While listening to a radio show the topic was traditions for the holidays. If you have celebrated more than one Christmas, you have a Christmas tradition. Some are done because they carried over from somebody else; some were done because they were relatively inexpensive; some were done because in a low channel TV setting there were very few choices; and some are done because someone thinks someone else likes it. The ritual of Christmas has religious tones and it depends if you go to church or not, if you go then there are many opportunities to attend. If you do not go, then other traditions around the meal and opening the presents happen. When do you open the presents? where do you go for the meal? who prepares it? does everyone enjoy it or do you think someone else does?. Often times people watch movies, technically with DVDs and the internet they could be watched anytime, but they seem to come out during the holidays. On the radio, the person being interviewed suggested one topic to talk about during the holidays is your favourite parts of the holiday season. By combining everyone favourite parts, some things that are done could be dropped because no one really wants to do them, they just think others like to and it is a tradition. The things everyone likes to remain and the holidays are be better for everyone.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, often times the company has done some things very well, however the importance of them begin to change and they are stuck in the mud because they think it is important. It is a fine balance between change and not changing a successful profitable plan. Communication whether at the personal level or the corporate level is very important, good companies ensure communication happens up and down the levels. When those at the top think they have all the answers, when a downturn happens, they circle the wagons and try to protect a losing cause. Once in a while, they get lucky, but losing money either way results. Traditions are great, but traditions can change for the better when communication is on going.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions