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John James

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Chairman, JD James & Company

93 points

JD James & Company is a financial services firm. We formulate and execute financial and/or operational strategies that satisfy your enterprise needs. Our principal market is West/Central Africa (Cameroon to Angola)

As your advisor, we work to understand all ...

JD James & Company is a financial services firm. We formulate and execute financial and/or operational strategies that satisfy your enterprise needs. Our principal market is West/Central Africa (Cameroon to Angola)

As your advisor, we work to understand all of the financial, institutional and cultural elements that impact you. Only then can we assist in implementing the most appropriate plan of action.

As a privately owned firm, our measures for success are not driven by transaction size, transaction volume or, current environment.

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WEB: http://www.banquecongolaise.com/

Nov. 28, 2011

John James and 2 other people answered this question

How can Detroit make a come back?

It's a confusing question. What do you mean by Detroit? If you mean the auto industry, the big 2 (+1/2?) have been and increasingly derive revenue and profit growth outside of the US. Investment in manufacturing and marketing focus is also, outside of the US. ... more

Automotive Industry

Nov. 15, 2011

John James and 2 other people answered this question at this roundtable

Lunch at the Compensation Café: Understanding International Rewards [11/15 @ 11 am]

Are the days of extravagant ex-pat compensation packages over?

Yes, except for specific locations principally in frontier markets.

Human Resources

Compensation Cafe

Employee Rewards

Oct. 7, 2011

John James answered this question

What is the Triffin Dilemma?

Economist Robert(?) Triffin identified the problem of a national currency also serving as an international reserve currency at the start of the Cold War. The "Dilemma" was, how do you reconcile national economic objectives during the short run with international economic policy and global flows ... more

Reserve Currency

Oct. 7, 2011

John James recommends this answer by Scott Albro

What would a stronger yuan mean for the American economy?

It's hard to say given the complexity of international trade and finance these days, but the first thing to note is that the Chinese yuan has been appreciating against the dollar since 2005. China let the yuan rise 3.6% in 2010 and will let it ... more

Sept. 28, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

How do I attain 501c3 status for my non-profit organization?

It's a simple, straightforward process. I had my (then 20)daughter do the detail work without issue for one.
1. Incorporate, specifying where necessary that it is a non- profit entity
2. Call/google search the IRS for the appropriate form(s) (Form 1023).
3. Obtain Tax ID number (by phone ... more

Sept. 27, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

What does "protecting your assets" really mean in a volatile stock market? What can and can't I do?

“What does "protecting your assets" really mean in a volatile stock market? What can and can't I do?” _____________________________________________________________
Similar to relationships, "it's complicated".
Scale and composition will determine a protection strategy.
At the simplest level, other than 100% cash, you can use put options to limit ... more

Financial Assets

Personal Finance Management

Aug. 31, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

Will the United States adopt more protectionist policies if unemployment persists?

“Will the United States adopt more protectionist policies if unemployment persists?”
______________________________________________________________This question goes to the heart of what our economy consists of. As an increasing percentage of sales/profits of American based corporations are derived from non-US sources, friction between domestic political/economic issues and the ... more

Aug. 9, 2011

John James and 29 other people answered this question

POLL: Are you in favor of ending tax cuts for the wealthy as part of a deficit reduction program?

“POLL: Are you in favor of ending tax cuts for the wealthy as part of a deficit reduction program?”
______________________________________________________________
Changes in the tax rate/code would simply be a tool to achieve a better outcome. Ideally,the idea is neither good nor bad. My bigger concern ... more

July 13, 2011

John James and 2 other people answered this question

Can Microsoft really change?

With Mark Zuckerberg or, another 20'something as CEO - yes, otherwise - no. Let's not forget most of these companies were started by young people. Gates, Ballmer, Chambers, etc. won't acknowledge they are no longer young (read..vital) but the stock performance of their companies do. ... more

Information Technology

June 23, 2011

John James and 34 other people answered this question

POLL: Are you confident in Ben Bernanke's ability as Fed Chairman to get the economy moving?

“POLL: Are you confident in Ben Bernanke's ability as Fed Chairman to get the economy moving?”
______________________________________________________________
I have been having this discussion more frequently with a wider range of people each time..that in itself is an indicator!
Let's review, the role of the Federal ... more

Financial Markets

June 21, 2011

John James and 3 other people answered this question at this roundtable

The Real Causes and Wider Macroeconomic Effects of High Gas Prices [6/20 @ 11 am]

How will gas prices be affected by a dissolution of OPEC—in the short run and in the long run?

“How will gas prices be affected by a dissolution of OPEC—in the short run and in the long run?”
______________________________________________________________
If by "gas" you mean crude oil and not gasoline, we believe OPEC (particularly Saudi Arabia) has an increasing influence on global oil supply/demand relationships. ... more

June 16, 2011

John James answered this question

What is Gresham's Law?

“What is Gresham's Law?” ______________________________________________________________
Gresham's Law is an economic theory which is taught in introductory macroeconomics courses. At its simplest, it describes the historical observations of monarchs/rulers and traders that governments that artificially manipulate the value of their currency will ultimately suffer depreciation as alternative ... more

June 16, 2011

John James and 6 other people answered this question at this roundtable

The Real Causes and Wider Macroeconomic Effects of High Gas Prices [6/20 @ 11 am]

Is the high price of oil an indication we're headed into another recession?

“Is the high price of oil an indication we're headed into another recession?”
______________________________________________________________
Yes and, no! Our firms' economic assessment is that we are entering a period where accelerating raw materials and energy costs are intersecting with a deflationary spiral for finished/manufactured goods. As the ... more

May 12, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

Corporate venture capital: what does its resurgence signify?

Unfortunately, I see it as a further indicator of the sclerotic state of major US corporate managements. Coupled with increasing stock buybacks it highlights troublesome characteristics, 1) inability to internally reinvest free cash flow and, 2) unwillingness/inability to nurture a spirit of innovation within the ... more

Corporate Development

Venture Capital

May 12, 2011

Mike R selected a best answer for

Why do slumping commodity prices lower the stock market? Aren't lower commodity costs a good thing?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Slumping-oil-commodity-prices-apf-1730479577.html?x=0

Economic Downturn

May 6, 2011

John James and 2 other people answered this question

What effect will the end of QE2 this have on the economy in the short term? Long term?

As some others have referenced, and we agree, QE was done as a stopgap to reverse the hemmoraging of asset valuation of the bank/financial infrastructure. Zero/Negative borrowing costs allowed these institutions to repair balance sheets, principally through financial markets speculation. The lowered general level of ... more

Economic Recovery

Monetary Policy

May 4, 2011

John James and 15 other people answered this question

How important is business etiquette in today's competitive job market?

"If a man has good manners and is not afraid of other people he will get by, even if he is stupid."
David Eccles more

Human Resources

Business Etiquette

March 29, 2011

John James and 2 other people answered this question

Are traditional economic measures such as GDP still relevant indicators of economic health?

“Are traditional economic measures such as GDP still relevant indicators of economic health?”
__________________________________________________________
It depends on context and depth. For a snapshot of general economic activity, without real economic element detail, GDP is fine. As a measure of true health (defining what an economy ... more

Economic Indicator

Economic Theory

March 26, 2011

John James and 5 other people answered this question

Why is the finance/accounting functions looked down upon in the corporate environment?

“Why is the finance/accounting functions looked down upon in the corporate environment?” __________________________________________________________
To lighten the mood in these uncertain and turbulent times, here is my generic reply:
How did you feel about asking your parents for an allowance/increase/first car"? more

Accounting and Business Management

March 23, 2011

John James recommends this comment by Kathleen Pabst Robshaw

How Should the Business Owner Work With a CPA or CPA Practice?

I have always worked with a CPA and count my current CPA as a good friend. Iam not afraid to ask for advice nor is he worried about making suggestions.
He is involved and I have always had a CPA who has been and who ... more

Business Management

Feb. 15, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

Under what economic conditions should a business invest in growth vs build its reserves?

Under what economic conditions should a business invest in growth vs build its reserves?_____________________________________________________________
This is a really difficult question, on several levels. Ownership and management structure/control, size, overall economic conditions, competitive environment, technological position and current financial status will all interact to impact that ... more

Growth Strategy

Feb. 12, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

Do FF Coppola's three rules - be original, use latest tech, & self-finance, translate to start ups?

“Do FF Coppola's three rules - be original, use latest tech, & self-finance, translate to start ups?”
_______________________________________________________________It's a pretty simplistic set of rules and you can't argue with any of the premises. Necessary?..Yes. Sufficent?..No. more

Start up Company

Feb. 3, 2011

John James and 5 other people answered this question

International Travel Best Practices: What are your 3 tips for using your smartphone overseas?

I travel to Europe and Central Africa regularly. If you have a set series of destinations, you have 2 choices:
1. Get a local european number either; 1) through your local office or partner or 2) supplier, vendor, it can be pre/postpaid.
2) Most people ... more

General Management

Information Technology

Jan. 27, 2011

John James recommends this answer by Joseph Arsenault

Which financial statement best speaks to the financial health of a business?

They are all inter-related statements, but I actually feel like the Cash Flow Statement can be the best indicator of the financial health of a business. Is the business truly generating cash flow from operating activities, or are the earnings coming from somewhere else?
In ... more

Jan. 23, 2011

John James and 1 other person answered this question

How should business milestones be managed?

“How should business milestones be managed?”
Leaving the issue of the date of the roundtable to the side :; the concept of business milestones is a philosophically interesting one.
Historically, a milestone was simply a marker to indicate how far you have traveled from some ... more

Dec. 16, 2010

John James answered this question

Hi, How can I manage my capital that I don't need it for a short period of time for example a year?

Hi, How can I manage my capital that I don't need it for a short period of time for example a year?”
______________________________________________________________
I'd like to clarify whether by "capital" you mean, 1) excess undeployed earnings or, 2) permanent capital that was raised for a ... more

Dec. 9, 2010

John James and 4 other people answered this question

What's the difference between "good" debt and "bad" debt?

“What's the difference between "good" debt and "bad" debt?” ____________________________________________________________
"Good Debt" is cheap, unemcumbered and long term; :Bad Debt" is, expensive, encumbered and short term. more

Business Finance

Finance Management

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