Wise

The Urgency Conundrum
by Bob Cox (08/27/2008)

A business associate of mine used to fax me on a regular basis. (This was before e-mail.) And every darn fax said URGENT at the top in big bold letters. At first, I found it curious. And then, it became annoying.

Word to the Wise: Egress
by ETR (08/27/2008)

Example (as used by Laurie A. O’Neill in The New York Times): “In order to keep the crowds moving through the exhibits in his traveling show… Mr. [P.T.] Barnum posted signs that read: ‘This Way to the Egress.’ Eager to view this presumably strange and exotic exhibit, the throngs would push through the door labeled ‘Egress’ - and find themselves in the street.”

It’s Fun to Know: Fruity Gifts
by ETR (08/27/2008)

Would you pay $2,000 for a honeydew melon? How about $900 for a bunch of grapes? In Japan, these incredibly high prices are not uncommon. But we’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill grocery store produce. These fruits have been painstakingly cultivated to be the most ideal specimens possible.

It is mighty exhilarating to be in the company of thinking, positive, innovative minds
by ETR (08/26/2008)

"I have learned from reading ETR that it is mighty exhilarating to be in the company of thinking, positive, innovative minds that would welcome me in their midst and challenge me to leap and grow.

Word to the Wise: Otiose
by ETR (08/26/2008)

"Otiose" (OH-tee-ose) - from the Latin for "idle" - means ineffective, of no use. Example (as used by Peter Conrad in the New Statesman): "The umlaut he affected, which made no difference to the pronunciation of his name, was as otiose as a pair of strategically positioned beauty spots." [Ed. Note: Become a more persuasive writer and speaker ... build your self-confidence and intellect ... increase your attractiveness to others ... just by spending 10 VERY enjoyable minutes a day with ETR's new Words to the Wise CD Library.]

How to Spot a Liar
by ETR (08/26/2008)

Honesty is hardwired into us. And when we lie, our bodies give us away - though the signals tend to be rather subtle. Looking away, for example, covering or rubbing the eyes, rubbing the back of the neck, touching the ears, shaking the head while saying yes, or nodding while saying no. (Trust the head and not the words.)

Shooting Yourself in the Foot in Business
by Jason Holland (08/26/2008)

I hadn’t read that particular letter, but I was familiar with the subject. Readers, as well as customers who attend our conferences, ask Michael and other ETR experts this type of thing all the time: How can they patent their invention (which is "going to change the world as we know it"), copyright their e-book, password-protect their website, trademark their business name, and so on.

Are You an Information Addict?
by Michael Masterson (08/25/2008)

I hadn’t seen Dave in almost 20 years. He was my dentist when we moved to Boca Raton in the early 1980s. He continued to take care of K and the kids after we moved to Delray Beach 10 years later, but I opted for dental care closer to home.

My Case for the Automakers
by Christian Hill (08/25/2008)

"You make money when you buy, not when you sell." So says the old adage. It’s especially important to keep this in mind in today’s market. Buying opportunities abound, and now is the time to take advantage of that and make your money.

Word to the Wise: Impecunious
by ETR (08/25/2008)

"Impecunious" (im-pih-KYOO-nee-us) - from the Latin - means poor, habitually without money.

It’s Fun to Know: Silly Names in New Zealand
by ETR (08/25/2008)

In New Zealand, parents have a penchant for giving bizarre names to their children - and now the government is stepping in to save those children from embarrassment. Take the recent case of "Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii,"

The 6 Most Dangerous Words an Entrepreneur Can Hear
by Charlie Byrne (08/25/2008)

When running your new product ideas past friends and family, don’t pay much attention to what they say. Heck, they don’t want to burst your bubble by telling you you’re not the next Ron Popeil.

Word to the Wise: Lambent
by ETR (08/23/2008)

"Lambent" (LAM-bunt) - from the Latin for "lick" - means brilliantly playful, dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject.

It’s Good to Know: You Can Go Straight to Voicemail
by ETR (08/23/2008)

One result of having an Internet business is that you end up dealing with people all over the world. And that means trying to remember what time zone they’re in… or risk waking them up in the middle of their night when you call during your regular work hours. Now there’s a way to bypass ringing their phone. Slydial allows you to go straight to someone’s voicemail. This is also helpful if you need to leave a message for someone who, for one reason or another, can’t receive calls at that time...

The Language Perfectionist: Figures of Speech That Figure in Speech
by Don Hauptman (08/23/2008)

A star-studded film scheduled to open later this year is called Synecdoche, New York. The title is a pun on Schenectady. But what’s synecdoche? Pronounced “sih-NECK-duh-kee,” it’s a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole, or vice versa. Examples: Workers described as “hands” (part for whole). “The U.S. Army announced…” (whole for part).

Government Intervention Has a Ripple Effect
by Rick Pendergraft (08/23/2008)

Over the last month, the intertwined relationships of the markets have been wacky, to say the least. On July 15, the SEC announced its protection plan for Fannie Mae (FNM), Freddie Mac (FRE), and 17 banks and brokerage firms. This move totally disrupted the natural ebb and flow of the market.

It’s Fun to Know: About Alcoholic Animals
by ETR (08/22/2008)

Tree shrews in Malaysia can’t get enough of their favorite drink - fermented nectar. They guzzle the shrew equivalent of nine glasses of wine a day! The source of their alcoholic feast is the flower buds of the bertam palm tree. Inside the buds, yeast ferments pollen to a frothy brew that can be up to 3.8 percent alcohol. This is the highest alcohol content in a naturally occurring source.

Word to the Wise: Alacrity
by ETR (08/22/2008)

"Alacrity" (uh-LAK-rih-tee) - from the Latin for "lively" - is cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness.

Why You Don’t Need Nitrogen in Your Tires
by ETR (08/21/2008)

The next time you take your car in for a checkup, don’t be surprised if your mechanic recommends putting nitrogen in your tires. He may claim that it will improve your fuel economy and extend the life of the tires - but don’t spend the extra money.

How to Survive Excessive Recession Hand Wringing
by John Carlton (08/21/2008)

Has the looming recession got you scared yet? The mainstream media sure hopes so. Sells more newspapers, boosts cable ratings on CNN and Fox and MSNBC, makes the populace hyper-aware (like jittery squirrels gathering nuts in a dog park), and gives advertisers a tidy little narrative to help position their products.

Word to the Wise: Cacophony
by ETR (08/21/2008)

A "cacophony" (kuh-KOF-uh-nee) - from the Greek for "harsh sounding" - is a loud, jarring, discordant noise.

Word to the Wise: Marmoreal
by ETR (08/20/2008)

Something that's "marmoreal" (mar-MAWR-ee-ul) - from the Latin - resembles marble, as in smoothness, whiteness, or hardness.

Shame on Wal-Mart?
by Robert Ringer (08/20/2008)

Forget that Wal-Mart employs 1.3 million people in the U.S. alone. Forget that it saves consumers billions of dollars each year on retail purchases. Forget that its employees, on average, earn about double the minimum wage. The word from some disgruntled employees is that Wal-Mart doesn’t treat its employees "fairly" - whatever that’s supposed to mean.

It’s Fun to Know: Even Plants Need Sunscreen
by ETR (08/20/2008)

The newest practice in farming? Putting sunscreen on crops. Why? Because sun-damaged fruits and vegetables are suitable only for making juice… and bring much lower prices.

Dear ETR: Should I stay in school or start a business?
by ETR (08/20/2008)

I am a student currently attending university. Between school and my job, I have found very little free time to dedicate to the things that I really see as beneficial to my future. The question is, with the doom and gloom market we are in, coupled with the constantly diminishing value of a college education (even from a private university), would it not be better to focus on starting a business now?

Issue#2438 - It’s Good to Know: Flying Without ID
by ETR (08/19/2008)

You get to the airport for your 7:20 a.m. flight to Denver and realize you forgot your driver’s license. Don’t fret. You can fly within the United States without identification… but you will be subjected to intense scrutiny by the Transportation Security Administration.

Word to the Wise: Macerate
by ETR (08/19/2008)

To "macerate" (MAS-uh-rate) - from the Latin for "weaken" - is to soften or flavor a fruit, usually by soaking it in liquid. It's similar to marinating meat.

Issue#2438 The Bitter Taste of Failure… or the Sweet Smell of Success?
by John L. Herman Jr. (08/19/2008)

I have spent a lot of time and money on deals that I didn’t get. So what? I always gave every deal my best shot - and, knowing that I had done all I could, I believed that, over time, the numbers would come back my way. My efforts would pay off.

How Much Are You Worth?
by Michael Masterson (08/18/2008)

A French woman, upon seeing Picasso in a Parisian restaurant, approached the great master and insisted that he put down his coffee and make a quick sketch of her. Graciously, Picasso obliged. When he was done, she took the drawing, put it in her handbag, and then pulled out her billfold.

Word to the Wise: Quiddity
by ETR (08/18/2008)

"Quiddity" (KWID-ih-tee) - from the Latin for "what" - is the essential nature of a thing, the quality that makes it what it is.
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