A fanboy's review of the Moto E

Why do I like the Moto E?

And why would I recommend buying it?

Reasons are simple:

Price: I feel like this if I need to buy a phone priced at more than Rs 9,000

(Source: http://funnyjokesandsmss.blogspot.in/2011/01/share-khan-lkg.html)

The Moto E costs just Rs 6999 on Flipkart

Body: The build and feel of the phone is very premium. You will feel as if you are holding a phone worth Rs 15,000

Android OS (Kitkat): Best OS ever. Intuitive and Robust. 

Updates: Just be at a place where you have Wifi Connection and enable the phone's wifi. All your applications will keep getting updated.

Gorilla Glass: This is a boon for those of us who are clumsy with our phones. The glass won't crack. Period

Check out a video review of this phone here

Two cons are that the camera sucks and it is really hard to remove the cover! :(

3 future trends in digital marketing

Hello there!

I foresee the following trending in the Indian digital marketing industry very soon:

a) Infographics:

It is always better to show an infographic than to define one
This is an infographic:


(Source: http://infographicality.com/category/beautiful-infographics/page/4/)

I feel companies from the BFSI industry and Real Estate industry will find infographics useful.
This is because both sell products belonging to high involvement category.

Some of the benefits of infographics are:

a) Complex pieces of information is presented in a beautiful visual manner
b) Individuals spend a lot of time on infographics
c) Infographics can be promoted through various channels
d) First mover advantage: Not many brands in India are using infographics


b) Content marketing:

Just read this to understand ROI delivered by content marketing
Everybody loves to read a story.
Make sure you write an interesting one!

c) Review Videos:

I entered a search term in the Youtube search bar: Unboxing videos flipkart
Check out the top results: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=unboxing+videos+flipkart

None of these videos belong to Flipkart!

Eventually many brands would want to create video content exclusively for Youtube.
Although, presently, several are advertising on Youtube.

Just imagine the response that a crackling review video can get.
Check this

2 lakh + views and increasing.
Let us assume one percent is driven to the website.
2000 visits to the website and increasing.

With expert help, a video like this can be created for Rs 30,000.

This means you are paying Rs 15 per click (on the higher side)

And this number will keep decreasing over  a period of time as people keep coming back to watch videos and the reach of a popular video keeps increasing.



Do let me know what you think!



Source: http://becuo.com/happy-pigs

How to buy a car in 2 days

Last month I embarked on the car buying journey. Like any newly minted MBA graduate, I came prepared and ready to negotiate.

My criteria were pretty straight forward: small, four-door, hatchback, excellent gas mileage, reasonably priced.

Initially my boyfriend and I were going to buy the car together. We researched our options online...and also asked our Lyft driver for recommendations.

She suggested we download the app: TrueCar.  We did and we were super stoked about it at first. But, after a while the dealerships just bombard you with quotes.  If you have very specific criteria, this app can help you find the best dealer in the area. But, if you're more flexible and looking for the best deal, it's a little overwhelming.

All in all it helped in the research stage, because we could quickly get estimates on car prices throughout the Bay Area. However, we did not end up using it to make our final purchase.

The first day of actual car shopping was brutal...and not necessarily because of the dealerships. Mainly because when it came down to making a decision, we were not on the same page: I wanted automatic and my boyfriend wanted manual.

We would sit down with a sales guy having discussed our walk away point and our BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement) beforehand. I would pull up my handy dandy spreadsheet. Here's a screenshot for reference (very useful for figuring out what package you want to negotiate):

[This spreadsheet will help you calculate monthly payments if that's most important to you, but also break down in total what you're paying in interest and principal. This helped me decide that I wanted to pay more now, so I have less interest to pay all together.]

But, then we wouldn't be able to commit because we couldn't get the price we were targeting. Now our target was pretty low for the type of car and features we wanted.

On the first day we passed by a used 2011 Ford Fiesta for $10,899 that caught my eye because it was in great condition and well priced. Finally, when we couldn't come to an agreement on the new ford cars, I decided to go for the used car on my own if I could negotiate a lower price, which I did!

So to recap, in order to buy a car in 2 days: do thorough research beforehand, figure out your budget, and commit.

How to become wealthy with just Rs 5 lakhs

Imagine.

No, I am not referring to the song by John Lennon.

But imagine that you have Rs 5 lakhs with you and you are 30.
The date is 28th October 2004.

And suppose one of the following happens to you:

a) Prison

You are thrown in prison for 10 years.
You stay in for 10 years.

Possibly because of the following:




(Source: http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/4205323/How+do+you+remember+your+name/)


Or


b) Paralysis

Not sleep paralysis:



(Source: http://thefunniestpictures.com/2014/04/18/ever-had-sleep-paralysis-thats-some-scary-shit/)

But like:

(Source: http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/dec/09/stephen-hawking-brief-history-mine-tv-review)


Or


c) Renunciation: You decide to renounce the world and become a holy person. You would be living on alms and doing this to pass time:



(Source: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/27/gap-year-india-glorified-holiday)


Then suddenly.
At the age of 40.
You either are released or regain your abilities or have a change of heart and want to join civilization.

So do you start from scratch?

Since you could be feeling like this:



(Source: http://www.repaydebt.org/e-cards/i-am-having-an-out-of-money-experience)


But what if I say, you would be worth atleast Rs 1 crore 55 lakhs 70 thousand!
And earning an income of Rs 3 lakhs plus just in FY 2014-15

Unbelievable?

This is assuming you would have invested Rs 5 lakhs in ITC on 27th Oct 2004 and held onto them.
Back then the share price opened at Rs 36.27 (adjusted for splits and bonus).
The share split 10:1 and also offered bonus of 2:1 on 21st Sep 2005.
It again offered bonus of 1:1 on 3rd August 2010.

All this by just staying invested in ITC.
You wouldn't have even had to do a lot of research to know about the company.
ITC touches almost every aspect of one's life.
Advertises so much that only a most ignorant person wouldn't be aware of its existence.

This is the magic of compounding and long term investing!

How to Handle All Your Bookkeeping Needs Easily

When a business needs Calgary bookkeeping help, they must make sure they are working with a company that can provide help with the accounting.

A company does not have to hire a full-time staff to handle these items because they can hire an outside company to take care of their books. The preparation of financial statements Calgary companies do can be handled outside the office, and they will be handed in to the office manager or owner every week.

When these companies are handling the books, they can also provide tax documents to the client. The tax documents that they provide make it easy for the business to handle their taxes at the end of the year, and the business will be able to commission all the documents they need to make sure they do well at an audit.

A business that does not have time to handle all its own finances needs to be sure that it is hiring someone to handle the books. The best way to get the books taken care of is through an independent firm that knows how to handle the accounting. They use professionals who can prepare all the financial documents for the business properly every week of the year.

3 things to do before meeting a prospect

Greetings!

If you are a sales person from India, you must have spent a long weekend celebrating Diwali and avoiding injuries! :P

If you are a sales person from elsewhere and do not know about Diwali, I would urge you to read this

However, regardless of wherever you are from, but are a sales person; you must keep the following in mind before meeting a prospect:


a) Remind: Send an email/message or even call to remind the prospect about the meeting. This must be done a day in advance. There are chances that the prospect would have forgotten all about the meeting because she might be in this mood:



(Source: http://www.pgi.com/learn/rescheduled-again-5-techniques-salvage-cancelled-sales-call/)


b) Research: Today there is no excuse for not being knowledgeable. Except lethargy! Most individuals have a profile on atleast one of these social networking sites:


And most of it is available for free. So do try to find out whether you have a common friend or is the prospect a fan of Manchester United or if the prospect had flown to Manila last week! You will be amazed to know that only a small percentages of sales people spend time researching.

(Source: http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml)


c) Rehearse: Never underestimate the importance of preparation. One can either rehearse the meeting with the help of a colleague or mentally visualize the meeting. Create a list of questions that could be asked so that one can be in charge of directing the meeting rather than letting the prospect be in charge. Look at how Matthew Hayden would prepare for a match.

So Remind, Research and Rehearse!

The three Rs that should help you earn a lot of rupees!



Source: (http://www.123rf.com/photo_27613435_happy-young-business-woman-holding-indian-rupee-notes.html)

Save Every Time You Spend!

Boy, that title sure does sound like a salesperson trying to sell a scam. I don't know about you, but when I hear programs that puts "save" and "spend" together, I sense trouble. The programs utilizing spending as a means to save available to you are:

1. Bank of America Keep the Change;
2. Wells Fargo Way2Save; and
3. A non-bank offerings from Saved+

They all have one thing in common, automatic saving. The Way2Save and Saved+ offer something similar, in every transaction you'll have money saved to your saving account. For Way2Save, it's a flat $1 put into your savings account per transaction. Saved+ gives more control to the consumer to set the percentage they want to save per transaction. So, if I set it to 10%, when I pay my bills of $100, it'll automatically save $10.

BoA's Keep the Change, on the other hand, applies the classic "save your change in a jar" to debit card transactions. 

There may be things that you may need to pay attention to, like fees for having the savings account, taxes for the matching incentives given, and so on. If you use Saved+, you'd have to pay attention to your budget closely, because it will add up. I'm not saying that these programs won't work for you, I'm saying these programs won't work for me. My way is the old school way of using jars/envelopes and saving before spending.

It is, however, possible to save by spending if spending becomes "spending". Meaning, you spend on your future self by purchasing securities, precious metals, and transferring payments to yourself as savings.

Teaching behavior strategies using Budget Challenge

Over the past few months I've dedicated much of my time outside of school to sharing financial literacy instructional strategies on the H&R Block Budget Challenge and Budget Challenge websites. 

If you hadn't heard, H&R Block is giving away $3 million in classroom grants and scholarships using H&R Block Budget Challenge.

Educators may find today's post particularly helpful...

"As shared in an earlier post… “Money management decisions are often simple tasks requiring timely and consistent choices. Students must learn early on the value of establishing a system that works for them to manage day-to-day money management tasks.” Consider using our decision-making matrix as a resource to help your students connect with a strategy that will lead to positive financial behavior throughout our simulation."

Strategies to help with H&R Block Budget Challenge	I’m comfortable with…
I struggle with…	My computer	My phone	Paper / pencil
Budgeting	Use the H&R Block Budget Challenge interactive Budget and Cash Flow spreadsheet to establish your budget. Save it in an electronic folder.	Use the H&R Block Budget Challenge interactive Budget and Cash Flow spreadsheet [Google Spreadsheet version] to establish your budget. You can access Google sheets on a smart phone.	Print and use the H&R Block Budget Challenge Budget and Cash Flow spreadsheet to establish your budget.
Saving / retirement	Make it automatic! Identify a savings / retirement goal and direct deposit into your Budget Challenge 401k. Take full advantage of the employers match.	Make it automatic! Identify a savings / retirement goal and direct deposit into your Budget Challenge 401k. Take full advantage of the employers match.	Make it automatic! Identify a savings / retirement goal and direct deposit into your Budget Challenge 401k. Take full advantage of the employers match.
Paying bills	Automate what bills you can for future payments by setting payment dates on due dates. Make sure you’re not paying unnecessary fees. Set calendar alerts for uninterrupted time 3-4 times a week to pay bills.	Use the Budget Challenge App to automate bills for the due date when they’re received. Make sure you’re not paying unnecessary fees. Set phone alerts for uninterrupted time 3-4 times a week to pay bills.	Establish a regular routine that includes a go-to place for bills and uninterrupted time; Establish self motivating “If-Then” goals (ie IF I pay my bills THEN I can watch TV)

Some Misapprehensions Among People Concerning the Emerging Market

It is often noticed surprisingly that people from various countries even the developed nations have various misconceptions regarding the global emerging market. On a recent survey about health treatment, women’s rights and also culture and education, people have great misinterpretations. The same thing happens in the case of the present condition of social and economic advancement in the global frontier market. Some non-profit institutions have made some statistical steps about the development in this world market.
 
Most of the people in UK, United States, and Norway and so on are enquired and their answers are found wrong. In comparison to some developed countries, Germany showed quite better and correct results since here 2 out of 8 questions are correct. But in a very developed country as USA, one out of ten is right.Therefore, most of the German citizensare likely to have low misapprehensions regarding the emerging world.

The misconceptions known from a survey-

In case of questions about the income distribution, the situation is somewhat problematic from the viewpoint of commercial and investment since one has to learn who has the money if one decides to get money. According to a survey in the year1975, almost 70% of the world’s citizens who was able to afford any trip internationally by airplane are inhabitants in the United States as well as Europe whereas in the present day, 50% of the inhabitants in the whole world belong to United States and Europe.

The misconceptions are also seen regarding the continent of Asia. The knowledge about global population is very important. Similarly, it is also significant to know about the number of rich and middle class people in the world. The majority of people also get wrong how many people live in Asia. This information will make certain about the improved commercial practices, good investing systems and also ability of recognizing how the whole world is changing.According to Ola, the news media is also responsible about the unawareness of people in our world. The nations, which created less social growth, can produce interesting stories than others.

Some challenges faced by the emerging markets-

There are a lot of threats and challenges that a firm can suffer in the global marketplace. Regardless of the fact that, the business is very large or local firm threats often exist, there are various types of economic systems such as capitalism, mixed economy and so on.

The present economic crisis has brutally impacted several businesses. Many business enterprises have been closed due to the recession. It shows that businesses have to adjust their strategies in accordance with the economic condition. The economic recession needs businesses to downscale employees and reduces cost. Economic setting also controls product costs.One of the main challenges to the businesses is their transactions in Euro that is changeable very often. There is also challenge concerning the serious competition in the global market of goods.

Overall Market Situation According to the Value of Gold

Gold measures the overall market trend and thus every person depends on the metal to accumulate the useful resources. The banks and other organizations maintain the suitable economic backdrop in accordance with the gold commodities.

The price of gold settles the overall economy around the world that varies according to the countries. So, the financial institutions need to maintain the suitable balance representing the entire market value.

The Central Bank however stands as an exception that is capable to sustain the suitable monetary. Even during the difficult circumstances, the organization can fulfill the market values without any intricacies. Therefore, the users are able to acknowledge the real time benefits in terms of money or the liquid cash.

The Major Reason Behind the Above-Mentioned Fact

The bank reveals that the skilled economists are responsible for the extraordinary outputs. Incorporating the sophisticated skills and other features helped them to come out with the effective results.

Therefore, the smart policies and other features that they represent accumulate the smart features accordingly. Here, the users can explore zero as well as negative interest rates that serve as the inspiring feature.

However, the users need to read the terms and conditions before investing. It helps you to pick up the right option that would meet all your monetary demands. Alongside, it also implements the innovative strategies ensuring the optimistic results that maintain ample resources eliminating all the hurdles.

The Role of the Equity Market Investors

The users who want to invest with an intention to gain increased resources need to seek the help of the efficient organization like the Central Bank. Get familiar with the complete system that helps you to select the ideal option eradicating all the negative issues.

Communicate with the representative knowing the details of the services that you would receive. In addition, carry out all the legal proceedings that help you to become the valid user. So, you are able to establish the strong monetary condition that would show you the suitable way to success. Learn how to accumulate the assets that represent the well-merited treasures accompanied with other beneficial solutions.

Make sure that you concede the original solutions exactly according to your needs without any sort of difficulties. Moreover, you can compare the options with other organization understanding the real time situation.

Always Remain Updated

It is important that the users should always comprehend the suitable information regarding the price of gold. It would help you to acknowledge the customized services that reveal the accurate solutions. Before you obtain the schemes, evaluate the entire market position that would aid you to gain adequate knowledge.

Develop the effective position ensuring the relevant outputs implementing the suitable features from the selected organization. Finally, you can see the growing rate of the graph according to which you can incorporate the feasible attributes.

Carry out a detailed discussion with the experienced persons knowing the true outputs that you would receive. Gradually, you can set up the strong monetary infrastructure along with all the optimistic upshots.

Higher Learning and Higher Earnings

What I learned so far in my life is that how well you do during your bachelors matter a lot on getting that first stepping stone. But what's also important is no matter what job you have, making the right financial decisions and having the discipline to save and invest is the stepping stone to a better financial life.

I was made aware of the Social Mobility Index from my university's Facebook page. It's an index that ranks university based on tuition, economic backgrounds, graduation rate, early career salary, and endowment. When it comes to making the correct financial decisions, we'd have to group ourselves to the university that we can afford. Once stepping out of the financial bounds is when we make the first mistake. The second decision is making sure we study for a profession that we want to be in, and consider the earnings made in comparison to the tuition paid. In other words, calculate your return on investment in getting that degree.

I made none of those considerations in the past, but I'm going to make sure my kids give it some thought.

INTRO - ETHICAL LENDING

Banking and the global financial model is a topic that has been mainly addressed indirectly or directly by religions and think tanks with concepts that can be traced back to Adam Smith. Some have argued that we should walk-away from interest rates as its Riba, where Riba is forbidden in all three major religions. Others argued that we should move away from dealing with paper and go back to gold or silver, where until this day a common ground was not reached.

The purpose of this blog; however, is to directly contribute to building the basis of Ethical Lending. Ethical Lending is mainly concerned with the wider ramifications of bank actions and its impact on society. To be considered an ethical lender, financial institutions or banks should look at how business practices, processes, and products impacts society.

This blog is not to recommend that the world should go back to nativity, nor to get into controversial subjects such as which banking system is better and get into the "haram/halal," debate. I wouldn't also qualify it to be a scholarly blog. Instead, the blog aims to highlight some shortcomings in the current banking practices and provide solutions based on my personal experience and professional track record in banking.

Prior to going into the details of my topic; however, it is important to provide some advise and pose the following questions which I am sure many of you would consider it challenging to answer:

1. How our banking and financial regulations being formed ?
2. Who regulates the regulators ? 
3. What happens if we enter another crises ?

Advise 1: The answer to all of the above can be very vague and debatable. But what I would like to point out is that its all out of our hands as consumers or clients. Therefore, no one can protect us - except us. 

1. Should banks give loans for free or share losses with consumers ?
2. Are bankers working for my best interest ?
3. Are loans the answer to my needs ?

Advise 2: Know your needs as a consumer, educate yourself, and make a conscious decision or an educated decision on how to utilize a loan.

I would also like to add a disclaimer that the purpose of this blog is to evaluate issues and recommend solutions, and is not a blog aimed to insult, or humiliate financial institution, its employees, or even regulators. 

Lets now look at the current banking practices, and as "evil" it may seem, it is also important to consider why are the current practices harmful and what kind of actions both banks and regulators are doing to protect consumers.