Thursday, January 21, 2021

Amazon - six years work experience - Chinese - Seattle

 Jan. 21, 2021

Here is the article. 

My notes:

“双披萨法则 (Two Pizza Rule)”

双披萨法则是亚马逊创始人杰夫·贝佐斯提出的,是指在任何一个会议中,如果参加会议的人一起吃两个披萨,会存在披萨不够的情况,就说明这次会议的规模是过于庞大和冗余了。




大约6年前Mark从美国西海岸一所著名大学CS专业毕业,毕业后Mark在亚马逊找到了软件开发的实习,实习的时候Mark一直非常积极地和老板沟通,在大约半年后顺利地实习转正。Mark也一路北上去了西雅图,开启了自己近6年的“亚马逊生存之旅”。


和我们谈起这6年来的经历和心得,Mark非常激动地为我们展示了他总结的“亚马逊生存法则”。

组织架构

就像很多梦想在亚马逊这样的大厂工作的人一样,Mark在正式入职之前就已经听闻了很多与亚马逊紧密相关的词汇。有一个涉及组织结构的词汇让Mark记忆深刻——“双披萨法则 (Two Pizza Rule)”。


双披萨法则是亚马逊创始人杰夫·贝佐斯提出的,是指在任何一个会议中,如果参加会议的人一起吃两个披萨,会存在披萨不够的情况,就说明这次会议的规模是过于庞大和冗余了。


双披萨法则体现了亚马逊运作管理和业务拓展的核心思想,就是用精简和细分的小团队来推进日常的工作安排,让员工能把更多的精力放在工作产出上,而不是团队沟通上,来最大化个人的工作效率。Mark笑称:“这就是‘血汗工厂’持续开动的秘密。”


不过Mark也强调,亚马逊作为如今在美国拥有第二多员工数量的巨型企业,也不可能将这种细分的组织结构应用到所有的部门。实际上,亚马逊采用的是其独特的复合型组织结构,侧重于把具体的业务作为不同团队之间交互合作的基础,以此来充分支持其不断扩张的商业需求。并且,这个组织架构也在不断地演变,在不断增加产品线和业务的同时,也能逐步完善先前业务中存在的技术短板和缺陷。


My notes:


Mark自身的情况也反映了这一点,他所在的组负责的是一个产品线的某个功能,组内算上Manager、PM、Director也就十多人,这样的组织结构使得每名员工的分工和责任都非常清晰,员工各自对自己的工作负责,结构稳定,最大化了组织的计提效率



复合型组织结构主要包括了三个要素:全球型业务职能团队(Global Function-Based Groups),全球型层级组织结构(Global Hierarchy),区域型部门组织架构 (Geographic Divisions with their own Sub-divisions)。其中业务职能团队是指业务中关键的职能被指派给一个专门的团队和一位资深的管理经理;层级组织结构指亚马逊的核心管理层,是一种自上而下的垂直型指挥体系;而区域性部门则是根据全球各地域的不同情况,因地制宜地组建和指派团队。


Mark自身的情况也反映了这一点,他所在的组负责的是一个产品线的某个功能,组内算上Manager、PM、Director也就十多人,这样的组织结构使得每名员工的分工和责任都非常清晰,员工各自对自己的工作负责,结构稳定,最大化了组织的计提效率,也可以说“血汗工厂”名副其实。


当然这种结构也有一定的弊端,Mark说他几乎不了解其他组具体在做什么,不同组之间信息传递路线较长,比较依赖上级的传达。而且大家各自负责自己的职责,很少有机会能去思考所做的东西背后的商业逻辑。

管理制度

提到管理制度,亚马逊最被大家熟知的关键词则是“军规14条”。


“军规14条”反映了亚马逊作为一家企业的核心价值观,包括:顾客至上、领导视角、创新优化、不断学习、坚持最高标准、行动力、获取信任、注重细节等等。这不仅仅是亚马逊希望达到的标准,也是它要求它的所有员工都要达到的标准。


像Mark这样通过面试进入亚马逊的员工,在面试的过程中就已经经历了“军规14条”无数次的洗礼,在行为面试环节,几乎所有问题都需要围绕着这14个理念来回答,所以这些观念也已经深入了他日常工作的方方面面中。


与“军规”对应的, 亚马逊在“淘汰员工”上的速度同样惊人。


Mark跟我们透露,他经常能看到有的组在很短的时间内替换了超过一半的员工,有时一些资深员工甚至管理层员工也会被调走,有的组甚至不久前他还有过联系,一段时间后却发现已经解散了。Mark说“在亚马逊,这一切都很正常,组和组之间的命运相去甚远。”


亚马逊的人员流动情况到底是什么样的情况呢?我们基于自有人才数据库里提取了亚马逊约7.2万条员工数据分析(数据截至2020/12/16)得出的结论也证实了Mark的说法:


  • 在从亚马逊跳槽员工中,有一半左右的员工是在工作16个月以内跳槽的,可见亚马逊的新进的员工流动性较大,大家在亚马逊待了不久以后都很快跳槽了。离职的资深员工中,工作年数也平均集中在5-6年。


在考核制度上,亚马逊也带来了两个新的专有名词:“AFT”文化 (Anytime Feedback Tool) 和 “PIP”制度  (Performance Improvement Plan)。


“ATF”文化是指亚马逊鼓励员工直接向上级领导反馈对于同事工作的评价,不论这种评价是正面还是负面的,当然,领导需要对反馈员工的身份予以保密,这种反馈也会被直接应用到亚马逊的绩效考核中。Mark透露说,曾有亚马逊的员工能收到50~60页打印出来的反馈数据。


而著名的“PIP”制度也就是给低绩效者制定的一个明确的绩效目标和时间期限,比如:30天、60天或90天,要求他们在这些限期内改善绩效,否则将面临被公司解除劳动合同的风险。


亚马逊经常以内部排名,“AFT”以及“PIP”来鞭策员工,甚至鼓励同事互相揭短,结果导致员工压力巨大。Mark告诉我们这也是亚马逊最饱受争议的地方,不少人投诉在亚马逊工作“有开工无收工”,且同事之间给的压力也很大。


除此以外,还有广为人知的变态on-call制度,也就是在on-call期间,需要随时准备好接电话,来处理紧急情况,不管你是还在浴室里刚打上泡沫还是凌晨3点,都需要立即接电话。有的组甚至有每三周一次的on-call,每次24*7,应急不断严重影响员工休息。Mark感叹道“国内的程序员朋友总是说国内996可怕,美国工作轻松,但是也有像我们这样压力大、工作又忙又累的”。


工作环境

"在我第一天来到西雅图的亚马逊办公室上班时,我几乎是怀着朝圣的心情走进公司园区的。"Mark的这个描述相信符合很多亚马逊员工的心声。


亚马逊在西雅图总部的办公环境堪称一流。公司大楼位于市中心,通勤便利,亚马逊也在建设专用的自行车道,以为员工提供更多安全、无污染的上班途径。


园区内总共有40多座办公楼,每座建筑都代表着亚马逊的历史的一部分。其中最著名的当属由著名的建筑公司NBBJ设计,花费了7年时间,总计250亿美元打造的震惊世界的办公区——Spheres。


Spheres由3个巨大的玻璃球组成,总长度约40米,由2643块不规则的玻璃组成。而中间最大的那颗球,直径约27米,约10层楼那么高。白天,它们在西雅图灿烂的阳光下闪耀着璀璨夺目的光芒,夜晚,开了灯的“大球”更是炫丽地让你挪不开眼,如同三颗巨大的真钻石。Spheres晶莹剔透,五光十色。Spheres的身体里竟然还种有40000多棵绿色植物,以及岩石、溪水、石子小路,活脱脱一个公园的样子。


公司大楼内也是功能齐全,有母婴室、祈祷室、更衣室、电话亭,带格栅的屋顶甲板及游戏室等。一些办公楼甚至还有像门一样的办公桌,还有电梯里的白板和屋顶的狗狗公园。一句话总结,Mark说道:“无论你在哪个办公楼工作,你都可以找到所需的一切。”


面试流程

谈到应聘亚马逊的过程,Mark回忆说他当年的面试流程还是比较长的。一般而言亚马逊的面试平均都有5、6轮,每轮45分钟到1小时。整个面试流程长短不一,最短的三周左右,长的甚至有有三四个月。


通常而言第一轮是电话面试,主要询问比较基础的信息、个人背景等;第二部分为视频面试,面试官可能是HR经理,也可能是跟你面试的同等职位的职员,会问到一些更有深度的问题,包括具体的技能、经历、项目等;根据职位的不同,有些职位需要进行笔试,需要根据HR经理提供的主题,写2-3页的报告。


经过前几轮的磨砺之后,通过的候选人就可以进入Onsite面试了。Onsite也被称为“Loop”,指面试者要花费一天的时间在亚马逊西雅图总部完成一完整轮次的面试。面试内容主要会查看面试者是否可以快速融入公司的文化环境,会大量涉及领导力准则的行为问题,即“军规14条”。最近因为疫情原因,Onsite面试也改为网上进行了。


Mark跟我们强调说,亚马逊的面试评价其实具有非常标准化的流程和评价体系,且非常依赖数据。面试结束后所有面试反馈都会放在线上面试系统里。在之后的概括会议上,会先让招聘经理提出想要的人才的方向,再对面试者进行综合判断,概括出800~1000字的评价,大家讨论后再投票决定结果。


入职培训

Mark在亚马逊的第一天是在Orientation中度过的。整个Orientation的核心内容是强调“客户至上”,以及如何贯彻这个理念。首先,会有Orientation的负责人一条条为新员工讲解亚马逊的领导力守则:“军规14条”;在这之后新员工会组成小组进行case study,分析案例中哪些领导力在其中起到了决定性作用;“军规14条”还会被做成压膜的塑料卡片以供员工随身携带。


“不过Orientation结束以后并没有专人带你参观公司,Manager会让你自己随便逛,随便看。所以,如果看到有人在亚马逊大楼里这看看、那摸摸,那他大概率就是新来的员工了。”Mark笑着说。


除了Orientation,亚马逊的新人培训计划也非常完善,公司有一个专门的新人培训系统 (New Hire Launch Plan)。入职之后,系统会自动给你布置每个阶段的任务,比如第一周需要找哪些人聊些什么,第一个月需要做哪些事情,以及公司文化,各个组的职能的等等。只要跟着系统的提示把每个阶段的小任务完成就可以了。除了完成系统给的任务之外,每个组的Manager也会派一名Mentor来带新人。另外,一般组里也会有一个新人入职培训营(new hire bootcamp)的文档,主要是介绍这个组是干什么,刚入职需要做什么事情等。

薪资

亚马逊的工资结构由基本工资+股票+奖金构成。


以软件工程师为例,亚马逊的软件工程师一共分4级(L4-L7)薪资范围在16.2万美金到65.3万美金不等。


对比其他几家大厂前三个等级的软件工程师的薪资,亚马逊的薪资是最低的。在彭博社富翁指数前100的科技大厂中亚马逊员工薪酬排名最低。这也是亚马逊被称为“血汗工厂”的根本原因。前段时间,美国劳工部颁布的H1B新规又大幅提高了H1B签证的最低工资要求,而亚马逊给H1B员工发的平均工资在一众科技公司里甚至无法上榜。


亚马逊的股票发放制度是遵照入职第一年发放5%,第二年15%,第三年和第四年各40%(每6个月发放20%)。在入职的第二次年度考核后根据员工的表现,内部排名以及绩效考核来进行股票Refresh。Refresh的股票分两年发完(每年各发放50%),以防止人员变动造成损失。


除此之外考核也会对薪资带来影响。每年9月,亚马逊会有相对简单的年中考核,而12月到次年4月则会进行年末考核,大部分调薪和晋升也就发生在年末。


Mark透露,绩效考核会要求6名以上的相关人员基于领导力守则14条进行评价、反馈,还要举出具体例子。而绩效考核的工作量其实也很重,例如可能一周的时间里大家都在狂写各种评估和绩效结果,甚至需要先暂停其他的工作。亚马逊对绩效考核的重视程度至斯,也引发了一些争议。


适合去亚马逊的人群

访谈的最后,我们问到Mark什么样的人适合在亚马逊工作,什么样的人又不适合呢?Mark终于为我们揭开了他多年来的经历总结出的“亚马逊生存法则”:


“亚马逊作为一家极其成功的大型互联网巨头企业,却对应届毕业生和相对缺乏经验的求职者非常友好,而且亚马逊并没有特别看重名校背景,只要是在特定的专业和技能上有所建树就都能获得平等的竞争机会。所以对于所有能够承受压力、具有良好的团队沟通能力、能吃苦、愿意得到锻炼的人来说,亚马逊都是一个理想的就业地点。


我给所有新人的建议就是,多干活多沟通,多尝试得到别人信赖,并在团队多建立影响力和威信。如此这样,你一定也可以在亚马逊生存下来!”



Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Sven Carlin: 13 Characteristics The BEST Stocks To Buy Have by Peter Lynch | Not What You Expect

 Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the link. 

Peter Lynch is one of the best investors ever. I give examples for each of the mentioned characteristics a stock to buy should have. Lynch is a contrarian, focused on earnings from companies Wall Street doesn't like or can't sell to the public. Enjoy the discussion and examples. 1) It sounds dull – or even better, ridiculous 2) It does something dull 3) It does something disagreeable 4) It is a spinoff 5) The institutions don’t own it, and the analysts don’t follow it 6) The rumors abound – It’s involved with toxic waste and/or the mafia 7) There’s something depressing about it 8) It is a no-growth industry 9) It’s got a niche 10) People have to keep buying it 11) It’s a user of technology 12) The insiders are buyers 13) The company is buying back shares The is part of my FREE stock market investing course. Please check it out and enroll. When we finish with Lynch's One Up On Wall Street Book summary, I'll create the first exam. Check also out the other lectures, all is also in PDF: https://sven-carlin-research-platform...​ Want to know more about my research and portfolios? Here is my independent stock market analysis and research! STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM (analysis, stocks to buy, model portfolio)

Sven Carlin: THE INTELLIGENT INVESTOR - MARGIN OF SAFETY - CHAPTER 20 SUMMARY -

 Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the link. 



Sven Carlin: 7 Tips How To Make Millions In a Recession And Market Crash

 Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the link. 

Stock Market Crashes and Recessions are the best buying opportunities. When that happens, Warren Buffett says to take out the bucket when raining gold. Seven steps to be a millionaire after recessions and stock market crashes: - be a financial fortress - allows you to invest when others are selling in panic - have a cash cushion - keeps you calm whatever is going on - don't have debt - gives you leverage when things are cheap for smart debt - always look for opportunities and buy when you like an investment - don't bet, invest - the earnings yield is what you are investing it, asset prices up is just a bonus - always keep learning - there are always opportunities somewhere - this too shall pass Want to know more about my research and portfolios? Here is my independent stock market analysis and research! STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM (analysis, stocks to buy, model portfolio)


How coronavirus has devastated the retail industry and malls

 Jan. 20, 2021


Here is the link. 

Ron Johnson, Enjoy CEO and former CEO of JCPenney, joined The Final Round to discuss the state of retail and how consumers have changed their habits due to the pandemic. #retailshopping​ #retail​ #consumerspending​ Subscribe to Yahoo Finance: https://yhoo.it/2fGu5Bb

Coronavirus 'is an existential threat to retail': Former Saks CEO

Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the link. 

A new report by Cowen shows that retail store traffic is down 97% year-over-year. The market caps of retailers are plummeting, with Macy's getting kicked out of the S&P 500. Steve Sadove, former chairman and CEO of Saks Inc. and now a senior advisor for Mastercard, joins "Squawk Box" to discuss. The coronavirus takes an emotional toll on business owners who have invested their lives building a company and brand, “Shark Tank” investor and cybersecurity entrepreneur Robert Herjavec said Thursday. He said he has had to lay off about 8% of Herjavec Group’s 350-person workforce, a “painfully brutal” move. “The thought of it possibly all going away is really scary,” Herjavec said on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley.” “I don’t care if you’re a Shark. I don’t care how much money you’re worth. I don’t care if you’re a small business. People take a lot of pride in their small businesses.” Entrepreneurs do not start businesses “just for a paycheck,” said the CEO and founder of Herjavec Group, which provides cybersecurity products and services to business. “They have their entire ego and who they are and everything tied into that, so it’s been really hard,” he said. Herjavec said a few weeks ago, as the economic threat from the coronavirus intensified, he had to make the layoffs. “We had to do some initial layoffs to nonessential services so that we could actually increase our services people,” he said. “I’ve got to tell you, it’s brutal. It’s absolutely, painfully brutal. You feel guilty. You feel bad.” Government mandates to slow the spread of COVID-19 have brought the U.S. economy to a near halt. In the last two weeks alone, roughly 10 million Americans have filed jobless claims. Herjavec, who owns stakes in many small and medium-size businesses, said the jobless claims were of “biblical proportions” and said he expects more layoffs in April. “The emotion for every small business owner is really difficult,” he said.

Apparel stock: Calvin Klein-parent PVH CEO: Pandemic will 'accelerate' consolidation, store closures in apparel

Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the link. 

PVH CEO Manny Chirico discussed how the coronavirus outbreak is impacting the apparel industry and explained how he thinks retail will come out on the other side.

T stock: Incoming and outgoing WarnerMedia CEOs on coronavirus, live sports and the transition

Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the link. 

Consumer behavior after this pandemic - business model - retail space - theater screen - tell a story to deliver different way - preference and desire 


T stock: AT&T Stock Will Not Go Back To Its Pre-Covid High

 Jan. 20, 2021

Here is the article. 

My notes:

  1. T stock has underperformed the market - low-decibel launch of HBO Max
  2. Warner Media - ongoing pandemic 
  3. 5G - competition from Verizon and T-Mobile technology expansion
  4. 10% higher from its current level - 10% - stock price

We believe AT&T stock (NYSE: T) may be a decent opportunity at the present time. AT&T trades at $29 currently and is, in fact, down 25% from the level of $39 seen in the beginning of 2020. It traded at $38 in February 2020 – just before the coronavirus pandemic hit the world – and is currently 24% below that level as well. This is after AT&T stock gained 9% from its March 2020 low of less than $27. The stock has underperformed the market over recent months because of a low-decibel launch of HBO Max, along with the recent acquisition of Warner Media not likely to add much to the top line in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic hitting the movie and advertising revenues for media giants. Also, it faces intense competition from Verizon and T-Mobile in the 5G technology expansion. But the gradual opening up of the economy is expected to lead to recovery in consumer spending in the coming quarters, while HBO Max is also expected to gradually increase its subscriber base, albeit at a slower pace. This could drive the stock 10% higher from its current level, but a full recovery to the pre-Covid level looks unlikely any time soon. Our conclusion is based on our comparative analysis of AT&T stock performance during the current financial crisis with that during the 2008 recession in our interactive dashboard.

My notes:

  1. revenue 163 -> 181 billion from 2016 to 2019
  2. 2.10 -> 1.90 in 2019 - EPS - margins declined
  3. debt from 123 -> 158 from 2016 to 2019

AT&T Fundamentals Over Recent Years

AT&T revenues increased from $163.3 billion in 2016 to $181.2 billion in 2019, due to increase in post-paid connections. Despite higher revenues, margins declined slightly over recent years with EPS decreasing from $2.10 in 2016 to $1.90 in 2019. However, the company’s Q3 revenues saw a 5% y-o-y decline due to a drop in the voice as well as broadband connections during the current crisis. Last twelve months revenue stands at $172.9 billion, lower than the FY2019 revenue level. Earnings came in at $0.76/share in Q3 2020 as against $0.94/share in the year-ago period, mainly due to lower revenue, along with higher equipment cost and depreciation. Last twelve months’ earnings stand at $1.52 per share.

Does AT&T Have Sufficient Cash Cushion To Meet Its Obligations Through The Coronavirus Crisis?

AT&T’s total debt increased from $123.5 billion in 2016 to $158.9 billion at the end of Q3 2020, while its total cash went up from $5.8 billion to $9.8 billion over the same period. AT&T generated healthy cash from operation of $45 billion in the last twelve months. The company has enough liquidity cushion to weather the current crisis.


T stock: Dividend talk

 

3. AT&T

Some investors might not believe that AT&T will ever cut its dividend. However, it didn't raise its dividend at the end of 2020, marking the first time it broke its four-quarter cycle of dividend hikes since 2005. Its payout ratio also exceeded 100% over the past 12 months.

AT&T is still a Dividend Aristocrat that has raised its payout annually for 36 straight years, but it could lose that elite status if it doesn't raise its payout this year. That probably won't happen, since AT&T can still easily cover its dividend with its free cash flow.

Yet it might be smarter for AT&T to reduce or suspend its dividend, which cost nearly $15 billion last year, for two reasons. First, AT&T ended last quarter with $153 billion in long-term debt, and it faces mounting pressure to divest its weaker businesses -- such as DirecTV -- to reduce that debt. Cutting its dividend could speed up that process.

Second, AT&T is investing billions of dollars in its streaming platforms, such as HBO Max, to offset its ongoing loss of pay-TV subscribers and keep pace with Netflix and Disney in the streaming race. Plowing cash into that competitive market instead of its dividend would be a smarter long-term move.

Therefore, investors shouldn't get too comfortable with AT&T's dividend right now, especially as CEO John Stankey -- who took the helm last July -- faces intense pressure to shake up and streamline the telecom giant.

Equity research: Blackberry

 Jan. 20, 2021

Introduction

It is easy and smart if I choose to invest BB stock from March 2020 to Jan. 20, 2021, the price went up from 2.9 to 12.79. I like to read more about Blackberry. 

Wiki article

Here is the page. 

BlackBerry Limited is a Canadian multinational company specialising in enterprise software and the Internet of things. Originally known as Research In Motion (RIM), it developed the BlackBerry brand of interactive pagers, smartphones, and tablets. It transitioned to an enterprise software and services company under Chief Executive Officer John S. Chen.[3] Its products are used by various businesses, car makers, and government agencies. They include BlackBerry Cylance's artificial intelligence based cyber-security solutions, the BlackBerry AtHoc emergency communication system (ECS) platform; the QNX real-time operating system; and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Manager), a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platform. BlackBerry was founded in 1984 as Research In Motion by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin. In 1992, Lazaridis hired Jim Balsillie, and Lazaridis and Balsillie served as co-CEOs until January 22, 2012,[4] when Thorsten Heins became president and CEO. In November 2013, John S. Chen took over as CEO. His initial strategy was to subcontract manufacturing to Foxconn, and to focus on software technology. Currently,[when?] his strategy includes forming licensing partnerships with device manufacturers such as TCL Communication and unifying BlackBerry's software portfolio.


Product features: Canada revenue agency web pages

 Jan. 20, 2021

Introduction

It is the first time I spent over three hours to work on Canada revenue agency website, and explore all product features. I like to write a short report on this website. 

CRA Login

I could not login using username and password, so that I had to start a three hour journey to explore all login related features. I like to get the documents for BC recovery benefit, $500 dollar claim. 

I like to experience pros and cons in terms of product features. I had to work around a few times, including resetting password, find my username, and then download BC service card mobile app, at last I finally login in using BC service mobile card. 

BC service mobile card is not too hard for me to get. I used the app to send my photo and video, so that I had chance to get approved in less than two hours. 

I downloaded T4 slips for past years first time. I could not find three documents through CRA website. 


BB stock: TheStreet Quant Ratings

 Jan. 20, 2021




Actionable Items


My friend in wechat group shared the news of Microsoft worked with BB, and then she purchased 10,000 shares of BB. Other few also purchased 1000 share. Most of them made the profit over 20% in less than 5 business days. The one shared the tip held it until 100% return. 

A lot of speculators pushed BB stock higher, Microsoft is most creditable business in world. I was just surprised to see how people work hard to try all possible ways to build wealth, take risk. I did not purchase at all. I am a self-centered person. I have to train myself to take tips and share tips as well. 

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Sven Carlin: 7 STOCK MARKET INVESTING RULES + MY PORTFOLIOS

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

The investor's chief problem - even his worst enemy - is likely to be himself. 

  1. #1 90% will lose money
  2. ?
  3. #3 The future - impossible 
  4. #4 Defensive stock

retail investor will lose money 

100 investors, each $100

  1. 1-20% per year
  2. 9-10% per year
  3. 90 - Negative 2% per year
Protection, inflation - stock market - 30% to 40% a year stock - bankruptcy very soon. 
Invest in what you know - Peter Lynch  - stick to circle of your confidence.

"It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistence 
not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent"
  - Chalie Munger 





Sven Carlin: Warren Buffett's Stock Market Investing Mindset - Coca Cola Story

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

Warren Buffett's Stock Market Investing Mindset is one we can learn so much from. I use Buffett's Coca Cola story to give a few examples on investing patience and knowledge. 0:00​ Buffett’s investing mindset 0:45​ Investing character 1:54​ Buffett’s Coca-Cola story from 1937 4:12​ Why Buffett didn’t buy earlier? 4:33​ KO’s historic PE ratio 6:10​ Price to book of 5 6:33​ brand value & margin of safety 7:47​ How did it work out for Warren? 8:35​ buying great businesses! Want to know more about what I do? https://sven-carlin-research-platform...

Sven Carlin: When To Sell a Stock | 7 Strategies and Example | Investing Classes

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

How to know when to sell a stock is the difficult thing when it comes to stock market investing. I just sold a stock that made 20% of my portfolio and it got me thinking that I could make an investing class about the best ways, the best strategies to use to approach selling a portfolio position. The 7 strategies to consider when selling a stock are: 0:00​ Selling a stock 3:38​ Something changed 5:52​ Risk and reward 9:28​ Portfolio balance 12:13​ Something better 14:50​ Stop loss 16:48​ Goal reached 18:01​ Never sell It is always hard to sell a stock, but at some point you have to do it for one or other reason. Selling is difficult but it locks in your gains, eliminates the risks, allow you to invest in something else or simply allow you to reach your other than financial goals. At the end, investing is strictly personal and I hope these 7 strategies help you when it comes to making the hard decision to sell something, hopefully with a big gain and not a big loss. The main question in these days might be when to sell a stock for profit as we are at the top of an incredible bull market. Keep in mind each business, each stock and each individual investors is unique, therefore also each decision on when to sell a stock will be different. Hopefully these 7 strategies will help you in knowing when to sell and when not to sell a stock. My passion is to look for low risk high reward investment opportunities with a long-term business owning like focus. I apply my accounting skills and investing experience in order to find the best businesses to own that offer the possibility to lead me towards my financial goals. If you are a sophisticated investor looking for in depth, independent stock analyses and investing ideas, here is my STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM (business research and risk reward analysis, stocks to buy from my covered stocks list, my portfolio): https://sven-carlin-research-platform...

Sven Carlin: 7 INVESTING RULES TO TURN $1,000 INTO $28,000 IN 13 YEARS - PETER LYNCH

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

What do I do? Full-time independent stock market analyst and researcher: https://sven-carlin-research-platform...​ Check the comparative stock list table on my Stock market research platform under curriculum preview! I am also a book author: Modern Value Investing book: https://amzn.to/2lvfH3t

  1. The person that turns over the most rocks wins
  2. Owning stocks is like having children - don't get involved with more than you can handle

Sven Carlin: Dollar Cost Averaging vs. Lump Sum Investing Strategy!

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

What is the best stock market investment strategy to deploy money is the ultimate question to be answered, if you have money of course. Most people think about whether to deploy it all immediately (LUMP SUM INVESTING) or to stage the purchases over a period of time (DOLLAR COST AVERAGING). Vanguard and other research shows that you'll do better with a lump-sum investment in 70% of cases and better with dollar cost averaging in 30% of cases. So, it is up to you what kind of odds do you wish to bet on. However, you know I will not give you just the stock market investing statistics. By discussing the difference between investing and speculating; the difference between lump sum investing where you invest when you have the money and when a financial instrument fits your required return and dollar cost averaging, where you are more concerned about the market as you try to time it we will also touch on what really matters for the long-term. Another point is discussing the importance of buying the bottom in the market - some stocks are up 50% since March 22, but how much does that change their investment quality? You'll be surprised how important it is! The importance of timing the market will also give you the answer when it comes to investing it all in a lump-sum or dollar cost average over time. Want to know more about my research and portfolios? Here is my independent stock market analysis and research! STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM (analysis, stocks to buy, model portfolio)


Sven Carlin: 5 Steps To Become A Millionaire For Normal People - My Story

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

I hope my story on how to become a millionaire motivates you to do the same and more. Becoming a millionaire today is fairly easy thanks to the internet and the opportunities out there. You just need patience and you need to know that even small amounts of money can make you a millionaire over time. The power of compounding, for which all you need is patience, is amazing. A small side hustle to make a bit of money on the side can make you enough money to make you a millionaire over a few decades. A few good investing years like 2019 has been and you are set. Enjoy my video where I share my story because I strongly believe today anybody can become a millionaire even if starting from nothing. You just need to be flexible, patient, work harder, invest smartly and start now! Want to know more about my research and portfolios? Here is my independent stock market analysis and research! STOCK MARKET RESEARCH PLATFORM (analysis, stocks to buy, model portfolio) https://sven-carlin-research-platform...

BB stock: BB Stock Price: BlackBerry Ltd set to extend gains as it dances with three giants

 Here is the article. 

My friends all purchased BB stock, but I did not have chance to purchase some of them. Now the price doubles since Dec. 2020. 


  • NYSE: BB is on course to top the $10/share level amid its patent sale to Huawei. 
  • BlackBerry Ltd. settlement with Facebook also provides room to the upside.
  • The Canadian firm's lucrative accord with Amazon is also helping out.

Three deals with larger tech firms are boosting the stock.

1) Huawei: BlackBerry sold some 30 mobile phone patents to the Chinese telecom giant. The prominent firm sells cellphones and is also a leader in 5G technology. Getting rid of its legacy business allows BlackBerry to focus on the future. 

2) Facebook: Huawei is not the only controversial firm BlackBerry is dealing with. Also with Mark Zuckerberg's social behemoth, BB is letting go of its past. The two firms have settled an ongoing dispute related to patent infringements. The burden of having BB's financial might was a weight on BlackBerry's shoulders. 

3) Amazon: Moving from one giant to another, the Canadian firm's future may lie with the retail behemoth. The two companies are collaborating around the IVY car platform, combining software abilities. 

Sven Carlin: HOW TO INVEST IN STOCKS, SVEN CARLIN Ph.D

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

Investing in stocks requires answering the following questions: How to invest money in stocks? How much money to invest in stocks? What are the best stocks to buy? How to find the best stocks to buy? How do I protect myself from a stock market crash? What are the best stocks to invest in? Should I invest in penny stocks? Should I invest in bitcoin? Should I invest in blockchain? How to invest in stocks on your own? HOW TO INVEST MONEY IN STOCKS? HOW MUCH MONEY TO INVEST IN STOCKS? What I do is, I invest money in my stock market portfolio on a month by month basis. I have a model stock portfolio that I started with $10 thousand and I add $1 thousand every month no matter what. I do not necessarily buy with all the money that I add, that depends on the opportunities in the market, more about how I find opportunities and track them later. My goal is for this stock market portfolio to be at $1 million in 20 years. This will be achieved if I reach an investment return of 12% per year. I believe, this can be achieved with proper research, good risk reward analysis and proper portfolio diversification. Investors that I admire like Klarman, Buffett, Schloss, have achieved even higher returns than 12% over the very long term. Other value investors are steadily above 15% which shows that this can be done over the long term.


Sven Carlin: SPAC Stocks Explained - Bill Ackman's Pershing Tontine Example (NYSE: PSTH)

Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

SPAC stocks are very hot now. This video will explain what SPAC stock are, use Pershing Square Tontine Holdings as main example, discuss the investing rational and the market situation. 0:00​ SPAC stocks intro 1:02​ What are SPACs 2:04​ PSTH SPAC example 5:03​ SPAC investing 9:00​ SPAC stocks 2020 10:34​ SPAC market SPAC stocks are special purpose acquisition companies that managers set up to acquire or merge with a private company where they take it public. This is exactly what Bill Ackman is doing with his Pershing Square Tontine Holdings (NYSE: PSTH) where his plan is to acquire a good company. Hedge funds get involved too as there is a lot of arbitrage to do, warrants and other investment schemes that are usually not available to the retail investors. Hedge funds make good returns by investing in SPAC stocks while retail investors make very bad returns from investing in SPAC stocks. Pershing Square stock analysis March 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gkg7...​ Bill Ackman Two Stocks to buy March 2020 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNuqx...​ What is this channel all about? Value Investing: https://youtu.be/2GFwfNOKWJM

Sven Carlin: UP 10%, UP 20%, UP 30% - Is It Still a Stock To Buy?

 Jan. 19, 2021

Here is the link. 

I get many questions whether a stock is still a stock to buy when the stock price is up 10, 20 or 30% from the price I bought it or similar. The answer to the question doesn't lie in where the stock price will go, but within the investment fundamentals. Are you an investor or a speculator? If you are an investor then the stock's intrinsic value gives you the answer. If you are a speculator, than only luck can give you the answer. 0:00​ When to buy a stock 2:20​ Price focused investing example 3:26​ Anchoring 4:26​ FOMO 6:00​ Chasing prices What is this channel all about? Value Investing: https://youtu.be/2GFwfNOKWJM

Speculating or investing? 

Focus on price, it is speculating. Think about owning the business, and then focus on business ownership, compared to other business. 


AMC stock: AMC: Stock Remains Of Minimal Value As It Attempts To Avoid Bankruptcy

 Here is the link. 


  • AMC's attendance is estimated down around -94% for December and -91% for January.
  • It is making progress raising capital, but probably needs to raise $500 million to survive until May, with cash burn estimated at $125 million per month still.
  • AMC's stock has minimal intrinsic value even if it survives.  AMC's projected net debt at the end of 2021 is more than its total enterprise value from February 2020.
  • Junior debt is also likely to have limited value in a restructuring scenario, although the junior debt's potential is far better than its stock if AMC can avoid restructuring.
  • Looking for more investing ideas like this one? Get them exclusively at Distressed Value Investing.