations as I write this [this may well put a bit of a shiver up your spine]:

1. Federal governments are seizing legislative, regulatory and enforcement power from states and provinces;

2. As governments become increasingly concerned about the violence that often follows hunger and betrayal, they are tightening up on the law-abiding citizens' right to keep and bear arms. Of course, gun stores are now beseiged by old and new clients trying to get guns and ammunition in order to protect home, property and family. Criminals, both independent and government-sanctioned, are continuing to get unlimited access to weaponry, detection and defense sytems that would make any drug lord jealous -- are they are getting them through the traditional channels;

3. BP (British Petroleum) has created, and continues to sponsor, the greatest environmental and ecological catastrophe in the history of all of Humanity. They have been chastened by some politicians. But they are still the principal supplier of fuel to the militaries of several world powers. Look for very expensive and scarce seafood, decimated tourism, tarball-tossing competitions, a wordwide potable water shortage, and, as a bonus, along with the incredible inflation in prices of all basic and monopoly-run services and essential supplies within the next two fiscal quarters, look for oil to be back at in excess of $150 per barrel, with gasoline (in the US) priced at in excess of $5.00 per gallon at the pump. Think of all of those neanderthals who took their "cash for clunkers" and bought Humvees...Humvee housing might become a real possibility in certain trailer parks. Haitian-style tent cities might begin cropping up in parts of the Urban US.

4. Expect interest rates (the ones actually charged) by banks to increase dramatically, credit guidelines to become impossibly stringent, and conventional bank lending to all but dry up. Credit card abuses will continue. There will be an increasing number of homes available for sale throughout the civilized world due to a combination of economic depression and abandonment, but this supply will not be absorbed by the market regardless of the seeming "bargain potential" due to the fact that mortages will be very difficult to obtain. Foreign investors, prinicipally Asian, will be snapping up a great deal of real estate and other properties in the United States. At a 30% incremental savings rate, these people have savings and cash, while (whilst) the US citizens are borrowing as best they can to simply cover current living expenses.

5. Expect many large private companies and medium-sized publicly-traded companies, trusts and other entity forms in all of the industrialized nations to become increasingly popular targets of Asian acquirors who tend to be strategic, controlling buyers, and not merely passive investors. 

Economies which are held together by credit, impulsive consumption and propaganda often meet this type of fate. Watch, over the next few years (2010 - 2013) as companies, jobs, talent, minds, fortunes and the tax base flee the G-8 Nations and head to other established and emerging nations in a flight to safety and quality. After this expatriation phase, and some panicked border closings and limitations on travel, things should really heat up.

As they say in China (translated to English here), "May you live in interesting times."

I promise that you will.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle







Douglas Castle
Join my TNNWC Group, LLC collaborative business community (GICBC) at no cost by clicking on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC.


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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The BLUE TUESDAY Report, 07.06.2010 - Condensed RSS Version

[Drumroll is heard in the distance, followed by hoofbeats...]


July 6th, 2010 - Condensed RSS Feed Version

To quote one of the losers in our last "Think Of An Instructive, Yet Clever Rhyme To Illustrate to Readers How They May Best Access The Brilliant Articles Embedded In The Wildly Famous Rectangles Contained Within The BLUE TUESDAY Report, " Contest, a Mr. H. J. Bentitov from Moscow (formerly a K.G.B. operative, and now a Certified Financial Planner): "Click on shapes what's colored blue, so you may learn you something new. Yes?" Yes indeed, Mr. Bentitov.


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Monday, July 5, 2010

Laughter is the ...

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
Musician/Comedian, Victor Borge

Your action for today is to see if you can make somebody laugh. Alternatively, see if someone makes you laugh.


Click *here* to find out more about QuoteActions and some of the other innovative products and services offered by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER.

As the creator of the QuoteActions, a unique relationship building system, Rick Itzkowich finds his articles, podcasts and blog messages regarding keeping your brand "top of mind" in high demand. His latest eBook, Social Networking for Business Profits, uses cost-effective follow up strategies. Rick is also the Co-founder and Vice President of Productive Learning & Leisure, a personal development training company for corporations and individuals. Rick can be reached at rick@productivelearning.com.

For more about Rick Itzkowich, please click here.


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Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

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Control = Application of Information: "Don't Become a 'Mark' " - Douglas Castle












Don't Become a "Mark"

Dear Colleagues, Members and Readers:

If you are in a young and growing business, you will undoubtedly solicit advice from other "respected" sources. If they have the time and the inclination, they will generally be happy to talk about everything that is wrong with your business, your plan, your product, your presentation, your website and your choice of partners of personnel. Don't be offended -- this is strictly a function of Human Nature.

When you ask someone for advice, you have opened yourself up as an object of criticism, and the invariable barrage of negative comments you receive come from three types of behaviors:

1.  It is easier to find fault than to find what's good, and pay any compliments. There are far more critics than artists. Most people are trained to find fault, to place blame (wherever possible)  and walk away, satisfied that they have given you the unvarnished, occasionally tactless truth. Even if you've inititated the dialogue by asking, "Could you point out the strengths and weaknesses of...?" you can bet that the negatives will by far outweight the positives. It is also easier for most people to point out problems than to pose solutions;

2.  The old saying that "misery loves company," is quite true. Most people who are willing to offer their solicited or unsolicited criticisms will put you down to elevate themselves above their own failures. They have an emotionally vested interest in your failure. These folks are balloon-prickers. Their self-appointed duty is to be certain that you don't get "false hopes," and inadvertantly succeed where they themselves have failed;

3.  Consultants often sell their services by pointing out why you will fail. When you ask them (innocently) for a course of action or recommentation, they will not repond with a concrete solution...they will reply in generalities, talk about how they possess the knowledge and genius to help you, and start talking about "retainer." In these situations you have made yourself a "mark" and an unwitting victim to an individual who understands (very well) about how most persons in a position of weakness will jump at an offer of a cure from a seemingly self-assured, experienced "consultant" or "coach". Complicating matters, some of these persons are truly valuable, while others are opportunistic parasites. Knowing the difference is very important,

In soliciting opinions from third parties about your business, what you divulge, how you ask, and how you proceed are critical factors in the process of refining your business plan, products, presentation and policies. Here are some guidelines:
_______________

1. Frame your request properly. For example, "Would you take a look at our website, and list, in your opinion, the strongest points and the weakest points, so that we can discuss them together? We value your opinion, and we are very open to suggestion." Be proud, be brave -- but don't be cocky or seem unreceptive.

2. Give the third party as little information as possible. Do not share what you have heard from other parties. Do not sound negative or "bad-mouth" your own work effort or product. Don't set yourself or your business up to be the target of a multi-person assault or a pre-mature and unintended focus group.

3. Never, ever open up with a desperate phrase like "we need your help." Or, "a lot of people have been complaining that they just don't get our message..." and the like.

4. Listen carefully, and take notes (on both the praise and the criticism). Don't interrupt and insert your view, or discuss what others have said. Listen and take notes. When the process is finished, be thankful and simply ask, "What would you suggest that we do in order to strengthen our weak points?" You'll get some good infomation. Be gracious and keep taking notes. Then promise to get back in touch with the third party after you've made some changes. Follow-up judiciously, graciously and professionally.

5. If the feedback is largely negative, and you are dealing with an opportunistic coach, consultant or other professional service provider, respond with: "That sounds interesting. It's worth thinking about. Would you be kind enough to give us a written proposal with your suggestions and fee structure so that I can discuss it with my partners?" Hint: If no proposal appears within a few days, go no further, and simply move on. If a proposal does appear, take a good look at what is offered, and determine if it is something that you really need.

An important last comment is in order. You will get many suggestions and criticisms from each of the individuals whose opinions you solicit. Look for the common themes (both compliments and criticisms) that emerge through the process. The ones which occur most frequently are the ones that are most likely to need to be addressed, and as soon as possible. All of the other comments, both positive and negative, that are not duplicated in any second party's assessment should not be completely ignored, but they should be treat more as issues of taste, preference and opinion, than as matters of actionable fact.

Part of management is collecting data, analyzing it, weighing it and applying it when, as and if appropriate.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

TAGS, KEY WORDS, LABELS AND TERMS: application, information, controls, victimization, Articles by Douglas Castle, TNNWC, intelligent management, emerging enterprises, start-ups, advice, strategy, common mistakes, revealing vulnerability, controlling the flow of information, being decisive.

Douglas Castle
Join my TNNWC Group, LLC collaborative business community (GICBC) at no cost by clicking on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC.


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Sunday, July 4, 2010

TNNWC Update Bulletin - TNNWC Group - 07.04.2010


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UPDATE BULLETIN - TNNWC Group - 07.04.2010

Dear Members and Friends:


Much is happening at TNNWC Group, LLC., and with our grand works in process... our unparalleled SUITE OF SERVICES, our GLOBAL INTERWORKED COOPERATIVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ("GICBC") and our COOPERATIVE BUSINESS COMMITTEE ("CBC"), with its new Chairwoman, Bonnie Ross-Parker. Please take a look at our website at http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com, in order to learn more about these wonderful offerings to our Members.




We have also formed two interactive discussion forums on the topic of the CICBC, which we would truly like for you to join:


Here they are:
http://bit.ly/GICBCmovement (okay, okay...this last one is just access to a terrific download of information about our new and unique form of entity...the GICBC. We believe, as you will soon, that the GICBC is the perfect entity structure for collaborative and cooperative growth of the entrepreneurial and emrging enterprise sectors internationally. We cannot wait for any government agency to "bail us out" or some large corporate conglomerate to sponsor, support and secure us. But: we can absolutely help one another in this cutting-edge type of "civilian" organization!).


With all of our best,

Adam J. Kovitz and Douglas Castle,

THE NATIONAL NETWORKER NEWSLETTER
THE NATIONAL NETWORKER COMPANIES
TNNWC GROUP, LLC
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The National Networker Companies™ and TNNWC Group, LLC
Empowering Emerging Enterprises”
Membership in TNNWC’s Global Interactive Cooperative Business Community is free of charge and entitles you to receive both The National Networker Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report, as well as access to our unparalleled Suite of Business Services.
Join Us! Simply click on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC
Visit our website at http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com

Saturday, July 3, 2010

THE NATIONAL NETWORKER WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, ARTICLES AND UPDATES 07.04.2010 - [CONDENSED VERSION FOR RSS]

THE NATIONAL NETWORKER WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, ARTICLES AND UPDATES 07.04.2010 - [CONDENSED VERSION FOR RSS]


A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER: Independence
Adam J. Kovitz


Update Bulletin

UPDATE BULLETIN: TNNWC GROUP - 07.04.2010
Douglas Castle



In the Spotlight: Articles of Special Interest

VENTURE FINANCE – REALITY VS. RUMOR: For Entrepreneurs Only - Business Plans Q & A
Dick Brown


INTERNET MARKETING: THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS: "How Do Newbies Drive Business on a Budget?" Cost-Effective Lead Generation
Joyanne Sloan



Featured Columns

BEYOND THE CUBICLE – CORPORATE CULTURE: Anywhere, the Driver for Doing Business Tomorrow
Teri Aulph


CONTROL = APPLICATION OF INFORMATION: Don't Become a "Mark"
Douglas Castle


KALÖN WOMEN: Life is an Occasion
Joy Chudacoff


SALES AND MARKETING: Yes, the Medium IS the Message!
Bill Doerr


BEING THERE WHEN IT COUNTS: How Do You Monetize LinkedIn?
Rick Itzkowich


CONNECTING IS NOT ENOUGH: Why Do You Refer Others?
Andy Lopata


THE ENTREPRENEURIAL GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT
: Three Essential Components to Mega-Success

Sandy McKee


POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Networking in the NOW, Part 1
Patricia Parham, Ph.D.


BUILDING PROFITABLE LASTING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS: Resourcefulness Opens Unlimited Doors
Bonnie Ross-Parker


THE SLOGANATOR: You are Just Two Minutes and Two People from Your Next Referral
Rhonda L. Sher



TNNWC GROUP, LLC™

Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

Membership in TNNWC’s Global Interactive Cooperative Business Community is free of charge and entitles you to receive both The National Networker Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report, as well as access to our unparalleled Suite of Business Services.

Join Us! Simply click on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC

Visit our website at http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com

Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Cure For A Very Sick Economy (I've got two words for you...)

THE CURE FOR A VERY SICK ECONOMY (I've Got Two Words For You...)

To All Of You Economic Pundits, Policymakers and Politicians -

I have two words for you and they are neither "Happy Birthday!" nor "Let's Dance."

Nope. The two words contain within them the intuitively obvious but ever-receding medication to curing a very sick economy:

Reward Productivity.


This is where it begins. When you reward productivity, innovation, efficiency, courage and genuine entrepreneurship, you are helping to create value rather to re-finance an ever-increasing debt. 

The only true economic stimulus must involve an incentive to produce. Any other theory of "stimulus" is irrational enough to be laughable. We cannot refinance our way out of debt, nor can we magically create prosperity by throwing money into subsidies, bailouts, do-nothing jobs working for do-nothing newly-minted government agencies (In the United States, we are creating lots of governmental agencies and "job" opportunities), welfare programs and temporary fixes.

Sadly, in the real world, we must ultimately EARN a PROFIT by CREATING VALUE in order to PAY OFF our DEBTS and other expenses. This applies to households, companies and sovereign states. Our US National Debt is almost up to 66% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Other nations are facing similar "phenomena".

These "phenomena" are the predictable result of continuously rewarding inefficiency and failure, while stifling productivity and creative effort. It's a function of Human Nature... in a society where there are no positive incentives for productivity and earnest effort and when there are rewards for wastefulness, greed and selfishness ("too big to fail," eh? The chill in the air portends our dangerous proximity to a giant iceberg. Stop me if you've heard this one before --).

The worst investment decision a society can make is to pour its resources into proven losers, and to pull the fiscal rug out from under the could-be winners. This ridiculous, inculcated and all-pervasive philosophy of "entitlement without earning" will prove fatal if sensibility doesn't intervene.

Oh, and by the way -- the problem is not capitalism at all. The problem is institutionalized greed compounded by incredible inertia.

A civilization which punishes the producers and rewards the idle, and which always pays off the gambling debts of the privileged few with the very sustenance of the starving masses will not remain standing.

But let's not discuss the notion of "rewarding productivity." It's so archaic, and causes emotional distress. I mean, even thinking about work is downright unpleasant. Let's just pick up our fiddles and play a reel while the flames grow higher around us. Since we are so entitled, surely, someone will rescue us. And after all, someone always has in the past...right?

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle


Douglas Castle
Join my TNNWC Group, LLC collaborative business community (GICBC) at no cost by clicking on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC.

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TNNWC GROUP, LLC™

Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

Membership in TNNWC’s Global Interactive Cooperative Business Community is free of charge and entitles you to receive both The National Networker Newsletter and The BLUE TUESDAY Report, as well as access to our unparalleled Suite of Business Services.

Join Us! Simply click on http://bit.ly/JoinTNNWC  

Visit our website at http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com