Aspire Spring 2021
If you revel in the smell of a new book or a tidy paper cabinet, going paperless may seem a daunting, unnecessary task. But research shows paper is more foe than friend. Physical documents can increase your risk of identity theft, allowing criminals to steal personal information directly from your recycling bin or letterbox. Paper isn’t great for our planet, either. Producing a single sheet of it guzzles nearly three gallons of water. And each year, we cut down 100 million trees for direct-mail advertising. Fortunately, going paperless is easier than you think – just take it one week at a time.
Permanently store birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees and other important records.
Opt out of junk mail and catalogue lists with services like the Mailing Preference Service.
Choose e-statements for your credit cards, bank accounts, investments and utility companies, and other important accounts. However, first ensure that if you ever require a paper copy, one can be obtained from your provider.
Download apps to help: Todoist, Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Reader and more have the functionality to ensure you can still fulfil your everyday tasks at the touch of a button.
Sort, purge and organise existing paperwork. Tackle a small stack each day.
Scan documents using your phone, then store them on a hard drive and label them for easy access. Explore secure document storage and sharing services (e.g. Microsoft OneDrive or Box) to help protect your privacy.
Rethink your habits. Go for digital newspaper and magazine subscriptions. Switch paper cards for e-cards. Swap bulky books for an e-book reader.
Sources: moneycrashers.com; “Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader” by Bathroom Readers’ Institute; thebalance.com; paperontherocks.com; theatlantic.com; nerdwallet.com; sccmo.org; consumerreports.org; https://www.recyclingbins.co.uk
Black MondayOn 19 October 1987, the stock markets experienced a dramatic plunge that prompted many firms to shut down their trading desks and turn off their phones to minimize internal losses. Raymond James refused to do the same. Our desks stayed open to help meet clients’ needs, resulting in our first and only unprofitable quarter since the firm went public in 1983. |
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Who was Raymond James?The Raymond in our name is actually from Edward Raymond, owner of a 15-employee mutual fund sales group, Raymond and Associates, along Florida’s west coast. He sold his company to Bob James on 15 July 1964, on condition that the surviving firm be called Raymond, James & Associates. Three days after the sale, Ed Raymond was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident and never joined the firm. Nonetheless, even after Raymond had passed away, Bob James insisted that his name remain on the door – ahead of James’ own. That was a promise he made to Ed Raymond three days before the accident, and Bob James was a man who kept his promises. |
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Bear Market of 1974The severe bear market of 1974 threatened the existence of Raymond James, which was bleeding capital by the day. Tom James, his father and other leaders took extreme measures to keep the firm afloat, slashing costs, foregoing paychecks and even attempting to sell the firm for just enough capital to protect client assets and retain as many associates as possible. The story could have ended very differently if not for a sharp upturn and continued rebound in the stock markets late in the year. |
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Taking Raymond James PublicWhen consideration was being given to taking Raymond James public, Tom James penned a letter to shareholders (largely employees at the time). ” … the public offering should be considered as a statement of our independence. While this is a psychological rather than an economic rationale, it is nonetheless very important. We have asserted for some time that we are not interested in becoming a small part of a very large corporation. That assertion results mainly from the inclinations of management rather than the economic benefits associated with either alternative. The public stock offering affords us the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the best of both worlds. While shareholders will be given liquidity at fair market value, we will still have the ability to control our own destiny.” After 40+ years of Tom’s leadership, upon becoming CEO, Paul Reilly was often questioned about whether the company might ultimately surrender its cherished independence and be acquired by some larger entity. His response: “Not while I’m around.” It’s a theme that continues today. |
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