Global Insight, a leading economic and financial forecasting company, (formerly DRI-WEFA), states that all levels of government (federal, state, and local) should see steady increases in the purchases of goods and services through the year 2009.Vendors willing to make the commitment to sell to government can reap the benefits of this projected government spending. By the same token, government agencies able to expand and modernize their...more
I was recently interviewed for a press release through a financial question and answer format. One of the questions asked of me in the interview was: Where do you think the stock market is headed over the next five years? My Answer! Charles M. O'Melia: No one knows! There is an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this: "He, who could foresee events 3 days in advance, would be rich for thousands of years." On a long-term basis I have only...more
Super choice legislation will soon give more Australians a choice about who manages their superannuation. I hope this tale helps to make it clear why this is important.Having recently changed my employment status I have had occasion to review my superannuation situation. I always knew that fees differed between funds and this could impact on the final payout, but I didn't realise how large this factor was until I did my sums.The bulk of my super is in an industry fund which provides services for employees in the education sector. Let's call them Super Fund A. They have above average returns and very low returns. On the few occasions I have had to deal with them the staff were courteous and efficient.I have had some money in another fund, Super Fund B, for quite a number of years. I accumulated some funds in it while I was at a previous employer. The fees were high but I was locked into the fund because of high exit fees until I turned 55.I decided to consolidate my funds in preparation for developing a comprehensive retirement plan. So I decided to roll my money over from Super Fund B into Super Fund A. I have done similar things in the past with minimal fuss. You just...more
The tragic events resulting from the recent Tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 serve to again highlight the fragile nature of many of the world's communities. In each of these locations the key tasks of treating the sick and injured, ensuring clean water was available, or made available, providing food, accommodation and so on was critically important as...more
Australia is blessed with an incredible pool of talent and experience, across a broad range of industries, and it is this expertise that could provide significant and sustainable benefits into the communities where a development initiative is targeted.The challenge for many firms and individuals wishing to participate in development activities is...more
In the article Getting Involved in the Global Development Market (available in full in Latest News at www.globizdev.com) I commented that while tendering skills are critical, in isolation of other key activities success is a lottery.Preparation must remain as a key and ongoing activity if organisations and individuals are to expect success from their tendering involvement.While there is no doubt that some of this preparation may require investment if site visits and the like are to occur, as they need to, not all preparation is costly.So often, when working with some of the smaller organisations that seek activity in sub-components of larger projects, the tendering effort is stressful, time-challenged and often without system.This can be managed by planning in advance.As discussed in Getting Involved in the Global Development Market, tender responses, even for sub-components, invariably require details of your team, approach and methodology, management, price and past experience. With the often tight timelines for the tender response, it is critical that time is spent on ensuring the best possible solution to the project's requirements at the best possible price. Hence, time...more
One of the great mysteries of the "open" competitive tendering process is that each of us has experienced defeat. What mystifies us is that there must have been a mistake - we had the best solution. Of course we did. So did the other three...more
You are attending a conference or a seminar, whether for business or for educational purposes. You register in advance and don't give it another thought. These things take care of themselves don't they? As an attendee, I have often done the same...more
Managing your time effectively is as critical as managing your money effectively. At one time or another, we have all wished for just "one more hour" in our day. But working longer hours will not make you more productive. Managing your schedule...more
As an entrepreneur, or a small business owner you are busy enough. You spend much of your time attempting to network and grow your business. You would love to have the luxury of an administrative assistant but cannot afford the expense. If any of...more
A 'Reverse Mortgage', also known as 'Equity Release', is a popular way to use your main asset (your home) to free up some cash for other purposes. In a standard loan, your income stream is used to 'qualify' for the loan. The bank will want to see...more
Howdy Partner ! Now let's imagine for a minute that you and I actually was partners. Partners in business. Now, one problem, of course, is that if one of us died, why, we'd end up being in business with the deceased partner's kinfolk. If I died...more