Monday, February 3, 2025

Local Newspaper to Discuss UP Investment Stocks: Can Business Content Improve Economic Activity?

Our local newspaper released an announcement that it will soon provide content on companies investing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as more information on local businesses. Stock Package Daily Press UP. That is a fabulous idea as the US and global FDI market outside of the area impacts what happens inside the area! Most towns and cities are integrally aligned to the wider market and so the greater the match between local offerings and wider market need, the more likely economic growth. Escanaba has become an emerging "hot spot" and sharing its strengths creates a sense of community identity as well as fosters knowledge about what our little town is doing. .

Thinking Through It

Let us think through it a little,

Attracting investment interest into existing and start-up businesses helps support local economic growth. While the town is rural and many people still have homespun skills such as hunting, trapping and fishing it is nevertheless still dependent on the wider market (We have high tech and skilled labor as well). We are just a little less dependent than many other places. 😀 While Escanaba might be unique one could also consider some of the parallels with other small towns across the U.P. (lumberjacks unite!)

Writing about investment in area and the U.P can have an impact on development in a digital world where anyone can see those topical articles. Good content attracts webpage hits and meaningful content attracts the right kind of visitors (The one's that will act...i.e. investors, vacationers, entrepreneurs). The goal is to attract people who want that information and are willing to create opportunities.

The beauty of the online world is that one can pull metrics from online visits that could influence real life economic growth. In essence, if online conversation about local businesses increases there will likely be an increase in investment (Sounds like a good economic study. If you want to explore that option leave me a message and I can share some thoughts on that.). How to Measure Marketing Content Success Generally the more buzz and conversation, the more likely the right information will reach the right people and lead to a positive action (there is research on how media buzz works and on investment decision making.)

Exploring Stock Strategy

If you have been following along for a while I created an investment portfolio to test out different stocks strategies. This study caugh my interest. According to some research stocks have a lot of emotional triggers associated with them. Psychological Health of Investors and Stock Market Linked, Ball State University Study Finds If I'm going to invest I should feel happy about it. I have heard in other places mood impacts choice and consumer choice.

Where is my experimental stock portfolio? It is at about 77% which is down from its high about 90% during an upswing but higher than the 70% I had last time I reported. That could be a good indication of a hedge because stocks went down on recent news over the past few days and my portfolion went down less than a percent which is what I would consider in the normal fluctuating range. Dow Rebounds I think that if one were to offer more information on local companies that one can invest in, it might make sense to include a few companies within this portfolio to hedge.

What Might be Interesting  

It would be interesting for the local newspaper to write a column about "Invest in Escanaba Companies" or "Company of the Month" or "Start-ups that Sizzle" or something like those. 🤔 It may help raise some exposure, create a historical piece, and inform the comunity to give a good start. It could snap some global interest. No promises but if poeple searching online for those topics don't find the inforation they are unlikely to randomly pick the place for investment.

Answer the Question  

To answer the question of whether business content can improve economic activity? Yes, if the articles are neutral, factual, informative, talks about entrepreneurial experience,etc. there is a way to create great local news that introduces local businesses to locals as well as possibly attract investment interest. That is a win-win for the business owner, the customer, and available organic information available for vacationers and investors. Inform would be a word more beneficial than sell. The same can often be said for government websites that could provide a landing page for information investors need.

Highlighting investable businesses gets a shingle out globally. Just a few thoughts.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Ocean Beach Pier on Last Legs (Coastal Life, Poetry and Photography)

Click for Gallery
Ocean Beach Pier is a landmark and people have come to know it as synonymous with Ocean Beach, CA. Many years I have walked on, threw a beach towel under it, and surfed next to it. The age and damage is too great and something new will need to come in its place. 

This photo will help me remember what it looked like at sunset. Someday it will be gone. 

I put together this silly poem. All but 40 seconds of thought so don't judge too harshly. If you know anything about OB Pier it is the place that you tell everyone to meet before heading down Newport Street for food, dining and music.

Poem on Ocean Beach Pier

Ocean Beach Pier

A gathering place to meet for a beer, 

We won't forget you even in a year

Into the ocean blue have no fear. 😂🍺

City Releases Report Regarding Status of Ocean Beach Pier

You may be interested in various products with this OB Sunset Picture. (See OB Sunset Pier Items Here) The mousepad and notebook turned out well. Below is what is a Metal Print Sunset Picture (See Metal Print OB Sunset Picture Here)


 Metal Print OB Sunset Picture

Study Finds Coffee Drinkers Have Lower Body Fat and lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes

It is early in the morning, and one might wonder what they are doing up before the sun peaks its head. With coffee in one hand a tote bag in another millions of Americans head to the gym before work. 

Should you feel guilty about drinking coffee if you want to get in shape? Not necessarily.

A study found that drinking coffee may not be all that bad for people working out (Larsson, Woolf, & Gill, 2023). We might find lots of caffeine in supplements if you use such things (which I don't suggest).

 Two Study Findings of Coffee Drinking:  

-Lower risk of diabetes

-Lower body mass index


My suggestion is to drink lots of water to hydrate and if you want to cut down on sugars and calories drink your coffee black. 

If you are interested in a virtual fitness plan and some fitness help by a certified trainer send me a message to the right. One-on-one virtual. 

Susanna C Larsson, Benjamin Woolf, Dipender Gill - Appraisal of the causal effect of plasma caffeine on adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease: two sample mendelian randomisation study: BMJ Medicine 2023;2:e000335. https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000335

IMF Projects 3.3% Global Growth and Declining Inflation (Global Economy)

The U.S. looks strong in the short to midterm according to the IMF release. Not all nations are doing as well. Inflation will likely decline and that is a good thing. This would be the time nations should have learned about the danger of too much debt and not enough fiscal management. There are still risks and opportunities as geopolitical issues, new policies., and other factors create a dynamic environment. Risks are seen as divergent.

-Global growth is projected at 3.3 percent both in 2025 and 2026


-US beating out the average of advanced nations but some nations will experience lower growth.

 
-Global headline inflation to decline to 4.2 percent in 2025 and to 3.5 percent in 2026

Friday, January 31, 2025

The Well Rounded Renaissance Personality and Life (Life and Self-Development)

Each person should strive for the highest version and state they can reach within their lifetimes. Some excel in one area, but few excel in many. We might think of a polymath, or a genius and it is true that many have the Renaissance personality type. You don't need to be exceptional to follow the same path as much is conducted in terms of personal choice and habit.

To foster full selves, we need breadth and mastery of environment through broad skill development. Generalist versus specialist. We may have specific knowledge, but it is in context of a greater whole. There are 11 things below that would indicate you might have the variety and wide breadth to be transformational.

1. Resource Accumulation

2. Intellectual Stimulation 

3. Social Networks and Outlets

4. Artistic Expression

5. Physical Fitness and Health

6. Spirituality

7. Purpose

8. Values and Character

9. Science and evidence-based decision making

10. Self-reflection and personal growth

11. Philosophy and wisdom

You may be interested in a study on the Renassance Personality in The Renaissance Personality: New Study Reveals Characteristics Of People Who Love Change.

Jerabek, Ilona & Muoio, Deborah. (2017). The Renaissance Personality: New Study Reveals Characteristics Of People Who Love Change. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319910634_The_Renaissance_Personality_New_Study_Reveals_Characteristics_Of_People_Who_Love_Change

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Advance Estimates GDP Q4 2024 Indicates 2.3% Increase

The economy continues to move down its own track outpacing other advanced nations with a 2.3% increase. Increases in consumer and govt. spending were offset by decreases in investment.Imports decreased.  GDP Q4 2024.

We will have to see what happens with impots/exports and technology investments.

Source


 

Top 10 of the 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends (Fitness and Training)

Fitness is essential to nearly all aspects of a person's life and it is of popular interest. Like any industry the fitness industry has trends and those trends include new technology and focus on certain goals. 

Many of the gym buffs are looking for a new quick answer to something that often takes many years of sustained effort. There are no substitutes to eating right, movement, resistance and recovery. 

Some of the apps are great but keep in mind they only record the effort you invest into fitness.

Top 10 of the 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends

1. Wearable Technology

2. Mobile Exercise Applications

3. Fitness Programs for Older Adults

4. Exercise for Weight Loss

5. Traditional Strength Training

6. High Intensity Interval Training

7. Data-driven Training Technology

8. Exercise for Mental Health

9. Functional Fitness Training

10. Health/Wellness Coaching

As a licensed fitness trainer I can help. Looking to pick up a client or two to work remote and/or onsite depending on location. If interested in a fitness and/or nutrition plan send me a message to the right. I like to do it it helps me stay in shape.

Human Rights and Corruption Approach Doesn't Work Well (Hypothetical Discussion on Hate and Corruption)

We have been exploring a hypothetical philosophical discussion on hate and corruption and the allowance of such poor behaviors to protect co...