The Blog of Leon Apel

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  admin 11:22 am on August 11, 2011 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  How to Solve the Global Debt Crisis 

  The best way to realistically solve the global debt crisis is to focus on energy. Indebted nations like America should focus on BIG REVENUE-PRODUCERS ONLY that lower the trade deficit/create a surplus.

  It’s important to Keep it Simple Stupid (KISS) because most people are more effective focusing on one simple task rather than multi-task. Two big sources of the trade deficit are

  1) imports of ENERGY and
  2) GOODS from Asia.

  Indebted nations like the US can’t realistically beat Asia on cost. Therefore, indebted nations should subsidize specific proposals that lower energy dependence (eg. companies like Tesla) and increase tariffs on undesirable energy.

   

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  admin 11:14 am on August 7, 2011 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  Word Choice Reveals Naked Intentions 

  One of the clearest signs of an unsuitable candidate is an unclear answer to your question.  If you ask a specific question, you should receive a specific answer.

  With most employees, you have to create near a recipe book to ensure there is no possibility for error and create a tome of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

  When hiring, or considering potential partners, if you hear language like “I’ll try,” indirect answers to questions, or long, drawn out answers, you should place a yellow flag.

  The vast majority of people fall into the camp of requiring extremely specific instructions. Only people who have absolutely mastered a task and have a demonstrated track record, should be allowed more open discretion. By providing discretion, humans will react predictably to incentives.

  To be open to discretion, employees need to consider other people’s interests/goals. Many people are so wrapped up in their own worlds that they don’t consider other people’s interests. This is why only a small group of people are good deal-makers. You must be able to understand the perspective of all stakeholders to arrive at a satisfactory outcome.

   
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  admin 8:35 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  How to Cancel Unproductive In-Person Meetings 

  I’ve had no problem doing over 90% of my deals on the phone and over email. However, occasionally, I get the “in-person meeting request” and, from several empirical tests, I’ve found these to be mostly time-wasters, especially with prospective deals.

  The following is now my go to line:

  To be honest, I only like in-person meetings if they’re an absolute must or when there is a clear deadline or deal to tackle. I’m sure you’re a nice person . However, from a great deal of empirical data, email/phone is far more productive to assess new deals.

  At the same time, I definitely found industry events useful, especially in finding new opportunities, and strengthening relationships with existing partners.

   
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  admin 8:15 am on June 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  The Future of Shopping is Buying Direct 

  1. Manufacturers are now be empowered by technological advances and can reach their target audiences far more efficiently and effectively.
  2. Therefore, the future of shopping will progress increasingly towards consumers buying directly from a manufacturer to be competitive.
  3. Manufacturers who think they can rely solely on a retailer, who marks up price 25-75% (or more), will be forced to adapt to secure market share.
  4. Virtually all brokers are the result of a temporary market inefficiency. Of course, brokers add value but in many cases streamlining processes and technology will create a more efficient marketplace
   
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  admin 6:39 am on March 11, 2011 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment  

  Play Consistently and Competently to Succeed 

  Trying hard or trying to be smart are no substitute for doing it right. You have to play correctly/competently.

  A chess player who tries their best with brute force by working hard/long hours on learning the game through practice will not necessarily going to be a grand master.

  A chess player who has the most intelligence about the game will not necessarily become a grand master.

  A chess player who executes the optimal strategies with consistency is a more likely candidate to become a grand master.