Hot Penny Stocks, Stock Market Getting You Down?

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Posted on 16th January 2012 by socialchange in Business

penny stockSometimes it seems like you just can’t get a grip on those hot penny stocks and the stock market is getting you down. There are so many of them and so many companies out there, that it’s often difficult to figure out exactly what you would like to invest in. Investors always face a very simple dilemma — do you invest according to what you are interested in and what your passion is, or do you invest for profit?

Hot penny stocks and the dilemma of investing

Regulators and the corporate lobbyists demanding the regulations are most likely so anti hot penny stocks because they challenge their business model directly and threaten to remove their market dominance. For instance, pretend there is a little-known company that sells some peripheral to a computer that nobody has ever heard of. It really doesn’t do much, it’s a combination of a mouse and a number pad and most people didn’t even know they really needed one until the massive viral marketing campaign that came about after a penny stock investor bought up 1 million shares. And then the profits of the company increased and the investor sold everything off.

Sometimes you get lucky when you invest in hot penny stocks such as these on the stock market. You are successful in raising the company’s profits and making a profit too when you sell the stocks.

What separates this example from the rest

But there are bad examples too. What if the product is something that is illegal? Are the investors responsible? Is the sudden increase in customers and clients who may not have known it was illegal an issue? In this case, perhaps consumers could be protected from penny stock questions and regulation might make sense. The stock market, as with many other things, grows and develops. It can evolve quickly overnight and respond to various situations. Economists are often faced with the question of whether they are merely observers (descriptivists) or given a calling to modify the market in some way (prescriptivists). If they remain neutral and just describe penny stocks they are accused of being libertarian, Randian and fascist. The irony is that those who support the eradication of penny stocks and regard them as illegal are often representatives of large corporations, as in lobbyist lawyers with an agenda.

Free market divisions and hot penny stocks

Hot penny stocks therefore are another frontline battlefront in the stock market division. As with political and sociological ideas, they can be put on a spectrum that goes from far left to far right. Economic ideas are the same, and it has been said that those supporting penny stocks belong on the far left (completely libertarian) and those against on the far right (fascist corporations). On the other hand, viewed from the other side, they would describe supporters of the free market as fascist and far right while supporters of the regulated market consider themselves of the left. So hot penny stocks and stock market woes are not a new thing.

 

Providing Excellent Customer Service

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Posted on 29th November 2011 by socialchange in Business

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customer serviceFor any given business (let alone offline and/or online) in order to survive in these times, an then to thrive must provide excellent customer service. People do not care how much you know, until they see how much you care about them. So true. The world is changing; consumers no longer fall prey to cheap marketing tactics, so hence it is critical for any business to give clients what they want every single time with ease and grace. I know this is much easier said than done. Consumers (customers) are much more educated and empowered today, and thus are really being more thoughtful and careful as to where they spend their hard earned money; especially due to today’s global economy. This is why it is important to always be win/win oriented towards a customer.

Provide exceptional service. This involves your full undivided attention. If you work in a shop, this means that. No gazing, slumped body language or continuing the chit chats with your fellow worker while a customer is at the counter needing your full undivided attention and service at any given moment. Clients demand fast, efficient and accurate service. You need to go out of your way and really treat people like they are a guest in your own home. Listen to what clients are asking you; this is essential human behaviour and professional courtesy anyway. If a customer knows what they want; do not try to sell them that which they do not want. You will come up with resistance otherwise.

If you are providing customer service over the phone, smile. People can sense things through the phone lines. Over the phone your tone of voice (tonality, the way you say things) is so critical. And also in a phone based customer service environment (actually as equally important in a face-to-face setting); if you don’t know the answer to a clients question: admit that you don’t know instead of making facts up. Never ever mislead customers under any circumstances. Do unto others as you want them to do unto you; lie and you will be lied to. It is important (in addition to the skills and attitude) to also have some product knowledge; knowledge of the product and/or service you are selling. If you do not know; again it is good to admit that you do not know, however go beyond this and say “I don’t know however I will find out for you.”

Customers expect you to take full ownership of their request. It is frustrating in a call centre environment to be transferred from one person to another; one person needs to (and ideally must) take full ownership of your situation as a customer. Follow up on complaints if you need to, and do not harass them for payment (even a late bill) if you had to rectify an error/mistake around the same time, which is obviously why your customer in this instance was disputing your invoice in the first place. In providing customer service, common sense goes a long way. Put yourself in your customers shoes, and ask yourself “how do I really want to be treated in this circumstance if I was the customer?” you will be pleasantly surprised with what you come up with.

Trilegiant: The Future is Now

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Posted on 28th November 2011 by socialchange in Business

At Trilegiant Corporation, we are concerned about the future. Through the years we have concentrated on providing quality membership-based services in the dental, health, entertainment, travel, shopping, and consumer protection fields. We have work for both retail and financial service companies.

Through programs like AutoVantage, we are able to help consumers when they need it most. This particular program assists people with emergency roadside assistance. Additionally, it offers them discounts on vehicle maintenance, travel guides and other useful information as well as discounts on hotels around the country.

Buyers Advantage is another terrific program that gives protection for finding something on sale after you spend money for it. Buyers Advantage also has a guaranteed return policy, offers many rebates on repairs, has extended warranties available.

Here is a quick look at some of the other great programs Trilegiant offers.

  • CompleteHome – This is another consumer service that gives people savings on products and services they already use in the home.
  • Clever Clubhouse – Offers online education and entertainment for children.
  • PC SafetyPlus – Provides computer security easily and without a hassle.
  • Great Fun – This is a program that offers consumers discounts on activities like dining out or attending family attractions
  • HealthSaver - This service provides members with guaranteed and instant savings for various health services
  • Hot-Line – This service offers a response center that can assist consumers when their credit cards, ATM cards, orother personal information is stolen. In today’s day and age, this can be a scary process.

The services above are just some of the ways that Trilegiant is here to help consumers. Since being founded in 1973 in Norwalk, Conneticut, Trilegiant Corporation has come a long way. Today, they operate as a subsidiary of Affinion Group, Inc.

In addition to working with consumers, offering them great services, Trilegiant has also worked with many people on the Internet to let people know about their useful consumer services like CompleteHome and HealthSaver.

The Future of Trilegiant

It is true that many companies have had trouble during the late 20th and early 21st century, but Trilegiant Corporation is still in operation, having weathered all that has come its way. With a renewed dedication to helping consumers with multiple problems and needs, Trilegiant Corporation is one of the companies to watch in the future. From the existing technologies and services that they offer to what they have upcoming and in the works, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to this company.

As 2012 approaches, Trilegiant Corporation has their eyes on the future, constantly improving their services for the millions of consumers that they help each and every month. On the Internet there is a lot of false and misleading information. This is why it is important to carefully research companies like Trilegiant to see what they are doing to help consumers around the country. When it comes to consumer services, Trilegiant is a tough company to beat. A smart person would do well to keep their eye on this 30-something year old company that has its eye on the future.