June, 2010 archive

Are you suffering from a painful addiction that has completely taken over your life? You are definitely not alone. There are millions of people out there who have been through the same types of situations that you have, and who are not completely clean and free of them forever. If you have the desire to be one of these people at some point, then you need to take action now, even though it might be the hardest thing you have ever done.

The first thing that you need to do is recognize that you have a problem. A lot of people with addictive problems do not even know that they exist. However, if you recognize that this is something that is detrimental to your life and happiness, then you are well on your way to recovery.

If you feel like you need extra help to get over your addiction, then checking yourself into a rehabilitation center is a great place to start. Although these centers seem to have a negative connotation, they are definitely not negative at all. They are full of people who want to help you get over your problems so that you can move on with your life. The other people there can help you keep your goals in mind so that you don’t lose sight of what you want to accomplish.

After you get out, finding a support group is a great way to stay on track. Meeting with groups like these and having friends who are also supportive are excellent ways to keep you off of your addiction forever.

According to the balance sheet found on Apple’s website, the Apple Corporation is a mathematically wise investment for potential and current investors. Maybe the word wise is an overstatement since there is always a risk in business. But the posted numbers and performances from this dominant company are, to say the least, extremely impressive. With a net profit of over $1.2 billion, it would take a lot of effort from a big time investor to resist riding the euphoric roller coaster that Apple is controlling at the moment. With their shares nearly doubling over the last year according to an article in business week, many are saying, “I should have, would have, could have….” And regret not making a move. Of course it takes money to make money in this particular market. But there are those that had the opportunity but missed out. Now, the ones that did play AAPL, have the tempting decision to stay in or cash out. Personally, in this market, I feel it is extremely wise to simply play it safe. Those are just two reasons that this mega tech company is a worthwhile investment. But positive net income and increased shares may not be convincing enough for the frugal and cautious trader/investor. Prior to jumping on board with a hot and trendy company, old fashion research is never uncool. The imperative is to look into what the company is doing. Review consumer surveys and read about the competition. Thoroughly observe snapshots and charts of the market. Ask the so called “pros” but trust your own research and personal judgment.

So far, the officials at Apple Corporation have delivered on their mission and vision. The company continues to sell millions of Macintosh computers and iPods. But their bread and butter is without a doubt, the very relevant, iPhone. Apple TV sales have also contributed tremendously to the company’s winning performances. With subtle to obvious endorsements on Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon, Facebook, and in the workplace, Apple just may be the Wal-Mart of the tech world (in the sense of massive marketing but not overall affordability). The public conversation about Apple along with the staggering statistics have given the company a lot of leverage to work with.

The July/August 2010 issue of Fast Company features Steve Jobs, the Apple CEO, on the front cover. The headline states: The Invincible Apple, 10 Lessons From The Coolest Company Anywhere. Steve Jobs is quoted as saying, “Apple is an over $50 billion company. I like to forget that, because that’s not how we think about Apple. But it is pretty amazing.” But Farhad Manjoo brings the mood of the article down to earth by saying, “Everyone wants to be like Steve Jobs and his powerhouse company. It’s not as easy as it looks.”