Send a free DaySpring Ecard Today

I always enjoy receiving cards with heartfelt message. Today, I finally managed to take a breather and want to send ecards to my loved ones, to let them know I care.  I love the meaningful messages and often feel uplifted when I see them. If you don't have time for anything, at least make time for this. Drop someone a note, to show you appreciate or care for them.

Words laced with grace and love, is always well-received. It dawned on me that no matter what, it is important for us to speak with gentless and show we care. No one cares how much you know, until he / she knows how much you care.

Connecting people through the words of God through encouragement. How sweet.

Investment Opportunity in Ringgit (Forex)

Malaysia: Firm economic recovery underpinned surprising interest rate hike; Good for KLCI March 10, 2010


The central bank recently raised OPR by 25 basis points to 2.25% which surprised many investors. Here, we will take a closer look at the implications of the rate hike to the equity market and economy.  (Author : iFAST Research Team)

Keynotes

• OPR was raised by 25 basis points in BNM's latest monetary statement, a surprise to many investors.

• The rate hike was underpinned by a stronger than expected economic recovery.

• Rate hike is expected to damper loan growth albeit in a mild manner.

• RM is expected to appreciate against USD which bodes well for the equity market, but might hurt exports temporarily.

• BNM demonstrates its commitment to ensure a sustainable economic recovery by controlling inflation expectations while interest rates remain accomodative. Equity market outlook remains optimistic.

The hike in interest rate is expected to lead to the appreciation of the ringgit. Interesting to note that there is a stronger than expected turnaround in the economy. Malaysia economy moved out of recession in 4Q 09 by posting a better than expected y-o-y growth of 4.5%, bringing GDP growth of -1.7% y-o-y in 2009. This was much higher than market consensus of -2.4% y-o-y.

With all investments, I always believer in doing sufficient research in websites like FundSupermart, or Poems and more publications, then discern, what is worthy of investing. Do not be penny wise, and pound foolish! :P

Getting Ahead in Finance Careers

Essential Skills in Getting Ahead in Finance Careers

The finance industry is notorious to be THE industry which is well-paying, but demanding. Rightfully so, for the demands of an internal auditor or financial analyst, is high and to be in this industry, one must have tenacity. Long hours during Chinese New Year (also known as the peak period) for external auditors from Big Four, are also "character building". How will I know? Well, having gone through this "character building" exercise, here are some qualities, which are essential to getting ahead in the professional trends in this fast evolving industry.

1) Communication Skills
Finance professionals are expected to communicate with many different departments within an organisation, and even external (such as handling external auditors during the financial year end). It is essential that one communicates and conveys complex financial information to non- financial audiences in a succient and palatable manner. Leveraging on interpersonal skills, to win over the hearts of audiences when making strategic recommendations are essential. All too often, a finance professional focuses on the statistics and forget to weave a story together as a package to the audience.

2) Technology Expertise
I did not realise the importance of upgrading my technological skills, until I joined the commercial world. The use of Micorsoft Access to generate query database, and pivot tables in Microsoft Excel are basics which one should know. If you need to learn how to make the best use of a new system or application, consider taking a software course or attend seminars to leverage on technology. Especially with the emphasis on Fraud Detection, your technology expertise is your selling point.

3) Global Perspective
The world's borders are increasingly blurry and as many functions become outsourced, it is imperative that we continue to demonstrate the need and understanding of accounting principles in other countries. Many countries are ramping up on Transfer pricing, and having a good mind on how the tax authorities are putting things together is a value-adding capbility.

There is so much one can do, in the finance industry. If your are keen to find out what opportunities are out there and seeking career advancements, here is the perfect opportunity- Getting ahead in finance careers.

Staying on Our A-Game for Ladies

What if you could have a career makeover in just half a day?

How much time are you willing to invest into your career? Chances are, you have already invested a lot into your career. Everyday, you are expending time, energy and effort to make your career work.

What if you could have a career makeover in just half a day? Now you can!

This specially designed half-day seminar to get you started on your career makeover. At this seminar, you will:

• Discover your personalized inventory of career strengths and how you can build upon them

• Gain fresh new perspectives on your career pathways

• Learn new strategies for achieving work-life balance and fulfilling your dreams

Investment Tips from the crisis from Dollardex

 Investment Tips from the crisis from Dollardex



1. Don't kid yourself about your risk tolerance

We all know to set our risk level before building a portfolio. But do we fool ourselves into believing we have nerves of steel - and take on too much risk? Shares or commodities always look great during a bull run, but it's easy to forget the downside risks are still high - and arguably get higher as markets reach new peaks.

Examine your own situation and your appetite for risk in a very honest and non-macho fashion. There are no prizes for holding the riskiest portfolio but potentially lots of heartache for over-risky portfolios. No investor should have the majority of their assets in shares or equity funds if they are the type of person who gets nervous every time the indexes turn red.

There are ways to lessen market timing risk, such as to regularly invest your money into the market with a monthly plan. Remember too, if your investment timeframe is short you should seriously consider lowering the risk on your portfolio.

2. Don't panic when markets crash

If you do decide to have a risky portfolio, with more than a small proportion in cash, then it can be a double mistake to panic during a crisis. Although markets are not guaranteed to recover, they usually do. If you sell at the point of crisis you will miss out on the recovery phase. A panicky investor tends to buy high, and sell low - just the opposite of a good investment strategy.

Remember that shares earn more than cash (the risk premium) because they are risky. You should expect ups and downs (not just ups). The best investments over the long term are almost always the most volatile. So if you decide to invest in emerging shares, which have grown much faster than shares in developed countries, also expect them to be most prone to large drops.

3. Understand diversification and risk management

Diversification is one way of smoothing risks and returns, and we've all heard the old saying that you must never put all your eggs in one basket. However, as some investors have found out over the last twelve months, during a crisis many supposedly uncorrelated assets do not provide much diversification protection. Stocks and bonds sank together.

Diversification can be misunderstood and too much expected of it. When we think of two assets that are highly uncorrelated we are tempted to think of them both moving in opposite directions during a crisis, hence buffering our portfolio from losses. This may not be true. For example, the returns of the assets in the chart below are almost perfectly uncorrelated, yet the general trend is still in the same direction. You can imagine how these assets might behave in a crash - both would plummet and the "diversified" investor gets no downside protection.

Don't be pressured or lured into making an investment decision. Any investment that sounds too good to be true, probably is. If a product promises or hints it can obtain above average returns then there must be a catch. The catch could be a more volatile return, an obscure risk condition that one day could bite you, or a too favourable reliance on past performance data.

Great Advice from DollarDex for investment.

CPF & You - Buying a House

It feels like everyone is thinking of buying their dream home and have to rely on our hard-earned CPF savings to pay for the home. I learnt some important things like how much CPF can be used for housing, what is the CPF Housing Withdrawal Limit, what can be touched and what cannot, the special account with extra interest and what happens when I sell my property, etc.from investment saavy.  I am quite amazed that there is so much to learn on CPF.

The CPF Housing withdrawal limits can only be from the CPF Ordinary Account, of which 120% of valuation limits for both private and HDB flats, this is not applicable if finance under HDB loan.

Differentiating A Good Coach from a Mediocre One

If you are a female boss, have you throught of ways to coach your staffs? Although the following article is targeted on sales folks, however, therein lies essence of what differentiates a good coach from a leader who simply instructs.

A good sales leader coaches, while a poor sales leader simply directs. Most people who desire success focus almost entirely on themselves, not others. However, this is not the way to be truly successful. As a sales leader, team work is paramount and coaching, becomes a rewarding calling. Certainly, it takes work and may not have immediate returns. Yet in the long run, you get to build up a dream team, exceeding your group target beyond your wildest dreams. How do you develop sales coaching? This article seeks to demystify the area of sales coaching in 3 simple steps.


1. Getting your team members to articulate

A seasoned sales man knows how to ask the right questions to his customers. Similarly, a good sales leader coach must ask his team the right questions and get them to answer. This is truly a powerful tool as the personal articulation creates a self- realization. A good sales coach helps others learn how to analyze their own performance, take responsibility for their own development, find their own answers and gain the team members' commitment to doing it.

2. Focusing only on one priority at a time

Most of us are highly ambitious and seek to accomplish a lot at a time. Perhaps in a bid for time, we often rush through the motion. However, to engage your team and for them to be able to give issues the focus they require to accelerate change, one should not have too much on the agenda. The team member has to learn the ropes and take time to internalise the good habits. Research has shown that simple repetitive tasks require a timeframe of approximately 21 days to condition!

3. Separating evaluation from development

Your team member may feel threaten if they feel that they are being appraised when you are trying to coach them. There is a time and place for everything, thus try to separate the development and evaluation aspect. In fact, some staffs that correctly identify areas to develop may be evaluated more positively. It is good for you to have a list of your team members, with their names, greatest strength, areas to develop and resources to share clearly tabulated in a list. This will allow you to picture your dream team clearly!

When these things are in place, sales coaching become your most powerful tool in achieving results and will far surpass a directive approach. The foundation is then built on trust and strengthening relationship. When coaching your sales staff, you are better able to gain an understanding of the areas where one is stuck and can broaden their perspectives, based on your experience and help to formulate a solution for their obstacles. Sales coaching require affirmation, time and effort. However, this is resources well-invested, and this will help you, as a person to develop lasting qualities for life.

Work Life Balance for Singaporean Women

Source: Robert Half
http://www.roberthalf.com.sg/portal/site/rh-sg/menuitem.b0a52206b89cee97e7dfed10c3809fa0/?vgnextoid=164b7052d3571210VgnVCM1000005e80fd0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6dff20fa5e38f110VgnVCM1000003041fd0aRCRD

Highlights:
* Work-life balance the top priority (59%) for female accounting and finance professionals

* 68% of participants expect to progress their career in the next five years

However, 45% do not think they will reach a senior management position, such as a Directorship, within finance and accounting

* Only 49% of participants claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunities/ diversity policy

Singapore, 21 May 2009 – Female accounting and finance professionals in Singapore today have strong aspirations to move up the corporate ladder; however, obstacles still line their paths in an environment where fair and equal opportunities for women are not yet entirely entrenched. Work-life balance is importantly also the top priority for women and the key to attracting and retaining female talent in this increasingly challenging environment.

These are the conclusions of Singapore’s first detailed survey of women within the finance and accounting profession in Singapore, jointly launched by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (“ACCA”) and Robert Half Singapore (“Robert Half”). Conducted in March 2009, the survey polled over 700 female finance and accounting professionals across all age groups from a wide range of organisation type, size and industry sector.

The survey found that many women in accounting and finance in Singapore see themselves as career mobile and hold ambitions to develop beyond their current role. When asked where they see themselves in five years, 68% expect to advance their careers, with 32% saying in a new role with their current employer and an even higher 36% citing a senior position in a different firm. The majority of the respondents from the 35 years or younger (44%) age group expect to move on to a more senior role with a different employer, suggesting that younger female workers in general have higher job mobility and are strongly motivated to advance their careers.

However, against the backdrop of a highly mobile female workforce, the survey found that support for female workers in career development and leadership development is currently not forthcoming in many organisations. 27% of respondents claim they do not receive any training support from their companies, with those from the 36 to 45 years age group receiving less support than their peers. During the last 12 months, 64% of respondents had not attended a leadership course and those employed by smaller organisations were less likely to do so than their counterparts in larger firms.

Correspondingly, a significant number of female employees (45%) do not think they will reach a senior management position, such as a Directorship, within finance and accounting. Indeed, 39% of the respondents said their Board of Directors do not have any female representation, with approximately one third (31%) citing that only 1-20% of their board members were female directors. Reasons for this imbalance allude largely to existing gender inequality within their organisations, with comments such as “Such positions are usually given to men” or “There are very few women at the top management levels and these continued to be male oriented”.

The lack of equal opportunities for women is also underscored by the fact that only 49% of participants claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunities/diversity policy. Much obviously still has to be improved on this front, as a sizable 32% do not have such a policy in place, while 21% of respondents are simply unaware if it even exists in their organisations. When asked where an equal opportunities policy would have the greatest impact, 30% said on organisation culture, while a combined 28% saw it as a tool to attract and retain both new and current female employees.

Lastly, but very importantly, even in today’s challenging economic market, female employees are clearly still seeking more balance and flexibility in their lives and the relationship between work and family commitments. According to the survey, work-life balance is the top priority (59%) for female accounting and finance professionals, with respondents ranking flexible hours (61%) and the ability to work from home (51%) as the top flexible benefits that organisations needed to offer to attract and retain female employees. So important is it that the majority of respondents (53%) would leave their current job for one that offered an improved work-life balance, even if it means less pay.

However, contrary to their desire to enjoy an improved work-life balance, an overwhelming 74% of respondents said they are now working longer hours compared to a year ago. The main reasons cited were increased responsibilities (34%) and an increase in workload (24%). Seven percent cited organisation growth which could imply that while business is growing, extra resources are not being brought in to cope with the growth. On average, female accounting and finance professionals work 46.1 hours with those who are married without children working the most number of hours (46.4 hours per week) and those married with children working the least number (45.8 hours).

Mr Tim Hird, Managing Director, Robert Half, comments, “The results of our survey underscore the challenges that female professionals face in Singapore. While women continue to seek greater career advancements, barriers to progression evidently still remain in the workplace today. With Singapore still facing a shortage of skilled professionals despite the weak job market, it is more important than ever that organisations put in place practices to ensure that the funnel of female employees moving up the corporate ladder continues, or risk losing valuable members of the team.

Corporate leaders need to start planning for the eventual market recovery and understand the implications of a talent shortage as we emerge from the recession. Removing these barriers and improving access to flexible benefits is the first step in ensuring that top female talent are not just brought into the workforce, but most importantly, retained.”

Concludes Mrs Penelope Phoon-Cohen, Country Head, ACCA Singapore, “With better education possibilities and career opportunities, women have made a difference to the workplace in the last 50 years and now play an integral part in today’s workforce. As the advancement of women continues in Singapore, it is crucial to understand and ensure that gender equality and fair opportunities exist for female employees. Today, the world is facing unprecedented circumstances. Bringing to the table their unique characteristics and qualifications, women, like their male counterparts, play an important role in tackling the challenges of an increasingly complex economic landscape, and in rebuilding confidence to move businesses forward into the future.”

Handling Tricky Money Situations with Your Loved Ones

Marriage and money can prove to be a stressful combination, as many couples fight about money. During stressful economic times, marriages can be strained when money troubles arise. Here's how to find harmony with your marriage and money.


Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Ongoing

Here's How:

Remain Calm

When tempers flare, people can say things that they wish they could take back -- but can't. It's best for your marriage and money stress levels to remain calm when discussing finances. This means using stress management techniques like breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, exchanging massages, or simply putting on some soothing music. Keeping each other calm can help your marriage, and can help you solve your money problems.

Pray About it
Like all things, pray about it. Nothing beats having a prayer to ask God for His direction. With a gentle note of prayer, remember the fruits of the Spirit and make sure no mean words spout out through your mouth. Instead, gentleness is the way to go.

Get A Clear View
It may not be fun, but it's important that you both have a clear view of your money situation. You both need to know what you have, what you owe, what you make, and where it goes. Sometimes one person does the bulk of the budgeting, but when coming up with solutions for money problems, it's important for both of you to know where you stand. Get everything on the table, and look at it together.
Focus On Solutions
When faced with the sometimes stark reality of money problems, it's sometimes easy to slip into patterns of anger and blame. Don't. This can cause more stress in your marriage, and can actually lead you away from solutions! Focus on accepting the situation you are in now, and working on a clear plan to get to a better financial future together.


Work Together
Two heads are better than one, and in a marriage, it's important for the two of you to be on the same page when it comes to money. Work together to come up with a budget that will work for both of you, and stick to it. (You owe it to one another, as well as to your kids, if you have any.) Encourage your partner's ideas, and remember that your marriage and your money situation will do better of you two are managing money as a team.

Get Help If You Need It
If your money situation is quickly deteriorating and you don't know how to make a plan that can save your finances, it may be a good idea to talk to a financial advisor together. This can provide fresh ideas and an educated perspective, and give you both a neutral third party to trust in. If your marriage is quickly deteriorating from money fights, it may likewise be a good idea to talk to a marriage counselor. Money problems can take a toll on a relationship, and a counselor can help you examine your patterns and come up with a healthier way to relate to one another.

Tips:

Remain Connected--Even when you're frustrated by your situation, you can still hold hands as you talk, take breaks to give each other massages, share a joke, and keep your connection alive in simple ways. You can help one another through this!

Be Aware--If you always seem to fight about money, and especially if you don't entirely know why, it may be a good idea to examine your history and your partner's history and take a look at your 'money issues'. Just being aware of whether you carry negative patterns from childhood, unrealistic expectations, or 'hot buttons' that keep getting pressed, can help you to deal with your triggers.

Take a Break If You Need To--If things get too stressful, take a break and do something you both enjoy together, or take some time alone, and then come back after you both have a set of 'fresh eyes' and an extra dose of patience.

Remain Calm--I've said it before, and it's important enough to mention again. Staying calm when you're dealing with finances can make the difference between a fruitful planning session and a damaging altercation. See the suggestions above, or the resources below.
 
(Source: Stress.about.com)

Make Money while Going on a Holiday

Do you want to save money, make money and yet travel freely? Here is the inside scoop that travel agencies will not tell you and yet, it will make your holiday a memorable one. Have a secret dream of being a merchandiser, well, this is really the stuffs that you want to know, but cannot find in brochures!

The next time you go on a holiday, challenge yourself to turn a holiday trip to a money making venture!

1) Keep your eyes peeled for popular brands / trends

It never hurt to ask the locals for the best places of attractions. When in Rome, do what the Romans do. Check out great sights and sounds with a local, make a new friend! And what is best, is the possibility of seeing something interesting and bringing back a franchise! Do take note of the popular brands in the market, or something that has caught your interest. It may be the latest craze that catches on!

2) Make bulk purchases and sell back home

There are some popular face masks or unique products which are sold elsewhere at a cheap price. You can start surfing the websites and knowing what are some of the popular items sold in the country you are visiting. By doing so, you are able to defray the cost of your travel and it is always fun, to have the feeling of being a merchandiser! Do read up adequately, thus minimizing the probability of getting stuck with a lot of inventory. Keep the items simple and choose items that are relatively easy to be placed in your luggage!

Turn that holiday trip into an investment trip by simply opening your eyes to business ideas! Very often, a travel trip may turn out to be a gem, giving you ideas for even a franchisee! The money spent, is money well-invested! Check out my blog if you want more great tips in turning pleasures into money making ideas.