Who is Warren Buffett’s Successor?

Warren Buffett and members of his inner circle shed some light on what will happen to Berkshire Hathaway when the billionaire investor steps down.
Credits: Bloomberg

Do you know Warren Buffet?

Warren Buffett was born in Nebraska, Omaha USA on the 30th of August in 1930. He is one of the worlds richest men, with a fortune that is only surpassed by Bill Gates of Microsoft fame. He is considered one of the most successful investors of all time and has picked up the nickname of the “Oracle of Omaha”.

Buffett was born to Leila and Howard Buffett and was the second of three children, he being the only boy. Buffett’s father, Howard was a stockbroker and also became a member of congress. Warren Buffett showed early signs of being entrepreneurial through being involved in various business dealings as a child, including purchasing bottles of cola cheaply and selling them for a profit. He also made his first investment in the stock market when he was just 11 years old.

Buffett began studying at the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, but transferred to the University of Nebraska where he graduated. He then went on to the Columbia University to do a Masters in economics. This was where he met the influential value investor Benjamin Graham.

The young investor was very influenced by Benjamin Graham and went to work for him in his company “Graham-Newman”. It was here that Warren Buffett developed many of his stock market investing skills that have now become legendary. Graham developed a method where investors could work out the intrinsic value of a company and make intelligent investing decisions by comparing the stock price to the intrinsic value.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Berkshire Hathaway
After Graham’s retirement, Buffett returned to Omaha and began a limited investing fund partnership with a group of friends, family and associates. The “Buffett Partnerships Ltd” fund racked up amazing returns for its investors over a ten year period, with returns 10 times higher than the Dow Jones Industrial average for the same time. Buffett liquidated the fund and took control of the textile company Berkshire Hathaway.

It was a difficult time for the textile industry and Buffett eventually wound up Berkshire Hathaway’s textile activities, but kept the name for Buffett’s portfolio of companies and investments. The insurance industry was the first major area of success that Berkshire Hathaway had, with the funds used to acquire carefully selected investments each year. Major undervalued companies that Buffett took advantage of included “American Express”, “Coca-Cola” “The Washington Post” and “Gillette”. Berkshire Hathaway owns large holdings of each of the above major brand companies (more than 5% each).
Selected Berkshire subsidiary companies include:

• Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry
• Acme Brick Company
• Buffalo NEWS, Buffalo NY
• Clayton Homes
• Fruit of the Loom
• GEICO Direct Auto Insurance
• General Re
• Helzberg Diamonds
  
• Nebraska Furniture Mart
• The Pampered Chef
• See’s Candies
• United States Liability Insurance Group
  

Warren Buffett lives with his long time partner Astrid Menks in Omaha, USA. He was married to Susan Thompson up until her death from stroke in July 2004, but the couple were separated in 1977. They chose not to divorce and remained good friends and business associates. Buffett’s late wife was set to inherit much of his fortune upon his death.

Warren Buffet Gives Away his Billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Buffett is a generous philanthropist and was giving more than $USD12 million each year to the Buffett Foundation (no called the “Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation”). His largest charitable donation was to be upon his death when he had planned to give 99% of his massive fortune to the foundation.

In June 2006 Buffett announced plans to give much of his wealth away while he is still living. The majority of the Buffett billions will go to the foundation of his Bridge partner and friend of fifteen years, Bill Gates.

Warren Buffett becomes the Richest Man in the World in 2008
Warren Buffett finally knocked Bill Gates out of first position to become the richest man in the world in 2008 on the world rich list according to the Forbes business magazine.

Lunch with Warren Buffett
Find out more about the Warren Buffett power lunch auction for charity, where the billionaire spends time with the winning bidder and seven friends at a Smith and Wollensky steakhouse restaurant in New York. The winning bid for lunch with Warren Buffett in 2008 was an impressive $2.1 million paid by Zhao Danyang of the Pureheart China Growth Investment Fund.

Credits: Woopidoo

Do You Have a “Productivity Muse?” – Productivity Tip #36 by Alex Mandossian

Muses originally stem back to Greek

Mythology as “Goddesses” inspired

creativity in literature and the arts.

Many writers and even marketers

secretly have Muses that are people,

pictures, pets and any other “anchor”

of inspiration you can think of.

It today’s tip, I reveal a historical

figure who acts as my Muse at

seminars. I thought it be silly at

first, then I thought, “It can’t

hurt.”

Who is Alex Mandossian?

Since 1991, Alex Mandossian has generated over $233 million in sales for his clients and partners via “electronic marketing” such teleseminars, radio, TV and the Internet…

Alex has personally consulted Dale Carnegie Training, NYU, 1ShoppingCart Corp., Mutuals.com, Trim Spa and Sam’s Club.

He has hosted teleseminars with many of the world’s top thought leaders such as Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, Stephen Covey, Les Brown, Harv Eker, Donald Trump, Brian Tracy, Harvey Mackay and many others.

He is the CEO of Heritage House Publishing, Inc. – a boutique electronic marketing and publishing company that “repurposes” written and spoken educational content for worldwide distribution.

He has trained over 14,300 teleseminar students since 2002 and claims that practically any entrepreneur can transform their annual income into a weekly income once they apply his principle-centered electronic marketing strategies.

credits: alex mandossian

Bill Gates Speech at Harvard

Bill Gates Speech at Harvard (part 1)
Bill Gates Speech at Harvard (part 2)

Who is Bill Gates?

Bill Gates is one of the most influential people in the world. He is cofounder of one of the most recognized brands in the computer industry with nearly every desk top computer using at least one software program from Microsoft. According to the Forbes magazine, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and has held the number one position for many years.

Gates was born and grew up in Seattle, Washington USA. His father, William H. Gates II was a Seattle attorney and his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates was a school teacher and chairperson of the United Way charity. Gates and his two sisters had a comfortable upbringing, with Gates being able to attend the exclusive secondary “Lakeside School”.

Bill Gates started studying at Harvard University in 1973 where he spent time with Paul Allen. Gates and Allen worked on a version of the programming language BASIC, that was the basis for the MITS Altair (the first microcomputer available). He did not go on to graduate from Harvard University as he left in his junior year to start what was to become the largest computer software company in the world; Microsoft Corporation.

Bill Gates and the Microsoft Corporation
“To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.” Microsoft Mission Statement
After dropping out of Harvard Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen set about revolutionizing the computer industry. Gates believed there should be a computer on every office desk and in every home.

In 1975 the company Micro-soft was formed, which was an abbreviation of microcomputer software. It soon became simply “Microsoft”® and went on to completely change the way people use computers.

Microsoft helped to make the computer easier to use with its developed and purchased software, and made it a commercial success. The success of Microsoft began with the MS-DOS computer operating system that Gates licensed to IBM. Gates also set about protecting the royalties that he could acquire from computer software by aggressively fighting against all forms of software piracy, effectively creating the retail software market that now exists today. This move was quite controversial at the time as it was the freedom of sharing that produced much innovation and advances in the newly forming software industry. But it was this stand against software piracy, that was to be central in the great commercial success that Microsoft went on to achieve.

Bill Gates retired as Microsoft CEO in 2008.

Bill Gates Criticism
With his great success in the computer software industry also came many criticisms. With his ambitious and aggressive business philosophy, Gates or his Microsoft lawyers have been in and out of courtrooms fighting legal battles almost since Microsoft began.

The Microsoft monopoly sets about completely dominating every market it enters through either acquisition, aggressive business tactics or a combination of them. Many of the largest technology companies have fought legally against the actions of Microsoft, including Apple Computer, Netscape, Opera, WordPerfect, and sun Microsystems.

Bill Gates Net Worth
With an estimated wealth of $53 billion in 2006, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and he should be starting to get used to the number spot as he has been there from the mid-ninties up until now. The famous investor Warren Buffett is gaining on Gates though with an estimated $46 billion in 2006.

Microsoft hasn’t just made Bill Gates very wealthy though. According to the Forbes business magazine in 2004 Paul Allen, Microsoft cofounder was the 5th richest man in the world with an estimated $21 billion. While Bill Gates’ long time friend and Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer was the 19th richest man in the world at $12.4 billion.

Bill Gates Philanthropy
Being the richest man in the world has also enabled Gates to create one of the world’s largest charitable foundations. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has an endowment of more than $28 billion, with donations totaling more than $1 billion every year. The foundation was formed in 2000 after merging the “Gates Learning Foundation” and “William H. Gates Foundation”. Their aim is to “bring innovations in health and learning to the global community”.

Bill Gates continues to play a very active role in the workings of the Microsoft Company, but has handed the position of CEO over to Steve Ballmer. Gates now holds the positions of “Chairman” and “Chief Software Architect”. He has started that he plans to take on fewer responsibilities at Microsoft and will eventually devote all his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In 2006, the second richest man in the world, Warren Buffett pledged to give much of his vast fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates Receives a KBE
In March 2005 William H. Gates received an “honorary” knighthood from the queen of England. Gates was bestowed with the KBE Order (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services in reducing poverty and improving health in the developing countries of the world.
After the privately held ceremony in Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Gates commented on the recognition..
“I am humbled and delighted. I am particularly pleased that this honor helps recognize the real heroes our foundation (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) supports to improve health in poor countries. Their incredible work is helping ensure that one day all people, no matter where they are born, will have the same opportunity for a healthy life, and I’m grateful to share this honor with them.”

The KBE Order of the British Empire is the second highest Order given out, but it is only an honorary knighthood as only citizens that are British or a part of the Commonwealth receive the full Order. This means that Gates does not become Sir Bill Gates.

Bill Gates lives near Lake Washington with his wife Melinda French Gates and their three children. Interests of Gates include reading, golf and playing bridge.

Credits: Woopidoo

Joel D. Roberts and Associates – Testimonials

Joel D. Roberts and Associates – Testimonials

Who is Joel Roberts?

Joel Roberts is a former, prime-time, KABC radio talk show host in the #1 radio market in the world – Los Angeles. Today he is President of his own media and communications consulting firm based in LA and New York. His clients range from major publishers and best-selling authors to Fortune 500 corporations such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Wal-Mart and Target. He also coaches many prominent politicians, CEOs, entrepreneurs like Kinkos founder, Paul Orfalae, and celebrities, including rock star Kenny Loggins.

In the publishing world, Joel is widely considered to be one of the top media consultants in the business. He is the official media coach for the #1 best-selling franchise, Chicken Soup for the Soul. Other best-selling author clients include Stephen Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Successful People), Jack Canfield (The Success Principle), Marci Shimoff (Happy For No Reason), Lisa Lillien (Hungry Girl), marketing guru Jay Abraham, #1 best-seller Harv Eker (Secrets of the Millionaire Mind), 5 of the authors featured in the mega-hit The Secret, and many, many others. Joel’s clients have been on Oprah!, The Today Show, CNN, and every major television and radio talk show as well as on the cover of virtually every magazine and newspaper across the country.

“There is no better person on this planet to help authors, speakers and anyone who is in front of a live or broadcasted show than Joel Roberts. He nails your message and your presentation every single time and he is my only go-to guy.”
– John Assaraf,
Best Selling Author

“Joel Roberts is THE media coach extraordinaire.  He is an absolute master at creating insightful media questions and hooks, and training authors to deliver brilliant and powerful interviews. His preparation has on my media tour led to 7 New York Times bestsellers with more than 13 million copies sold.”–Marci Shimoff, Happy for No Reason,
Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul

Trump University and Donald Trump

Donald Trump talks about Trump University and becoming successful. If you ever thought about real estate investing, starting a business or making more money then you should take some time and explore
http://www.TrumpUniversity.com.

Who is Donald Trump?

Donald J. Trump started his business career in an office he shared with his father, Fred, in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York. He worked with his father for five years, where they were busy making deals together. Mr. Trump has stated, “My father was my mentor and I learned a tremendous amount about every aspect of the construction industry from him.” Likewise, Fred C. Trump often stated that “some of my best deals were made by my son, Donald….everything he touches turns to gold.” Mr. Trump then entered the very different world of Manhattan real estate.

In New York City, the Trump signature is synonymous with the most prestigious of addresses. Among them are the world-renowned Fifth Avenue skyscraper, Trump Tower. Luxury residential buildings include Trump World Tower at the United Nations Plaza, Trump Park Avenue at 59th Street and Park Avenue, Trump Place on the Hudson River, and Trump Palace. In 1997, Trump International Hotel & Tower opened its doors to the world, a 52-story super luxury hotel and residential building designed by the famed architect Philip Johnson. The property is one of only three in the country to have received a double Mobil Five-Star rating for both the hotel and its restaurant, Jean- Georges. In 2008, the 92-story Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago opened and was touted by Condé Nast Traveler as the “hottest new hotel in North America.” The Trump Hotel Collection has projects going up around the world and met with tremendous success.

Mr. Trump is also known as a world-class golf course developer, with award-winning courses in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles (Trump National Golf Clubs), Palm Beach (Trump International Golf Club), Canouan Island in the Grenadines and one in development in Aberdeen, Scotland (Trump International Golf Links) as well as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Mr. Trump is an avid golfer and his passion is evident in the spectacular courses he has developed and continues to develop worldwide. His latest acquisitions are Trump National Golf Club/Colts Neck, N.J, and Trump National Golf Club, Washington, D.C. which fronts the Potomac River for three miles.

As an accomplished and best selling author, Mr. Trump has had numerous best sellers including The Art of the Deal, which is considered a business classic, The Art of the Comeback, The America We Deserve, How To Get Rich, Think Like a Billionaire, Trump 101, Why We Want You To Be Rich, Think Big, Never Give Up, and Think Like a Champion.

In a departure from his real estate acquisitions, Mr. Trump and the NBC Television Network are partners in the ownership and broadcast rights for the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants. In January of 2004, Mr. Trump joined forces with Mark Burnett Productions and NBC to produce and star in the television reality show, The Apprentice. The show quickly became #1 on television and is currently in its eighth season. Mr. Trump’s production company, Trump Productions, is based in Los Angeles. Mr. Trump also had a successful radio program on Clear Channel for several years.

Donald J. Trump is the very definition of the American success story. He has continually set new standards of excellence while expanding his interests nationally and internationally. Mr. Trump is personally involved in everything that his name represents. This commitment has made him the pre-eminent developer of quality real estate known around the world, and in all his endeavors the Trump gold standard is apparent. He is the archetypal businessman—a deal maker without peer and an ardent philanthropist.