I have been working many hours a day on the Obama campaign in Dallas.

Every day - sometimes every hour - there is a new story that turns everything I thought I knew on its head.

Yesterday, a middle-aged, white man came into the office with his teenage daughter. He was looking for a bumper sticker to put on his car. Volunteering at the front desk, along with me, was a black man in his 70's and a black woman in her 50's. The white man began to talk to us. And he revealed that he was a stalwart in the Republican party but had decided to vote for Barack Obama.

I asked him what had made him make the switch believing that if he articulated his reasoning he would be even more likely to embrace it. And out of his mouth came this:

"I decided that we live in America and it is long past time that we had an African-American President. Think of how proud we could be of America with an African-American President."

This is in Texas from a white, male Republican.

This is a movement, not an election.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gillian and I had a fabulous time in San Francisco last weekend. And we survived without a car.

On Saturday we discovered two unexpected city treats - a trip to 826 Valencia, the writing center for students age 6 to 18, founded by Dave Eggers, and a wonderful Indian restaurant Dosa, which offers south Indian cuisine.

The writing center has been supported by powerhouse authors such as Michael Chabon, Isabel Allende, and Amy Tan. It was a treat to meet two of our children and their “spouses” (i.e., significant others) at the writing center. My daughter Rebekah and I have a mutual admiration for Dave Eggers and we were both excited to journey to the center where we met my son Nathan.

After a tour of the facility, which doubles as a pirates supply store, we set off on foot along Valencia Street in search of lunch. Two blocks away we found an inviting restaurant – Dosa. The six of us squeezed into the last available table, as the place was busy and we were treated to the best meal of the weekend. The ambience was great, the service outstanding, and the food – well it was fantastic.

What a magical afternoon! And we had not even seen the Cirque du Soleil show “Koosa” yet – our Sunday adventure.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 7:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sir Richard Branson, of Virgin fame, has done it again. He has fueled a plane with a mixture of airline fuel and biofuel and it has successfully flown from London to Amsterdam. Read more here.

Currently airlines contribute 2% of the world's carbon emissions. Branson, a serial entrepreneur, has agreed to put all of the profits from his Virginia Airlines and trains ($3B) to solving global warming. This was a phenomenal start. A year ago, naysayers said it could never be done. Hats off to Branson.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Please read the story almost 2 years old now, about how Senator Obama chose a Republican as his mentor and together they passed one of the most important anti-terrorism bill in many years. It's a wonderful example of how Senator Obama works across the aisles, works in different non-standard ways, to get important things done.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sacramento Executive and SacWomen sponsors Caroline Jensen, Coldwell Banker and Dave Mendoza, Managing Broker, Comstock Mortgage are holding a very informative seminar that will provide you with much needed information on how to buy bank-owned, foreclosed homes.

The seminar is complimentary for accredited investors who are interested in buying Bank Owned Foreclosed Homes (Real Estate Owned, REO) and taking advantage of the current real estate market for Bank Owned homes.

This seminar is not for homeowners facing foreclosure.

Please call (916) 607-7313 to reserve your seat today. (Seating is limited)

This educational seminar will cover the following topics:
• The Foreclosure Process
• Why buy Foreclosed (REO) property?
• How to buy Real Estate at Foreclosure Auctions
• Advantages of REO vs. Pre-Foreclosure Property
• How to evaluate and select REO property

Due to the popularity of their programs, your RSVP is required. Seating is limited. Call to reserve your seat, 916.607.7313

Saturday, March 1, 2008
9:00 AM
Del Paso Country Club
3333 Marconi Ave
Sacramento, Ca 95821
This venue has a dress code, please call for details.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 12:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Gillian point blank says I am a control freak. In the kitchen it must be done my way - clean as you go. Loading the dishwater - there's only one way to do it - my way. Washing the dishes can only be done in the right-hand side sink. Driving home from the local interstate can only be done my way - why would you go a different route if it takes longer? And when we travel, we must have a rental car at the other end - I won't take the subway with my luggage in tow.

Until now. Today we are off to San Francisco for a weekend of dining, wine, and the circus (Cirque du Soleil - Kooza). We are flying to SFO and taking the BART to our friend's condo in downtown San Francisco, with luggage in tow. And then on Saturday, over to Berkeley via the BART to visit our son.

"Can you imagine Pierre giving up control?" - Gillian and our friend Paul muse over the decision.

"My Dad is going green for the weekend!" my daughter Rebekah exclaims to Gillian.

Yep, I am giving up control - no car for the weekend. Just the subway and walking. No hassles parking in the City. No rental car bill. Oh how my views are changing in my attempt to live smaller. What control will I give up next?

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Seems that it does. Read the post below:

Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:28:51 -0500
To: Northern Virginia for Obama!
From: donnacywinski@comcast.net
Subject: [NorthernVirginiaforObama] Hope in Catlett, VA

According to the Virginia Board of Elections website, Senator Obama won in Catlett, Virginia by one vote. Catlett - a small town in Fauquier County Virginia where we live, is a very conservative place. There are not a lot of Democrats here. Over the years, as our sons have watched us vote for candidates who did not win, they have often asked me whether their vote would make a difference. My response has always been, "How can you hope to change things if you don 't vote?"

When the campaign came to Virginia, we signed up to volunteer with a small group called "Fauquier for Obama '08". Since people in Fauquier County do not live close enough to each other to make canvassing worthwhile, our group got permission from Giant Foods to set up a table outside. We handed out stickers, copies of Senator Obama's policy proposals downloaded from the website and obtained names and contact information from the twenty or so people who were brave enough to come up to our table in front of all of the Republicans who were shopping that day.

Our son manned a table at the local community college. He got about five more volunteers and handed out stickers. He and five other students organized a commuter waive along U.S. Highway 29 where they held up signs and braved lit cigarettes, obscene gestures and spit from passing cars and where they also got thumbs-up signs, smiles, honks and waives. On Election Day our sons voted for the first time . We sat at polls, passed out more stickers, and served coffee and hot chocolate to voters.

Senator Obama won Virginia by a large margin. He won Fauquier County by a smaller margin. He won Catlett, by one vote. We will never know who cast that one vote that put him over the top. But never again will my sons ask me if their vote makes a difference. They know it did.

Senator Obama is winning elections because of one vote at a time. Every person who is inspired to hope that our country could ever be united or that we could have affordable health care or that we could improve educational opportunities for average folks or that we do not have to fight wars just so oil companies, the arms industry and Halliburton can make obscene profits while young Americans die too young, can make a difference. We know this because he won in Catlett by one vote.

Yes We Can!!!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to the posting on the Sacramento Angels website.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last month's dinner meeting of the Sacramento Angels had an added visitor - MSNBC. They came to film a segment on a typical angel investor meeting.

The Sacramento Angels did us proud!

Watch the video

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Arzu, a non-profit corporation, is bringing the traditional rugs of Afghanistan to the West. Recent conflicts in Afghanistan had caused disruption to the traditional patterns and techniques and, worse still, stable employment, education and benefits for the female weavers and their families.

Arzu is working to change that. It employs 700 women plus their families in 10 villages. Proceeds from the sale of the rugs, from $1000 to 18,000, are invested in village school and health care.

Since 2004, 700 rugs have been sold. Production is hoped to be at 1,200 a year soon. You can check them out on the Arzu website.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rebecca Reichardt owner of Tazzina Bistro in Woodland is one of 10 winners in the Make Mine a Million $ Business. She won computer equipment, free vouchers for airlines and hotels and up to $50,000 in financing from Amex's small-business lending division. But the most valuable item - coaching from business experts.

Read the write up in Bob Shallit's column

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

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A quick look at the world's best software developers, based on the rankings at TopCoder - China, Russia, and Poland appear to produce the elite talent. My hunch is they will be well represented in the top 120 contestants at the Finals.

The 2008 TCO Finals should be a lot of fun ... hackers and geeks, get your game on. Go code!

Click here to register.

About TopCoder, Inc.:

TopCoder is the recognized leader in identifying, evaluating and mobilizing effective software development resources. Through its proprietary programming competitions and rating system, TopCoder recognizes and promotes the abilities of the best programmers around the world. TopCoder software harnesses the talent of these developers to design, develop and deploy software through its revolutionary competitive development methodology. TopCoder's methodology emphasizes thorough specification and design, distributed development using reusable components, and a rigorous quality assurance review process that results in higher quality, lower cost software solutions than traditional software development methodologies. For more information about sponsoring TopCoder events, recruiting TopCoder members and utilizing TopCoder's software services, visit http://www.topcoder.com/.

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We received a note from Ron Crane, VP of Wall Street Ventures, a brokerage linking buyers and sellers.

Over time, Ron has become a friend. He (along with Ed Ring) maintains perfect attendance at the Sacramento Executive events (which reminds me I need to plan another one very soon). Ron has always been available to provide input and advice.

Before we left Sacramento, we toyed with buying a business and immediately sought input from Ron. And more recently, a Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy alumni asked me for input on a business he was thinking about buying. Knowing my limits, I called Ron and asked if he would be willing to help out.

Of course, generously, he provided lots of valuable input, even calling me when he thought the alumni was about to make a huge mistake. Turns out he did listen to Ron and walked away from what would have been a disaster. That's the kind of guy that Ron is - loyal, generous, supportive and I would imagine a great guy to have on your side if you are selling or buying a business.

So, the news from Ron was that his company, Wall Street Ventures, has been purchased by VERCOR, an international middle market investment bank, who was looking to broaden the services they provide to their customers. Sounds like a win-win. The bank will provide many more resources to Ron and his employees to get their job done. And the bank will get to offer the superior services of Ron and his employees.

Congrats Ron. Good things happen to good people.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Last Sunday, Michelle Obama gave a memorable speech at UCLA. Here are a couple of pearls of wisdom from her speech:

"The greatness of a society is measured by those who are the least."

To whom much is given, much is expected."

Click the image below for the entire speech (includes Stevie Wonder, Caroline Kennedy, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama and Maria Shriver).

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Legacy Capitial Management, a Roseville, California wealth management service provider, consistently outperforms the market. Since June of 2002, Legacy Capital's equities portfolio has produced an annual return of 13.34% compared to a return of 8.5% for the S&P 500 Index (data through December 31, 2007).

Principals, Joe Milam and Jim McCarthy, offered the following market commentary in the most recent quarterly letter to their clients:

Stock (and bond) prices reflect expectations about the future. When those expectations suddenly change, volatility is the result. Investors are adjusting their perceptions about the strength of the U.S. (and Global) economy, and simultaneously adjusting their tolerance for risk. The result is a "double whammy" on asset prices; a lower forecast for expected profits, and a higher discount rate used to price those future profits into today's dollars.

While there is little argument that the U.S. economy is slowing, the length and depth of such a slowdown is often overestimated initially. And, when cooler heads prevail, investors will recognize the opportunities available to world-class companies that enjoy a competitive advantage in the global economy.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday, our working group got bogged down in coming to terms with making a decision about the work scope of one of our subcontractors. The discussion turned into a shouting match where two parties felt their idea was best. The discussion was ineffective. We tabled the discussion without making a decision.

Our inability to quickly come to a decision means another meeting, more discussion and more time.

Wow! I call these sessions group gropes. We hold a meeting, discuss, argue, and the leader fails to make a call, so we table, only to come back and do it again.

After the meeting I thought, "There must be a better way." So, I did a quick search and found a great website on leadership decision making. The website offers practical advice and tools on making decisions and is worth looking into. For example, in the section on "How To Make Good Decisions":

Decisions are an inevitable part of human activities. It requires the right attitude. Every problem, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity. In most situations the decision-maker must view the problems as opportunities rather than solving problems. For example, suppose you receive a serious complaint letter from a dissatisfied customer. You may turn this problem into an opportunity by finding out more about what is wrong with the product/service, learning from the customer's experience in order to improve the quality of your product/service. It all depends on the decision-maker's attitude. A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity.

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 5:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"When desire is mixed with faith backed by massive action, the probable becomes possible, every time. No exceptions."

This simple sentence is the roadmap to entrepreneurial success.

Tina offers valuable lifestyle advice on finding clarity, motivation, productivity, creativity and happiness, and lays out simple steps towards positive change.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are registered as Decline to State in California, you can still vote for a Presidential candidate. Here's how:

Or Republican!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today, I received the following email from Jim Meyers, writer and producer of the movie "Her Minor Thing", filmed and produced in Sacramento.

Hi All,

Hope you're doing great. Womens Entertainment (WE) cable network has finally told us that they plan to start airing "Her Minor Thing" in May. Originally, the network planned to start showing it this past fall, but then it decided to wait. Although we have to wait a bit longer to see all those great Sacramento locations on national television, I think it will be worth it. WE
tells me that they plan to promote the film heavily. Let's hope they pull in a lot of viewers.

WE has 62 million subscribers, more than HBO and Showtime combined. It's a great chance for our film to be seen by a large audience. Although the film's been shown on television in other countries around the world, it's very exciting for us to have the film be seen nationwide on television here in the U.S. I'll let you know the exact date(s) once we have that information. 'Til
then, take care, and watch good movies!

Jim Meyers
Writer/Producer, "Her Minor Thing"

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I told you so.

Never, ever bet against the trend. That's what I said yesterday and learned today as the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in an awesome battle in Glendale, Arizona, 17 - 14.

Wow! First the Cowboys, then the Packers, and now the Patriots.

Congratulations!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 6:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

All About Voting took issue with my post, “My Daughter's $4 Million Wedding” with the following:

Issues:

1. You did not account for inflation. That $4 million is not worth as much in 35 years as it is now.
2. 12% and 15% tax-free returns annualized for 35 years is an incredibly high return. I don't think it is realistic to use numbers above about 8% for this situation. If you think that they can get that kind of sustained return at an acceptable level of risk then you need to spell out how.
3. You can't always live for tomorrow. You should live a little for today too.

Many of you know how passionate I am about the time value of money. I’ve repeatedly written about it. I’ve told my kids over and over about it. And every time I talk about, I anticipate someone will say, “Nobody can get 12% returns consistently over time. Show me how.” Here’s proof of some of my ranting and raving about the subject:

“My Son The Millionaire”, published in March 2007.

“Creating Wealth And The Time Value Of Money", published in May 2005.

Well, All About Voting, here’s how:

1. Invest in the Dogs of the Dow – the historical annual return has been 17.3% since 1973. I wrote about the Dogs of the Dow last month (click here for the post).
2. Invest in Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A or BRK.B) run by perhaps the most successful investor of all time – Warren Buffett. I have been a huge fan of Warren Buffett for years, even dragging my twelve year old son Nathan to a share holder meeting once, where Warren Buffett offered Nathan sound advice. (See “Bob Shallit Makes A Dad Even Prouder”, published by Gillian Parrillo, March 2007). The annual return on investment for BRK.A has been 19.25% since December of 1988.
3. Invest according to the principles of Joel Greenblatt’s Magic Formula, where he has achieved 40% annual returns since 1985. I introduced the Magic Formula in a post in December 2006 (click here for the post).
4. Be a value investor the Warren Buffett and Phil Town way. This means buying companies at market discount (i.e., paying 50 cents on the dollar). Phil Town’s book, Rule #1, explains how. I invest this way. All my trades are documented weekly on our companion website Our 4-Hour Workweek.
5. Subscribe to The Motley Fool’s Hidden Gems Service. I pay $199 a year for the service. Since 2003, Tom Gardner’s picks are up on average 29.55% and Bill Mann’s picks are up 38.52% (versus 12.71% for the S&P 500 over the same timeframe).
6. And the best way to achieve higher than 12% returns is through the Company 401K plan. I invest in seven funds, with a lifetime average annual return of 15.45% (includes a base of 13.63% plus matching funds from the company of 75 cents per dollar invested). The seven funds are Fidelity Diversified International Fund, with an 11.93% annual return since 12/27/1991; Fidelity Blue Chip Growth, with an 11.4% annual return since 12/31/1987; Allianz NJF Small-Cap Value Institutional Class, with a 14.17% annual return since 10/1/1991; Rockwell Collins Stock Fund, with a 22.05% annual return since 7/6/2001; Dodge and Cox Stock with an amazing 12.09% annual return since 1/4/1965; Fidelity International Discovery Fund with a 10.05% annual return since 12/31/1986; and, Fidelity OTC Portfolio with a 13.72% return since 12/31/1984.

So folks, it can be done. Every single investment that I make, I expect at least a 15% return, or I don’t make the investment. It requires me to do my homework, be patient, and not follow the crowd.

My daughter will have a lovely wedding and enjoy the moment. But she will also budget accordingly, and invest now for her future. Just remember, every $2,000 dollars spent today is a $233,446 loss 42 years from now at 12% annual return. Think about what you spend today, and save some too!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

My daughter Rebekah called me two weeks ago to announce that she is engaged to be married to Brian. I am absolutely thrilled and happy for Rebekah and Brian.

And now for the wedding plans and a very interesting question - how much should Rebekah and Brian budget for the wedding? I sent Rebekah an email on my thoughts...

Rebekah, Gillian and I are so happy for you. Congratulations!

Here is something to think about regarding the wedding budget. Assume you spend $30,000 for your wedding. The real cost of the wedding would be $4,000,000. Now don't call me crazy, but let me prove it. You are now 25 years old. If we gave you $30,000 to invest in the stock market and you were able to achieve 12% annual return on investment (tax free) until you were 60 years old, the investment would grow to $1,583,989. And if you achieved 15% annual return, the investment would be worth $3,995,266.

That's essentially your $4 million wedding. Imagine what kind of party you could have at 60, if you invested the $30,000 now! Gillian and I look forward to working with you and your Mom to help with the wedding plans and budget.

Love, Dad.

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The Las Vegas oddsmakers are making the New York Giants a twelve point underdog in Sunday's Super Bowl. Is this too much to give on a wager? I think so. I'm taking the Giants and the twelve points.

Why? Most people didn't see the Giants slipping past the Cowboys and the Packers. And most people don't see them beating the Patriots either. But one thing I've learned in Las Vegas, especially on the Roulette tables - don't bet against trends. My gut tells me to stick with the hot hand. Also, twelve points is just too many to turn down.

Go Giants! Get ready for a new chapter in the Manning family football legend.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Sacramento Executive began play yesterday at MSN's stock picking contest Strategy Lab Open. Today, I wrote two blogs to kick off play:

1. Out Of The Starting Blocks
2. Strong Buy Recommendaton For Cognizant Technology Solutions

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)