Becoming a Better Person

The Level I Results

2007-07-28T13:23:00.000-05:00

Well, that was some radio silence, but finally an update.

This week I found out results to the Level I CFA exam - I passed! Not only did I pass, I scored above 70% in each of the 9 topics (for each topic, they tell you whether you scored below 50%, between 51-70%, or above 70%). Nothing could have been better validation.

Just wanted to do a quick post to get myself going again. I'll do another one soon to review my life over the past few months, so that anyone with real-life questions about the pre-CFA exam experience might learn something.

CFA startup

2007-01-26T20:23:00.000-05:00

SO, I've just finished my first week of studying, and can tell you how to properly reference the term CFA (it's an adjective, not noun!). But did I just use it as a noun...? Up next is Time Value of Money, which has always been fun. Looking ahead also made me realize that I should get myself a proper calculator, so an order just went into Amazon for a spiffy new TI BAII Plus Professional. I've heard that the Pro version is pretty nice, so figured I'd invest into it, and use my old regular BAII Plus as a backup. Turned out being around $45, the cheapest of TI's official distribution vendors, and Amazon offers free shipping as well. It's also a far cry from the HP 12c, which I think I saw listed at over $100. Why you would spend that much on a machine that only understands Reverse Polish Notation is beyond me. There's already enough material to study; while I'll have to spend some time getting used to my new 'lator, hopefully it won't take too long.

Other unintended consequences of this exam - shopping for a new credit card. Though I expect to get reimbursed by my company, study and enrollment fees will max out my limit for a while, and I enjoy the convenience of credit over ATMs. The Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card looks quite nice (woo cashback), and I'm hoping they'll approve me. Creditcards.com was useful for browsing potential vendors. The Discover gas card rated highly on the site, but Discover isn't as widely accepted is it?

Back to exam prep...though it's only been a week, this week has been exhausting. Suppose I'm not used to studying anymore (not that I ever really was). But I must keep at it, because I don't want to let anyone (myself, my family, my managers) down. Plus, I've postponed my desired purchase of a PS2 until June, so I'd better make these gameless months worth it.

"Hey, BBP, want to go out tonight?"

Friday nights now: "Sorry, CFA."
Friday nights 4 months from now: "Sorry, DDR."

Resolutions: less at the waist, more in the head

2007-01-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

Happy new year! Similar to many others, end-of-year festivities kept me from this blog. More generally though, my mind was completely diverted from the general topics that this blog only reflects. It is shamefully surprising how quickly do-gooding falls by the wayside when things get busy. Thank goodness for people who have dedicated their livelihood to doing good, or worldwide philanthropic efforts would be as stop-and-go as public attention.

Again, as many others, I have woken this January with a Holiday Hangover. It's now time to sober up and strengthen my character with some resolutions for self-improvement. But because I would like to be different from most people in some respect, this time I'm putting money on the line to keep my resolutions. And no, I'm not dedicating the steady financial drip of an underused gym membership. The membership I seek requires buckets of funds and hours of toil before setting foot in the establishment: charter to the CFA Institute.

This isn't a decision I've taken lightly, because of the big commitment of time and money. However, I've always taken great stock in titles and certifications, and this is something that I can pursue while working. I'm also fortunate that my company offers some reimbursement for the costs.

So while my resolve is afire, I'll push forward, and have you join me on this venture. This weekend I will

review the company forms again and gather all of the information I need for reimbursement.

order the Schweser study materials, which I have heard are good. The Essential package (practice exam book and QBank) should be sufficient, since practice questions are the best way I prepare myself.

Once the materials arrive, I can flip through to get a handle of the amount/type of material. I haven't yet decided on whether to take the June or December exam; once I've settled on that, I can create a study plan.

But first, I should probably get some dinner.

Checklist for making effective donations

2006-12-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned before how much I respect volunteering and also how valuable donating can be. I decided to post a few quick tips on ways to get more bang for your donation buck, but as I looked more and more into it, deciding where to direct your money can be a fairly laborious process! So, here's a handy list that you can follow as you decide on your holiday giving. You probably won't have time for all of these, but if you are able to check off a few, feel content that you've made that money work hard for you and those who need it.

Instead of throwing change to people on street corners who may not be legit, deposit/Coinstar that change and write a check to a reliable cause that resonates strongly with you.
Look into your employer's matching policy for charitable giving; forward that information to some of your colleagues.
Investigate charities through third-party rating groups such as Charity Navigator or the American Institute of Philanthropy. Better yet, look at the charity's financial statements.
Reinforce your giving behavior by seeing the good effects of your donation. An easy way to do this is to browse the charity website; nice ones will have photos and/or success stories to make you feel good about your giving. Like going through souvenirs and snapshots from a vacation, it helps extend the positive experience from your one action. It might feel so nice, you'll decide to give again soon.

A few NPR stories on giving:
Rating the Performance of Charities
Charity Stress

Finally seeing the light

2006-12-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

As someone who likes to stay connected (or "plugged in"), I run a fair amount of electronics. With my computer and TV - not to mention cooking, cleaning, and heating appliances - I probably burn a fair amount of electricity each day. An easy way to cut my monthly energy bill has been using fluorescent light bulbs.

I have heard all the arguments against fluorescent lights - the lighting is too harsh, it takes too long to warm up. A few years ago, I would have agreed with you; my family has used fluorescent lights since I was but a wee child, and those points annoyed me. As I have grown though, so have store-bought fluorescent lights:

Fluorescent bulbs are now offered in a variety of colors. Whether you want a cozy warm glow or intimidating office glare, the options are there for you.
The bulbs will fit into your light fixtures, thanks to this swirling design. You can even get bulbs with a glass casing to look just like incandescents.
No more ugly flicker or waiting half an hour for your light to warm up to full brightness.
Fluorescent bulbs release less mercury into the environment. Wikipedia says, "According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (when coal power is used) the mercury released from powering an incandescent bulb for five years exceeds the sum of the mercury released by powering a comparably luminous CFL for the same period and the mercury contained in the lamp."
Energy savings recoup your up-front investment. Fluorescents use 75-80% less electricity and usually last at least 10 times longer.

With the progress in fluorescent technology, you can maintain your quality of light while spending less money on your utility bill and less time teetering on a stepladder! I'd think everyone would jump at such a deal, but apparently few people are in on this secret - just 5% of last year's bulb sales were fluorescents. That could change though, as big companies like Philips, GE, and Wal*Mart are already pushing this product. Be sure you're one of those informed people making the switch.

Photo: Color compact fluorescent by A Dewitz

World class Negotiations 101

2006-12-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

Listening to NPR on my evening commute, amid the many stories about politicians and Iraq, I suddenly started paying attention about three minutes into this conversation about Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What I found most interesting was how Robert Haas, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, applied basic negotiation analysis to the situation - the logic of what he was saying brought me back to college Negotiations class.

If you want something, such as a stop to cross-border arms transports, you must give something. The U.S. can't set conditions before it is willing to start negotiations. Just think about it, only a desperate party would make concessions before even sitting down at the bargaining table. Such an action would signal weakness, starting negotiations at a disadvantage. Syria is unlikely to accept such an unfavorable scenario, so the U.S. will need to change tactics if it wants something from that country.

Another thing I learned in class is that you need to be able to trust your negotiations counterpart. It could be argued that the U.S. should not make agreements with the thus far unfriendly Syria, unless it makes concessions as a sign of goodwill. While I do think trust is a very important element in making confident agreements, it is impractical to think that you can build a strong relationship before the negotiation takes place. In order to take an agreement all the way through execution, guidelines and checks must be built into the agreement for the protection of all parties and assurance that all duties will be fulfilled.

I don't often apply business class lessons to geopolitical situations; it was an interesting way to look at international relations. Do you think this sort of academic approach is a good way to handle complex foreign policy?

Photo: crystal world by Rainer Schmied

It's the people stuff

2006-12-07T18:44:00.000-05:00

Do you remember your first day on the job? That mix of excitement, bewilderment, and the aim to please. Yesterday I reflected on the lessons that have really sunk in during the 3 months at my current job. Some of these may seem like common sense, but sometimes its the nuances of corporate culture and people issues that are the hardest to grasp.

Show initiative without stepping on toes

Think about who is involved with the project and quickly run your idea by at least one person. That person can tell you if someone is already working on something similar. If you're asked to hold off on your idea, show deference to people with more experience. You've already shown that you're thinking about issues as well as your coworkers. People will appreciate both the willingness to stand up and stand back.

Communicate and build relationships
In-person or phone conversations reduce the chance of miscommunication. You are also more likely to learn about other things and build a relationship starting with small talk. Even when emailing, adding some pleasantries can make a letter more friendly. When I used to omit these soft gestures (in an attempt to sound professional and save the reader time), my emails came across as terse and alienated the people I was trying to work with.

Network yourself and others
Go ahead and talk! Even if you're on the company's clock, it's okay to take some time to get to know your coworkers - you'll be more efficient if you get along. I used to be nervous about interrupting other people's work, but I've realized that people everyone enjoys taking breaks and having a laugh. They'll let you know if they're under a deadline.
Don't forget to branch out of your group; employees with connections across different groups tend to excel. If you're with someone in another department and he has to take a call, use that opportunity to chat with his neighbor. Cross-pollinate your friends by inviting them to lunch and introducing to one another. It creates a fresh dynamic and they might reciprocate by cross-pollinating you with someone new.
Of course, all in moderation. Presumably you'll be at this company for a while, so take a lunch here, a few minutes there. Balance making new friends with nurturing old ones, and not looking like a chatty slacker at work!

Photo: feet 3 by Elvis Santana

Good girls can win

2006-12-06T20:58:00.000-05:00

YEEEEES!

"She's a good girl," said Tyra. Indeed, you can teach a good girl the skills she needs to succeed, but it's harder to teach someone how to treat others nicely. Even if CariDee hadn't won, I'm sure she would have become a great professional model, because people have seen what she can do and the attitude she has while doing it. On the other hand, while Melrose did put in her all, people may not want to work with someone so abrasive. That's hard to change, but not impossible. Unfortunately, people will remember her as they've first seen her on this show. I hope that she can change and prove that she is someone others will want to work with. Now I don't want to come across as being better than her - not at all. EQ is something that I also need to work on, as I'll talk about in a later post. I'm just commenting as a third party and hoping for her. Because she has amazing determination that will serve her in any industry.

Don't hate on models

2006-12-06T20:12:00.000-05:00

Just in time for tonight's finale to America's Next Top Model (ANTM) is this article about efforts to bring healthier models to Milan's fashion world. I've seen a group on Facebook called "Eating Disorders are NOT Glamorous: BOYCOTT AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL" that made me wonder if being a fan of ANTM was supporting unhealthy habits and superficial ideas of beauty. But just because I want to be a good person doesn't mean I need to justify everything I do and like. And just because something, like an idea of beauty, is mainstream doesn't make it less valid.

I'm watching right now, and they'll announce the winner in a few minutes. I hope that they pick the girl with people skills and personality rather than the technical study.

"Not a sermon, just a thought"

2006-12-05T21:42:00.000-05:00

The point of a blog..? Sure, it's nice to say what I'm thinking, but I don't ever want to get preachy. I want to find people interested in the same things I am - maybe in the same point of life, or in a different place and willing to share. I hope that you're getting to know me better.

Props if you get the title reference.

Photo: Crystal Therapy by Tom Aspel

Coincidence? I think so!

2006-12-05T20:04:00.000-05:00

The part that I wanted to blog about is at the end of this long clip, but I hope that you enjoy the whole thing :)

I'm actually going to discuss one of my strongest core beliefs. No, it wasn't formed by watching Dexter's Lab, but it deals with actions and chain reactions.

One reason I feel so strongly about doing good is because I believe every person is capable of it every moment of every day. Think about the little coincidences in life that had big consequences. I always love those romantic stories of how John and Jane met by reaching for the same glass at a dinner party, or somesuch thing. Chance, and many interactions built up to that moment. Perhaps if someone hadn't held the elevator for John, he would have been late to the party and never met her at all. The thing is, each of our actions has a ripple effect. Because there are so many factors, we don't know what those consequences will be. But if we at least try to do good, we've done our best, and maybe if there are enough of us out there, our ripples will send waves in the right direction, instead of deflecting each other into frothy noise.

Oops, just got myself banned from a country

2006-12-05T19:51:00.000-05:00

In setting up all of this blog stuff, I realized...Blogger is run by Google, as well as the Gmail account it's linked to, plus I've just signed up for Google Analytics to track this blog's traffic. Google is taking over the world! That may be alright (since I only had to register once for all these services and) if it stays true to its "Don't be evil" motto. However, how do we measure that?

A few months ago there was all that hubbub about Google agreeing to self-censorship in order to further business in China. Google's defense was that some information is better than no information. True, there is a school of thought that supports sending US emissaries (representing capitalism, freedom of thought, money, and business), as a method of fueling reform in China. That thought began as early as the start of this century, according to Ying Ma, however, as recently as last Friday, that government continues to stifle free press while paying lip service to the international community. Perhaps someday, that external pressure - along with internal sentiment - will create actual change in the government's stance. But at least for the moment, I can only think that China's growing world presence will be used to further consolidate power at the top.

Fund & games

2006-12-05T07:23:00.000-05:00

There's often this idea that there has to be a separation between fun and good. Obviously some people don't think so. (That blog and this other one by Britt Bravo helped me get started on this project.)

The good people at Penny Arcade have also proven that games and good will can go hand in hand. (note, here's a good opportunity to hit item 9 from the daily good list!) They are breaking the stereotypes of gamers and comic fans being selfish and secluding themselves from the world. J. Jacques, for example, has witnessed the power of (the Internet) community. He's won over fans with his wry sense of humor and dedication to comicking (3 years and currently 5 updates/week!). He's living the dream now, supporting himself by drawing and selling merchandise.

That's some sandwich

2006-12-04T23:44:00.000-05:00

I never thought that making one peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich would grow into something that would affect so many lives -- especially mine.

This article reflects the meeting of business and good deeds, to varying degrees - from the story of a (great)grandmother who works directly with children to tips on how best to donate your money. It shows that there are so many ways to make a difference. I have struggled, trying to think of the best way to positively influence the world with my education and growing experience in business. I used to look down on people who "just" donated money, instead of volunteering in some way. This feeling grew as I went through college, because I sensed that individuals with specialized knowledge could do more good by teaching others than by simply handing over dough. With business experience especially, management and organizational skills transfer easily to any area of interest. One such story was told to me, which I retold in an autobiographical vignette.

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Air flowed in through the open windows in that warm way that defines sunny days. I often think that’s one of life’s best, relaxing experiences, and I tried to unwind my nerves as I pressed back in the bucket seat. My roommate’s boyfriend had been kind enough to drive me that day. After inquiries and uncertain replies about how my interview had gone, he pulled the car out of the parking lot into the road.

“So if that was for an internship, is that the kind of thing you want to do after graduation?”

“I don’t know,” I sighed, watching the buildings pass by. “I still don’t really know what’s out there. Want to work in the financial industry somewhere, but it’s a big field. I’m hoping after I do an internship this summer, I’ll have a better idea.”

“Well, why the financial area?” he asked. “What got you interested in that?”

I laughed. “My mom was pushing me to go into business. I took some classes and fortunately clicked with them, or else I still probably wouldn’t know what to do!

“What about you? Why linguistics? Do you enjoy it, know a lot of languages?”

It was his turn to chuckle. “It’s not necessarily about learning languages, but learning about the patterns and such, so that we can pick up languages more easily. Or that’s the theory anyway. I started because it seemed interesting, but we’ll see what happens. Companies don’t tend to pick up a lot of linguistics majors.”

“That’s probably where I’ll end up, some big corporation.”

“That’s not necessarily bad.”

“Right, I hope I’d be able to learn a lot…”

“You know,” he paused in thought and at a traffic light. “I’m reminded of a girl I knew. She loved singing, but didn’t think she was good enough. Now I thought she sounded fine, but you know how some people are…Well she decided to go the business route as well, and she may have worked at some firm for a while. But she eventually opened an opera house. She doesn’t perform herself, but manages all the business and management for it.”

I was used to hearing horror stories of investment bankers, or supposedly inspirational tales of people who built massive corporations. But this felt much closer – a student of business who had combined her passion and skills. This anecdote also pointed to my own experience, which should have been staring me in the face. I often worked on the financial side of interesting, but non-business-related initiatives, such as an art & lit magazine as well as a solar car project.

“She must be smart,” we agreed.

It seemed so convenient, instead of entering large corporations, I could become the ideal entrepreneur, but I shouldn’t strictly emulate this woman either. I will probably take the corporate career path for now –learn what’s there and experience the “industry.” I may stay for a little or a long time, but eventually there will be passion in my work. I’ll just have to see whether I’ll find or create it.

Those afternoons, with the wind and scenery whipping by, always felt so impermanent. It was odd talking about such serious things as jobs and the future, but in a way it’s easier to unload those weighty topics when you’ve got to say something now. The sun, the rush of air, the road, it brings those hidden wishes and doubts to the surface. Because soon, the ride will stop, we’ll go our separate ways, and all that was said still seems to play in the wind on a dusty back road.

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Thoughtfully using your skills is important, but I hope that I have come to terms with my non-volunteer prejudice. People have different priorities, and financial donations may be the only way some people can give back. I'm grateful for the people who do give back in whatever way. Do you know people who have creatively put their skills to use in an unrelated area of passion? Do you think there are better ways of giving back than others?

10 ideas for daily do-gooding

2006-12-04T22:09:00.000-05:00

It's not quite the new year yet, but I've decided on a resolution for myself. I've spent months feeling guilty for not volunteering. Sure, I cut a check to a local group a few weeks ago, but there was no feeling of fulfillment (does that sound selfish?). SO, my thought today was to do something good every day. Sounds a bit ambitious, but otherwise my life will pass in mediocrity one opportunity-filled day at a time. But really, if I don't even have time to volunteer a few hours per week, how will I do good Every Day? Thus started an impromptu brainstorm, and the push to get me going on this idea of doing a blog. My hope is that this blog will become part of something good. I haven't considered myself a writer in years though, and sometimes have trouble sticking to regimens (like getting up early every day to exercise...yeah, that's worked out real well..), so I could use your help to keep me going.

Without further ado, the quick list of good things to fit into your busy day:

Give someone a genuine compliment.
Walk the extra few feet to recycle that bottle or return that shopping cart.
Read about something completely new to you.
Challenge yourself to get out of the shower 30 seconds, 60 seconds sooner.
Carry around a To-Do list. You can improve your follow-through on promises (to yourself and others) by writing down ideas as they come, or using spare moments in the day to check things off.
Hit the road a little sooner or later so that your car doesn't spend as long idling in traffic. (Extra credit! Use that extra time at the office to do some reading - revisit item 3.)
Even if you're the only one who realizes it, be sincere when you ask someone how their weekend was. Don't let it be code for, "Just tell me the good stuff."
On the other side, be kind. Open up to establish rapport, but some stories should be saved for happy hour, not lunch hour.
Donate (can easily be a dollar or less) to a charity or entrepreneur - made even simpler by PayPal.
Reflect on all the good things about today.