Gill Fielding - Wealth Company

Election – wot election!

Well we have woken up this morning to a new government – did you notice any change? It is a sad fact that whoever gets in, it’s unlikely to make any drastic difference to any of our lives as all the political parties seem to be covering middle ground these days. Take education for instance – which is really the only political issue that I ever get seriously het up about – the two main parties argue about class sizes and one wants to keep class sizes below 30 and the other below 28 (or some such distinction) but the real issue is that class sizes should not be 1 or 2 kids lower but should be HALF that!

I believe passionately in better education for all and it annoys me intensely that money is often the arbiter of education and often money will give a better start in life to some children where others are deprived. How disgusting is that?

But I am sadly not ideologically sound here. Although I believe in free brilliant education for all, when it comes to my own children I will pay whatever it takes to get them what I believe they need. Let’s take my eldest, Emma as an example.

Emma is 15 and is doing her GCSEs and two weeks ago she had her drama practical exam and unlike any other exam, parents are asked to come along and watch to provide ‘the audience’. The examiner sits at the front and the parents all clap wildly at everything – so that’s great.

Now Emma is a totally acknowledged and brilliant star – watching her at that performance was like watching an adult acting with children – she is so powerful even at 15 that she has the ability to physically change her appearance dependant on the character she plays – quite scary as a mum watching that I can tell you.

Anyway, certainly Emma has talent – but she has also had the support of parents who had time to drive her to rehearsals, drama classes, special lessons on a Saturday, auditions, costume fittings and so on. We have also had the money throughout her life to pay for drama lessons, which she has had since the age of about 5, plus the various costumes and props that now litter her bedroom.

Up until the age of 12 she was in a normal state school but by then the acting talent had shone through so we were able to move her to a top public school at huge expense that has a strong drama department. It has not only an outdoor amphitheatre for the little Greek numbers but it also has a fully functioning proper indoor theatre complete with full time, paid technical and management staff. It also has the endorsements of Tim Rice (an old boy), and Steven Fry and the like.

She also got into the National Youth Theatre this year and has just completed her first training – which involved full time digs in London for two weeks – which cost a fortune.

My point is this: Emma is talented and has had every possible level of financial and emotional support, so she has been able to flourish and take advantage of her talent, and have a damn good stab at fulfilling her potential.

But what about all those kids who didn’t have parents like me who have an ample supply of time and money? Many of those children fall by the wayside and that appals me.

Despite numerous attempts I have always failed to get into schools with my financial freedom message, because I don’t fit into the national curriculum. The only lesson I really fit into (apparently) is the life skills sessions – where the school has one hour a week to teach all the sex, drugs and rock and rock lessons – so not much time for things like credit card management there then.

So whoever got in last night won’t make the serious impact on our education system that is needed so please join me in the mission: get financially educated yourself and get your children financially free as soon as possible – then they can live a life of freedom of life choice.

What better gift could you give them?

Tim wins the Apprentice!

Unusually for me I have been glued to the TV every Wednesday night to watch the Apprentice. What an amazing and fascinating programme that is, and for a ‘wealth watcher’ like me it has been enlightening watching the candidates perform (generally badly) under the pressure of the task combined with the pressure of the TV spotlight. Added to that has been the pleasure of watching Alan Sugar – an east ender like me and Tim, do his stuff. On a personal level I find him a bit too ruthless and aggressive, but what an absolute star he is.

In honour of Tim, and in order for us all to learn something – here are Sir Alan’s top business tips:

1. Don’t try to be something or somebody you’re not – be honest

2. Plan ahead, and with discipline.

3. Manage time:

·        with discipline and planning

·        be rigorous with your own time – only do the essential things that NOBODY else could do

·        avoid self indulgence such as personal e-mails

·        learn to delegate

4. Be a motivator:

·        be aware of your team and what they do

·        be consistent

·        stay positive

·        keep it professional and never personal – never humiliate people

·        keep motivated yourself!

5. Delegate:

·        follow through on the task, keep aware and set deadlines

·        don’t take the task back – make sure they keep the responsibility and never apologise for giving work away

6. Manage people:

·        put lieutenants in place

·        brief people properly and make sure that everybody understands their role

·        get feedback

·        trust your instincts with people – and keep asking questions until you get your answer

·        deal with non-performers appropriately

and:

7. Be adaptable.

Thank you Sir Alan.

---

« Back to previous page

Investor virtues...

Yesterday we had the seven sins, and now the seven virtues of the serious investor:

1. Patience - have the strength to wait until the deal that matches your strategy and formula arrives - it WILL come. Don't just jump in because you have itchy feet.
2. Consistency - formulate your strategy and create your wealth system - then stick to it consistently. Don't make the mistake of constantly tweaking the 'recipe'.
3. Organised - get yourself and your paperwork organised in a simple way so that it takes the minimum of time and effort.
4. Confidence - as long as you have created your wealth system on sound principles just have confidence that it will perform over time. It always has so it's most likely that it always will.
5. Courage - to believe in yourself and the wealth principles and formulas. This is often difficult as the man it the pub often knows better and will tell you that you're stupid. Don't forget that any advice you get from the man in the pub is free because it's worthless!
6. Systematic - wealth creation is purely a matter of simple principles and a systemised approach - just read or remember the story of Ray Kroc and McDonalds.
7. Generosity - I don't know of a serious wealth creator who isn't a fantastic giver as well - because that's what the Sea of Abundance does for people - it allows them to flow money in and out

And, for my 10 year old son and for you Star Wars fans out there - May the 4th be with you!