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TECH TODAY

Reclaim your online life. Tech Crunch has a great article out over the weekend with a list of apps that will keep you safe and secure, and maybe out of a billionaires crosshairs.

Revolutionizing Cyber Security. Safe to say cybercrime is unfortunately here to stay, along with any other criminal behavior. But Microsoft is going all-in on their security vision.

Bitcoin misses $100,000 by a smidge. Bitcoin ripped up to $99,849.99 over the weekend just missing six digits.

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HEADLINE NEWS 👀

The Mega Rich Live Altered Reality In Business And Life

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, is presently holding court at Mar-a-Lago with Trump and cronies as he works his way into garnering a higher political profile. And as fate would have it people in his inner circle are beginning to talk as his political stature rises.

Musk’s ex-wife, singer Grimes, with whom he shares three children and has been embroiled in a child custody lawsuit, has taken to Musk’s social media platform X posting on multiple occasions and which Musk has ignored.

In a recent Business Insider interview Grimes commented she has been “fighting and detaching from the love of my life as he becomes unrecognizable to me… all while I didn’t see my babies for 5 months. Musk apparently threw down hard legal action to retain full custody of the kids.

With the custody matter settled Musk has been a prolific poster on X. Mostly posting about his SpaceX, following months of leaning the direction of his platform towards a conservative perspective, but in recent weeks posting about Doge. Doge is the proposed Department of Government Efficiency President elect Trump has vowed to create and appoint Musk to Co-head with Vivek Ramaswamy. Many of his comments have revolved around plans to cut hundreds of thousands of government jobs from the public payroll as part of his plan to reduce Federal spending.

If not busy enough running a multitude of public and private unicorn companies Musk has idiosyncratic views and concerns on the plummeting birth rates around the globe. To combat the problem he is hell bent on personally reversing this trend. Having reportedly fathered 11 children including the three with Grimes, it’s reported he’s almost evangelical about fathering as many children as possible.

Reports have Musk shopping for a property to build a unique family compound in Austin, Texas. In a New York Times article there is reference that Musk hopes one day all 11 of his children will live on the compound and their mothers can live at the complex too or come by. Yeah, reasonable by any measure 😳

Resume Writing Takes Precedence In Washington, DC

Once viewed as a guaranteed career job working for the Federal government has all of a sudden become a job without the guarantee.

Elon Musk the newly appointed Co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency has already communicated through posts on X he intends on cutting hundreds of thousands of jobs on the Federal payroll.

The Federal job landscape is vast with many agencies and sub-agencies. For example the largest employer in the Federal government is the Department of Veteran Affairs with 486,522 employees. With an average compensation in most departments of $100,000 Musk is looking for job cuts to help trim Federal spending. The Department of Education has the highest highest average salary of $144,561.

Pay in the public sector generally lags that of the private sector but is offset by excellent benefits.

With Doge presumably around there are two Federal agencies Doge will likely remain off limits without a congressional legislative push which could run up against strong general public opposition.

Federal workers may now face layoffs. Musk has posted on X he would be open to considering severance packages as much as two years pay to alleviate the transition. Musk is quoted as saying “there’s just to many people in the government sector, and they would be more productive elsewhere”.

Jersey Mike’s From The Jersey Shore

Most 17 year old high school students are concerned with hiding pimples, attracting the attention of a fine other young person or planning for the next social event. Peter Cancro probably did a lot of the same but at 17, at the encouragement of his mother and with help from his football coach, he bought Mike’s Sub Shop.

Forty nine years later Peter sold a majority interest in Jersey Mike’s to the Blackstone Group for $8 billion. As the sole owner Peter Cancro can probably afford to take a date to the movie theater which he probably missed out on doing some while working 100+ hours growing Jersey Mike’s.

Purchased in 1975 Peter grew Jersey Mike’s locally then regional. They began franchising in 1987 and expanded to over 3,000 sub shops across the nation. Always known for high quality fresh ingredients and a hearty meal at a fair price Jersey Mike’s for many years was a smaller competitor in the national sub way shop arena.

Peter was the soul of the company. With a highest priority to quality and customer service Peter used these tenets as the backbone on which to build a fast growing profitable company. He combined these with a desire to remain close to the customer and equally important franchises in the Jersey Mike’s franchise system.

Peter remains with Jersey Mike’s to help lead continued growth. Peter retains a minority but still significant equity in the company. Jersey Mike’s is poised for growth with Blackstone’s franchise system expertise and abundant capital structure.

Inventory Management

Inventory Front-Loading Trump Tariff Threat

In the last month China exports surge which economists think could have been driven at least in part by front-loading amid uncertainty around President elect Trump’s reelection. Wall Street economists expect Chinese export growth to remain strong over the next several months.

The extra cost of the tariffs are not paid by the Chinese exporter rather are paid by the company placing the order. The company will pass the tariff on to the consumer.

Controlling Inventory Overhang

Small businesses are using technology to get better controls on inventory overhang. In an inflationary economic environment optimizing inventories to free up cash flows has grown in importance. Working cash flow becomes a priority during inflationary times.

According to management consulting company the Hackett Group 70% of small business supply chain leaders have been stocking up on inventories.

In response to impetus’s from suppliers well managed small businesses are keeping a tight grip on inventory levels through the use of technology that combines multiple sources of data from historical sales analytics to promote inventory control strategies.

Having an inventory control strategy is important for small businesses to control costs but likewise easily as important to control cash flow in order to survive. Follow these steps to review internal inventory controls and free up important cash.

1. Control inventory by using inventory control technology.

2. Avoid ordering safety stock.

3. Reduce inventory regularly to better align with customer demand.

4. Try to turn product quarterly or every six months.

5. Avoid overbuying product to gain a discount.

ECONOMY

Protecting Against Inflation

Protecting the economy against inflation is a known commodity. Limit supply shocks, and buy commodities. But with a new Administration entering the Whitehouse and threatening to cut taxes and issue widespread tariffs on imported goods it might be difficult to default to the known inflation fighters to keep inflation at bay.

Problems are already appearing post election as commodity prices are depressed leaving a looming question if the old tried and true inflation fighters have lost their edge?

Producer Price Index

The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reported today the Producer Price Index (PPI) came in up 0.20% for the month of October. The PPI measures the selling prices domestic producers receive for their output; products and services.

Economists and analysts closely watch the PPI for signs of inflation. A rising PPI can be an early sign of inflation pressures in the economy. While quizzically PPI on the rise can also indicate economic growth. The measurement of rising producer prices can result from higher demand for products and services.

Economists use the PPI to forecast producer price changes that precede consumer price changes.

Federal Reserve Lowers Interest Rates

The Fed slashed interest rates by 0.25% for the second time this year on November 8, 2024. The cut is the latest sign the Fed believes inflation is nearing its key target rate of 2%.

A new Trump financial policy muddies the waters if any of the policy items discussed on the campaign trail get implement into policy. This brings to light the “economy stands on the brink of change” comments.

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, on Thursday commented while addressing the press Fed officials would watch the economic data closely before the final decision is made on a final rate cut at its December 2024 meeting.

Consumer Price Index

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) November 13, 2024 up 2.6% verses the previous months 2.4%. The CPI number bested investors expectations CPI would come in at a higher number.

The Grind reported earlier this month consumer spending remains strong. With the recent strength of the jobs report, strong consumer spending, and today’s better than expected CPI the market is setting expectations the FED will lower interest rates at their December meeting by 0.25%.

FINANCE

Gary Gensler SEC Chair Sends Message

Gary Gensler, Security Exchange Commission, announced a big FU to the incoming Republican Administration. Gensler will step down at noon on January 20, 2025 when Trump takes office. There is speculation in Washington that Trump’s transition team will not be happy Gensler will stay in his position much longer.

Gensler has implemented regulations that regulate cryptocurrencies similar to securities. The crypto industry has resisted his regulatory initiatives of the industry.

President elect Trump has pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet”. Trump said he will appoint an SEC Chairman who supports crypto. Trump has criticized Gensler’s regulatory approach to cryptocurrencies.

Since Trump’s election win Bitcoins price has surged, surpassing $99,000.

POLITICS

Trump Selects Scott Besset Treasury Secretary

Scott Besset, billionaire investor and Hedge Fund manager, was selected by President elect Trump to be Treasury Secretary in his second Administration.

Besset during Trump’s campaign, was one of his most vocal supporters. When some Wall Street insiders criticized Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign imports Besset was a loud supporter of the initiative.

Once an avid supporter of Democratic causes he’s made a 180 turn and is a huge supporter of Trump. Besset managed significant investments for ultra liberal billionaire George Soros.

As Treasury Secretary Besset would be tasked with implementing monetary policy to enact Trump’s promises made on the campaign trail. Some of these promises included no-taxes on tips, and sweeping across the board tariffs.

The policy Besset has advocated for is deficit reduction and deregulation. He supports extending the Trump’s tax cut legislation passed during his first term and is expiring soon. In addition, Besset has advocated the need to tackle the national debt.

Besset believes the way to reduce consumer prices is to reduce the national deficit. He sees tariffs as a tool for sanctions, especially against China.

The monetary policy Besset has laid out to the President elect is a 3-3-3 policy. This policy would follow a frame similar to:

• Cutting the budget deficit 3% of gross domestic product (“GDP”) by 2028

• Spur 3% GDP growth of 3% through deregulation.

• Produce 3 million barrels of oil today

In in speeches and interviews Besset has suggested Trump’s tariffs are a starting point to target concessions from governments around the world.

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

Starting a small business with one product: Richard W. Sears was a railroad agent in 1886 who started selling watches that was a shipment refused by a local jeweler. The venter led to the R.W. Sears Watch Company. After moving the company to Chicago Sears partnered with watch maker Alvah C. Roebuck a year later. A year later the company was officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Starting as a small business with one product Sears, Roebuck & Co grew through mail order and by the 1920’s began opening retail stores ultimately becoming one of the largest retailers in the United States.

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Akio Morita, Co-Founder Sony Corporation Akio Morita was a visionary entrepreneur and played a pivotal role in in its global success. Born in 1921 in Nagoya, Japan he and partner Masaru Ibuka started Sony in 1946 after Morita had served in the Japanese Navy during WWII.

After some success in the electronics industry Sony introduced the Sony Walkman in 1979. This portable cassette player changed the way people could enjoy music. The device became iconic and enjoyed massive commercial success.

Morita expanded into the U.S. in 1960 which helped Sony gain an early foothold in the United States. Morita’s strong emphasis on innovation, quality, and branding were key in Sony becoming one of the most recognized and respected electronics brands worldwide. Akio Morita’s story is that of innovation, perseverance, and global vision 🌎️ 

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY

Blue Fin Tuna High Protein

Between 2014 and 2022 the population of Pacific Blue Tuna has soared 1,000% according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The fish was not expected to return to a sustainable level of this magnitude until 2034 and came as a surprise to scientists who track sea life.

In response to these findings the aquarium upgraded the Pacific blue fin tuna from red to yellow which means it went from avoid to a good alternative.

Eating fish as a source of protein intake is an important part of a balanced diet to remain lean and adds to personal efforts in diets designed to capture longevity benefits. The blue fin tuna is especially coveted because of its rich nutritional profile:

• Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA) - reduces blood pressure, lowers tryglycerides, prevents plaque buildup. Supports cognitive function. Anti-inflammatory which helps to reduces disease and is joint and immune system friendly.

• Vitamin B - supports energy production, cognitive function and red blood cell production.

• Vitamin D - Supports immune health and bone health.

• Selenium - Antioxidant that protects cells from damage and supports thyroid health.

Now you can add a consciously eat a healthy fish protein to meet dietary longevity goals.

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Streaming platforms pay billions in royalties.

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