Month: November 2016

  • Three things that would make today a success

    Three things that would make today a success

    I read an online article about a successful executive who had the daily habit each morning of writing himself a note on the topic ‘three things that will make today a success’ and carrying that note in his pocket throughout the day. It sounds like a great idea. I tried a similar version by putting…

  • Rules for Tax Season

    I know that I can limit stress to a manageable level and provide a better service to my clients this coming tax season if I follow a few simple rules: Filter out price-sensitive people. Don’t engage with any person who asks about price in the first two sentences of their approach. For example, an acceptable approach would be:…

  • Attack on our two basic freedoms

    Attack on our two basic freedoms

    Ordinary Americans rely more on two basic freedoms than any other. The recent attacks on these two basic freedoms scares me more than anything else in these tumultuous times. By ‘attacks’, I don’t mean that we are at risk of losing these rights. Rather, I mean that our crucial rights are most vulnerable when we…

  • The immigration issue from my own perspective

    The immigration issue from my own perspective

    The State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs officially estimates that 70% of the state’s work force in industries like farming, fishing and construction are undocumented. I see these South American origin neighbors every day and I have great respect for them. In the past we had many Mexicans but in recent years most…

  • Post card marketing project for marina

    Post card marketing project for marina

    I haven’t managed a business postal mailing marketing campaign since the 1980s. The new marketing partner of a marina client wants to test a post card mailing project. In order to convince myself that the project is worthwhile, I had to make some early assumptions. This what I have so far: Assumptions: Product offered: The main product…

  • Propaganda 101

    Propaganda 101

    Follow these three simple rules to maximize the effectiveness of your propaganda message: Craft a message that people want to hear. This is most important; far more important than telling the truth. Make it about growth and prosperity, patriotism and glory. Never succumb to the less optimistic assessment of the better educated or scientific community. Stick to…

  • “Putting America First”

    “Putting America First”

    This week the president-elect said “My agenda will be based on a simple core principle, putting America first”. Perhaps no single sentence could state so succinctly what is wrong with Trump’s thinking.  This strategy may have worked well in building a real estate empire but it is just as likely to lead to disaster, tragedy,…

  • Why get up in the morning?

    I was annoyed with an IRS agent a week ago who criticized my client’s business. This young businessman client grossed about $100,000 per year in each of his first two years but declared little net income due to high start-up costs. The agent said “Why does he get up and go to work each day? He would…

  • Four good reasons to use an ITIN

    Four good reasons to use an ITIN

    If you do not have a social security number, perhaps because you do not have legal immigration status in the US yet, then I strongly recommend that you obtain and use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Here are four key points: No fear of INS –  An ITIN is not used as an immigration enforcement tool. Many millions…

  • Here we go: misdirected but full steam ahead

    Here we go: misdirected but full steam ahead

    “My agenda will be based on a simple core principle, putting America first” – Donald Trump on November 21, 2016. As he starts off misguided but stubbornly determined to push in the wrong direction it seems that humanity is in for a difficult time ahead. As one humble and relatively powerless individual citizen, I will continue to scream…