The Balance Sheet of Life

BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE


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Our Birth is our Opening Balance!

Our Death is our Closing Balance!

Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities

Our Creative Ideas are our Assets

Heart is our Current Asset

Soul is our Fixed Asset

Brain is our Fixed Deposit

Thinking is our Current Account

Achievements are our Capital

Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade

Friends are our General Reserves

Values & Behavior are our Goodwill

Patience is our Interest Earned

Love is our Dividend

Children are our Bonus Issues

Education is Brands / Patents

Knowledge is our Investment

Experience is our Premium Account

The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.

The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.


Some very Good and Very bad things ...

The most destructive habit......................Worry

The greatest Joy...............................Giving

The greatest loss................Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work...............Helping others

The ugliest personality trait.............Selfishness

The most endangered species.........Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource...............Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm"..........Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome.................Fear

The most effective sleeping pill........Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease............Excuses

The most powerful force in life..................Love

The most dangerous pariah..................A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer........The brain

The worst thing to be without................... Hope

The deadliest weapon.......................The tongue

The two most power-filled words..............."I Can"

The greatest asset..............................Faith

The most worthless emotion..................Self-pity

The most beautiful attire......................SMILE!

The most prized possession................Integrity

The most powerful channel of communication.....Prayer

The most contagious spirit.................Enthusiasm

The most important thing in life..................GOD


Chinese Proverb

"When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others


Shalom.

Taiwo Ogunkoya

http://www.koknet.info

39 - CHRISTIAN WAYS TO BEAT STRESS.....

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and un-clutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.(U can upload the Holy Bible into your mobile phone)

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh a little.

28. Laugh some more!!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
37. Preach the Gospel;show the Love of Jesus to everyone - as your lifestyle.

38. Get a pet or pets .Love them and take care of them.(observe their nature of total bliss.)

39. Spend time with nature.Talk long walks in the woods (IF YOU DO THIS OFTEN ENOUGH,IN A PLANNED AND PREDICTABLE MANNER,YOU WILL FIND GOD!?)




FEAR NOT. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.
Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."



Shalom.

Taiwo Ogunkoya
Dreamsdreamer

http://www.koknet.me

Be Businesslike!

Treat your business...like a business!
If you purchased a franchise, would you expect it to make money for you if you only worked it a few hours a week? Or if you didn't get trained? Or if you only tried for a few months? Or if you didn't follow the proven guidelines of the creators of the franchise?

Of course not! That's ridiculous. SFI is no different. Success requires commitment.

http://www.sfi4.com/10363496/FREE

I am continually amazed at how many people think that money will somehow magically fall from the sky without work, without plans, or without an earnest commitment. All these elements (and others you'll read about in the following rules) MUST be present.

The fact is, anything worthwhile in life requires effort and commitment. If that were not true, we'd all be the perfect weight, we'd all have perfect relationships, and we'd all be highly educated. It's the same thing with having your own business.

In short, treat your SFI business as a serious, full-time business, put in the effort and commit to its success and it will become one.
"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans."
-Peter F. Drucker

"You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers."
-Les Brown

"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen."
-Wayne Dyer

"There are only two options regarding commitment. You're either in or out. There's no such thing as a life in-between."
-Pat Riley

Taiwo Ogunkoya
Dreamsdreamer

www.facebook.com/Taiyelolu

SUCCESS SECRETLEAD BY EXAMPLE!

LEAD BY EXAMPLE
If you want your followership to grow,in quality and in numbers, then make sure YOU are are doing these things. Do these things and become proficient in these things so you can show and teach your followers the best ways to do them: IF YOU ARE BUILDING A NETWORK OR TEAM OF PEOPLE ,COMBINIG TO PERFORM A TASK:

In the key area of duplication, your downlines are definitely watching! Show them what it means to be a strong, active sponsor and THEY will become strong, active sponsors/recruiters(even Soul-Winners!)and help you further your growth and profits.

Leading by example works in the negative, too, of course. Want a downline of affiliates who do nothing? Then do nothing (or appear to be doing nothing) and that's what you'll probably get!

This rule is VERY simple: Whatever you want THEM to do, YOU do...because they are following your lead!

Tip: Being a Head of a Network and having a set goal to achieve are two great ways to lead by example. MAKE SURE you are sending everyone in your group the right messages!Give Motivation to your people.

"A leader can shape his followers best by showing them the way forward rather than telling them about it." Unknown

"A leader is someone who is ahead of the pack. Even if it is only by one inch. They are doing, or have done, what they want or expect others to do. They are not watchers nor do they wait around. They take action...proper action....a lot of proper action! And they never give up!" Jack M. Zufelt

"You don't lead by lip service, you lead by example.? Jim Leyland

Build your network; link it to other network, harness the Power of Networks: Go and sell for profit!

Taiwo Ogunkoya
Dreamsdreamer

www.facebook.com/Taiyelolu

Tribute to Ralph Alabi (II)

Engr.(Chief)Rapheal Adeola Alabi,(a.k.a RAA)M.O.N,The Aruwajoye of Akure, would have clocked 70years today were he to still be alive;this tribute,given as promised on his posthumus birthday is in his honour.

I entered into the services of Chief Adeola Alabi in November 1994 as his Executive Assistant when he was just promoted MD/CEO, Guiness Nigeria.

Now that was more than 15 years ago and I worked closely with RAA for only 15 Months.
So,i will sort of reminiscence and in so doing try to bring out what i was able to learn from the life of this Great Man:

1.RAA WAS AN EARLY BIRD
Chief Adeola Alabi (I can tell you that he hated that name 'Ralph'because he felt it symbolises his neo-colonised status)was an early riser (I dont know when he wakes,but he beats everybody to the office,sometimes ,by as much as 90 minutes!)So, RAA will resume work at sometime between 6.30am and 7am. This he did for 40years!!
I know it used to be a nightmare for his drivers to be positioned behind the wheels,ready to drive him to Guiness Nigeria HQ.by the time he comes down from his bedroom at 6.00am.(That man will not last long as his driver,if he had to wait for him to 'resume'work for more than a few times!)

2. RAA WAS A 'FIRST IN LAST OUT' EXECUTIVE

Early to bed,early to rise was not a maxim operated by RAA. He worked till very late in the office,sometimes till well past 8pm (on days when he had no oustide late evening appointments).His office and personal staff necessarily worked late with him.In fact he was fond of saying jokingly "go and see the daylight of your home" to his staff whenever they are lucky enough to be sent home early(maybe about 6 something or 7pm!)

3.RAA WAS A WORKAHOLIC
We "Opened Shop" at approximately 7am - a clear one hour before people bagan to arrive work in the busy GNPLC HQ. Located in Ikeja Lagos.This is after RAAmust have finished talking to London;both to GBW (Guiness Brewing Worldwide) and to his family (as at 1995,four of his children lived in his house in London).Every minute of the rest of the day from shop opening to 'Shop Closing' circa 7pm,is planned with little flexibility(something that made my job a pain in those days ,what with liscentious Nigerian public!)RAA THOUGHT ME,COMING THEN FROM THE TYPICALLY CHAOTIC TECHNICAL DIVISION,THE USE OF THE DIARY,AN OFFICE NOTEBOOK(JOB/TASKS LOGS),AND AN ELECTRONIC ORGANIZER!Now we had no GSM in those days...it sure would have helped.


4. I LEARNT ATTENTION TO DETAIL

For a Chief Executive,RAA,paid so great an attention to details,that i learnt that little things matter.He would not suffer you to mispell anyone's name in a memo or letter;or even to mispronounce it to him!In fact he used to say something like 'if anything can go wrong,chances are,it will!'We had a manager for every activity -especially,the parties!Before long i began to bring this inbibed culture into the planning of my business and socials,at home...today, i an certain i exasperate my kids with my tardiness.

5. RAA WAS A CHEERFUL GIVER

Working for RAA,as the EA or PA,You can be sure of a contant stream of weekend activities,mostly socials!There is always a card & gift to deliver to someone.Rhoda George(Mrs),his Kenyan born PA,was kept very busy runing to and from MATE SUPERMARKET buying gifts. Representation were too numerous to count.I remember a day in 1995 when i had to represent RAA at a wedding in far away Benin City,Edo State of Nigeria, as well as a birthday in Sango Ota in Ogun State.Somehow,i made it and stayed alive!

6.RAA WAS A PERFECTIONIST

I remember finding myself in the private study of RAA in his 3,Remi Fannikayode,GRA Ikeja residence.I was surprised to see that the room was so small,obviously an improvision,and it ws cluttered with books and diaries!
But the real item of intrest was a small tape recorder(?) RAA then explained to me that he used the machine to record his speeches rehearsals,which he then plays back for corrections.(At about this time also,he requested me to get him a dictaphone for
use in the car)He demostrated this streak for perfection when,shortly before the first launching of Satzenbrau in Nigeria at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel,he gathered the company's directors in the board-room and insisted they all get the pronounciation of the word 'satzenbrau'right,stressing that it must be pronounced sameway by all who had speeches to present that day.
Can i even copmplain of the many times i go back and forth,his office with yet one more 'final' correction on a letter, a speech ,or some other report?

7.RAA WAS A FAMILY MAN,A RELIGIOUS MAN,AND MORE....
RAA had a large heart,a large family and a big home;Many people were there,extended family and all.He was a father of many,but,to my best knowlegde,a husband of one(Mrs Yemisi Alabi)I have often wondered how he coped.There were also the grey areas,the mystererios relationships,the early morning calls (calls which probably could not be taken at home?)There were schooling matters attended to on his behalf that aroused my suspicions that he sired children out of wedlock.Then came the day i represented him at the 10th anniversary of a school - and the proprietess confided in me with a proud but secretive smile that RAA was her Dad!?

Sometimes ,I wonder why,on each birthday,whenever RAA had a document to sign and date,he would inadvertently write 14:04:39!This also happened whenever he had to fill in personal data in a form or other documents......i wonder,would RAA really have been 70 or 72 were he to still be alive today?The answer is confined to the enigma of 'official age'

In the last 10 years of RAA'S life, we made no contact at all;but I was delighted to learn from my namesake Mr Taiwo Obe's article in the Guardian published shortly after his death,the he died a Pastor! I will give a lot to assess the contents of the three (3) blue books of his 'messages'.

RAA did not leave anything to 'chances' he made things happen...but i feel quite sure he strove lawfully.For example,back in 1994 there were people who sought to influence him,to gain business advantage and came to me to search out his name from several membership lists of secret societies,to the Glory Of God,we could not find his name on any such list!I thank God for this.He had to make the rounds of many churches for 'Thanksgiving' after his promotion to CEO Postion in GNPLC.Not to talk of the 'church in his house'the prophetic ministry from his home town Akure,which held monthly night vigils at his official residence when he was MD 1994/96.
One of the most impactful words he left imprinted on my mind was taken from his message to the entire workforce of Guiness Nigeria,during the Christmas of 1994,shortly ater his assumption of office:"Be The Driver Of Your Own DESTINY"

I struggled with this doctrine for quite a while then,compare Heb 12:2, for I was looking on to Jesus 'the author and finisher of my faith...' Now I have learnt,additionally, to 'work out my salvation;with fear and trembling' NOT TO DO ONE AND NEGLECT THE OTHER.

I SUGGEST THAT YOU DO LIKEWISE.RAA WAS AN ACHIEVER,RAA WAS SUCCESFULL,YOU TOO CAN SUCCEED.

Adieu Chief(Engr)Rapheal Adeola Alabi,M.O.N,MNSE!Adieu RAA!!Rest In Peace!!!

Taiwo Ogunkoya
DreamDreamer

LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE!

"There is a sacred calling on your life,and the question is:Will you spend your life flittering and fluttering about,or take the time and really heed that call and create your own path to your highest good?.......You cannot let other people define your life for you.You are the author of your own life.... - OPRAH WINFREY


The story is told of an American businessman whom was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna.The American complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied,"Only a little while."

The American then asked why he didnt stay out longer to catch more fish.

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate need.

The American asked,"But what do you do with the rest of your day?"

The fisherman replied,"I sleep late,fish a little,play with my children,take a siesta with my wife,Maria,stroll into the village each evening,where i sip wine and play the guitar with my amigos.I have a full and busy life,Senor."

The American scoffed,"I am an Havard M.B.A. and could help you.You should spend more time fishing and,with the proceeds buy a bigger boat,you could buy several boats.Eventually,you would have a fleet of fishing boats.Instead of selling your catch to a middleman,you would sell directly to the processor,eventually owning your own cannery.You would control the product,processing and distribution.

You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City,then Los Angeles and eventually New York,where you would run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked,"But Senor,how long wil all of this take?"

The American replied,"Probably fifteen to twenty years."
"But what then ,Senor?"

The American laughed and said,"That's the best part.When the time was right,you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich.You would make millions!"

"Millions,Senor?Then what?"

The American said,"Then you would retire.Move to a small fishing village where you would sleep late,fish a little,play with your kids,take siesta with your wife,stroll to the village in the evenings ,where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos."

Get the morals of this story:LIVE THE LIFE YOUR CREATOR GAVE YOU;BEGINING NOW!

To your covenant success.

Taiwo Ogunkoya
Dreamsdreamer

was surprised

WORLD'S BILLIONAIRES (2010) - BOTTOM 20

World's Billionaires 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
provided by

More at Forbes.com:


The World's Billionaires

Cost of Living Large

Women Billionaires

AP Photo

18) S. Robson Walton

Net Worth: $19.8 billion

Source: Wal-Mart

Residence: U.S.

• Rob has been chairman of Wal-Mart since 1992.

• World's largest retailer benefited as cash-strapped shoppers looked to discount merchandise at start of economic slump.

• Boost may have waned; recently reported 1.6% decline in same-store sales in its U.S. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, warned of soft sales in current quarter.

• Still, shares up 7% in past 12 months and family fortune rose a combined $13 billion, largely recovering losses from market crash.

• Sam Walton started as J.C. Penney clerk. Opened Benjamin Franklin five-and-dime in 1945; lost lease five years later. Founded Bentonville, Ark., general store with brother James in 1962.

• Today Walmart has $405 billion in annual sales, 2 million employees, more than 8,400 stores.


AFP/Getty Images

19) Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud

Net Worth: $19.4 billion

Source: Diversified

Residence: Saudi Arabia

• Net worth of globe-trotting investor and nephew of the Saudi king is up $6.1 billion in the past year.

• Two-thirds of his fortune is held in his 95% stake in Saudi-listed investment vehicle, Kingdom Holding.

• In the five weeks leading up to Forbes' stock valuation date, Kingdom shares jumped 49%.

• Alwaleed and Kingdom Holding together own a 3.5% stake in Citigroup. As the bank's largest individual investor, he has been vocal in his support of its chief executive Vikram Pandit.

• Kingdom Holding also has large holdings in the Four Seasons and Fairmont hotel management chains.

• In late February News Corp. purchased a 9% stake in Alwaleed's Arab media and entertainment company Rotana, valuing the company at $770 million.

• His palaces and real estate are worth more than $3 billion.

• Owns jewelry collection he values at $730 million, plus four airplanes, including an Airbus A380.


Mike Cassese/Reuters

20) David Thomson and Family

Net Worth: $19 billion

Source: Thomson Reuters

Residence: Canada

• Chairman of Thomson Reuters knocks longtime rival Michael Bloomberg out of top 20.

• Firm acquired financial commentary site Breakingviews in December.

• Grandfather Roy founded the media group in 1934.

• With brother Peter, serves as cochair of family's investment concern, Woodbridge.

• Also owns CTVglobemedia; multimedia outfit's holdings include Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail, and dozens of TV channels and radio stations.


Dreamddreamer

OTHER WORLD BILLIONAIRES (2010)

World's Billionaires 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
provided by

More at Forbes.com:


The World's Billionaires

Cost of Living Large

Women Billionaires

EyePress/Newscom

13) Stefan Persson

Net Worth: $22.4 billion

Source: H&M

Residence: Sweden

• "Cheap chic" mogul is chairman of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M); promoted son, Karl-Johan, 34, to chief executive in July.

• Retailer is known for bringing on big names like Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney to design affordable collections for its 1,900 stores.

• Continuing its designer collaborations with new shoe line with Jimmy Choo that debuted in November and knitwear line with Sonia Rykiel.

• Continues to expand internationally: opened first stores in Russia, Lebanon and South Korea in past year.

• His father, Erling, founded H&M in 1947; Stefan took over in 1982, gave up chief executive position in 1998.

• Reportedly acquired the village of Linkenholt in Hampshire, England, last summer.

• A founder of the Mentor Foundation, nonprofit that combats substance abuse among youth.

• Enjoys downhill skiing, tennis and golf.


AP Photo

14) Li Ka-shing

Net Worth: $21 billion

Source: Diversified

Residence: Hong Kong

• Betting on recovery, upped stakes in publicly traded conglomerates Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa. Cheung Kong paid $100 million for shares in Russian aluminum maker Rusal ahead of its January Hong Kong public offering. Hutchison Whampoa is attempting to take its telecom subsidiary private for $545 million in cash; awaiting regulatory approval.

• Through HW, Li is world's largest operator of container terminals, world's largest health and beauty retailer by number of outlets, a major supplier of electricity to Hong Kong and a real estate developer.

• Has a large holding in Canadian oil firm Husky Energy, which recently announced its third discovery in South China Sea.

• Asia's most generous individual has given out $1.4 billion to education, medical research.

• Humble origins: quit school at age 15 to support his family; made plastic flowers that he exported to U.S. in the 1950s.

• Eldest son, Victor, helps him run businesses; son Richard struck out on his own in early 1990s and is a billionaire in his own right.


AP Photo

15) Jim C. Walton

Net Worth: $20.7 billion

Source: Wal-Mart

Residence: U.S.

• Sam Walton started as J.C. Penney clerk. Opened Benjamin Franklin five-and-dime in 1945; lost lease five years later. Founded Bentonville, Ark., general store with brother James in 1962.

• Today Walmart has $405 billion in annual sales, 2 million employees, more than 8,400 stores.

• Jim runs family's Arvest bank.


AP Photo

16) Alice Walton

Net Worth: $20.6 billion

Source: Wal-Mart

Residence: U.S.

• World's largest retailer benefited as cash-strapped shoppers looked to discount merchandise at start of economic slump.

• Boost may have waned; recently reported 1.6% decline in same-store sales in its U.S. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, warned of soft sales in current quarter.

• Still, shares up 7% in past 12 months and family fortune rose a combined $13 billion, largely recovering losses from market crash.

• Alice funded $100 million airport in Bentonville 1990; building Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.


Francois Durand/Getty Images

17) Liliane Bettencourt

Net Worth: $20 billion

Source: L'Oreal

Residence: France

• Makeup heiress' fortune rebounding with L'Oreal shares.

• Company, founded by her father, celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009.

• Last year only daughter and heir, Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, petitioned courts to investigate reported $1.4 billion worth of cash and gifts her mother allegedly gave to Francois-Marie Banier, 61, a well-known photographer, writer and painter whom she befriended. Daughter claims Banier took advantage of her mother, who became a widow in 2007. Liliane denies it; has been ordered to undergo psychological testing before July trial. Mother and daughter apparently no longer speak.

Dreamsdreamer

THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON (3)

World's Billionaires 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
provided by

More at Forbes.com:


The World's Billionaires

Cost of Living Large

Women Billionaires

AP Photo

8) Eike Batista

Net Worth: $27 billion

Source: Mining, oil

Residence: Brazil

• Vowing to become world's richest man--and he may be on his way. This year's biggest gainer added $19.5 billion to his personal balance sheet.

• Son of Brazil's revered former mining minister who presided over mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce got his start in gold trading and mining. Insists Dad didn't help: "All my businesses started from zero. My father was a problem for me because he never let me near Vale."

• Made a pile in resources and other services, but two-thirds of his fortune comes from relatively new source, OGX Petróleo e Gas Participações, the oil-and-gas exploration company he founded in 2007 and took public a year later.

• Police raided his home in 2008, alleging Batista smuggled gold and unfairly influenced the acquisition of a railroad. He denied all wrongdoing, emerged unscathed.

• Onetime champion offshore powerboat racer.

• Formerly married to Playboy cover girl.

• Provided financing to Rio de Janeiro's Olympic committee, helping the city win its bid for 2016 Olympic Games.


Miguel Vidal/Reuters

9) Amancio Ortega

Net Worth: $25 billion

Source: Fashion retail

Residence: Spain

• Style maven lords over Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under several brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius, has 4,500 stores in 73 countries including new spots in Mexico and Syria.

• Set up joint venture with Tata Group subsidiary to enter India in 2010.

• Betting on Florida real estate: bought Coral Gables office tower that is currently home to Bacardi USA.

• Also owns a luxury apartment complex in Miami; properties in Madrid, Paris, London and Lisbon, a horse-jumping circuit, an interest in a soccer league; has investments in gas, tourism and banks.

• Railway worker's son started as a gofer in a shirt store.

• With then-wife Rosalia Mera, also a billionaire, started making dressing gowns and lingerie in living room.

• Shuns neckties and fanfare.

• Daughter Marta works for Inditex; speculation has it she's being groomed to eventually replace her father.


Kpix

10) Karl Albrecht

Net Worth: $23.5 billion

Source: Supermarkets

Residence: Germany

• Owns discount supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany's (and Europe's) dominant grocers.

• Has 1,000 stores in U.S. across 29 states.

• Estimated sales: $37 billion.

• Plans to open New York City store this year.

• With younger brother, Theo, transformed mother's corner grocery store into Aldi after World War II. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got northern Germany and the rest of Europe.

• Retired from daily operations.

• Fiercely private: little known about him other than that he apparently raises orchids and plays golf.


Chris Jackson/Getty Images

11) Ingvar Kamprad and Family

Net Worth: $23 billion

Source: Ikea

Residence: Sweden

• Ikea's reputation under fire. In Russia company fired two top managers for allowing bribes to a power supplier. In France firm is facing an extended workers' strike.

• A former managing director has published a book exposing questionable ethics.

• Even Kamprad's frugal image is being questioned, as details of a fancier life (he reportedly drives a Porsche) emerge.

• Still, no one can question his success: peddled matches, fish, pens, Christmas cards and other items by bicycle as a teenager. Started selling furniture in 1947.

• Opened first Ikea store more than 50 years ago; chain's name is a combination of initials of his first and last name, his family farm and the nearest village.

• Retired in 1986; company's "senior advisor" still reportedly works tirelessly on his brand.

• Discount retailer now sells 9,500 items in 37 countries; prints catalog in 27 languages.

• Fiscal 2009 sales: $31 billion.

• Plans to open 15 stores in 2010, including one in Shenyang, China.


L. Matthew Bowler

12) Christy Walton and Family

Net Worth: $22.5 billion

Source: Wal-Mart

Residence: U.S.

• World's largest retailer benefited as cash-strapped shoppers looked to discount merchandise at start of economic slump.

• Boost may have waned; recently reported 1.6% decline in same-store sales in its U.S. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, warned of soft sales in current quarter.

• Still, shares are up 7% in past 12 months and family fortune rose a combined $13 billion, largely recovering losses from market crash.

• Sam Walton started as J.C. Penney clerk. Opened Benjamin Franklin five-and-dime in 1945; lost lease five years later. Founded Bentonville, Ark., general store with brother James 1962.

• Today Wal-Mart has $405 billion in annual sales, 2 million employees, more than 8,400 stores.

• Christy is the richest of the Waltons thanks to late husband John's early bet on First Solar; alternative energy stock up more than 350% since 2006 public offering.

Dreamsdreamer

THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON (2)

World's Billionaires 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
provided by

More at Forbes.com:


The World's Billionaires

Cost of Living Large

Women Billionaires

AP Photo

3) Warren Buffett

Net Worth: $47 billion

Source: Investments

Residence: U.S.

• America's favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic "Pearl Harbor," but warns recovery will be slow.

• Shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse.

• Recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion.

• "We've put a lot of money to work during the chaos of the last two years. When it's raining gold, reach for a bucket, not a thimble."

• Berkshire Hathaway book value was up 19.8% to $21.8 billion in 2009.

• Son of Nebraska stockbroker met value investor Benjamin Graham while studying economics at Columbia.

• Took over textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, used company as a vehicle to invest in insurance (Geico), food (Dairy Queen), utilities (MidAmerican Energy) and recently green tech (electric-car maker BYD).


AP Photo

4) Mukesh Ambani

Net Worth: $29 billion

Source: Petrochemicals, oil and gas

Residence: India

• Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India's most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creations.

• Firm's $14.5 billion offer to buy bankrupt petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell was rejected.

• Since September company has sold Treasury shares worth $2 billion to be used for acquisitions.

• Late father, Dhirubhai, founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate. After he died, Mukesh and his brother, Anil, ran the family business together for a brief time. But siblings feuded over control; mother eventually brokered split of assets, with Mukesh getting oil, gas and petrochemicals businesses.

• Still at odds with Anil over gas supply agreement; awaiting Supreme Court's final ruling.

• Owns cricket team Mumbai Indians.


AP Photo

5) Lakshmi Mittal

Net Worth: $28.7 billion

Source: Steel

Residence: India

• London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel maker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009.

• Mittal took 12% pay cut amid slump but improved outlook pushed stock up one-third in past year.

• Looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval.

• Started in family steel business in India in 1970s; branched out on his own in 1994.

• Initially bought up steel mills on the cheap in Eastern Europe.

• Earned $1.1 billion for selling his interest in a Kazakh refinery in December.

• Sits on the boards of Goldman Sachs, EADS.

• Upped stake in struggling British soccer team QPR in February.

• Funding 400-foot sculpture to be built in London's Olympic Park in time for 2012 Olympics.

• Owns 12-bedroom mansion in London's posh Kensington neighborhood.

• Daughter-in-law Megha recently bought insolvent German fashion house Escada.


AP Photo

6) Lawrence Ellison

Net Worth: $28 billion

Source: Oracle

Residence: U.S.

• Oracle founder's fortune continues to soar; shares up 70% in past 12 months.

• Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years.

• Completed $7.4 billion buyout of Sun Microsystems in January; acquired BEA Systems for $8.5 billion in 2008.

• Studied physics at U. of Chicago; didn't graduate.

• Started Oracle 1977; took public a day before Microsoft in 1986.

• Owns 52% stake in business-software company NetSuite; shares worth $480 million.

• Racing junkie owns 453-foot yacht Rising Sun with pal David Geffen. Won America's Cup in February, besting longtime rival billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.


AP Photo

7) Bernard Arnault

Net Worth: $27.5 billion

Source: Luxury goods

Residence: France

• Bling is back, helping fashion icon grab title of richest European as shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH--maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon--surge 57%.

• LVMH is developing upscale Shanghai commercial property, L'Avenue Shanghai, with Macau billionaire Stanley Ho.

• Renaissance man owns French tour operator Go Voyages, yacht builder Royal Van Lent; has a stake in French retailer Carrefour.

• Built Le Cheval Blanc in ski resort town of Courchevel, France, where he likes to spend New Year's Eve.

• Father, Jean, who died in January, made small fortune in construction; sale of that business later helped fund Arnault's move into real estate and eventually into luxury goods.

• Still a family affair: son Antoine, 32, and daughter Delphine, 34, sit on LVMH's board.

• Wife is a concert pianist; Arnault himself reported to be an excellent piano player.

Dreamsdreamer

THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON (1)

World's Billionaires 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
provided by

Introduction by Matthew Miller and Luisa Kroll

Carlos Slim Helu takes No. 1 spot on Forbes World's Billionaires list as a record 164 10-figure titans return to the ranking amid the global economic recovery.

For the third time in three years, the world has a new richest man.

Riding surging prices of his various telecom holdings, including giant mobile outfit America Movil (AMX), Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu has beaten out Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires.

More at Forbes.com:


The World's Billionaires

Cost of Living Large

Women Billionaires

Slim's fortune has swelled to an estimated $53.5 billion, up $18.5 billion in 12 months. Shares of America Movil, of which Slim owns a $23 billion stake, were up 35% in a year.

That massive hoard of scratch puts him ahead of Microsoft (MSFT) cofounder Bill Gates, who had held the title of world's richest 14 of the past 15 years.

Gates, now worth $53 billion, is ranked second in the world. He is up $13 billion from a year ago as shares of Microsoft rose 50% in 12 months. Gates' holdings in his personal investment vehicle Cascade (CAE) also soared with the rest of the markets.

Buffett's fortune jumped $10 billion to $47 billion on rising shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK). He ranks third.

The Oracle of Omaha shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs (GS) and $3 billion in General Electric (GE) amid the 2008 market collapse. He also recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI) for $26 billion.

In his annual shareholder letter Buffett wrote, "We've put a lot of money to work during the chaos of the last two years. When it's raining gold, reach for a bucket, not a thimble."

Many plutocrats did just that. Indeed, last year's wealth wasteland has become a billionaire bonanza. Most of the richest people on the planet have seen their fortunes soar in the past year.

This year the World's Billionaires have an average net worth of $3.5 billion, up $500 million in 12 months. The world has 1,011 10-figure titans, up from 793 a year ago but still shy of the record 1,125 in 2008. Of those billionaires on last year's list, only 12% saw their fortunes decline.

U.S. billionaires still dominate the ranks — but their grip is slipping. Americans account for 40% of the world's billionaires, down from 45% a year ago.

The U.S. commands 38% of the collective $3.6 trillion net worth of the world's richest, down from 44% a year ago.

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Of the 97 new members of the list, only 16% are from the U.S. By contrast, Asia made big gains. The region added 104 moguls and now has just 14 fewer than Europe, thanks to several large public offerings and swelling stock markets.

The new billionaires include American Isaac Perlmutter, who flipped Marvel Entertainment (MVL) to Disney (DIS) for $4 billion last December. The Spider-Man mogul netted nearly $900 million in cash and 20 million shares of Disney in the transaction.

Also new to the ranking: 27 billionaires from China, including Li Shufu, whose automaker, Geely, announced plans to buy Swedish brand Volvo from Ford in December. The deal is expected to close in March 2010.

Finland and Pakistan both welcomed their first billionaires.

For the first time China (including Hong Kong) has the most billionaires outside the U.S. with 89.

Russia has 62 billionaires, 28 of them returnees who had fallen off last year's list amid a meltdown in commodities. Total returnees to the list this year: 164.

Eleven countries have at least double the number of billionaires they had a year ago, including China, India, Turkey and South Korea.

Thirty members of last year's list fell out of the billionaire's club. Moguls who couldn't make the cut: Iceland's Thor Bjorgolfsson, Russia's Boris Berezovsky and Saudi Arabia's Maan Al-Sanea.

Another 13 members of last year's list died. Among the deceased: real estate developer Melvin Simon and glass tycoon William Davidson.

The Top 20 Billionaires in the World


AP Photo

1) Carlos Slim Helu

Net Worth: $53.5 billion

Source: Telecom

Residence: Mexico

• Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico's national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world's richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year.

• Recently received regulatory approval to merge his fixed-line assets into American Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile phone company.

• His construction conglomerate, Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo, builds roads and energy infrastructure.

• Son of a Lebanese immigrant also owns stakes in financial group Inbursa, Bronco Drilling, Independent News & Media, Saks and New York Times Co.

• Newspaper outfit's stock popped in early March on talk he might buy a controlling stake; he denies the rumor.

• Donating $65 million to fund a research project in genomic medicine with American billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad.


AP Photo

2) Bill Gates

Net Worth: $53 billion

Source: Microsoft

Residence: U.S.

• Software visionary is now the world's second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled.

• More than 60% of fortune held outside Microsoft; investments include Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation.

• Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropy.

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation dedicated to fighting hunger, improving education in America's high schools, developing vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS
(to be contd)

Dreamsdreamer

Reflections: Wanted, a Sage!

I am bouncing the thoughts of my reflective friend Rajesh, off you.Are you a sage? IF you are,please help Rajesh!
(there are 50 questions for which he requires answers):

At a movie theater which arm rest is yours?


Do dentists go to other dentists or do they just do it themselves?


Is it rude for a deaf person to talk (sign) with their mouth full of food?


Why is the Lone Ranger called 'Lone' if he always has his Indian friend Tonto with him?


When does it stop being partly cloudy and start being partly sunny?


Are eyebrows considered facial hair?


If a baby's leg pops out at 11:59PM but his head doesn't come out until 12:01, which day was he born on?


Do they have the word "dictionary" in the dictionary?


Can you daydream at night?


When Atheists go to court, do they have to swear on the bible?


Why vanilla ice cream white when vanilla extract is brown?


Can animals commit suicide?


What do you do when you see an endangered animal that is eating an endangered plant?


If a doctor suddenly had a heart attack while doing surgery, would the other doctors work on the doctor or the patient?


How can something be "new" and "improved"? if it's new, what was it improving on?


If laughter is the best medicine, who's the idiot who said they 'died laughing'?


If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?


Why does the Easter bunny carry eggs? Rabbits don't lay eggs.


Do Siamese twins pay for one ticket or two tickets when they go to movies and concerts?


Why does caregiver and caretaker mean the same thing?


Can a short person "talk down" to a taller person?


If a guy that was about to die in the electric chair had a heart attack should they save him?


If Mars had earthquakes would they be called marsquakes?


Why do people never say "it's only a game" when they're winning?


If an ambulance is on its way to save someone, and it runs someone over, does it stop to help them?


Why is it called a funny bone, when if you hit it, it's not funny at all?


Do you yawn in your sleep?


What do Greeks say when they don't understand something?


What happens if a queen gives birth to a pair of Siamese twins? Who gets to be king?


Why does triangularly cut bread taste better than square bread?


When a pregnant lady has twins, is there 1 or 2 umbilical cords?


Why doesn't Winnie the Pooh ever get stung by the bees he messes with?


What do people in China call their good plates?


Why don't woodpeckers get headaches when they slam their head on a tree all day?


If someone owns a piece of land, do they own it all the way to the center of the earth?


If an escalotor breaks down, does it become stairs?


Do stuttering people stutter when they're thinking to themselves?


Why do we press the start button to turn off the computer?


In libraries, do they put the bible in the fiction or non-fiction section?


If people with one arm go to get their nails done, do they pay half price?


What type of animal is Snuffaluffagus?


If you had a three story house and were in the second floor, isn't it possible that you can be upstairs and downstairs at the same time?


If nobody buys a ticket to a movie do they still show it?


Do butterflies remember life as a caterpillar?


Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?


Does the postman deliver his own mail?


Can you "stare off into space" when you're in space?


Where do people in Hell tell other people to go?


When you're caught "between a rock and a hard place", is the rock not hard?


How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?


What is another word for "thesaurus"?


shalom

Taiwo Ogunkoya
Dreamsdreamer

NB: U may post your responses to www.facebook.com/Taiyelolu

Because WE Have Brains???!

It was a Sports Stadium.
Eight Children were standing on the track to participate in a running
event.


* Ready! * Steady! * Bang !!!


With the sound of Toy pistol,


All eight girls started running.


Hardly had they covered ten to fifteen steps,


when one of the smaller girls slipped and fell down,


Due to bruises and pain she started crying.


When the other seven girls heard the little girl cry they stopped
running, stood for a while and turned back.


Seeing the girl on the track they all ran to help.


One among them bent down, picked her up and kissed her gently


And enquired as to how she was..


They then lifted the fallen girl pacifying her.


Two of them held her firmly while all seven joined hands together and
walked together towards the winning post........ .


There was pin drop silence at the spectator's stand.


Officials were shocked.


Slow claps multiplied to thousands as the spectators stood up in
appreciation.


Many eyes were filled with tears


And perhaps even God's!


YES.!! This happened in Hyderabad [ INDIA ], recently!


The sport was conducted by

National Institute of Mental Health.



All these special girls had come to participate in this event


They were
spastic children.


Yes, they were Mentally Challenged .


What did they teach the WORLD.?


Teamwork.?


Humanity.?


Equality among all.??


Successful people help others who are
slow in learning


So that they are not left far behind.


This is really a great message... Spread it.!



We never do this because we have brains !!!!

THINK ABOUT THIS!


Best Regards,


Taiwo Ogunkoya
DreamsDreamer

A TRIBUTE TO RALPH ALABI

WHILE HE WAS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF GUINESS NIGERIA,(1994-1996) I HAD THE PRIVILEDGE TO BE THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CHIEF ALABI.I NOW BRING TO YOU THIS TRIBUTE WRITTEN BY A RESPECTED AND SENIOR COLLEAGUE......WITH COMMENTARIES OF MINE FOLLOWING:
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tribute to Ralph Alabi
By Taiwo Obe
THE diary, pen - fountain and felt-tipped - and hard cover notebook were made for Ralph Adeola Alabi.
Those three items were effective tools in the hands of that wonderful human being who spent 45 years of his life in the House of Guinness, starting in March 1964 as a technician and retiring in June 2009 as the chairman, in a quasi-executive capacity - he went to the office once every week or so. He was the first (and only) Nigerian to be chairman of Guinness Nigeria plc after being Vice-Chairman/Managing Director and Chief Executive.
If you had a meeting with Alabi, a trained mechanical engineer, be sure that he would have his hard cover notebook open before him to take notes. With his pen - I am not quite sure he used any ink other than black. OK: he once used one with red ink to tick off some tasks he had given me to carry out for him. If you had to meet him again, then he would flip open his desk diary (or journal) and find a date convenient to both of you. Until very recently, finding a suitable date was a Herculean task because, hey!, this man's diary was always filled up with all sorts of appointments, which he gladly kept, once he had them booked. If you had a 10 O' clock appointment with him, you had better be there on time, because a few minutes late, you could be told that he was attending to some other person, and may not see you. Just as well, he would not come late to your event. Were methodical not in the English Language, because of Alabi, it would have been put there.
Niyi, his second son and third child, puts what he calls the dad's "organisational mentality" more graphically: "He is a man that planned his whole life ahead, with the hope that nothing happened to him by accident. He once told me that, as a man, 'you have to picture your life and set yourself targets.' His words: Divide your life path into four sections. The first path is your youth, that is, from birth till you turn 15 years old; from 15 years old till 30 years old; from 30 years old till 45 years old and from 45 years old till 60 years old. At the end of each period, carry out an assessment of your path to see if you have achieved your set goals."
Still, Alabi believed that there was a Divine programming for every (wo)man. In his review of Divine Deal, the book which Alabi released in 2004 to celebrate his 40 years in Guinness, Dr. Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, a director of TaijoWonukabe Limited, of which Alabi was chairman, stated: "As a good Christian, Ralph Alabi believes that nothing in life happens by chance. Everything has been pre-determined by God, including the place of birth, the family which serves as a vessel to this world, colleagues, bosses and role models. The impact of these people, the places any man will go, the events that will shape his life, the pains and challenges of life has all been ordained by God."
Just about when he retired from Guinness on June 30, 2009, Alabi began to wind down from a lot of his secular activities. Evidence: his diary became less-clogged. He became more involved with matters spiritual, as a pastor of the Merciful God Ministry, a ministry dedicated to deliverance, word of God and prayer. Instead of his hard cover notebook, he had a blue bound book, where he wrote sermons, sermons and more sermons. By the last count, he was on the third volume.
But his diary was still there. Perhaps, now, someone else would have written this there; on the 11th of November, more like a postscript (PS), because he had an appointment on that day: "Ralph Adeola Alabi, born March 14, 1941. Signs off his Divine Deal today. Peacefully. A man who walks with God will always get to his destination. Safe path, RAA."
• Obe is the executive vice-chairman of TaijoWonukabe Limited

THANK YOU FOR READING THROUGH...... ADDITIONAL COMMENTARIES WILL FOLLOW IN THE NEXT POST.



Taiwo Ogunkoya
DreamsDreamer

WISDOM TIP:NEVER DRAW CONCLUSIONS - BEFORE YOU KNOW THE FACTS!

One old man was sitting with his 25 years old son in the train.

Train is about to leave the station.

All passengers are settling down their seat.

As train started young man was filled with lot of joy and curiosity.

He was sitting on the window side.

He went out one hand and feeling the passing air. He shouted, "Papa
see all trees are going behind".

Old man smile and admired son feelings.

Beside the young man one couple was sitting and listing all the
conversion between father and son.

They were little awkward with the attitude of 25 years old man
behaving like a small child.


Suddenly young man again shouted, "Papa see the pond and animals.
Clouds are moving with train".

Couple was watching the young man embarrassingly.

Now its start raining and some of water drops touches the young man's hand.

He filled with joy and he closed the eyes.

He shouted again," Papa it's raining, water is touching me, see papa".

Couple couldn't help themselves and ask the old man.

"Why don't you visit the Doctor and get treatment for your son."

Old man said,

" Yes, We are coming from the hospital as today only my son got his
eye sight for first time in his life".


Moral: "Don't draw conclusions until you know all the facts".


Have a great day!

Dreamsdreamer
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2010: A YEAR OF NEW BEGINING;GET REAL!

Our God, even GOD ALMIGHTY specializes in turning small shots to big shots.He is fond of bringing something out of nothing (Gen 1v1-3). He easily multiplies zeros to bring out masterpieces fit to showcase to the world as His Work.



In 2010 we find another rounding-off year with the zeros appearing...that is why i tell you this year is a year of NEW BEGININGS;i am fairly certain that Jesus will multiply your zeros this year to produce something successfull.All your failures of the year 2009 will He turn to sucess in this year - IJN (AMEN)!

Take Steps of Faith this year,put your CREATIVE ABILITIES to use and you will be richly blessed for your efforts.

IF making money on the internet from the comfort of your home is your goal;Permit me to suggest where you may start: I know a REAL Coy doing business in over 200 countries with Home Based Enterprenuers,the name is STRONG FUTURE INTERNATIONAL (SFI).

I strongly recommend that you join them.

Joining SFI is as easy as 123; and it is F-R-E-E! Just click on the link below:

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Good Luck!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

IN THIS YEAR 2010:GET REAL!!!

Taiwo Ogunkoya
DreamDreamer

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