Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Forget what I said, Your Business is Awesome

Forget what I said before, your business is awesome.

There is a trait shared by nearly every business that I have come into contact with as a consultant, and even in most of the roles that I held working for companies in the past, and it’s this: you want me to tell you that your business is awesome.

On one hand, I get it: your company = your baby. This is something into which you have poured your blood sweat and tears, based on your vision. You want me to share your vision, and I can, and I do.

What I do not share (and this is what lies directly between your business and its best chance for success) is the fact that (based on how you react to criticism and suggestions for improvements) for you, criticism of your execution equates to criticism of your vision.

As long as you are unable to separate the two in your mind, you will continue to want people to tell you what you want to hear: Your business is awesome.

And as long as you believe that your business is awesome, your mind will be closed to the improvements that you could make that would truly make your business awesome in actuality, rather than awesome based only on your intentions (your vision).

Do you see the difference?

You are smack dab in the middle of your own way.

The vision of your business – the good that you want to do in the world and in the lives of your customers – is likely awesome and from that standpoint, so is the intent of your business. But to fulfill your vision will ultimately require that you are able to separate the esteem in which you hold this vision from the way that you analyze and view the ways in which you are trying to achieve it.

How your business will become awesome isn’t equivalent to your vision statement. Rather, it’s entirely embodied in the strategies and tactics that you undertake in order to achieve it.

The next time a consultant or even an employee tells you something about the tactics and strategies you have in place that aren’t working, or which need to be put into place, don’t view it as an attack on the awesome-ness of the vision that you have for your business. Instead, embrace constructive criticism from customers, consultants, vendors and your employees—because the truths these individuals care enough to share with you can become the catalyst by which you attain the awesome vision you have for your business.


***



Little white marketing lies are common misconceptions that many well-meaning business owners claim to be true, but which usually aren't.

In fact, these little white marketing lies might even be standing between your business and success. 

The new book, Little White Marketing Lies will help you put these and other little white marketing lies to the test, enabling you to identify the true strengths and weaknesses of your business and put your business in the best position to succeed in the future.




Enhanced by Zemanta

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Euro Banks Flock To Cheap LTRO Money

The market was higher in early trading, but unlike most recent sessions we have seen the early gains reversed and as of this post the major indexes are trading in the red. If the day plays out like many before, the market should regain its footing into the close. If not, it would mark a rare change of character for this market.

The big news out of Europe was the latest round of cheap money offered to banks over there via the ECB's LTRO program. This time around more than 800 banks lined up to participate with the ECB lending a total of 530 billion euros. This figure was slightly above estimates and slightly above the first round of LTRO when 489 billion euros were lent.

Hopefully the large liquidity injection will be put to productive use and help the banks shore up their balance sheets. As for the sovereing debt issues in Europe, you can't really solve debt problems with more debt but I do view this as a type of kicking the can down the road scenario. In that sense, it gives the markets more time to price in the fiscal realities and gives the banks more time to reposition their books. So purely as an investor I like the program.

In economic news in the U.S., Q4 GDP was revised higher to +3.0% from a previous estimate of 2.8%. Also, the Chicago PMI came in better than expected at 64.0 vs. 60.2 last month. This continues the streak we have seen of strong readings in the manufacturing sector.

Stocks up on earnings: AH, ITT, COST, FE, CPRT, VRSK

Stocks lower on earnings: SODA, LIZ, JOY, SPLS, FSLR, PANL

Despite the LTRO, the euro is lower this morning and that is weighing on commodities. Gold has staged a big downside reversal so far and its trading down to $1730. Oil prices are also lower near $105.75.

The 10-year yield is getting a bounce near the 2.00% level. And the VIX is only up 2% so far to 18.30.

Trading comment: Today has the makings of a down day for once, but with dip buyers at the ready another positive close wouldn't surprise me either. Materials stocks are down the most today, while defensive consumer staples are bucking the weakness so far. Lots of stocks look extended on their charts, so a pullback or at least some consolidation would be constructive to allow these stocks time to trade sideways and build another base. It's hard to see the current pace of advance in the market continuing without a breather.

KAM Advisors was long FE, SODA

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Consumer Confidence vs. The Bond Market

The market is higher again in early trading. Pullbacks continue to be brief affairs and the stock market mocks those calling for an imminent correction.

The strongest piece of economic data today was the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence index which spiked to 70.8 in February from 61.5 last month. That's a big jump and we also saw a rise in the Univ. of Mich consumer confidence index earlier in the month.

So it's safe to say that consumers are becoming more upbeat about the economy. We know from the relentless rise in the stock market that investors are becoming more upbeat about the market as well. But what doesn't translate is what is eating at bond investors?

The 10-year yield continues to drift lower, now back down to 1.90%. If the bond market were even a tad more upbeat about the economy and global markets, I would expect the 10-year to have already reached 2.5-3.0% levels.

Some would argue that the Fed is skewing this indicator with their operation twist buying. But this is a very deep market, and the Fed can only effect things at the margin. They can't fully absorb a global selloff in Treasuries, if and when we ever get one. In the meantime, the 10-year yield remains an outlier in terms of improving sentiment indicators.

The rebound in the housing market hasn't shown up yet in the Case-Schiller figures. This index fell another -4.0% in December, even though its data lags a bit. We will have to see if the index picks up as it starts showing 2012 figures.

On the earnings front, I see more stocks gapping higher on positive reactions to earnings. The poster child today will be Priceline (PCLN), but also take a look at SINA, DPZ, and AZO to name a few. On the disappointing reaction side are SWN, TECD, and FDP.

Commodities are mixed so far. Oil prices are a bit lower near $108, while gold prices are higher to $1785 and copper and silver prices are up even more (on a percentage basis).

The VIX is flattish around the 18.15 level.

Trading comment: Yesterday we trimmed our longs in SODA, but the stock continues higher today. Google (GOOG) is also moving back above its 50-day average, which is a good sign. Tech stocks are leading the early action while defensive utilities (last year's winners) continue to lag. With the markets up as much as they are since the October lows, I would expect to see some larger increases in bullish sentiment in the advisor surveys, but we haven't seen the extreme readings yet. Maybe this week will begin to show more bullishness.

KAM Advisors was long GOOG, PCLN, SODA

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Monday, February 27, 2012

4 Articles and Infographics to help you Market Your Business on Pinterest

26 Tips for Using Pinterest for Business
Social Media Examiner provides you with 26 tips -- an "A to Z guide" for using Pinterest for business [click here] including topics and how-to like these:
  • How to add a Pinterest "follow" and/or "pin it" button to your site
  • Branding and enhancing your brand
  • Crowdsourcing
  • Improves your SEO results
  • Etiquette
  • Using keywords and hashtags
  • Linking to your own sites
  • Networking and more ---


Now that you know how, find out what:
3 Ways to use Pinterest for Marketing Research
[Click here] to get the scoop from SocialMediaExplorer on how you can use Pinterest to conduct market research in these three ways:
  • Discover what people are pinning from your website/s
  • Understand customer perception
  • Capture descriptions, comments, board names (and hashtags and other reference markers); this can help you get more traffic as you cross post to other media, look for patterns, see how the most influential are playing to win and improve your SEM


56 Ways to Market your Business on Pinterest
A great favorite resource of mine, Copyblogger.com shared these 56 ways to harness the power of Pinterest to grow your brand and your business:  [click here].  Saying: "Yes, Pinterest is beautiful. And yes, its users love it. But don’t let all the hearts and flowers fool you. Behind those lovely images, Pinterest is fast becoming a heavy hitting marketing tool for brands and businesses … like yours. Let’s take a quick look at why this is, and then we’ll get into 56 specific Pinterest tactics you can use to your own marketing advantage."


Is Pinterest the next social commerce game changer? 
With its U.S. traffic skyrocketing to more than 10 million visits, Pinterest, the virtual pinboard, is now one of the top 10 social networking and forum websites.  Seen below, Monetate's infographic introduces you to Pinterest and provides ideas on how you can use the social photo sharing website to promote products, build community, and drive website traffic and conversions.

Is Pinterest the Next Social Commerce Game Changer?Monetate Marketing Infographics





***

Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.
365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.
 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Monday Morning Musings

Last week I called this market the Groundhog Day market, and this morning that notion is repeating itself again. Go figure.

The market was lower in early trading, but dip buyers have quickly stepped in and the major indexes are already back in positive territory. As we near month-end, I sense performance anxiety setting in. And I would expect it to become more pronounced as we get closer to quarter-end.

In economic news this morning, pending home sales for January increased 2.0%, above expectations. The homebuilding stocks are reacting positive to the news, as well as positive comments from Warren Buffett about the housing market.

Asian markets were mostly lower overnight, and Europe is lower this morning. G-20 officials met over the weekend, and indicated that additional financial safeguards are needed in Europe before additional funds are made available from the IMF.

Stocks rising after reporting earnings: LOW, CTB, and VRX.

Stocks falling after earnings: DNDN, KWK, BRK/B

The euro is lower, with mixed effects on commodities. Gold prices are slightly higher to $1780, and silver and copper prices are higher as well. Oil prices are down a bit, but still high on an absolute level at $108.80.

The 10-year yield is fading further back down to 1.93%; and the VIX is 3% higher to 17.80.

Trading comment: I haven't seen any definitive news, but the positive reaction in ESRX and MHS this morning hints that the FTC might be looking favorably at the merger. Industrial stocks are leading the early bounce, while defensive utilities are lagging. Priceline (PCLN) reports earnings tonight after the quarter, and the stock is trading at new highs going in. Other stocks trading at new highs today include AAPL, MELI, COH, MA, MNST, and SCSS is very close.

KAM Advisors has long positions in AAPL, COH, ESRX, MA, MELI, MNST, PCLN, and SCSS

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Mitt Gets the Supply-Side Approach


When former President George W. Bush cut taxes, including his 2003 reduction in tax rates on investment, he always referred to it as putting more money in people’s pockets. I don’t want to be unfair, because the 2003 tax cuts were his best policy move. But Bush was never a supply-sider. Putting more money in people’s pockets is a demand-side argument.

Contrast that with Mitt Romney’s tax-policy speech today at the Detroit Economic Club, where he touted his new across-the board 20 percent reduction in personal tax rates. The language is crucial: “By reducing the tax on the next dollar of income earned by all taxpayers, we will encourage hard work, risk-taking, and productivity by allowing Americans to keep more of what they earn.”

This is supply-side language. It is incentive language.

Many of us have been asking whether Romney understands the incentive model of growth. Namely, keeping more of what you earn, invest, or risk provides a bigger reward. And those rewards translate into a fresh tonic for economic growth.

Ronald Reagan understood this when he famously told people that he quit working as an actor because he only made about 10 cents on the extra dollar earned from the extra movie. Mitt Romney seems to understand this incentive model.

His tax-cut plan is not perfect. Instead of retaining all six brackets of the personal income tax, I wish there were only two brackets or maybe three for a modified flat tax. But it’s clear that Romney understands the incentive value of his 20 percent marginal rate cut. He is satisfactorily answering the question that I and others have posed about his understanding of the supply model.

Reward more and you’ll get more. It’s not just a one-time benefit of more cash. New tax incentives at the margin change economic behavior for the better.

I will have more to say on the Romney plan overall, and about how it contrasts hugely with Obama’s massive tax-rate hikes. But for now I am satisfied that Mitt gets the supply-side approach.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Friday, February 24, 2012

Groundhog Day In The Markets

The markets are slightly higher in early trading. It seems like I am posting the same comments every morning, in a groundhog day like scenario for the markets lately. The major indexes are up a bit, one sector takes over the lead while another takes a breather, a handful of stocks gain on earnings, and a few new breakouts get added to the list. I don't know how long the pattern can continue before something comes out of left field and smacks investors upside the head, but for now we'll continue to focus on what's working and try to maximize profits.

In earnings news, stocks sporting positive reactions: MELI, MNST, AIG, and CRM. MELI was actually down last night after reporting, but by the time the market opened this morning investors were back in a buying mood. Stocks showing declines after reporting include ADSK and NEM to name a couple.

In economic news, the Univ. of Mich consumer sentiment survey improved to 75.3 in Feb. from 72.5 last month. New homes sales came in better than expected at 321,000 units in January, although that figure was slightly below the previous months level.

Asian markets were higher overnight, led by a 1.2% bounce in China. Europe is higher this morning as the concerns surrounding Greece calm a bit.

The euro is also getting a bounce at the expense of the dollar, while commodities are mixed. Oil prices are higher again near $108.15. Copper prices are also higher, but gold prices have eased back near $1775 and silver prices are slightly lower as well.

The 10-year yield is back below the 2.00% level, despite the improving economic data. It is very hard to tell how much of this is the Fed buying bonds to keep a lid on rates. Normally I would have expected the 10-yr to drift higher by now.

The VIX continues to drift lower also, down close to the 16.50 level this morning.

Trading comment: It's very hard to buy stocks that have broken out to new highs or that have gapped higher after reporting strong earnings. But those seem to be the stocks that are leading the market so far this year. One way to get comfortable with this is to buy a half position in stocks breaking out with the idea that you can add to your positions on a pullback. I remember buying a half position in JDSU in 1999 and it turned out to be one of my best trades ever. I'm not comparing this environment to 1999 but rather trying to highlight a strategy of staging your buys into growth stocks.

KAM Advisors has long positions in MELI, MNST

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Announcing the release of: Little White Marketing Lies

Announcing the release of Little White Marketing Lies
by Elizabeth Kraus



Have you fallen for any of these little white marketing lies?

The Little White Marketing Lies table of contents: 
  • we provide exceptional customer service
  • our employees set us apart
  • word of mouth is our best marketing
  • our customers love us
  • success is just one great idea away
  • marketing is a verb
  • we need to tell people how great we are
  • it takes luck to build a great team
  • employee culture has nothing to do with marketing
  • what's in the past is in the past
  • there's no room for emotion in the workplace
  • service professionals aren't sales people
  • social media isn't critical to my marketing strategy
  • bigger is better
  • when I apply my logo, I'm branding


Little white marketing lies are common misconceptions that many well-meaning business owners claim to be true, but which usually aren't.

In fact, these little white marketing lies might even be standing between your business and success.

The new book, Little White Marketing Lies will help you put these and other little white marketing lies to the test, enabling you to identify the true strengths and weaknesses of your business and put your business in the best position to succeed in the future.


Available now [click here] from my createspace.com bookstore for 14.95 and coming soon to amazon.com. Little White Marketing Lies is also already available from the amazon.com Kindle / digital reader store for 9.95 and can even be borrowed for free by Amazon Prime members [click here].

In fact - any of my books can be purchased for Kindle/eReader for under $10 each and most can be borrowed for free as part of the Kindle Lending Library. 

It's going to be a great year!
Elizabeth Kraus
Enhanced by Zemanta

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bring on the Drama! Why You Need Emotion in the Workplace

How many times have you heard that emotion has no place in the workplace?

I pondered that, thinking about how often we believe that every problem can be solved if we can only apply enough logic and keep our emotions out of the equation. I realized that it just is not true. In fact, in many cases, the opposite is true.

Emotion has everything to do with the success of your business. 

Take customer loyalty and brand advocacy. From a purely logical standpoint, they would only exist when high value and low price meet their optimum levels.

Logically, as customers, we would always shop for the best value for any item we want to buy. But once a business has successfully established and reinforced our satisfaction (this emotional - the way we feel that a company has exceeded our expectations) then, and only then, do they court our loyalty. Then and only then do they have a chance to win our loyalty in a way that transcends the lure of lower prices, better value or even better products offered by competitors.

But customer loyalty, referrals and brand advocacy are not based on logic. Customer satisfaction is based on a feeling. A customer must feel extra-ordinarily satisfied (which may or may not reflect the actual effort put forth by your business or employee). You can do everything perfectly and still not make someone feel that they received exceptional service.

Do you want your employees to be able to evoke emotion in the form of customer satisfaction?

Logically, the livelihood and financial success (not to mention the potential for raises and bonuses) for all your employees rests on the ability of your business to identify and attract customers and for your business to create customer loyalty and satisfaction—yes?

And yet in most businesses, despite the logic of this financial incentive, fewer than a third of employees feel (emotionally) engaged with or self-identify with your business.

Logically, your employees should be busting their butts to get your customers more emotionally connected with your business. 

But they aren’t. 

And since they aren't, you have to ask yourself:  what is missing (or present) within the culture of your business that is failing to motivate your employees—who logically should be doing everything they can to work for business success that could translate into more financial reward for themselves.

What is it about your business that is failing to attract and engage your employees emotionally? 

To develop customer loyalty or employee fidelity, you must work logically, strategically and authentically within the realm of emotions to:
  • cause people to view themselves as a connected to your business (and to you, as its leader)
  • go beyond logical reasons; you must realize that loyalty is an emotional response
  • garner the faith of others based on history and trust in the promises that you make relative to what customers or employees can expect to be true of all of their experiences with you and your business
Only by understanding the role that emotions play relative to employee or customer loyalty will you be able to create the type of emotional connection needed to cause employees to go beyond the call of duty (and in turn to garner customer loyalty) on behalf of the team as a whole. And only by building an employee culture characterized by trust, honesty and a sense of shared destiny will this occur.

***

(Speaking of emotion, I'm so excited!)   'There's no room for emotion in the workplace' is one of the new Little White Marketing Lies that will be featured in my upcoming book of the same title - look for an announcement next week! 

Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.
365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.
 


Enhanced by Zemanta

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Kudlow on MSNBC's "Morning Joe"

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Europe Economies Still Sluggish

The market is mixed in early trading, having started out in negative territory but currently trying to work its way back to the flat line.

Asian markets were higher overnight after China's manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 from 48.8 last month. This figure is still below the key 50 level which marks the difference between expansion and contraction.

Europe's markets are lower today after its eurzone manufacturing PMI index inched up to 49.0 from 48.8 last month. But that 49.0 reading still points to contraction. Additionally, Greece had its credit rating downgraded again by Fitch and its market swooned by 5%. In England, some officials at the Bank of England have called for additional stimulus measures.

Stocks rising this morning on earnings include: FIRE, INTU, HSTM, and GRMN to name a few. Stocks declining on earnings are DELL, MGM, CAKE, DLTR, and CLH.

The euro is lower this morning, and most commodities are lower as well after a big up day yesterday. Oil prices are flat near $106; gold prices are slightly lower to $1756; silver prices are lower also, while copper prices are flat.

The 10-year yield is steady near 2.04% and the VIX is up slightly to 18.50.

Trading comment: Call me crazy, but I don't have much hope that the market will give underinvested bulls the pullback they are hoping for. Nothing has been able to knock down this market. Earnings misses have been shrugged off, options expiration was yawn, overbought readings were worked off effortlessly, and the Greek bailout dealings look like more of a distraction than anything. Look at AAPL-- that high volume reversal didn't lead to any follow-thru selling and the stock is back at new closing highs. Stocks have continued to stairstep higher, with sector rotation keeping any one group from seeing prolonged weakness. At some point we will surely have a correction, but waiting for it has been a losing strategy. I still think adding to leading stocks on pullbacks works best. Trying to invest in the year's laggards will likely continue to be frustrating.

KAM Advisors is long AAPL

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A Bolder Romney Tax-Cut Plan Is Coming


Team Romney tells me there will be a bolder tax-cut plan released either at the debate tomorrow night (if Mitt gets it in) or more formally at his Detroit Economic Club speech on Friday. I’m embargoed from releasing details until tomorrow. But I can say that the new plan will be across-the-board with supply-side incentives from rate reduction, and that it will help small-business owners as well as everyone else.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Monday Morning Musings

The market is higher again this morning after Greece reportedly agreed to terms to receive its latest round of bailout funds to prevent it from defaulting on its debt. European markets are mostly lower this morning seeing a sell-the-news type of reaction to Greece.

Asian markets were mixed overnight, despite Chinese officials decision to trim the reserve requirement for banks.

More companies are reporting earnings this morning. Stocks rallying on their earnings reports include HD, M, and SKS to name a few. Stocks seeing disappointing reactions to earnings are WMT, CIEN, EXPD, and GPC.

The bounce in the euro is weighing on the dollar but helping commodities. Oil prices reached $105 this morning; gold prices have rallied back above $1755, and silver and copper prices are higher as well.

Energy and materials stocks are leading the early action, while defensive consumer staples and healthcare stocks are lagging.

The 10-year yield is higher to 2.05% near the top of its recent trading range. The VIX is also higher by 1.75% to 18.10 which is a little odd given the early gains in the market.

Trading comment: The Nasdaq finished last week higher marking the 7th consecutive week of gains. I went back to look for the last such streak and had to go back to the spring of 2010 to find one. Back then, the Nazz actually posted 8 straight weeks of gains but then the markets endured a sharp 10% correction over the next 2 weeks. I'm not saying the same thing will happen this time around, but the market remains overdue for more than just a one-day pullback like we've seen. That said, it has paid this year to focus more on individual stock than the overall market. The action in leading stocks continues to be strong.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Are You Using The Paper Cutter Approach to Marketing?

Ah, the paper cutter—that oh-so-useful tool with its machete-like blade that sits way up on that shelf in the copy room.

We actually like it when we have a chance to use it. It’s kind of therapeutic, even fun. We get to figure out how to line things up perfectly to get the cut exactly where we need it, it saves us time and work, and it’s really efficient when it comes to doing what it was designed to do.

So we take it out, wipe the dust off, use it to trim the edges off whatever it is we’re creating, then we lock the blade back up and put it back up on the shelf until we need to use it again.

That’s how you use the paper cutter, but it’s no way to use marketing.

But unfortunately, it’s exactly how marketing is utilized in many small and even not so small businesses. You know who you are.

You’re the one who pulls the marketing tools off the shelf because that wunder-product that you thought would fly off the shelves, didn’t. So now, only at the end of the process, do you whip out some marketing in a last-ditch effort to sell a few units before you have to put it back on the clearance table.

If you are wondering what’s wrong with that model, I can help. Here’s what marketing can do for you when you give it a seat at your business process table every day:
  • Working with your most valuable clients and/or members of your ideal client types to determine their most important needs and wants, so that purchasing decisions are more informed.
  • Test marketing before you spend precious resources and allocate valuable shelf space to new products. 
  • Setting up a focus group to identify what product benefits (and selling points) resound most powerfully with members of your target market. 
  • Seeding the market to get pioneers and early adopters on board and talking about the product.
  • Creating demand and anticipation among customers before the product arrives with teasers that speak to the identified real needs and wants of your customers across multiple communication and social media channels.
  • Running a strong launch campaign across all of your marketing channels.
  • Sharing product testimonials on print and in-store displays, in email marketing and on social media.
  • Doing in-store sampling.
  • Creating promotions for the product which represent genuine value to customers (and which are also profitable for your business).
Look how many marketing tools can – and should – be used before the product even arrives or the new service is made available to customers!

It’s much more difficult to create strong sales momentum around a new product or service after the fact! In fact, at that point, you have skipped several steps that are critical to the process, not the least of which is determining whether there is even demand for the product or service you want to introduce.

But in many businesses, the sales manager, operations manager and purchasing director sit down with manufacturers and buy product, receive it, stock it and put it on the shelves. Only then do they hand marketing a product brochure and tell them that it’s up to them to get it sold.

In many businesses, thousands and thousands of dollars are spent purchasing sophisticated phone systems, customer service reps (who, for some inexplicable reason, report to accounting, rather than sales) are hired and a significant amount of time and resources are invested in training them on the technicalities of answering a phone call, inputting an order, putting a caller on hold or transferring a call -- but next to no time or resources are spent actually training them in communications and customer relations.

In many businesses, new techniques or even whole new services are learned, pricing set, menus and signage updated and then service professionals find themselves sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the phone to ring. Only then is marketing informed that they need to get people in the door to use the new service.

In many businesses, the controller comes up with what he thinks is a great new policy relative to how customers pay, register, check out or are invoiced. He writes a terse, accountant-like script and slaps it on a display for the cash register, sends it out in letters to all your customers and puts notes in bright red on all customer invoices (so they won’t miss it).

Only after a barrage of angry customer phone calls, dropped accounts, unsubscribe requests and other missives is marketing appealed to for damage control. All of which could have been avoided, had marketing and a customer-centric mind been part of the process and policy review process, part of the policy writing process, and part of the customer communications process.

Your paper cutter approach to marketing demonstrates not only that you don’t value or understand marketing, but it also demonstrates a serious deficit in terms of how important you believe your customers are, based on how little they factor in to your operational processes. 

It’s obvious when a business employs a paper cutter approach to marketing.

And it’s just as obvious that it costs those businesses, big time, over time, in blown opportunities, poor customer relationship management, lost sales, diminished profits – it all adds up, doesn’t it?

***

Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.
365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.
  





Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Friday, February 17, 2012

Are Bond Yields Poised To Move Higher?

The market was higher in early trading, but has since given up those gains and is slightly in negative territory. The S&P 500 is down less than the Nazz so far, as financials and industrials are leading the early action while biotechs and other large-cap tech are lagging.

The yield on the 10-year note has moved above the 2.00% level by just a bit. The 10-year first fell to the 2.0% level last August and has been trading in a volatile but sideways fashion for the last six months. With economic datapoints improving, I would expect the 10-year yield to move a little higher despite the fact that the Fed is likely still buying long-term bonds.

Stocks trading higher after reporting earnings include AMAT, CPB, and HNZ to name a few. Stocks falling in reaction to earnings are BIDU, JWN, GIS, and HMSY.

Asian markets were higher overnight. The euro is also higher this morning, despite the fact we have no definitive news regarding the Greek debt situation.

Commodities are mixed. Oil prices are higher and have traded above $103; gold prices are slightly lower near $1724. Copper and silver prices are lower as well.

The VIX recently bounced off of its overhead 50-day near the 21.50 level but then moved sharply lower. Today it is down another 5.5% back to 18.15. At the time of the spike, I surmised it might have been exacerbated by this week's options expiration, which finishes today. So we will have to see if traders reload on puts next week and volatility spikes again.

Trading comment: The relentless march continues. The market has hit 9-month highs this morning. Growth stocks look to be subject to some profit taking today, but I don't expect it to last long. I still think the strategy of buying leading stocks on pullbacks will outperform, and by leading stocks I mean those that recently reported strong earnings and have been breaking out to new highs.

KAM Advisors has long positions in GIS

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Financials Shrug Off Potential Moody's Downgrade

The markets are higher once again in early trading. Yesterday the market paused and gave back some ground, but it wasn't a big down day by historical standards. The market seems to be consolidating its recent gains in more of a sideways fashion as opposed to a meaningful pullback.

Today's news out of Moody's about potential downgrades in the financial sector are being shrugged off by the market. In recent months, this sort of news would have hit stocks and dragged down the financials. This goes to show how forgiving investor sentiment is currently.

In economic news, jobless claims came in better than expected for another week. And the Philly Fed survey was also better than expected coming in at 10.2 for February from 7.3 last month.

Earnings reports are a big of a mixed back this morning. While most folks focus on which companies beat or missed estimates, I like to also look at how stocks are reacting to earnings. This can give investors a good sense of how much of the prior quarter was already priced into stock prices.

Stocks rallying after reporting earnings include: GM, DUK, ASPS, and VFC. Stocks declining on earnings are: CBS, APA, MAR, CF, and WM to name a handful.

Asian markets were lower overnight, and Europe is lower today on continued concerns about Greek debt talks. The euro is also slightly lower today relative to the dollar.

Commodities are mostly lower as well. Oil prices are flattish near $101.75; gold prices are down near $1720; silver and copper prices are also lower on the day.

The 10-year yield is getting a bounce to the 1.97% level. And the VIX is down fractionally to 21.0 after a big rise in volatility yesterday.

Trading comment: Yesterday's action was completely colored by the action in AAPL. The stock is down further today, but it is now keeping the overall market down. Industrials are leading the early action, while healthcare stocks are lagging. Sector rotation continues and I still would look to add to stocks that recently gapped higher after reporting earnings if you can buy them on a dip. Those stocks should continue to lead the market.

KAM Advisors has long positions in AAPL

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Dave Camp Spanks Tim Geithner


Michigan Republican Dave Camp, the chairman of the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, gave Treasury man Timothy Geithner a tough spanking yesterday. In a hearing on the president’s budget, Camp stated that nearly $2 trillion in tax increases will take more money away from employers, investors, and savers, and would push the top rates close to 45 percent. Camp noted that the bottom half of earners pay no federal income taxes, and that 70 percent of income taxes are paid by the top 10 percent, a group which includes the small businesses that are so important to job creation.

Why should Uncle Sam take nearly half of their income?

Camp then honed in on the Obama proposal to triple the tax on dividends from 15 percent to nearly 45 percent. The chairman went on the say, “Because dividends are paid out of income that has already been taxed at the corporate level and then are taxed again in the shareholder’s hands, this proposal would push the total federal tax rate on dividends to 64 percent.” (Italics mine.)

Camp next hammered Geithner on corporate tax reform. As in, “Where is your plan?” As in, “The U.S. will have the highest corporate tax rate in the industrial world.” Camp asked Geithner why the U.S. is at a competitive disadvantage in the world marketplace. (I would note that while the U.S. corporate rate is 39 percent, Canada’s combined federal-provincial corporate tax is 25 percent.) Camp could have added that Team Obama is going to have a corporate tax plan, and that it will raise $350 billion, including $150 billion for something called a “global minimum tax,” a new tax that has nothing to do with tax reform.

Finally, Camp hit Geithner on the debt problem, stating that our total debt load is now 102 percent of GDP -- certainly a warning point for future economic growth.

I’m glad Dave Camp is on the warpath. One thought: He should report his bold corporate-tax-reform plan out of committee and onto the floor, where the GOP House can then pass an exemplary pro-growth, corporate-tax reform to turn up the heat on the White House and the Democratic Senate.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Marketing Metric Myopia.


The rise of Jeremy Lin continues unabated. Six games, six wins culminating last night in his scoring of the game-winning basket with 0.5 seconds left on the clock.

Ten days ago, he didn't have a contact and had spent two years struggling to find a team. Perhaps, that was because he graduated from Harvard rather than Kentucky, or perhaps it was because he is Asian-American.

As he became an international celebrity, the story was framed as an example of the triumph of perseverance, but it's really a story of managerial myopia. He didn't fit the normal profile, so he didn't get the role.

What is worse, in the age of Moneyball, he didn't get the role even though the metrics had been positively analysed over eighteen months ago.

Knowing your market is crucial, but you need to back up those instincts with a respect for and full understanding of the numbers. If you don't, you lay yourself open to running with the crowd and acting on conventional wisdom.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

St. Patricks Day Marketing Ideas for Small Business

With Valentine’s Day in the rear view mirror, the next observance you may be looking toward when it comes to themed promotions, marketing and decorating is March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day marketing does not offer you the same types of organic gift and gift certificate sales probabilities as did Valentine’s Day, and as did the holiday season, before that. But with a little creativity, you can still use St. Patrick’s Day to bring new people in to your business, nurture and manage customer relationships among your existing clients and to stimulate sales.

St. Patricks Day Marketing Ideas for Small Business:

St. Patrick’s Day Marketing Themes

When it comes to decorating or creating product sample displays, promotional coupons or graphics for advertising, email marketing or your blog or website, St. Patrick’s Day offers several strong decorating themes:
  • Four leaf clovers and “Shamrocks”) which symbolize luck. Shamrocks are not four leaf clovers. A Shamrock is a 3-leafed old white clover, recognized as a symbol of Ireland. For free / royalty Free St. Patricks Day Clipart to use for marketing collateral, visit Clipartpal.com

    Use St. Patricks Day clipart on coupons, mailers and displays, to create St. Patrick’s Day window displays, to decorate displays for sampling stations or for decorations for any special St. Patricks Day themed demo event or happy hours.

    Just like Google does, change your logo, social media avatars or other online imagery to reflect upcoming holidays; in this case, St. Patrick's Day by changing colors to green or adding shamrocks or other St. Patrick's Day imagery. 

    Share links to St. Patrick's day recipes and traditions. Suggest unusual, unique St. Patrick's Day gifts. Make your own line of St. Patrick's Day cards to be used in conjunction with your gift certificates. 

    Four leaf clovers are considered lucky. In March, use social media, your blog and email marketing to list reasons why you feel “lucky”:
    • to have the customers that you have (why you are grateful)
    • to live where you live (for your business to be located in the community/neighborhood where it is located)

    Hold lucky drawings. Create custom messages with quotes about luck and the occasional ‘instant winner’ for scratch off cards or fortune cookies. Reward random “lucky” customers (such as the 10 or 100th of the day, etc.) with a free add-on, gift card for future purchase, or branded mug, t-shirt or another branded item.

    Hold a Lucky Trivia contest by way of your social media networks or at an event.  Quiz contestants as to St. Patrick's Day trivia, trivia about your products or services, trivia about your community or on other relevant topics. Let contestant's answers be the basis for a sweepstakes entry and reward one lucky drawing winner with a grand prize. 


  • St. Patrick’s Day Happy hours. From National Beer Day on March 1 to St. Patricks Day, March is a month that provides you with a lot of reasons to have customer and prospect happy hours. Since you don’t want them to feel like stereotypical time share presentations, here are some ways to craft happy hours that make your customers happy at the same time that they make you happy by fulfilling your sales and event goals:

    • Happy hours that target your ideal client types. Create happy hours that are not intended for everyone, but which instead target your ideal client types (men, soccer moms, single working professionals, fashionistas, millenials, Gen Y, Gen X, Baby Boomers, etc.) by featuring activities and demonstrations that would be specifically of interest to them.

    • Offer real incentives. Happy hours in restaurants or bars are hours when appetizers and popular beverages are offered at a special price. Notice that these are items that are popular ones – items that your prospects and customers actually want – as opposed to an attempt to unload unwanted goods or services. They’re also priced compellingly; the discount or add-on offer represents a real motivation to the customer to come in, try and buy.

    • Pick low hanging fruit. Use happy hours to lure customers who love you in for a special appreciation event wherein they’ll have the opportunity to: Purchase more of what they love most, be able to join a VIP club, receive extra loyalty rewards, be rewarded for bringing friends, family or other referrals with them to the event. Or think low-hanging fruit in terms of geography: Invite the managers and employees of businesses near yours in for a private happy hour event, or work together with businesses located near yours to hold multi-business happy hours with cooperative offers and cross marketing.


  • Leprechauns (who guard pots of gold, which can be found at the end of the rainbow).  Believe it or not, a leprechaun is actually a type of fairy in Irish folklore that usually looks like an old man and who – in contrast to the happy, helping way we usually view fairies – enjoys mischief, misdeeds and trickery. Despite that, if you catch one, you receive 3 wishes and if you follow one, you might just be led to his secret store – the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

    Playing off this idea simply, you might decorate your small business in shamrocks, leprechauns, four leaf clovers and green, and place a pot of gold (chocolate coins) at the point of purchase as a thank you treat for customers.

    If you want something more engaging, you can create your own Leprechaun hunt for prospects and clients by leaving a trail of clues they can follow on Facebook, Twitter, your blog or in a series of emails. Use engagement responses and posts as entries into a special drawing, or feature a grand prize for the first to complete your contest and prizes for any runners up. To build excitement, you might create your own game of this kind which ends in a special happy hour event at your business.

    Or go big. Partner with local businesses and make a punch card or game board wherein people receive markers for visiting each of the participating businesses, attending a series of happy hour demo or sampling events, etc.


  • Things Irish (such as Irish blessings).   Print Irish blessings on the back of business cards and hand them out at the point of sale, send them out in thank you notes, “we miss you” mailings for inactive clients, email newsletters, Facebook, Twitter or social media posts, print them on invoices, include them on flyers inserted into customer shipments, or display them as station talkers or at your point of purchase. Here are a few you may be familiar with to choose from (there are more featured at the link above):

    • May the road rise up to meet you • May the wind always be at your back • May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. • And until we meet again, may Gold hold you in the palm of His hand. (If you are uncomfortable with any religious reference, you can simply omit the last sentence.)
    • Wishing you a rainbow for sunlight after showers • Miles and miles of Irish smiles for golden happy hours • Shamrocks at your doorway for luck and laughter too • And a host of friends that never ends each day your whole life through.
    • May there always be work for your hands to do. • May your purse always hold a coin or two. • May the sun always shine on your windowpane. • May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. • May the hand of a friend always be near you. • May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Here are 8 more St. Patricks Day marketing ideas for small business:

***


Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.
If you want to build a business which provides the maximum when it comes to customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty as well as profitability, change the way that you  understand and use marketing.  365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.
 

Enhanced by Zemanta

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Will China Support Europe?

The markets are nicely higher this morning after a big rally late in the day yesterday reversed the earlier losses from the session.

Asian markets were higher overnight after comments from a China official that hinted at the country looking to increase its investment in the eurozone. This also appears to be helping European markets this morning, even as the euro is lagging. A couple of GDP reports out of Europe showed that Q4 GDP declined -0.2% in Germany but rose +0.2% in France. Both were a little better than expected.

In the past Chinese officials have said they are not looking to increase their investment in the troubled eurozone. So this would be a bit of a change, although we would still have to see what any involvement looked like. My guess would be they are more inclined to invest directly in companies over there, especially natural resource companies, as opposed to simply lending to over-indebted governments.

In earnings news, positive reactions to earnings reports continue to trump negative ones. The list of stocks rallying after earnings includes: CMCSA, TEVA, MET, WCG, ANF, DF, DVN, and VMI. The only major stock trading down after earnings is Deere (DE).

In economic news, the Empire Manufacturing index for Feb. rose to 19.5 from 13.5 the prior month. The Housing Market index also improved in Feb. to 29 from 25 in January. These are small datapoints that continue to line up on the side of the ledger that supports a continued improving economic outlook in the U.S.

Commodities are mostly higher today. Oil prices are higher again near $101.70; gold prices are higher to $1733; silver prices are also higher, while copper prices are lower so far.

The 10-year yield is up just slightly to 1.94%; and the VIX is up +5% right now to 20.56. The higher VIX today is a bit odd given the gains in the market, and could be related to positioning ahead of this Friday's options expiration.

Trading comment: The action in stocks continues to be very positive. The list of those looking for a correction continues to grow. I even had a client call me yesterday and ask if we should be looking for a correction. Alas, it's never that easy, is it? AAPL just crossed the $500 mark on Monday and its already testing $525 today. The list of market leading growth stocks also continues to broaden, which is a marked change from 2011 when defensive stocks like utilities and consumer staples fared the best.

KAM Advisors has long positions in AAPL and DE

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

When it comes to love...

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

What Valentine’s Day Can Teach You About Branding Your Business


This is one of my favorite quotes, not just because it’s beautiful, but because I truly understand it. Not only am I lucky enough to be married to someone who brought meaning back to this word, but I’m also a parent, and when one becomes a parent, the word “love” is once again defined in a totally unique, new way.


The special Valentine’s Day quote that can teach you more about branding your business is this: "Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning." 


Throughout our lives, love is defined for us by the individuals closest to us. Our parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles, our early childhood caregivers and teachers, our sisters and brothers and cousins and then as we grow older, friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, fiancés and other significant others, and ultimately, our spouses and children.

When you think about the word “love,” everything that comes to mind whether happy or sad, joyful, painful – every memory, every twitterpated first date, every heartbreak – everything that has lent meaning to the word becomes part of its definition for you.

And here’s what this Valentine’s Day quote should teach you (or remind you) about branding your business: The brand (or name) of your business is just a word until people come along and give it meaning. 

Because the brand of your business is made up of all of the meanings given to it by your customers, your prospects, your friends, your family – anyone who comes into contact with any aspect of your business.

All of these people assign emotional meaning to the brand of your business and the name of your business, with each and every point of contact. And every time they hear your business name, or your name, or one of your business’ representative names (your employees), all of those experiences work together to become the brand of your business in their minds.

You can’t control their perceptions. You can, however, work to design and control each and every touch point so that the meaning that customers and prospects assign to the brand of your business are infused with positive perceptions, words and meanings.

This is what branding is all about: the understanding that every channel by which a prospect or customer comes into contact with you is building the brand of your business in their minds.

And that’s why it is so important to take the time to define what you want those impressions to be and to design each touch point to consistently represent your desired brand image and messages. That’s why it’s so important to infuse your business culture with positive, customer-centric values and to hire people who share your values, so that your mission and vision can be fulfilled.

Your brand – the name of your business – is just words, until someone comes along and gives them meaning. Do you know what meanings are your customers and prospects assigning to your brand – and how to better affect what they are?

***


Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.
If you want to build a business which provides the maximum when it comes to customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty as well as profitability, change the way that you  understand and use marketing.  365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.
 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Obama's Class-Warfare, Tax-the-Rich Budget

If you shake out the Obama budget in terms of bold headlines, it’s really a class-warfare, tax-the-rich budget. Layer upon layer of tax hikes are piled on successful investors, small-business owners, and corporations.

The capital-gains tax goes from 15 percent to 24 percent (including Obamacare). The dividends tax goes from 15 percent to nearly 40 percent, and that’s not including the double tax on corporate profits embodied in dividends and capital gains. The Bush tax cuts for top earners are repealed. There’s the 30 percent Buffett-rule minimum tax on millionaires. The carried-interest tax for private equity, hedge funds, and other investment partnerships goes from 15 to 39.6 percent. The estate tax jumps to 45 percent. Oil and gas companies get hit. And there’s probably more stuff in there I haven’t read yet. (Jimmy P. lays it out nicely.) Paul Ryan’s press release calls it $1.9 trillion tax hike, with $47 trillion in government spending over the next decade and the fourth straight year of trillion-dollar deficits.

Some kind of corporate tax reform may be released in a few weeks. But we don’t know much about it. And while it may lower the top rate, it’s going to penalize U.S. firms operating abroad. Just what business does not want.

Former Bush economist Keith Hennessey estimates that new proposals would create a ratio of 1.2 dollars of tax increases for every dollar cut in spending. Most of the spending cuts would slam Medicare doctors and other health providers. Unlikely to happen. And there is no overall entitlement reform. Somehow the Obama budget is being offered as a substitute for the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts from the supercommittee. But the slam down in defense remains a huge problem.
The deficit for the coming year, which is $1.3 trillion, would be 8.5 percent of GDP. More important, budget spending remains at over 24 percent of GDP. Debt held by the public for 2013 would be $12.7 trillion, or 77.4 percent of GDP. In terms of ten-year totals, spending would rise by $47 trillion and deficits by $6.7 trillion.

Really, this is a budget that says we must raise taxes in order to raise spending. It’s a 1 percent vs. 99 percent budget. But if these tax hikes ever went through it would be a 100 percent whack at future economic growth.

Obama chief of staff Jack Lew was wrong yesterday to suggest that a budget passed in the Senate requires 60 votes. By law, budget reconciliation requires only 51 votes. But this budget is dead on arrival. All the Republicans and many of the Democrats are not going to vote for across-the-board tax hikes. That’s a good thing.

But the question now is: What happens next? The U.S. is in a heap of fiscal trouble -- on the verge of bankruptcy. What are we going to do about it?

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Moody's Downgrades More European Countries

The market is lower this morning in early trading, but if the recent pattern continues then that would mean that the dip buyers will appear at some point and the market will close in positive territory. I'm not saying that will happen, just that has been the pattern in recent weeks.

Yesterday the market cheered the Greek austerity package. But today there is a slightly different tone after Moody's downgraded the countries of Spain, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. Moody's said these countries as being susceptible to the growing financial and macroeconomic risks.

There was another handful of earnings reports out last night and this morning. On the upside are a couple of standounts such as RAX and KORS. On the downside are stocks such as BWA, UTHR, CPLA, and GT. FOSL had started out lower in reaction to earnings, but has since reversed higher on strong volume.

In economic news, retail sales for January rose 0.4%, which was below expectations. But the ex-autos figure was 0.7% which was higher than consensus estimates and above last month.

Asian markets were higher overnight after Japan announced that it has expanded its asset purchase program.

The dollar is higher this morning, and most commodities are slightly lower. Oil prices are higher near $101, gold prices are flat around $1725, but copper prices are lower.

The 10-year yield has started to drift lower to 1.94%, which is right around its 50-day average. The VIX is up nearly 5% to just under the 20 level.

Trading comment: Healthcare stocks are leading the action this morning. Nearly all of the healthcare stocks I follow on my screen are bucking the early weakness. ESRX is acting better, shaking off last week's rumors about its acquisition. ISRG is surging to new highs. While we often focus on how "the market" is doing overall, this year could yield better results for those who focus on individual stocks.

KAM Advisors has long positions in BWA, ESRX, GLD

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Marketing Wisdom Of Yayoi Kusama.


Amongst the weird and wonderful installations at the Yayoi Kusama retrospective at Tate Modern, I noticed the following marketing snippets from a letter she wrote to a gallery owner and one from a press-release.

I believe we should furnish good planning and material to the no-good magazines to make them more interesting, rather than simply avoiding them because they are no good.

They have the handmade look that comes from expert craftsmanship.

Both date from 1968. Both apply today.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More

Monday Morning Musings

The market is higher this morning on relative light newsflow other than the headlines out of Greece. Greece's parliament has approved the new austerity measures it needed to accept in order to get its latest round of bailout funds.

The news has helped push European markets higher, as well as the euro. Asian markets were also higher overnight. But there is very little in the way of domestic economic data out this morning or corporate earnings reports of any consequence.

Friday's action saw one of the first selloffs of the year, but so far the action has not carried over this morning. Financial stocks are strongest so far, while defensive stocks like utilities are lagging.

The dollar is lower and most commodities are higher. Oil prices are up near $99.70, gold and silver prices are up slightly, while copper looks to be lower right now.

The 10-year yield is flattish around 1.96%. And the VIX is down -5.7% so far to 19.61 after a big spike higher on Friday that took the VIX all the way up to touch its overhead 50-day average.

Trading comment: The stairstep higher action continues. Most stocks have given little reason to sell them, and growth stocks continue act better than their defensive counterparts that led for most of 2011. Investor sentiment continues to grow more bullish, but has still yet to reach extreme readings that in the past have led to sharp selloffs. One anecdotal sentiment call was this weekend's Barron's cover, which said Dow 15,000 on it. Such bullish cover stories in the past have often coincided with bullish sentiment nearing some sort of peak.

Gudang grosir baju anak murah - harga pabrik !!
www.gudanggrosiran.com Read More