In Case You Missed it: April Recap
All of the Articles From April & Everything In Between
Time to Breakdown Different Stock Types
Not all stocks are the same, so let’s explore the key categories
Before we Begin
I have written three previous articles breaking down the most important things that connect to this topic. Check them out here before continuing on to this one:
How to Apply Diversification to Your Investing Portfolio:
https://inbetweennewsletter.substack.com/p/how-to-apply-diversification-to-your
How to Start Investing - From the Very Beginning:
https://inbetweennewsletter.substack.com/p/how-to-start-investing-from-the-very
I Challenge Everyone to Start Budgeting Their Money. Here is How to Begin!:
https://inbetweennewsletter.substack.com/p/i-challenge-everyone-to-start-budgeting
All Stocks Aren’t the Same?
No, they are not!
This is a big misconception when it comes to the stock market. Each stock is categorized based on a few key details: size, industry, and product/service. This is an important topic to cover because before buying a stock, you should always do research into what type of stock it is. This will help you diversify your portfolio, manage risk, and have a clear understanding of your financial goals.
I am going to break down 6 different categories of stocks in this article, while also giving examples of what kind of stocks you can find in these categories.
Let’s dive right in!
Types of Stocks
1. Blue Chip
It is always a good idea to start with the biggest and the best. This brings us to Blue Chip stocks. These are large companies that have a long history of established operational success. My guess is when the average person thinks of big, profitable stocks, they are thinking of real Blue Chip stocks. Below is a quick list of some examples of real stocks in this category:
- Disney
- Johnson & Johnson
- Coca Cola
- AT&T
- Proctor Gamble
When having that long-established success, it also comes with being a market leader in the sector they represent. Like you can see above, Coca Cola is the industry leader of the beverage industry. These stocks also come with a lot of popularity and make up big portions of people’s portfolio.
2. Growth
Growth stocks are the biggest buzz in today’s financial world. Why? Well, it is in the title. They have a lot of growth potential. These are the companies you hear in the news all the time crushing earnings and sales each and every month with new technology or products they produce. A few examples are:
- Amazon
- Netflix
- Adobe
- Salesforce
You might go look at the charts of these stocks and be amazed at how fast they have grown over the past decade. That is why they are in this category. These companies focus on taking all their earnings and reinvesting them back into the business to keep the momentum going. These stocks can offer an interesting ride for investors to say the least as the volatility can be higher with companies like these.
When thinking about growth stocks, always think about the future. You will see that thought process when looking into the prices of these stocks, making them sometimes overvalued when the markets are hot.
3. Dividend
This has to be everyone’s favorite type of stock because it is the stock that pays you to own it. Yeah, you read that right. A dividend stock is when a company decides to share some of the earnings with its shareholders. Those shareholders are anyone that owns at least one share of those stocks. Here is a list of some big-name dividend stocks:
- IBM
- Microsoft
- Verizon
- JPMorgan Chase
- Texas Instruments
The catch with dividends is they vary based on company and share price. Some companies offer a higher dividend percentage while others offer a lower percentage. Depending on how many shares you have will also determine how much you get paid in dividends.
Also, no you are not going to get paid every day or every week. Let’s set realistic expectations here. Dividends are usually on a cadence of quarterly basis or even longer.
Some people make great passive income off of dividends but that takes time and compound interest.
4. Cyclical
This category is all about the economy. When the economy shifts, these stocks shift. You can see in the name it comes from the word, “cycle.” That is because these stocks can be monitored via cycles of our overall economy. In booming economies these do great, and in recession economies these can do poorly. They flow like water in whatever direction the current is taking them. Here are a few examples below:
- Boeing
- Nike
- Ford
- Carnival
- Draftkings
As you can see, there is a trend with these stocks. Just look at how Covid-19 has affected these kinds of companies. Planes weren’t flying as much, that reflected in the stock price. People weren’t going into retail stores as much, that reflected in the stock price. Fans were not allowed at sporting events, that reflected in the stock price. You get the point.
This category can be a strength during the good times and bust during the bad times. So read the room before making quick decisions on these ones.
5. Defensive
It is only right to follow up the last category with this category. Wanting to play some defense in your portfolio to withstand changes in the economy? Well, that is what these stocks are for!
These stocks can withstand uneasy times in the markets because they have stable long-term earnings. You can kind of think of these like Blue Chip stocks as they share similar stocks in each respected category. Here are a few examples below:
- Walmart
- Costco
- FedEx
- Coca-Cola
- Deere
See what I mean? These are staple companies that no matter what is going on in the world, they are holding strong. You always need groceries, right? If you are unsure about the market or just want to add a layer of protection to your portfolio, there are plenty of defensive stocks out there for you.
6. Penny
Oh, the famous Penny Stocks. This type of stock has quite a reputation as people use this category trying to find the next Amazon stock or trying to make a quick buck off of a high volatility with a large number of shares.
Penny stocks have a wide range of definitions, but overall, just think of them as small companies that trade for less than about $10, give or take. I personally stay away from penny stocks, but some people stand by them as a means of making a living. High volatility mixed with uncertainty in their business model leads to an interesting dynamic in the price changes.
Below are some examples of some popular penny stocks:
- Nokia
- Elys Game Technology
- Investview Inc
- Silver Star Energy
- Hollywood Inter Inc
It is starting to become clearer, right? If it is not clear, that was my point. These companies are not household names and are still getting off the ground. Make sure you do a ton of research before investing in penny stocks.
Overall
I hope this gave everyone a great understanding of the differences in stock types. As you can see, some even overlap.
This information can be great for a new investor who is trying to learn the basics of trading and understanding the verbiage of the stock market. So, you’re welcome.
Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. All opinions are my own. You should always talk to a financial expert before investing your money.
Book Overview: CEO Next Door by Elena Botelho and Kim Powell
We are going to breakdown the four key behaviors CEOs use to be successful
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Why this book?
Last year I read this book after many years of putting it off, and I could not have loved it more. The lessons in this book have stuck with me to this day and will continue to as I move forward in my life. I have analyzed this book from cover to cover, so it only seemed right to let all of my readers in on what I have found.
It is perfect for The In-Between Newsletter because it ties in perfectly with career and personal growth.
Rather than breaking down each chapter – because at that point you should just go read the book yourself – we are going to breakdown the four major themes of the book. The premise of the book is that there are four behaviors that all CEOs have in common that contributed to their success.
Those four behaviors are:
1. Being Decisive
2. Relentlessly Reliable
3. Adapt Boldly
4. Engage for Impact
Authors Elena Botelho and Kim Powell conducted a study on hundreds of CEOs and concluded that the list above is what sets successful CEOs apart from everyone else. You know, in-between people, like us.
Mind you, while you might not aspire to be a CEO, I am willing to bet you do aspire to be successful. Adopting these four behaviors will help you to reach your goals, regardless of what specifically those goals may be.
Now let’s jump into those four behaviors one at a time.
Behavior 1: Being Decisive
It is all about speed in this fast-paced world we are living in. In the wise words of Ricky Bobby’s father, “If you’re not first, you’re last!” We all just need to live more like Ricky Bobby. Okay in all seriousness, we all know the world moves quickly and there are never enough hours in the day, but how do we become faster? For a lot of us, it is a work in progress. You could be still in school and still trying to figure out where you even fit in this world. You could be early in your career and just getting into the flow of your day-to-day life. You could be in the middle of your career looking for something new.
No matter where you are in your life, you can always be working on speed and efficiency.
The book covers three crucial themes when it comes to being decisive:
- Make decisions faster
- Make fewer decisions
- Progress every time
Make Decisions Faster
Plot twist: there is no secret to speed. The secret is in staying organized.
It is imperative to always have things prepared when going into situations. If you have a test – study. If you have a meeting – have your action items laid out on a meeting agenda. To make decisions faster, you cannot be taking the time to think about them in the moment. You should come into these decisions with a thought already laid out.
Look at your calendar and allot time for yourself to prepare for things ahead of time.
Make Fewer Decisions
We all tend to make an abundance of a decisions during our days. But the great CEOs stay away from them.
Once you have a plan and everything has been decided, stick with it. If you don’t, you can lead yourself into the dreaded paralysis by analysis. See what I did there?
There is even a saying about this idea, “go with your gut.” If there is data to back it up, pull the trigger. This is for all things in life – career, life, and financial!
Progress Every Time
You will slowly start to see growth if you practice those two behaviors above. Keeping either a mental note or a physical tracker can help show your progression.
The way I measure my progress is by seeing how much time this opens up in my day. You will be amazed how much extra time you will have if you start making confident decisions.
These behaviors are all building blocks, keep stacking them on top of each other each day.
Behavior 2: Relentlessly Reliable
Let’s start with an exercise. Think of someone you would describe as being reliable. The person that always shows up, helps out, and gets the job done without you having to worry for a second if they will or not.
That person is probably successful in what they do, right? Exactly!
All great CEOs are consistently delivering on what they say. Guess what? You can do that too! It is not rocket science. It is a mental state of choosing to be focused, organized and ready to go.
Trust me, you will know, and you will feel it when you are the relentlessly reliable person around the office, in the school, or to your friends. Let’s break down how you can become that person.
The book talks about three great themes for this behavior:
- Set expectations
- Be counted on by standing up
- Stay organized
Set Expectations
It is very hard to set expectations, for multiple reasons. Usually, you either shoot for the stars or don’t even try. There is no in-between.
A way I like to set expectations for myself is laying out my To-Do list and reminding myself what needs to get done today. If more pops up, that is when you need to remind yourself that you are focused on delivering what is already on the table.
It is easy to get overwhelmed, so having those expectations that you wake up to everyday can be a strong mental exercise to keep your mind at rest.
Be Counted On
Put yourself out there! Be the one that takes on the tough task in the school project, be the one that takes on the new project at work, just do it! Once you have accepted something this will keep you reliable to the task at hand. The bonus is, when you succeed, you will start to show the narrative that you are the one that wants to be counted on.
The best example of this is Michael Jordan. When he walked on the floor everyone knew, he was the guy taking the last shot. But that didn’t matter at all. The defense couldn’t stop him. He was the most reliable guy on the team because he took chances, he never shied away from failure, and he showed up for his team by making the last shot.
You will notice you develop a sense of confidence when you do this, and that is what you want! Michael Jordan was called on to make the last shot of games and constantly followed through, and so can you.
Stay Organized
To be reliable really means to be organized. This is up to whatever works best for you. Everyone is different in the ways they stay organized. Don’t be like Dwight.
Personally, I like having a mix of physical notes, calendars, and items with some online resources as well.
Behavior 3: Adapt Boldly
The scary unknown of the future can be hard on people. Even waking up each day to a new, potentially stressful situation can be hard on people. We have all experienced uneasy feelings at least once in our lives. That is why being adaptable is so important.
People who have become CEOs have taken the road less traveled and dove right in to the unknown. That is what you need to do as well. Adapting boldly in situations will lead to success. How exactly are you supposed to do that, you might be asking? Well, I have some tips for you!
Everyone can be tied down by past decisions and changing that is the key first step. Take the lessons of the past and move on. Do not let them dictate what you will do next. If you do, you will not adapt boldly in uncomfortable decisions in the future. Like I said above, this isn’t rocket science, but at the same time can be very challenging.
Once you start letting go of the past you can start progressing towards the future. If you have your eyes focused forward you are more likely to be quick on your feet and act fast.
Botelho and Powell do a great job of explaining the mental roadblocks people can put in front of themselves, and how the CEOs they interviewed refused let that happen.
The old adage is always, “go with your gut.” That is straight facts right there.
Think back to when you trusted your gut in the past. It either went way better then you expected, or you learned a valuable lesson. Maybe you even got both. Do not pass up on those opportunities.
Behavior 4: Engage for Impact
Do you notice whenever a CEO speaks it is always something memorable? It is eye catching and well thought out. That is not an accident. They have mastered the art of engaging for impact. Everything they do and say has impact, so they have to be good at it.
How do they do this? The authors say it perfectly, they, “lead with intent.”
Leading with intent is not only being confident but understanding the metaphorical game you are playing with yourself.
When you know the people around you and know how to interact with each of them, this leads to engaging for impact. None of those surface level conversations, but true connections being made during every exchange.
When talking with someone, try and focus on truly being involved in the moment. Listen and converse and see how much more of an impact that interaction creates.
By doing this, you will always see results follow. Only if, however, you establish routines that promote impact. I don’t know about you, but I have always been completely fascinated by the daily schedule and routines of an average CEO. Why is that? They go to work and live life too? They simply create a higher impact than other people, and we are fascinated by it. We are all so fascinated by how they live and want to find how we can drive impact like they do.
This behavior is one you really need to be cognizant of to truly be able to adopt it. Find techniques that work for you and learn from the CEOs you admire.
Bringing It All Together
Why am I writing this article for this week? Because the lessons I found in this book have stuck with me to this day. In all aspects of life, career, and finances. Think of this article as a challenge to wake up tomorrow with a new perspective. Take these four behaviors and change the way you are living for the better.
We all have a dream, let this be that kick in the butt you need to start chasing it, from the people that followed their dreams – CEOs.
Shoutout to Elena Botelho and Kim Powell for this amazing research and book to summarize it. If you have not read it yet, I highly recommended picking it up today.
Below is a great graphic putting everything together.
Cheers!
How to Start Looking for Jobs
You need a job? Let’s go over all the ways to start looking for one!
Start with Why
When you are starting to look for a job it is instrumental to start with your why. Why are you searching? Having a clear why will help you have an organized searching experience. If you are not organized with your why, you will find the job searching process very frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, it will still be frustrating even if you are organized, but it will be less frustrating if you define your goal.
What is in this article
In this article I am going to go over the many options you have to help you search for a job. That sentence might be surprising to some as we are not typically taught that there are many places you should be looking that have varying tools/resources.
This article is great for people starting their career, still in school, or looking for a change in their career.
It is key for people just starting out to try all of these pathways for searching for jobs to find what works best for you. Each work, but some are better than others for certain individuals.
So, let’s dive in!
In-School Options
When you are in school, whether it is primary education or higher education, there are always tons of resources that get overlooked. Most schools have a “career center” of some sort and that is where you need to begin.
They will have trained professionals that are there specifically to help you find places to look. They will help you with all the following topics:
- Resume Building
- Networking Opportunities
- Career building tools
- Pretty much, anything you ask them for help with
Taking this an extra step forward - if you are in college, you can go to your specific major’s service center and find more opportunities there. When I was in college I would go to my advisor and ask about career topics and they would point me in many right directions. General advisors can be a really great resource in college that go unutilized.
This might sound like a, “duh!” realization, but this could not be a more overlooked aspect of job hunting. At the end of the day, it doesn’t hurt to ask the question!
Job/Career Websites
There are so many out there! I am a big believer in spreading your net wide, and you should be too. That is why it is important to check out and create as many profiles as you can on these platforms.
Below is a list of my favorite job searching sites that you should be using:
- Indeed
- Zip Recruiter
- Glassdoor
- Monster
- AngelList
I have used all of these platforms and each has their own flare to them.
Why these are great is because it is the best way to see a wide selection of jobs in one area, rather than having to go to each company website and applying. You can type in a simple phrase like “sales rep” and hundreds of job opportunities will pop up from various companies that you can submit resumes to.
This will save so much time and energy while casting a wide net!
LinkedIn Continued
LinkedIn is definitely the leader in the space above. Why? Well, they have a social media aspect to their platform that helps take the job search/networking capability to the next level.
Another way to cast that wide net on is you can join networking groups on LinkedIn. There are hundreds of these groups out there with recruiters posting jobs regularly. Hence the social media aspect I referenced above.
This is a huge win for people looking for jobs because this gives you the ability to get your resume right in front of the recruiter on their personal posts within the groups. Talk about getting your resume to the top of the pile!
To further my completely unsponsored pitch of LinkedIn, you can direct message people on LinkedIn, which is a feature I have discussed in a previous newsletter article. Check that out below if you have not already:
Article: How to Network on LinkedIn… Any Hopefully Land a Job
Networking Events and Career Fairs
Yeah, you read that right. There are full-on career fairs out there that are hosted regularly for companies and candidates to attend and interact. The best part is, this isn’t just at colleges, they are all over the place. They are open for people still in school or looking for a career change!
You can find these online with an easy Google search for them in your local area. Just like LinkedIn, this is a great way to get in front of recruiters. Although, this way you are actually face-to-face in front of the recruiters. These however, are very daunting. Don’t get me wrong, you might feel like you’re going to wet yourself you are so nervous, but that is exactly how you should feel going into this because it is exciting and fun to have these new opportunities.
I promise none of the recruiters are out for blood, so just be confident.
Bring plenty of resumes, cover letters, and any portfolio work you have saved up to give to the recruiters.
Family & Friends
This is another job searching tactic that can be overlooked. Family members can act as a great way to help you start conversations with people at companies. It might not lead directly to a job, but it will be great practice and a great way to form connections talking with people working in the field you want to work in.
I have seen this approach be the most successful way to land a job. Connections are the name of the game, and if your parents know someone that works at a company you are interested in, ask them if they could reach out and see what kind of openings they have.
This will at least lead to a discovery call to learn more about the company and get your resume on file for future openings if there are not any at the moment.
All in All
This journey is going to be fun, hard, and take a lot of work. But if you use all of these different approaches, you will surely find more success. These also are not the only approaches out there, so read around, talk to your friends, and start connecting!
I have written previous articles on resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and interviews. I will leave links below for you to check them out so you can read more on the subject of career. There are a lot of moving parts, so you want to make sure you have your bases covered. Happy job searching!
Resume: You Can Always Make Your Resume Better
Cover Letter: Cover Letters are the Secret Weapon You Need to Master
LinkedIn: LinkedIn 101: Everything You Should Be Doing on LinkedIn to Grow Your Personal Brand
Interviews: Everything You Need to Know to Crush Your Next Interview
You Should Definitely Share: The In-Between Newsletter
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I want this newsletter to be for anyone, all ages, and all backgrounds.
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So, if you know anyone that would benefit from a weekly newsletter written by a great, humorous, overall exceptional writer, then share the link and just put in an email!
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