Dear Prime Minister,
Individual Australian investors deserve to receive conflict-free advice from financial advisers and to be protected from overt or subliminal incentives that might lead those advisers to provide advice that is anything less than completely client focused.
There are too many stories of clients being erroneously pushed into products that are unsuitable for them – and an unconscionably high proportion of those products carried enormous commissions for the planner or the planner's dealer group.
Indeed, the correlation is so high as to void any claim that the actions of those planners were simply honest mistakes of judgment bearing no influence from those incentives.
The vast majority of financial planners are conscientious, hard working, honest professionals,...
Business
Dear Retail Partner:
Since 1973, MegaFood has grown up with the natural industry. Just like hard-working natural retailers, we are dedicated to improving lives. Our contribution to the community is crafting authentic nourishment and supplements that stay true to the intention of food. That’s why we start with real farm-fresh fruits, vegetables...
3,091
Dear CEO:
Allow me to cut to the chase: It is imperative your organization invests the money and resources needed to improve electrical safety in your facilities. The best way to do this is adherence to NFPA 70E. This could be argued from a human interest perspective, and I have ample anecdotal evidence of terrible stories of personal loss as a result of electrical accidents. Instead, I want to discuss improving electrical safety from a purely business point of view.
Over the past 30 years there have been major advances in electrical safety, including, but not limited to: research on the effects of shock on the human body, research on arc flash and new ways to predict its severity, and new fabrics developed to prevent burn injuries. Thousands of dedicated volunteers have spent...
2,844
Dear Anna Soubry,
Congratulations! I’m delighted at the Conservatives’ win and also that David Cameron has appointed a woman with a reputation for tough talking as the minister for small business.
The UK’s 5.2m SMEs account for more than half of employment (60 per cent) and nearly half of turnover (47 per cent) in the private sector and we need to feel our voice counts. I’m sure your inbox is already overflowing but here is my take on the most pressing issues facing SMEs and startups which are looking to the new Conservative government to create a vibrant entrepreneurial culture and increase the UK’s commercial competitiveness.
First off, reforming our over-complicated burdensome tax regime is crucial if small businesses are to survive and thrive. Business rates are top of the...
2,555
Dear Dieseltec:
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Jeffrey Mapes, and I specialize in bankruptcy law -- helping individuals and corporations when things go wrong. I noticed your post on Facebook where you decided to alienate most of the general public by stating that you will refuse service to openly homosexual people. This is certainly an unorthodox business strategy, and perhaps it will work for you, but I get the feeling you will need a bankruptcy attorney pretty soon and I wanted to offer my services. Like you, I am white, male, Christian, a business owner, and a gun owner. Unlike you, I provide services to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation because it doesn't matter to me -- I hope this won't be a deal breaker for you.
If that upsets you, let me tell you a...
2,634
Dear Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP.
As one of your constituents I offer warm congratulations on your election as the Member of Parliament for Berwick last Thursday. Irrespective of how any of us voted on May 7 you have a duty to represent all of us to the best of your ability. I genuinely wish you well.
You have taken on important responsibility for some 75,000 people, some too young to have votes, and while there are those who will denigrate every MP there are many thousands in every constituency who appreciate the work you do.
Obviously you are a Conservative MP elected on the basis of the Conservative Party manifesto and part of a Conservative Parliamentary Party which has a majority in Parliament for the first time in 18 years. You are plainly entitled to support your policies in...
2,960
Dear Savannah:
I just couldn’t believe my ears.
During a recent “Today” segment, which featured fancy kitchen and bar gadgets, you shared personal testimony that you have never tasted a Moscow Mule.
What followed was a shock wave that made its way from NBC’s Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza throughout the global cocktail community.
I’d rather light a candle than curse your darkness, as the Chinese proverb says, so here’s my formal offer to take you on a personal tour of some of our community’s best Moscow Mules when you’re back home in Tucson.
In the meantime, here’s a tease to get you started.
With two Tucson locations, Sir Veza’s Taco Garage offers a regional twist on the Moscow Mule, which traditionally integrates vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Sir Veza’s replaces the vodka...
6,511
Dear Prime Minister,
Congratulations on your election victory from the British Chambers of Commerce, the 52 accredited Chambers in every nation and region of the United Kingdom, and our growing network of overseas British Chambers and business groups helping companies to trade around the world.
In return for your continued commitment to an environment that encourages enterprise and aspiration, businesses in all parts of the United Kingdom stand ready to deliver prosperity, jobs, and sustained economic growth.
Over the coming months, you must use your strengthened mandate to take bold action on six issues that will determine the UK’s economic future:
PUBLIC SPENDING: business wants a plan for fiscal consolidation that is carefully balanced with the overriding need to nurture...
2,260
Dear Prime Minister,
Congratulations on your election victory from the British Chambers of Commerce, the 52 accredited Chambers in every nation and region of the United Kingdom, and our growing network of overseas British Chambers and business groups helping companies to trade around the world.
In return for your continued commitment to an environment that encourages enterprise and aspiration, businesses in all parts of the United Kingdom stand ready to deliver prosperity, jobs, and sustained economic growth.
Over the coming months, you must use your strengthened mandate to take bold action on six issues that will determine the UK’s economic future:
PUBLIC SPENDING: business wants a plan for fiscal consolidation that is carefully balanced with the overriding need to nurture...
2,348
Dear Dillon Business Colleague,
I urge all businesses licensed by the Town of Dillon to make a difference by becoming a member of the Dillon Business Association (DBA) this year. Members of the DBA enjoy many meaningful benefits and are part of a vibrant, fast-growing organization dedicated to promoting businesses in Dillon. We strive to include and serve all of Dillon’s businesses.
What does the Dillon Business Association do? We raise money from the alcohol and merchandise concessions at the Lake Dillon Brew Festival and the Friday night concert series at the amphitheater, as well as the DBA Farmers Market booth. These activities allow us to have nominal dues of $75.00 per business. We use this pool of income to give back benefits to our members that help them promote their...
3,142