Sample Excerpts and Table of Contents

• Parable
• Preface
• Forward
• Introduction
• Chapter I
• No Brain No Headaches...No Pain,Gain!
  An overview of the process of Strategic Portfolio Management.

  * The importance of being self-reliant.* Taking a personal inventory.* Understanding the facts and fallacies of computer technology.

• Chapter II
• Leaving the Bedlam

  The fields of play.* Introduction to the Greed and Fear Factor.* Individual securities descriptions.* Types of Mutual Funds.

• Chapter III
• If I Had a Hammer...

  Defining Portfolio Strategy.* Viewing the computer as a tool.* The efficient use of time.

• Chapter IV
• Fundamental and Technical Analysis

  Keeping it simple.* The initial screening process.* The use of pertinent information.

• Chapter V
• To Index or Not to Index?

  Understanding Market Indexes.* The influence of the media.* Turning negatives into positives.* Fine tuning your search list.

• Chapter VI
• If the Price of Castles Fell,Would You Buy One?

  A closer look at the Greed and Fear Factor.* The importance of using an Investment Journal.* Individual and Market psychology.

• Chapter VII
• Write, Read, Revise and Revisit.The Development, Use, and Maintenance of an Investment Journal.

  Effective investment of insured capital.* The four parts of your Notebook.* How to use the Notebook as a comprehensive tool.

• Chapter VIII
• The Art of Selling.

  Selling at a loss.* Selling to raise cash.* Selling into market weakness.

• Chapter IX
• Suggested Do's and Don'ts, Expected Wills and Won'ts.

  Search and implementation guidelines.* Chart importance.* Honing your skills.* Revisiting the Investment Journal.* Reading between the lines.

• Chapter X
• C E O(mniscient)!

  Looking for the "right" answers.* Tying it all together.* Taking the Chief Executive approach.

• Chapter XI
• Divining Rods! Get Your Divining Rods Here!

  Where to find analytical tools.* Using Full Service and Discount Brokers.* Investing not trading.* Internet usage.* Virtual and Fantasy Investment Venues.

• Epilogue
• Appendices
• STATS Article
• Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
• Contact the Author/Publisher

In the area of Strategic Portfolio Management, information is everything! While it is true that some individuals seem to posses a kind of sixth sense akin to being an idiot savant, most of us rely on the research, analysis and interpretation performed by others or ourselves.

This book is designed to significantly reduce the former while greatly expanding the latter. It is said that every up has its downside. Such is the case with having what can be considered too much information. What do you look for, what is relevant and what is just "white noise"?

After years of active and extensive participation in the investment arena, I can honestly say that most of the data is nothing more than time consuming dribble. Not to discount the efforts of others who provide guidance to the masses, but it is far better to know how to fish than be given one. In truth the rules are really quite concise and simple. One must spend the time, as previously stated, to define one's individual circumstances. This process is absolutely imperative. I cannot emphasize this point enough! To thine known self be true. Once you complete this undertaking then, and only then, can you proceed with the realistic expectation of significant financial success.

Also keep in mind that this step is not a one-time, do-it-and-forget-it event. You will need to reassess your situation periodically as changes occur. This "tweaking" need not be performed on a regimented schedule. You will know when a dramatic lifestyle change occurs and be prepared to make the appropriate adjustments.

It is not imperative to include items such as risk tolerance, expected rates of return or the like at this point. In many instances these will not be clear or realistic, at least in the beginning. It should be a given that the objective is to achieve the highest possible rate of return while mitigating the level of risk. It should also be understood that seeking a consistently higher than average rate of return will always involve some degree of risk. The goal here is to achieve a reasonable balance and prepare a clear, accurate and concise representation of your situation, without adding unnecessary spices or marinade.

In addition to taking a personal financial inventory, and identifying expected future changes (career moves, major purchases, family circumstances, health considerations, etc...) try to include "out-of-left field" scenarios. These might include events such as a period of unemployment or a divorce, etc...Once this process is completed you will develop a clear starting point. Remember it is far better to begin from the beginning than to start over from the middle.

Rather than insert forms, graphs or charts throughout this book, these will be provided in the appendix. The reason is simple. Initially the point is to facilitate the extraction of the information provided, without detracting the readers' attention. Study before, not during the exam. You will save time and achieve superior results by reading first and implementing later.

Often we dream of obtaining things that we do not really want, simply because they appear desirable. Whether they are realistic or not is of little consequence. Extraordinary financial wealth, universal notoriety and/or spectacular intellectual or physical accomplishment are, by definition, not within the reach of most people. Still it is nice to dream about fulfilling these goals. The carrot just beyond our reach becomes a driving force that propels many individuals through calm and raging waters alike. To many of us, the aforementioned goals are common. However, to those that are faced with the obstacles of physical disability, terminal illness and the like, the dream is likely to be quite different. For the latter, just being able bodied and free to pursue life on life's terms, without the shackles of unfortunate circumstance, is a castle of sorts.

You may be asking yourself what in the world does this have to do with strategic portfolio management? The answer is simple, and relates directly back to the title of this book. The Greed and Fear Factor. Understanding and managing these two emotions is as important to long-term investment success as the nuts and bolts development of a plan of action itself. Several very intelligent investors have witnessed the demise of their empire because of this phenomenon.

It has been said many times that absolute power corrupts absolutely. One might also say that even relatively small successes can be detrimental. Moving further back to the central theme of investing, let me explain. If you use the guidelines set forth within these pages and begin to achieve superior results with a declining degree of effort, inevitably there will be a growing sense of complacency. A euphoric feeling of being smarter than the market. No one, but no one, is smarter than the market itself! The guidelines and strategies described throughout these pages are about listening to what the market is telling you and heading its' instructions. Frustration builds when one tries to tell the market what to do and it doesn't listen. Succumbing to this narcosis will almost certainly lead to a premature financial death! Greed is good, and so is Fear. One will provide the inspiration to rise above the norm, and the other will keep you honest! Remember this factor and make it an integral part of your investment strategy. In so doing, you will have added an important weapon to your strategic arsenal. All too often the acknowledgement and understanding of this factor is left in the barracks when the battle is at hand. As previously stated, Greed and Fear are good. But too much of either is very bad. If the balance shifts heavily in favor of the former, a "greater fool" mentality will fester and grow. This becomes evident when established disciplines are suddenly deemed to be irrelevant. Self-confidence turns into blind faith. Chasing the latest fad sector or hot stock is accepted as normal behavior. At this point the individual has lost control and crossed the line between investor and gambler! Call it "grasping at straws" if you will... The ensuing results are almost always devastating. Conversely, too much of the latter often leads to a debilitating situation. The investor develops a type of hysteria and paranoia. Again, discipline is tossed aside in favor of a negative emotional disposition. The individual may begin to sell in a panic, or freeze and do nothing when action is necessary! Either way, a symptomatic loss of focus leads to an ever-increasing state of confusion and complacency. The desire for success takes a distant backseat to the desperate need to merely survive.

To avoid falling into either situation, and maintain a reasonable balance, you must make a conscious effort. This undertaking should be in the form of an ongoing and rigorous self-evaluation. Regularly ask yourself the series of questions provided in the appendix. Write down your responses and keep the answer sheets in your Investment Journal. (The development of said Journal will be discussed in a subsequent chapter) With the passage of time, and review of your responses, a pattern will become evident. This exercise will give you an unparalleled level of acumen. Honesty is required! Remember this is not a test in the sense of passing or failing. It is, however, akin to a military inspection. The desired result is to strengthen your emotional disposition relative to the management of your portfolio. Think of it as taking a dose of "Financial Vitamin See".

Up until now,this chapter has been about understanding one's personal investment psychology. At this point the time has come to look at market psychology. A process that may be compared to looking at the subject of economics from a micro and macro perspective. In many ways the psychology of the market itself is little more than a cohesive assimilation. A massive gathering together of millions of tangent behavioral patterns associated with its' participants propensity to consume. (Whew!) Simply put, the whole is greater than the sum of its' parts. To a large extent, the masses are influenced by a rather narrow minded, and often inadequately informed financial press.

It is not so much a case of the blind leading the blind; more like the vision impaired attempting to lead a dispersing herd. One must realize that information provided via commercial venues is tailored toward attracting as much viewer attention as possible. The level of attraction translates into media ratings and/or purchaser statistics. These in turn are used to generate advertising revenue, and so on. Once again, what may at first appear to be a negative situation can be used as a significant opportunity! Stocks are not immune to the most basic law of any marketplace. Supply and demand. Whether the status quo is created naturally or artificially is of little consequence. The supply of readily available existing corporate stock is relatively finite over extended periods of time. New issues are continuously being brought public at the same time securities of existing corporations are being absorbed through mergers and acquisitions, or disappearing through bankruptcy. When the environment is extremely bullish, exemplified by both surging share prices and robust volume, initial public offerings reach a fever pitch. Conversely, bearish markets with decreasing price and volume often see a dramatic fall-off in the IPO market.

The financial press can't resist milking either of these situations (bullish/bearish extremes). Nothing sells more cereal and automobiles than advertisements encapsulated by headlines or top stories emphasizing Greed and Fear. It is the stuff marketing executives dreams are made of. Learn to listen to what is being blown by this manufactured wind. When extremes are reached at either end of the spectrum, pay close attention to shifts in direction. While this practice is more of an artistic skill than pure scientific structure, it offers the ability to ascertain when a significant opportunity (or hazard) is approaching. One should not base his or her investment strategy on this phenomenon, but instead be aware of its' existence. Again, another weapon in your strategic arsenal!

By now it should be clear why it is important to read through these pages from beginning to end before you start the process of self-evaluation and plan development. Many of the concepts and ideas may at first appear to be abstract, foreign or obscure. The intent here is not to confuse or bewilder, but rather to stimulate, inspire and encourage the application of unconventional thinking. Base your strategy on the basics and obtain a positive alpha!

Catalogue Information

About the Bookstore Browse Aisles Search Desk Shopping Basket Book Trade Terms Just Released! Return Policy Help Here is the full reference card for this book... If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113. The Greed and Fear Factor: A Simplified Guide to Investment Success! by John Richard Lipka 154 pages; Black coil; catalogue #02-0070; ISBN 1-55369-258-6; US$31.95, C$49.95, EUR32.50, £22.50 A straight forward, yet comprehensive, guide to strategic investment success. The book outlines the importance and use of a personalized self-assessment, investment strategy, asset allocation model, and on-going portfolio maintenance structure. Templates, tables, charts and a comprehensive glossary of terms and acronyms are included. Read more! about the book      about the author      sample excerpts or Table of Contents      catalogue info About the Book The Greed and Fear Factor is a simplified, yet comprehensive, guide to building, implementing and maintaining a successful and personalized investment portfolio strategy. The book itself is laid out in a user-friendly format with a spiral binding, "easy-on-the eyes" typesetting, and clear tables, charts, and templates. Also included is an insightful guide to using the Internet and other research sources. Finally, there is a comprehensive glossary of investment terms and acronyms. Several often overlooked, but very important, considerations are explored, addressed and applied to the "real-world" of investing. These include factors such as the emotional side of managing a portfolio. The very title of the book is meant to emphasize this particular area. The Greed and Fear Factor is a no-nonsense roadmap for individuals who are serious about maximizing their investment returns. The author presents his methodology in detail, while giving a priority to the reader's efficient use of time and resources. Visit John's web site www.myacumen.com About the Author The author, having learned how to "fish" John Richard Lipka has spent more than 20 years investing in the securities markets. During this period, he has been employed by some of the largest financial institutions in the world. Including those involved with international banking, securities brokerage and underwriting, and institutional money management. He has advised individuals, as well as broad based organizations, in the areas of investment selection, asset allocation and long-term planning. He has been licensed by various State and Federal Agencies in the areas of Investment Securities, Life Insurance, and Real Estate Appraisal. Additionally, Mr. Lipka holds a technical certification in the field of computer applications and hardware. This book represents the first presentation of his methodology and techniques available to the investing public at large. Reviews "...The author's enduring vision to educate, and in relatively simplistic language, allows the reader to forge his or her own path with a guide that Lewis and Clark would have wished for...a market philosophy for the ages" Richard M. Carpenter Senior Vice President Tucker Anthony "The perfect publication to answer those questions you wish you knew to ask. At the same time, (the author) provides a direct and clear path to managing an investment portfolio. Thanks for the great read...Loved the Book!" Lawrence Desmond "This book covers an in-depth breakdown of the process required to create, implement, and achieve success in the management of an investment portfolio. It is a great teaching tool, and is right on the mark for the growing trend of individuals seeking to take control of their investment future!" Karen Iannici, Ph.D. Director of Educational Services T.H.E. Technologies, LLC Unsolicited Readers' Comments "Brilliant in its presentation, this book is truly a useful and much needed tool"..."I loved the straight to the point style, and the delightful humor"..."The templates and guidelines take all the guess work out of the equation"..."The Internet information alone is worth many times the price of the book...in a word, Terrific!"