Michael A. Bozett: Perspectives on AI and Digital Tools in Wealth Management

Wealth management automation tools

Key Takeaways

  • Artificial intelligence is becoming a central tool in wealth management for portfolio analysis, risk detection, and decision support.
  • AI helps automate routine client service tasks, freeing advisors to focus on higher-value and more personalized work.
  • Digital platforms and cloud-based tools are now expected by younger clients who want real-time access to financial information.
  • Despite its power, AI cannot replace human judgment, empathy, and nuanced decision-making in investment management.
  • Firms that resist adopting modern technology risk losing clients who expect advanced digital experiences and analytics.
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Paulin Modi: Health Benefits of Tennis for Active Lifestyles in Michigan

Tennis

Key Takeaways

  • Tennis provides a combination of cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, and endurance training in a single activity.
  • Studies suggest that regular tennis players live significantly longer than sedentary individuals.
  • Playing tennis just a few hours per week can substantially reduce the risk of heart disease and improve circulation.
  • The sport supports mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, and encouraging social interaction.
  • Tennis is accessible to people of many ages and abilities, though players should manage intensity to avoid overuse injuries.
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Sharon Vernick: The Most Successful Comedies of All Time

Slapstick comedy

photo credit: Alev Dogan / Pexels

Key Takeaways

  • Comedy has been a foundational genre in film history, evolving from silent slapstick to a wide range of modern subgenres.
  • Many of the most profitable comedies were produced on relatively small budgets and earned back their costs many times over.
  • Films such as Pink Flamingos and American Graffiti demonstrate how modest productions can become major commercial successes.
  • Cult followings and long theatrical runs, as seen with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, can dramatically extend a film’s profitability.
  • Both low-budget and big-budget comedies continue to achieve global box office success, proving the genre’s lasting commercial appeal.
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John Cogswell: An Introduction to Telemark Skiing

Telemark skiing

photo credit: Funcarver116 / Wikimedia Commons / CC0

Key Takeaways

  • Telemark skiing combines elements of Nordic and alpine skiing, using a free-heel binding that enables a distinctive, flowing turn style.
  • The discipline traces its roots to 19th-century Norway and has experienced a modern resurgence as both a resort and backcountry sport.
  • Proper equipment selection, especially boots and bindings, plays a critical role in comfort, control, and learning progression.
  • The telemark technique relies on balanced knee movement, steady upper-body posture, and rhythmic transitions between turns.
  • Beyond physical fitness benefits, telemark skiing is known for its welcoming culture and emphasis on freedom and connection to the mountains.
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Stuart Hansen: Practical Approaches to Improving Single-Property Investment Performance

Real estate investing

Key Takeaways

  • Successful single-property investing begins with deep market and submarket analysis, not just surface-level data.
  • Optimizing financing and capital structure can materially improve returns and long-term flexibility.
  • Identifying a property’s highest and best use can unlock hidden value through reconfiguration or repositioning.
  • Strategic value-add improvements and disciplined asset management drive higher net operating income.
  • Planning the exit strategy early helps ensure timing, tax outcomes, and buyer demand are aligned for maximum return.
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Gary Begnaud: An Overview of Establishing an Emergency Fund

Emergency fund

Key Takeaways

  • An emergency fund is a dedicated cash reserve for true financial disruptions like job loss, medical bills, or urgent repairs.
  • Most households should aim to save three to six months of essential living expenses, adjusted for income stability and risk.
  • Emergency funds should be kept in liquid, insured accounts such as high-yield savings or money market deposit accounts.
  • Using cash reserves instead of credit cards prevents interest costs and reduces financial stress during a crisis.
  • Beyond covering expenses, an emergency fund provides psychological security and preserves long-term financial plans.
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Stephen Reeder: Lessons in Leadership Reflected Through Scouting Values

Scouting

Key Takeaways

  • Scouting emphasizes character, service, and self-reliance – values that closely mirror effective leadership principles.
  • The founding story of the Boy Scouts of America highlights how small acts of integrity can have lasting societal impact.
  • Scouting programs build confidence and resilience by helping young people overcome social, emotional, and physical challenges.
  • Personal achievement in Scouting often comes through mentorship, teamwork, and disciplined effort.
  • The stories demonstrate how values learned early in life can shape ethical leadership in business and community roles.
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Thomas Guglielmo: What Lean Looks Like in Daily Work

Lean practices at work

Key Takeaways

  • Lean becomes visible in daily work through habits, layouts, and routines that reduce waste and prevent interruptions.
  • Standardized steps, checklists, and shared formats reduce variation and limit ambiguity in routine tasks.
  • Physical layout and point-of-use storage minimize searching, waiting, and unnecessary movement.
  • Visual systems expose problems early and enable faster handoffs and quicker corrective action.
  • Continuous small improvements by frontline teams make operations more stable, predictable, and resilient over time.
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Tracey L. McNeil: Best Practices for Business to Business Partnerships in Finance

B2B

Key Takeaways

  • Successful B2B partnerships in finance start with a clear strategic purpose and well-defined business objectives.
  • Choosing partners requires structured evaluation of technology, culture, financial stability, and regulatory readiness.
  • Strong governance models are essential to manage decision-making, risk, accountability, and operational execution.
  • Clear commercial, legal, and technical foundations reduce misunderstandings and align incentives between partners.
  • Ongoing compliance, security, and disciplined execution are critical to scaling partnerships sustainably.
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Jeff Scafaro: How Pete Sampras Redefined All Court Coverage

Pete Sampras

photo credit: Levg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Takeaways

  • Pete Sampras redefined all-court tennis by combining a dominant serve with exceptional speed and net attacking instincts.
  • His shift from a baseline style to a serve-and-volley game under coach Peter Fischer shaped his championship career.
  • The 1990 US Open final against Andre Agassi demonstrated Sampras’ ability to control both baseline rallies and net play.
  • Unlike many contemporaries who emphasized side-to-side movement, Sampras used a north-south approach to court coverage.
  • His movement style and success on fast surfaces, especially grass, influenced both opponents and later court design changes.
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