2011 Articles
Island or Continent? You Decide.
15 December 2011
Beginning with quotes from John Donne, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Hill and Ralph Charell, this article explores the impact of co-operation on business and community life. It tells two illustrative stories: NASA’s on-going Voyager programme, launched in August 1977 when Voyager 1 took off; and Cybermoor, the UK’s first community broadband co-operative. The article concludes with an invitation to join our latest refurbishment project as a joint venture.
Three Steps Towards Greater Resilience
29 November 2011
Resilience — the ability to bounce back from crises — is a quality we can all develop. Even young children can learn the skills. This article draws on the experience of many people including Michael Jordan, Maya Angelou and Albert Einstein. It also refers to the book Resilience: bounce back from whatever life throws at you by Jane Clarke and Dr John Nicholson.
A Patriotic Tale
16 November 2011
In our modern times with the culture of wall to wall news media it is easy for people to adopt the ‘prevailing view’ if most of the information they receive says the same thing. We often forget to take a step back to evaluate and, where necessary, challenge some perspectives even though modern communication systems actually put a lot of useful tools in our hands. Our history, when we remember to look at it, contains many uplifting examples of adversity being challenged and overcome against the odds leading to great results. Even in the current difficult economic times there are factors which give good reasons to be positive and programmes where people who are prepared to stand and work together can keep moving forward toward prosperity.
Are There Any Surefire Inflation Beaters?
2 November 2011
It’s not easy to get your hard-earned savings working well enough to beat inflation these days. Your money needs to make at least 5.5% and preferably closer to 7% to move forward. Historically that’s been difficult.
Indeed, way back in 1770 British Government Bonds were yielding just 3.5%. As the Industrial Revolution kicked in they rose to 6% in the 1790s, but they’ve seldom risen above that ever since.
There are, however, some ways to make inflation-beating returns. In this article we examine three opportunities that offer returns around 7%.
Yeah right, you first professor…
21 September 2011
Fear rightly focuses our attention on protective or defensive measures. Unfortunately in the current economic climate fear is also impeding the progress of many people’s journey to success and prosperity. This article explores the idea of confronting difficulty and danger rather than running away and of having confidence to think for one’s self before following the crowd. It discusses the way people in pursuit of clear goals are not halted by obstacles but merely see them as distractions.
Finally it presents a programme which enables individuals to collectively achieve much greater mutual benefits now and to look positively to the future.
Nationwide, the EHS and Your Financial Freedom
23 August 2011
This article presents information about housing trends from the Nationwide House Price Index and the Department for Communities and Local Government’s English Housing Survey. Why has home ownership in England declined for seven consecutive years? What differences emerge between particular age groups’ preferences for owning or renting a home? What do these trends suggest about the relevance of Giroma's FFP Lite and Ant Fund, and how do these programmes work in practice?
Reading for Prosperity
9 August 2011
This article introduces three books that Giroma’s directors have found especially helpful. In The Magic of Thinking Big David Schwartz identifies common factors that lead to small thinking, and shows the reader how to overcome them. In The Go-Giver and Go-Givers Sell More Bob Burg and John David Mann focus on customer service, discussing practical ways to build a successful business by emphasising giving, not getting.
Ants and the USA
2 August 2011
Giroma’s international outlook enables programme participants to benefit from lucrative opportunities around the world. The economic difficulties in the US have combined to create some highly unusual situations which can be very profitable for entrepreneurs. As one of 11 .comeback cities. for 2011, Phoenix is a fruitful area in which to refurbish residential properties for either quick sales or long-term rentals. Giroma’s participants can benefit from this opportunity via the Ant Fund and/or the Phoenix syndicate programme.
So what’s up with these ants anyway?
26 July 2011
You’ve heard a lot about our Ant fund’s attributes over the last little while, without very much information about what the fund actually does. This week, we have a brief update on the fund’s activities over the last few months.
An ant on its feet can do more than an ox that is lying down.
13 July 2011
This article looks at two enterprises in very different parts of the world: the Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain, and Vision 2030 in Kenya. Both grew out of apparently hopeless economic circumstances when local people refused to be restricted by external factors. The story of their genesis and development beautifully encapsulates the principle that people can harness their creativity and determination to build solidarity and accomplish amazing achievements.
Responding to adversity
8 July 2011
Many writers and thinkers believe that the way adversity affects us depends largely on our response to it, and the degree to which we are prepared to look for opportunities in apparently impossible situations. This article draws on the experience of many people including Horace, Bill Gates and Dr Seuss – all of whom demonstrate that difficult times have much to teach the willing student.
What are the alternatives?
1 July 2011
An alternative investment is one that is outside the three traditional investment classes: stocks, bonds and cash. These traditional classes are what most people think of when they think about investing. But how have they performed over the long term?
Carpe Diem - buying v. letting
24 June 2011
The first quarter of 2011 saw slow growth in the UK economy. Although the Nationwide House Price Index has reported a 0.3% price rise, a typical home still costs 1.2% less than it did 12 months ago. The growing rental demand is likely to build further, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, fuelled by the shortage of new properties to let. Both the Genesis Housing Association and Halifax Building Society predict a substantial increase in home renters as opposed to buyers in the future.
Ants have the answers...again
17 June 2011
The flip-side of 'ring-fencing' high street banks to protect people's money could be reduced growth options for normal savers. The investment parts of these banks will be free to pursue higher returns via higher risks but this is unlikely to reward the man on the street. Giroma presents attractive and viable alternatives to boost your prosperity.
Finding where the grass is greener...outside the box
10 June 2011
Is 'thinking outside the box', the most annoying way to say that there is much to be discovered outside one's immediate and familiar terms of reference?
Co-operative Ventures
3 June 2011
Just over a year ago, banking heir David de Rothschild set out to sea on a 60-foot catamaran made of 12,500 plastic bottles to pioneer an expedition that would captivate the public's attention, raise their awareness and inspire them to act. He chose to use 12,500 bottles because that's how many are needlessly dumped every 8 seconds.
American Ants: a Transatlantic Tangle
27 May 2011
“Then the three ants walked into the dining car” said Mr Taylor, “and ordered …”
My five-year old self had never heard such a tale. What I learned that day has stayed with me ever since – and yes, it does apply to today's property market.
Ants in Wales
20 May 2011
Back in the snows of December we bought a property. Inside it was a bit tired, but generally sound. Outside a lovely smooth blanket of snow spread across the back garden. It was a quiet, tidy and peaceful scene.