Tag Archives: wall street

Opinion: The Retail Investors vs the hedge funds (the short squeeze)

Wallstreetbets a popular reddit forum

In my years of studying/working in finance, I’ve seen a few things but never as eventful as this. From what started as a far fetched speculation of GameStop shares going up to the discussion on Reddit forum r/wallstreetbets about an impending short on the gaming retail store, has evolved into one of the most interesting topics I’ve read all month. In the span of a month retail traders, billionaires, celebrities, and people in overseas markets have joined in on the events transpiring. If you would have asked me if GameStop would have hit $400 a share I would have thought that was a great joke but here we are in a time where GME stock was over $400 a share last week. The sheer leaps this stock has taken in a month have been mind-blowing and has been a part of some feedback, both positive and negative. From the media slamming those involved as “unsophisticated investors” who manipulated the market (while trading platforms such as Robinhood have blocked new shares from being bought which one would consider manipulation) to those that just like the stock and see the potential for the retailer to grow with the new console releases and acquisition of new talent on their team.

As an investor myself, I am a firm believer in letting people trade to their heart’s content. It’s a risk that most everyone involved should already know. It’s speculative and volatile and for the paper-thin arguments for platform restriction on stocks like GME, AMC and others are blatant manipulation to protect hedge funds from losses but also the media slanting is heavily skewed against the retail investors who have been apart of this. Needless to say, there are talks of class action lawsuits against Robinhood for restrictions on trade and it will not be the last I suspect. I suspect this time to be a transfer of generational wealth and people are missing the good people have been doing with their newfound wealth. If you get you to give. And that is what is happening here. I say let them trade. My only other word of wisdom with this is doing your homework and don’t just get on the bandwagon for the kicks and giggles. This is a great time to witness history and I cannot wait to see the final chapter in this saga. As always my friends invest responsibly and stay safe out there. Excelsior.

Business etiquette 101-Impressionable minds

 

In this modern society there are some things that can be lost to time. One important thing we should never forget is proper business etiquette. This applies to many settings in the professional world from interviews, the workplace and in the dining room. I’ll be covering business etiquette in several different articles. The first topic is how to properly prepare to make a good first impression and knock out any professional interaction.

  1. The first contactImage result for the first contact

Always make sure that if you are meeting with important people to remember that if you receive any kind of correspondence/invitations to reply as soon a possible. If you cannot make it then say so and see what steps you can take from there. No one likes a rude person who no shows and didn’t give prior notice (and don’t cancel 24 hours before unless it is an ABSOLUTE emergency). This goes doubly for business events such as galas and dinners because every response means a mouth to feed!

  1. AppearanceImage result for appearance

I’ll get some grief from some folks for this, but your appearance does matter in the professional world. I know you enjoy wearing your sweats and flip flops and you feel cozy in your leggings and such, but they have no place in the professional scene.  Depending on the situation you might have to change your attire accordingly. Business formal (suit and tie and dress shoes/ business suit/ blouse and skirt for the ladies with shoes not showing toes and such) Business casual (polo shirt with slacks/ a nice blouse with dress pants for ladies). These are general ideas I’m throwing you, but I can give you specifics I use. If it’s a bug business affair I could wear a tux with all the finings (bow tie, cummerbund, etc.) if it’s a business day at the office I will war a suit and tie (3 piece if you really want to show off and earn style points) or I’ll wear a dress shirt and tie with a nice pressed pair of slacks. Business casual for me is a polo with a good pair of slacks and loafers. And everyone’s favorite: CASUAL FRIDAY! A good pair of jeans (no holes or outrageous patterns) and a good top with tennis shoes. Make sure your hair and face are not crusty and messy and make sure you smell nice but do not bathe in cologne/perfume, that runs people away and overpowers them. Try not to have any wrinkles, rips, stains or holes in your outfit because in a professional setting that looks tacky and ill prepared.

 

  1. ArrivalImage result for arrive on time

Punctuality matters in the professional world, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you show up late some might but lenient, but others might not take kindly to you being 15 minutes late because you burned your avocado toast and you had to get McDonalds. For interviews/meetings I recommend you show up about 5-10 minutes early. This give you time to give yourself a good look over in the mirror to make sure you’re together, go over notes, and freshen up your breath if needed.  I have a saying that if you’re on time you’re late and if you’re early you’re on time. Timeliness is important in the business world and you being able to show you care about timeliness will show your employer or whoever you’re meeting with that you actually care about what you’re doing (note: this is applicable in dating 😉 )

  1. GreetingImage result for greeting

Onto the fun things; whenever I meet with a client I am sure to do several things when I greet them. The first is greeting them PROPERLY by their name (if you are unsure of pronunciation feel free to use their last name “Mr./ Ms.  blah blah blah). Please be sure to know “What’s shakin’?” or “what’s up?” are inappropriate. Informal talk is to be left at the door in the world of business even if you and that person have excellent rapport a degree of professionalism is a must but gauge that level of formality as you go. /secondly, you must also introduce yourself clearly and shake the persons hand (not like a dead wimpy fish or like an Olympic strongman but assertively firm) look the person in the eye, that shows you’re there and in the moment. if you have something in your right hand put it into your left and prepare to shake hands. While you shake remember web to web for your fingers (web of thumb touching theirs) not palm and fingers, this will weaken the handshake. Make sure your name tag is visible and readable as well. If this is a meeting of some sort (non-interview) learning something that connects you to the person you meet on first contact is a good rapport builder (“I heard, you are active in this group I am actually looking to get into that group as well….”) but use that when appropriate

 

There you have it, that was the basics of making a good impression in the professional scene. Stay tuned for next time when I cover more of the proper ways to navigate to big bad business world. Excelsior!

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