Why Digital Marketing Is The Way Forward

by: Anita Lyon


Digital marketing solutions are a must for companies attempting to progress into the new age. Standard advertising and marketing tactics are far less effective these days, but why. Well it's pretty simple actually, cost and reach. In days gone by, focusing your entire marketing budget into newspaper, radio or magazine advertising campaigns could be sufficient for some businesses. Nowadays, readership in print media is down almost across the board, and that is largely due to the rise of the internet. Why stop and buy the newspaper when you can get to your office go online and read all the news you can handle without having to hand over any money. With this rise, came the dawn of digital marketing. For many top companies, digital marketing involves a lot more than just public relations. It is an integration of the right technology, equipping your staff with the right skills and streamlining the way you turn browsers into customers. Remember, attracting attention is great, but
paying clients is what you are actually after when you use digital marketing services.

Here are some tips to help you kick-start your journey into the digital marketing era:

• Set goals: Decide what you want to achieve, then you can properly plan the steps needed to get there. When using your website as a marketing tool, consider attracting visitors through Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). You should also integrate a decent analytics system to properly monitor the visitor movement on your site.

• Create an identity: The rise of social media has allowed companies to connect with their customers on a deeper level. It also makes marketing to these interested parties that much more effective.

• Email marketing is a must: Many people will compare email marketing to pamphlet drops. In a way they are similar, except with email marketing it is far more effective both in its ability to attract customers and the number of people it reaches.

• Help your customers: Try using a blog as a standalone marketing tool. Here you can share helpful information about products, share thoughts on certain topics and also provide more in-depth answers that your customers may be searching for.

These are just a few of the things to keep in mind when taking your first step into digital marketing. Although it is quite possible for you to do it yourself, choosing a leading digital marketing company will definitely give you the edge. There has never been a better time than now to implement digital marketing solutions for your company.

About The Author
Anita Lyon is a Professional freelance SEO Copywriter and writes on various topics. If you are looking to gain a better understanding about digital marketing solutions visit Acceleration, the leaders in Digital Marketing Services.

What will 2011 Bring?

Two years and counting until 12-21-12.  What economic trends will occur in 2011?  Boom or Bust?

I'll go out on a limb and say the first half of 2011 will be a "Bull Market" worldwide, with a further huge rise in Commodities like gold, rare earths, and oil... as shortages loom.

Pushing further out on this thin limb, the second half of 2011 will be not so good.  New climate calamities, war, and disease will bring down all world markets to their lowest point in 10 years.  In my humble opinion!

COULD I BE AN FUND MANAGER?

Nine business days ago today, I created a 'stock portfolio' for testing purposes, with $1 Billion.  It contains stocks, commodities and ETFs.  It is heavy in gold, silver, oil, natural gas, and pharmaceuticals.  There are no banks, retail, or many technology stocks.  It also contains several Chinese Stocks.  I like commodities and always have, even when it was "real" money.

To date, in nine business days of trading, I have made a $57 Million profit.  Could I be a Fund Manager?

The $1 Billion Gamble

On Monday of this week I invested $1 Billion into my CNBC Portfolio and over the week bought a varied mix of 36 stocks , commodities, pharmaceuticals, and ETFs.  Today at 12:45 ET, I am up $2.4 Million for the day and $6.5 Million for the week.  Of the original amount 35% is still cash, 15% stocks, and 49% ETFs.  I plan on lowering my cash position to 15% next week.

I wish I had done this years ago, with real money! 

"Playing the Game"

Bill Gates, Warren buffet...those guys didn't get $50B+ investing in stocks and bonds.  I managed to triple my money in my 401K in 18 months.  In my game I've made $25,000 in one day (also lost that much)  so I was wondering.....how much does one have to invest to make $1 Million dollar profit in one day?

I added one billion dollars to my "pretend" account.....that's one thousand million dollars!

Even buying blocks of 500,000 shares.......in 30 minutes of stock picking I only manged to 'buy' about $400 Million worth of stock and Gold.  Today,  I only made $230,000.......what the hell?  Tonight I'll see if I can find another $400 million to invest in.  This is harder than I thought it would be!

Market Stretegy for Monday October 18, 2010

I dumped all my ETF's stock, etc to cash...except for my favorite Gold ETF (GLD) of which I took a position of 1000 shares.

Further terrorist threats on European targets, notably France may cause concern to the Euro and hopefully, for me, run up the price of  gold.  Yes folks, evil Capitalists make money in tragedy and war.

Rise of the Machines

Great segment on "60 Minutes" last night in regards to trading, as much as 70%, of all stock trades by Supercomputers!  They are taking over.  It also explains how folks using 'math' are creating market trends that have no basis in world events...they are being "logical" instead.  Well I can see this being regualted after the next computer driven melt-down!

Doom and Gloom in the US Market

I have been lucky to be able to use my friends laptop, while he is visiting China for three months.  I have been able to watch the open of the Asian Markets, watch them mostly rise, and feeling optimistic, bet heavy on a positive US Market rise.  Nos so fast...as Asia rise, Europe and the USA have fallen.  Today, October 4th is a good example.


My paper portfolio, heavy for the first time in US stocks, lost over $10,000 this AM, before I could dump them and switch to Asian stocks and ETF's.  For the time being i am going back to 100% Asia, commodities like GOLD, and Chinese ETF's and short the DOW.
I will stop being "Optimistic" and go back to not trading on a Friday or a Monday!  I did quite well following my "gut" feeling about that.

Let chaos reign!

The Federal Reserve

Many anti-federalists oppose big Federal Government.  They want to return the power to the states and local governments, thinking in error, that will protect their constitutional rights somehow.

The real power of the Federal Government is the Federal Reserve System and it's Chairmen, yielding power to almost rival that of the President

Why don't these "New-Federalists" propose the abolishment of the Federal Reserve, an agency that has outlived it time.

Today for example the world economy was shaking in it's boots, awaiting a few lame crumbs from the Reserve Chairman...markets fell worldwide in anticipation of bad news!  Only now, prior to the close, have they marginaly rose higher.

I say it's time for the Dictatorship of the Federal Reserve to end!

Get Googled And Build Credibility

Copyright (c) 2003 by Angela Booth

Value your privacy? Get over it. The bad news is that thanks to the Web, privacy no longer exists. Get Googled, and within a few short seconds anyone who knows your name will be able to learn quite a bit about you.

Try it. Go to Google (http://www.google.com), and type in your name. I just did a search query for "Angela Booth" and Google returned a search of over 95, 000 pages. If you have a Web site, post a message on Usenet, sell on eBay, or do much of anything other than breathe, you're caught, like a butterfly in amber, in the sticky World Wide Web courtesy of Google.

Bad as this may be for privacy, this is good news if you're trying to build a business. It means that if you focus some of your marketing and promotion time on getting your name out on the Web, you're building your credibility.

Suddenly all those direct-mail letters that you've been sending out carry a bit more weight. You're more than a slip of paper, a stamp and an envelope. You're a Google-presence.

So how do you build credibility out of being Googled?

The fastest way is to write a couple of information-rich articles, and post them on your Web site. Sure, this is a little bit of work, but not much. You can write, can't you? Within a month or so, your name will appear on Google.com. Over time, your name will also pop up on the Web's other search engines.

You don't have a Web site? You need one, and if you can type and you've got an hour to spare you can get one. Many, many Web site hosting companies offer site hosting for next-to-nothing a month. These hosting companies are catering to non-technical people who want a hassle-free site, so they make it as easy as they can by offering site templates. All you do is pick a template, type in your information (or copy and paste), and in less than an hour you've got a pretty good site that works great as an online portfolio and information resource for your clients.

Continue writing articles. Write one a month, and post them on your Web site. You can also offer them to other Web sites to publish. You do this by joining a few article announcement lists and sending your articles to the lists. To find these lists, go to Yahoo groups (http://groups.yahoo.com) and search for "article announce". Ezine publishers and Web sites owners will pick up your articles. Suddenly, you're Google-cred goes up.

Note, that I said "information rich" articles. Some small business owners write puff pieces about themselves and their business, and guess how much credibility this builds? People search for information online, so your articles must contain useful information.

You won't suddenly get a dozen new clients directly from your online articles. You get them indirectly. For example, when someone I don't know sends me an e-mail message and I'm interested in what they say, the first thing I do is Google them. In five seconds, I know whether I want to pursue the relationship or not.

If you're sending out direct mail letters introducing yourself and your services, you can bet that those prospects who are interested in what you have to offer will Google you. If you're revealed as knowledgeable in your field, you're suddenly credible.

So go ahead, use Google.com to your promotional advantage. It's a powerful tool to build credibility for your business.

---

Veteran multi-published author and copywriter Angela Booth crafts words for your business --- words to sell, educate or persuade. E-books and e-courses on Web site. FREE ezines for writers and small biz: http://www.digital-e.biz

Investing In Gold Bullion

by G Smith 
Today I am 100% invested in Gold.........in a practice investment account, my position is $998,000 in GOLD!  In a few hours I'll see how I did. (BentnWasted)
 
For thousands of years Gold has been used as currency and been
a highly prized precious metal. Gold has always been a favored
investment to hedge your portfolio against inflation. Gold
prices in the international gold market can remain fairly
stable through times of instability, recession and currency
fluctuations.

The ways of investing in gold can be via purchasing physical
gold bullion in the form of gold bars or gold rounds, minted
gold coins. Gold shares in gold mining companies are also
available and various types of gold funds or mutuals that are
managed by professional investors.

Holding at least a small percentage of your stock portfolio in
gold bullion is always a good idea. The relatively stable price
of gold can help insure your investment portfolio against
economic instability. Gold bullion prices may fluctuate over
the years but gold investments are highly unlikely to get
devalued and have performed well over recent years.

Gold coins have a legal tender face value in the countries
currency that they were minted, and can be easier to dispose of
if you need to liquidate your gold assets. Many types of gold
bullion rounds or gold coins are available, such as American
Eagles, Krugerrands, Sovereigns, Canadian Maples, Australian
Gold Nuggets, Chinese Gold Pandas and many more. Gold bullion
bars are available in many different sizes upto 400 ounce size.
The 400 oz bullion gold bar is the London Good Delivery bar
size. Good delivery bars must meet certain specifications, they
must weigh between 350oz - 430oz and be of a minimum purity of
99.5% pure Gold. These London Good Delivery bullion bars are
normally held by central banks and not usually held by smaller
private investors.

Mining shares can be lucrative but their performance depends on
the success of the mine and the general standing of the mining
company you are investing in. Therefore mining stocks may not
follow the general trend of the gold fix market, but can
outperform the market if the mining company is particularly
successful.

A precious metals gold managed fund can provide a more diverse
gold stocks portfolio. The funds manger may invest in various
precious metals and gold shares spreading any risk between a
selection of stocks. Precious metals mutuals are available that
also invest in other metals such as Silver, Platinum and
Palladium as well as gold stocks.

The most cost effective way to invest in physical gold is to
buy larger bullion bars. Gold bullion in bar form offers the
lowest gold dealers percentage over the gold market price,
depending on the bars size the dealers premium over fix can be
as low as 2% - 5%. Compared to the premium on various gold
coins of between 7% - 20% or more gold bullion bars appear much
more attractive financially. Although the fact that gold bullion
rounds or coins are much more liquid than bars may sway your
decision to purchase bars. Gold coins can be disposed of on the
open market fairly easily and quickly in comparison to large
gold bars. Coins are also much easier for the smaller investor
or private individual to obtain and to store. There is also the
collectable and historical value that gold coins have against
gold bullion bars.

About The Author: Gold bullion investment tips and live gold
fix market price charts visit http://www.gold-fix.co.uk For
silver,gold and platinum live price quotes and information
visit http://www.goldfix.net

Betting the Farm....Again

Today, in retrospect was supposed to be a huge "up" day, according to Asian markets late last night.  Was down $1200 in DDM, sold out at 8:00 AM PT and bought and equal amount ($80,000) woth of my favorite DXD.  Oh well, it's only fake money.

Obama speaks and hatches another bogus stimulus pan which spends more $Billions .....Market drops like an elevator.  He should stay off TV, but his ego is to big.

Bet the Farm? Oh my!

Ok, playing the market game I shorted the market on 8/25 & 8/26....made $2000, got greedy and shorted the market this AM....lost $2000 in four hours, thanks to the FED.

Sold out of the EFT DXD and bought, FXI (Chinese EFT) .....up $600 so far this morning.  Hey, it's only imaginary money!

Restaurant Marketing

by: Massimo Montone

Marketing is defined as a communications-based process where individuals and people discover that their existing or new needs and wants can be satisfied with products and services of others; in your case, your restaurant.

The question is - do you need a marketing plan for your restaurant or are you waiting for guests to come in?

If you are full every shift, maybe not. Unless you want to achieve greater profits, however a marketing plan means thinking in advance. Don’t wait until the revenue goes down to do it. Do it before and fill your seats.

In order to get the marketing plan for your restaurant right, you need to have a good understanding of your potential customers and be clear on why they make decisions to buy from you and not from someone else.

Subsequently, to get it right, you want to look at all of the following factors:

• Nature of the market.

• Customers.

• Competitors.

• Financial and marketing history.

• The industry as a whole.

• Any external influences, such as events, festivals etc.

Obtain a good analysis of what and where your guests are coming from and how often customers are visiting your restaurant.

When writing a restaurant marketing plan, you have to consider the seven Ps of marketing - plus one of mine.

• Product.

• Price.

• Place.

• Promotions.

• People.

• Process.

• Physical evidence.

• Positive.

Let’s focus on the last four for a moment.

To have a good competitive advantage, you need to focus on people, therefore get the right staff and training to deliver what people expert from your business. Aptitude and service knowledge needs to be equal to what your customers are outlaying.

The process is the system you have to implement and follow. Consistency is essential in order to get it right and supply what you are offering. Every step in the process is important - from the few words spoken to a guest when they call to make a booking, to the conversation during a guest’s departure.

Physical evidence is a critical ingredient of the restaurant service mix; your guests make perceptions based on their view of the restaurant. Make sure you keep your restaurant clean, friendly, fun, organized and an enjoyable place to be.

People are attracted by positive statements and positive organizations. Do everything in your power to keep your business and everyone who works for you POSITIVE. If you have great power and energy, eventually this will pass on to your guests.

http://www.restaurant-success-course.com/

The strategy

A restaurant should spend at least somewhere between 6% and 8% of the total sales in marketing, but the idea is to do marketing when you are busy. Don’t wait until you are quiet. Remember, for a restaurant it is more, much more difficult and more expensive to do external marketing.

What you want to do is to invest in your current guests, and build loyalty and relationships. However, most restaurants spend 85-90% of their budget trying to get new customers.

What we are going to look at now is how to do that effectively by using simple tactics.

Signage:

You want to have branded signage that is the best on your street, considering relevant laws.

Flyers:

Don’t be scared to distribute flyers if you are opening, reopening, or launching a new dinner menu. It is the most powerful mode of direct marketing and if done right can result in a fantastic return on investment.

Newsletters:

Before creating a newsletter, list on your website reasons for visitors to register, by giving out a receipt or a free drink if they book online. Once you have your mailing list, do a newsletter every week, informing guests of your news, menus and once in a while offer something to them as a thank you for being on the list.

The internet has become one of the most powerful marketing tools for restaurants. So, make sure your restaurant is up to speed.

Food testing:

Have your positive staff members offer samples in places where your potential customers congregate.

One to one:

Go around town, or in front of your business dressed in a themed costume (for example, if you sell pasta, dress up as such) and hand out your flyers. I know businesses that have used that tactic in bad times who are now extremely successful.

Themed Dinners:

On slow nights offer diners a reason to come to the restaurant. For example, on Mondays offer wine at cost price, lunchtime specials or a specific set menu that is cheaper during slow times. Remember, give your guests reasons to come in.

Prize Draw:

Have fishbowls for collecting business cards and offer chances to win prizes, for example, dinner for two.

Website:

Make sure your website is interesting and well presented, but most importantly, make sure your information is CORRECT. I see many restaurant websites that feature old menus or outdated information. Many people before they buy something make a decision to check the internet for information and reviews. This includes restaurants. More than 50% of adults aged between 18 and 44 have used the internet to gain information before going to a new restaurant.

Comments Card:

Ensure that if you decide to have one, it is professionally presented and offer a prize for completing one, for example a bottle of wine. Obtain the guest’s information, for example, e-mail or phone number to increase your customer database.

Loyalty Program:

You may want to create a loyalty card for regulars by giving 20% off the bill, or offering a free bottle of wine with every fifth dinner.

Happy hour:

Make people stop for a drink after work by offering a two for one drinks or free starters.

Live Entertainment:

Select a specific night to do live music. Be specific about what you are playing, could be jazz, or another genre of music.

Some restaurant operators have on the back of their personal business card the message, “please come and have a drink on me.” This is a very powerful strategy!

Remember that you must offer great customer service and warmth to your visiting customers. Make them have fun and have an exceptional experience, so that they tell their family and friends about their positive experience.

Only then you will have the best form of marketing - free marketing!

http://www.restaurant-success-course.com/

About The Author

Meet Massimo - Professional Restaurant Coach

Massimo Montone is the author of the Money Making Restaurant Success Course, and founder and creator of the Expert Restaurant Coaching Program EPER module for restaurant success.

He is a successful Manager and Life Coach Professional, creating solutions for restaurants and bars around the world, using innovative consultancy skills to quickly assess new opportunities in-house and externally - to capture market potential in the hospitality sector.

Introduced to the restaurant business at very young age in Italy, Massimo ran his family’s successful restaurant and was educated at one of the world’s best culinary schools. He then went on to work in some of the finest kitchens in London, gaining much ‘hands on’ experience. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Management. Moreover, his professional vision helps him see the restaurant business from the ‘outside of the box.’

Massimo’s unique and positive approach to people management makes him one of the best in the field of personal development training for restaurant managers and owners. His workshops are fun, easy to understand, practical, interactive, informative and full of energy.

An author of the Money Making Restaurant Success Course and creator of the Expert Restaurant Coaching Program, Massimo Montone is a leader in professional restaurant success coaching and consultancy.

http://www.restaurant-success-course.com/

The author invites you to visit: http://www.restaurant-success-course.com

It’s Easy to Make Money in the Market

OK, I am 50% through an MBA in Management, but don’t consider myself a “Broker”. Yet, I am able to make $500-$1500 per day in the market. Not a big deal, can’t buy a house or a huge yacht with that, but hey, it could be a “living”. I started with $50,000 in January 2009 and the “Portfolio” as of June 18, 2010 is now $132,000. This increase is from 100% reinvestment of profits and trades, and with zero additional funds.

The last few days I have shorted the Euro currency. Last week I shorted the DOW. I like commodities, so I invest in oil stocks, gold, and silver. I mostly trade in $10,000 blocks, and for a day or two in time. When the market is really volatile, I sit on a hoard of cash, perhaps for weeks. It doesn’t grow, but it doesn’t get erased either. Is there a “secret”?

There is no secret, other than a sense of world events on markets, analyzing data from various sources and making a strategic guess, based on that data. I look at charts, but don’t analyze them. I believe political events effect the market as much as, “Investment Strategy”. I like my “gut” reaction to data, and then go for it!

You are probably thinking, “If it’s so easy, why doesn’t everyone do it?” I am thinking that myself!

Gold and Short the Market

Yes I  squawk about GOLD and Shorting the Market in here, but the European Crisis is here for the rest of 2010 folks.  My "Portfolio" gained back my $10,000 loss after I shorted the market almost 100% and bought more gold stocks...in the last two days!

I can see the Euro going 2/$1 USD by years end and GOLD at $1400+ oz.  The bulk of the Eu is Bankrupt and many times worse off than Greece.  I can't see a few $Trillions in liquidity of cash anywhere, to bail out the entire EU.  Strangely Russia, China, and India are not on this list.  Does this mean unregulated Capitalism just sucks?  Who can say?

Remember, "Today is the best day of the rest of your life!"

Short the Market

Dumped hundreds of shares of Exxon, GE, Gold Coins, Cash, and put them in DXD, shorting the market.  Portfolio increased $1500+ today.

In Five years (or less) the DJIA will be 5,000!

Buy Gold and Oil Stocks

Today I toyed with my "portfolio"........sold 250 shares of Exxon, 200 shares of GE, and some other trades and bought 26, one ounce gold coins...Canadian Maple Leafs, for $31, 300+.........gee, now I suppose I have to get a $5,000 Gun safe to store it in.  Oh well. It appears anyone can make money in the market.

Random Thoughts

The Death of the Middle Class – yeah, that's over, soon there will be the upper 5% and the rest. Gone are the days when a $50,000/yr job was a good job, now it's the “working poor”. Many have known for some time that the USA’s bloated economy was unsustainable, now, everyone knows. The “American Dream” is dead. Now there is the “Chinese Dream” and the “Indian Dream”.

Why isn't your income directly related to your IQ?

How much will the last gallon of gasoline on Earth be worth?

If all cars were Electric, there is not enough generating capacity anywhere on Earth to charge them all at once!

God does not reward you with wealth.

A college degree is inversely proportional to your loan debt vs salary expectations, divided by actual salary.

Someone should invent an economic system based on need, rather than conspicuous consumption.

Twitter "Blogvermercial" unplugged on 4-15-10

I am ending by "Blogvermercial" Twitter account, and adding it to my "Bentnwasted" Twitter account....too many accounts, too little time to post. Hope to see followers there!

How to Perform a Job Search

by: Jimmy J. Davis

Going on a job search can often be a very harrowing experience for many people around the world. However, it doesn't have to be, especially if you are well organized and plan things out. If you know where and when to search, then finding work should come a little bit easier to you. But you need to realize that you will have to put some time and effort into the venture. It's not very often that jobs will just fall into your lap.

It's often been said to job seekers that "it's not what you know it's who you know." However, while this may certainly be the case for some people, it's definitely not the norm. So be prepared to show your skills and talents when being interviewed for a position. Make sure you can live up to your resume.

And speaking of resumes, it's essential that you have one and that it's up to date. It must also be well organized and error free. If you need help creating one, there are many types of agencies that can help you out. It's almost impossible to get a job these days without a good resume as well as an accompanying cover letter.

When going on a job search it certainly will help if you know exactly what type of employment it is you're looking for. There are some people who are desperate and will take anything, but if this isn't your case, then decide on the field of work that appeals to you. If you've just graduated from college or lost a previous job you probably have a good idea.

If you're one of those people who just can't seem to make up their mind about the type of job or career you'd like, then you may want to get some help. There are a lot of employment-related agencies around the world that will give you tests to see what field of work appeals to you and what you're qualified for. Most of these agencies charge a fee, but some countries offer government programs that are free.

Once you know the type of work you're looking for then it's a good time to start your job search. There are various places to look for work. You can start off with the classified ads of your local newspaper and the job board at the regional employment office. Job agencies are also a good place to look as are online classifieds.

In fact, there is usually a wealth of jobs available on the internet as there are many sites that are designed to help people in a job search. These websites usually have a listing of available employment opportunities in a variety of categories and fields. They're usually updated on a daily basis and some of them will even send you the job listings to your email address.

If your job search leads to an interview make sure you take it seriously and are well prepared for it. Be sure to dress appropriately and be on time for the interview. Having some knowledge of the company and their field of expertise will also go a long way in helping you land a job.

About The Author



Jimmy J. Davis is the article writer for three major Texas job sites. For more career advice visit http://www.thetexasjobsource.com, http://www.texasjobfaircalendar.com and http://www.houstonjobdepot.com.

So Much for the Bull Market

All week long this week, headlines bragging about the Bull Market.  So, I move stock around, buy-sell, pick the close for today....and bam.. the market falls!  Uh huh.  Bull Dookey is what it is!

Portfolio Revision Strategy and "Pick the Close"

Yeah, the market manipulators are messing with the stock market again.  I say bear, they say bull....no apparent reason for either.

I sold the DXD ETF and bought a range of about 12 stocks with growth prospects, still shorting the Asian market!  I'm down about $3000 in the last week.

With regards to the "Pick the Close"contest on CNBC, I started out in the low 300's, but my next 7 picks are in the mid 5,000 of number of contestants.....LOL.  Then I realized these guys have software that analyzes the market, etc to predict the close.  Uh huh.  I have yet to find one that works on my system or can work from my flash drive!   My "guessing" now has more of a mathematical bent!   Who says all that calculas and math I took in college was for nothing?

Double Dip Could Begin in This Sector: Distress Expert

Published: Monday, 1 Mar 2010 | 3:45 PM ET 

By: Reuters

U.S. manufacturers are still struggling with the economic downturn and there is substantial risk the U.S. economy could face a double-dip recession, a private equity investor who specializes in turning around struggling industrial companies said Monday.

"I think there is a very real possibility of a double dip out there," said Michael Psaros, co-founder and managing partner of KPS Capital Partners LP.

He cited the distress he continues to see among U.S. manufacturers.

"Washington cannot continue to spend money like it has. When that stimulus stops, I don't think there is sufficient private market consumer demand to run with," Psaros said at the Reuters Private Equity and Hedge Funds Summit in New York on Monday. 

Psaros oversees $2.6 billion in funds, specializing in turnaround, restructuring and bankruptcy situations. In the past year his firm has done deals that acquired the maker of Waterford and Wedgwood crystal, and owner of High Falls Brewing Company. It also owns HHI holdings, a U.S. auto parts maker that specializes in wheel bearings. 

He said that while the markets may be recovering, there is a "disconnect" between the market and what is happening on the ground at U.S. manufacturers, where the effects of a deep decline that started in 2008 are still being felt. 

"In June 2009 we hit bottom, and since that time the industrial manufacturing economy has continued to remain at the June 2009 levels," Psaros said.

"Until this country puts 25 million Americans back to work, we're in a recession."

Psaros said the risk of a double-dip recession was greater than 50 percent, partly because so many companies were only putting "Band-Aids" on their problems by extracting agreements from lenders and bondholders to cut or delay debt, without really fixing their companies.

"I think a lot of the professionals that are sitting in banks and financial institutions were prepared to kick the can down the road, once, maybe twice, but when you have a borrower who has essentially defaulted on its obligations on more than one occasion, it gets to a point where you are looking at a regulator in the eyes and you have to fess up and say you made a bad loan."

Psaros said he expects a "crescendo" of failures to appear over the next few years as lenders and companies struggle with these agreements.

But for companies that are focused on cost management and aligning their businesses to a new reality, Psaros said he sees a brighter future.

"If and when we have an economic recovery, for manufacturers like us that have cut costs so much to the bone, it's not going to take a lot of revenue growth for cash flow to turn into profits," Psaros said.

Debtor Nations

CNN’s web page had an interesting slideshow this past week. It was the top 20 debtor nations in the world. Most nations on the list were members of the European Common Market. In fact Greece one of the large debtors, has been in the news for possible default on its debt, shaking confidence in the stock market.

Not making the headlines are several other European countries that are even worse off financially than Greece: Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, the worst of the lot.

In my minimal background of economics, when your debt equals 500X to 1000X times your GDP…your bankrupt! This is the sad state of most of the European Union. Theirs is not a mere recession; it is a state of disaster. One has to pause and wonder if all those social programs like universal healthcare, subsidized housing, etc. are not to blame.

The debt is so high, that other than default, recovery not only is impossible; their current level of living seems unsustainable.

The United States, by the way, is also on the debtor list at #20. Our own level of “lifestyle” is also unsustainable.

OK, new direction in stocks and ETFs is working...up $4,000 on Friday!   I still think the market will be down for the year.  Why you ask?  As Iran gets closer to a nuclear weapon, Israel will attack and the region will erupt into limited nuclear war...I see this happening by the end of 2010.......Oil will rise to $200 to $300 + per barrel, world economy will fall 25% to 50% of current levels.

Of course eternal, warm fuzzy optimists will dismiss this negative thinking.  Meanwhile those with money and forsight have stockpiles of food and bunkers in remote areas!  At least a plan and a 72 hr Kit.

Short Chinese Market, Invest in Berkshire Hathaway "B"

OK, I moved $100,000+ out of DXD, a market shorting ETF and bought BRK'B stock for a change of direction.  Still going to short the Chinese market for a month or so!

I see no long term reasons for optimisim that the market will hit 11,000+.

Check out the new contest on CNBC.com.......you get to pick the market close of the DOW and the S & P.  It's fun and they post the top 25 closest.  You have to pick before 12:00 noon EST.

Selling Short is Good

OK, one week after going 100% short, I am up $10,000.  No wonder brokers are rich bastards...they make money on a up market and a down market by the bushel basket full.

My next experiment......shorting the dollar.

100% Short.........an Experiment in Doom!

OK, last Friday, I dumped all my stocks, gold, etc. and went 100% into shorting the market with DXD.  Monday and Tuesday I lost a total of $6,000.  Today I am up $600.

Since a variety of market forcasters are predicting a "Correction" of between 15% to as much as 50% by May, I think, I'll stick to shorting the market for a week or so and see the results.

My portfolio after the last MSNBC Stock contest was $50,000 in January 2008.......today it is $123,000!  Must be doing something right.

"Yikes....I am shorting the Market"

OK, I dumped what was left of my MasterCard stock and shorted the market another $6000.

My "short" postion is now $95,000................I am betting on negative reaction to Obama's State of the Union Speech.......a 5% to 10% drop? Hey, it worked for me last week!

"Short the Market"

OK, I sold $70,000 worth of commodities & stocks......then shorted the market with DXD shares!  We'll see how that works.

I dumped all bank stocks back in November.  Folks we are facing yet another crisis brought on by the same people who helped cause the first one....greedy bankers and traders!  Why would they want to destroy the very system that makes their huge profits for some short term gains?

What would Jesus do?

Down Market as Dems Bail!

The market is down today as much as 200 points as Democratic investors bail from their inside trading healthcare stocks, knowing that their cash cow will never pass!  Oh no, a conservative wins!  Polosi and Reed are running in fear for the November election.  It's the conservative backlash , baby!

Foreign Markets Show Gains

A nice gain today on european markets, both in stocks and commodities.  Up about 1%
Don't whine about the cost of gasoline...buy oil stocks instead!

Gold is up!

Top Percentage Gainers:

ETF CE TRADE Financial 5.2%
S Sprint Nextel Corp 3.5%
VLO Valero Energy Corp 2.7%

Portfolio is down 5%..........did Obama speak?  I maintain that commodities will continue to be strong, particularly agriculture.

Market Vectors Agribusiness:  MOO +82.44%

PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund:  DBC +12.9%

Market is almost back to normal !

OK, one day of positive growth in the market and I have almost all my losses for December back!  No real postive signs the economy is booming, if anything most signs are negative.  Ten years for jobs to recover?  What are people to do?

2010 A New year for Investment?

A week ago I started "shorting the market" with $8000 worth of DXD,  PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund, an ETF.  So far, so good......except for today of course, no big deal.

I have maintained a strong presence in commodities...agriculture futures, gold, oil, and natural gas!  With the terrorism increase (real or imagined) I have a fairly strong stock level in various defense stocks and funds.  I believe that 2010 will be the year that premptive strikes against Iranian nuke sites will take place, by israel or in partnership with the United States.

I'll continue to believe that gold and oil will be strong, the dollar weak, and war is looming on the horizon.