By Rita Chattaraj - October 12, 2012 | Tickers: AMZN, AAPL, GOOG | 0 Comments

Rita is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

The first thought which comes to my mind when I hear the phrase Good things come in small packages is the iPad Mini. Just like every other fan, Im eagerly waiting for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to launch the younger sibling of the superbly designed iPad. The web is flooded with leaked photos of the Mini and even the rumor mill has started rolling. According to the latest rumors, the device can be expected to hit the streets sometime in late October, just ahead of the biggest holiday season of the year.

Though many analysts are suggesting that iPad Mini will not face much success and will be a pointless device, I beg to differ. I believe the iPad Mini will be a huge hit and will repeat the success story of the iPad. The following are some of the reasons that explain why I feel the Mini will be good for Apple.

A brilliant growth strategy

The iPad is not a new-to-the-market product anymore. Tablets have gained huge acceptance worldwide and needless to say, the iPad is the undisputed champion in the space. So, how can Apple carry on with expanding the iPad user base? The answer lies in the Ansoffs Matrix, a hugely popular tool among corporate strategists. Igor Ansoff, also known as the Father of Strategic Management, presented this matrix to present alternative corporate growth strategies by establishing links between products and markets. The following is the image of the matrix.

(Image Source: taydeaburto.com)

According to the matrix, if the product is an existing one and even the market is an existing one, corporations must aim at market penetration as that would be the best strategy to expand. Apple is doing exactly what Igor suggested. By introducing a smaller iPad, Apple is attempting to target a different stratum of the consumer market and thus increase its overall market share. Initially, under the leadership of Steve Jobs, Apple was hesitant about the need of smaller tablets. However, after the recent success of 7-inch tablets from peers such as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Apple has realized that there is a market for the smaller device and now aims to harness the benefits of the same.

Huge market waiting for the Mini

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Good Things Come in Small Packages

''I think the best is yet to come'' ... John O'Neill. Photo: Getty Images

AS JOHN O'NEILL announced a farewell to the Australian Rugby Union yesterday, much was made of his ability to leave the sport in better shape than when he took over.

Where he will leave Australian rugby is not where he had hoped, but it is not far away either. As he admitted: ''Not where we'd like to be, but I think the best is yet to come.''

Whether that future includes Wallabies coach Robbie Deans remains to be seen. The ARU will not only lose one of Australian sport's most recognised and formidable administrators, when O'Neill leaves later this month, but also one of Deans's staunchest allies.

With O'Neill due to retire as chief executive and managing director, after two stints and a total of 14 years, Deans's future will be further clouded. O'Neill was instrumental in Deans re-signing last year.

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In typical style, O'Neill defended that decision yesterday, as he was asked whether it had been a mistake.

''He was given a two-year extension, and as with every employee, is subject to regular reviews,'' he said. ''The board conducts that review. The board's pretty well-equipped to do that, with four former Wallabies, including the chairman, John Eales, Brett Robinson and George Gregan.''

ARU chairman Michael Hawker was quick to back Deans too.

''We're very comfortable with Robbie Deans,'' Hawker said. ''I'd just like to put Robbie Deans's performance in context as well.

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ARU chief exits confident of future success

The pursuit of superb physical fitness, high-level conditioning and supreme pace are goals which are shared by coaches and trainers up and down the country.

Whether it is at school, university, club or county level, the desire to parade teams that are the embodiment of these three qualities is ongoing for the greater part of the year.

The days of lapping playing-fields, engaging in rather meaningless practice games and performing only the most basic of physical exercises are long gone.

Instead, detailed fitness programmes are diligently prepared and followed rigidly both on an individual and collective basis.

Yet there is one other attribute that is absolutely necessary if real progress is to be achieved and that is hunger.

A teams appetite for success can be quickly gauged from players body language during games and often opponents, sensing chinks in their armour in this context, can overpower them without necessarily playing with greater poise and panache.

Hunger has been clearly rampant on more than one front this year.

Cork revealed a high-intensity attitude during the National League to collect their third title on the trot, while Donegal underlined their yearning to be eventually regarded as a great team and not just a good team by winning back to back Ulster titles.

Perhaps the greatest level of hunger was exhibited by Kilkenny both as a unit and on an individual front.

I cannot think of any player in any code who best encapsulated the real meaning of hunger this year than Noel Hickey (pictured).

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Joe Kernan: Success built on hunger games

CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the surge in small business growth at the roots of America's economic turnaround, the nation's leading live success event producers, Powerteam International, is announcing an alliance partnership with the legendary publishing house Nightingale-Conant.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Rainmaker Summit held in Chicago in early October. Both Powerteam International founder Bill Walsh and Nightingale-Conant Chairman, Vic Conant, shared the stage for a packed session to announce their joint venture to attendees. This alliance brings two powerhouse companies together to secure the top seat in success education and training worldwide.

Bill Walsh, known widely as America's Business Expert, headlines and produces success training events all over the world presenting with Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Brown, T. Harv Eker and several other well-respected authors, speakers and business coaches. Walsh is celebrated for his business coaching on transformation and practical applications. Walsh's ability to relate to every person in his audience through life stories and his high-level business grasp empowers people to understand specifically what it takes to build successful companies.

"It is such an honor to have the opportunity to partner with true legends like Nightingale-Conant. They not only lead in the success and motivational publishing industry, they invented it. We are putting considerable resources and planning into our joint venture, and we are excited to work together to change even more lives," commented Walsh from the Rainmaker Summit in Germany.

Nightingale-Conant is the world's largest producer of audio programs and the global leader in self-development education to help entrepreneurs and leaders reach the highest level of personal and professional achievement. For over 50 years, Nightingale-Conant has consistently brought people the information, skills, and motivation needed to create the life of their dreams.

Since the days of Earl Nightingale and Lloyd Conant, the Nightingale-Conant brand has had a simple yet marvelous purpose: to help people realize their full potential and to make them successful and happy. Everyone from Anthony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie, and Deepak Chopra to the next generation of thought leaders, Nightingale-Conant's roster is a who's who list of authors and educators from around the world.

"What Bill Walsh and Powerteam International have done for the success education industry is amazing. We are excited to bring a world class live event component to Nightingale-Conant and we could not have dreamed of a better partner," commented Nightingale-Conant Chairman Vic Conant.

Both Walsh and Conant will be making a world wide announcement of the new alliance partnership on November 10th at "Inspiration2020" in Los Angeles. "The Inspiration2020 event is bringing together the top success education and training programs in the world, including industry favorites CEO Space and Peak Potentials. Inspiration2020 will be the largest success training event of the year," continued Walsh.

In addition, Powerteam International and Nightingale-Conant will be co-producing "Success Fest" in March 2013. The Chicago event will also serve as the Nightingale-Conant All-Star weekend, including both brands industry leading roster. With early confirmations from some of the most celebrated authors in America, both organizations are already fielding early sponsorship and ticket sales requests.

For more information on Inspiration2020 and to purchase one of the last remaining tickets for this sell-out event, visit http://www.Inspiration2020.com. For additional information on the Nightingale-Conant legacy visit http://www.Nightingale.com. For media inquiries for both organizations and the Success Fest All-Star Weekend please contact Chris Foltz at 312-772-4865 or by email at chris@christopherfoltz.com.

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Success Events Leader Powerteam International and Success Education Publishing Powerhouse Nightingale-Conant Announce ...

The simple lifestyle of the Amish involves more than just their limited use of modern technology. By taking a simple approach to business and finance, the culture has produced stunningly successful businesses and very healthy personal finances. In this article, we'll explore the Amish culture and take a look at some financial lessons that you can apply.

Who Are the Amish?The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships that form a part of the Mennonite church. After beginning in Switzerland around 1700, the culture migrated to the United States in the early 18th century. There are now an estimated 250,000 Amish in the U.S. alone. They live primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana.

The culture is best known for its simple living, plain clothing and lack of modern technology, including the use of electricity from grid sources. Families tend to be larger than average with members only able to marry other members of the Amish community.

Despite the lack of modern technology, the Amish make money in a variety of different occupations, including produce farming, at-home shops, market stands, woodworking, factories, and common services like accounting or taxidermy. Most of the funds from these activities are invested in real estate rather than stocks or bonds.

Personal Finance TipsFrom designer label clothing to the latest smartphones, most American consumers are always looking for the "next best thing" while being bombarded by advertisements from every angle. The Amish live a very different lifestyle that encourages simplicity, sharing and community, which also happen to be the cornerstones of effective personal finance.

Here are some specific tips that can be applied to everyday life:

Pursue Simplicity Simple solutions to common problems are often cheaper and more effective than complex ones. For instance, buying a new riding lawnmower may make life easier right now, but there is likely a higher cost of ownership in the long run compared to a traditional push mower.

Embrace Community Using family or communities to help out can help reduce costs for large and small projects. For instance, asking neighbors to help lay bricks for a new patio is far less expensive than hiring contractors to do the same thing. Joining a local running club can be far cheaper than buying a gym membership.

Maximize Resources Reduce, reuse and recycle are three terms that aren't used enough in modern society. From handing down clothing to using an old laptop as an Internet TV box, there are many different ways to maximize what we have in order to avoid buying new products.

Do It Yourself DIY projects can help save money and build new skills. For instance, many simple home repairs can easily be accomplished by reading an article online or watching a YouTube video. Cooking meals at home can save hundreds of dollars each month in unnecessary spending at restaurants and cafes.

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Money Tips From The Amish

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Farren Drury MBE, one of the UKs foremost transformational leadership and high performance coaches, has launched the unique Make it Yours Visual Success Map (VSM), a web and iPad-based goal mapping App designed to help people achieve their individual and joint goals and reach their maximum potential.

The Make It Yours App, is available through the Apple App store, was inspired by the wealth of experience Farren has built both in his distinguished military career and as a transformational leadership coach working with elite athletes, government departments and blue chip businesses globally.

The App can be adapted to achieving any kind of goal - from increasing business turnover to helping students pass exams, and from helping sportsmen achieve their goals to helping people lose weight - works by helping people to map out their routes to success. It promotes a high level of self-belief and enables people to gain support by sharing their goals with others.

The App allows the user to completely personalise their maps, incorporating pictures, music, videos and photographs that helps to inspire them in achieving their goal. The maps can be shared with friends and colleagues via social media platforms such as Facebook. A range of templates are provided which can help to get people started. Make it Yours is unique amongst goal setting software, and its being widely acknowledged as an exciting powerful and leading tool in the goal mapping arena.

Farren Drury, creator of the Make It Yours App, commented:

Often people with huge ambition cant see the wood for the trees - we all have so much everyday pressure it is easy for our big plans to be overshadowed by the plethora of other activities in our lives. When it comes to achieving excellence in a clearly defined task, success depends on the ability to put these distractions aside and focus on the clear steps you need to take to achieve what you want.

In 2012, we saw the nation going for gold. This innovative new App is part of that Olympic legacy which can help anyone to achieve their full potential. Harnessing visual, practical and action elements, the software will appeal to virtually anyone who wants to achieve anything and improve their life for the better, be it on a personal, group or corporate level.

-ends-

Notes to Editors

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Unique Visual Success Mapping Software Launched by Farren Drury MBE

WORCESTER, Mass., Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Despite the rising cost of tuition, more than 80 percent of emerging adults ages 18 to 29 agree that one of the most important keys to success in life is a college education, according to the Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults.

Regardless of the potential debt awaiting them after graduating and the dire news about the job market for their generation, emerging adults insist that college costs are well spent. Nearly 90 percent are confident that eventually they will get what they want out of life. In addition, 16 percent of those surveyed believe that finishing college is the most important factor for becoming an adult.

"Today's emerging adults are optimistic. They know they're entering an economy that rewards the ability to use information to solve problems, and that's something a college education provides," said Clark Psychology Professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, who directed the study. "Emerging adults also know that employers select candidates who have a college degree over those who don't. Most emerging adults are willing to invest time, effort, and money into pursuing a degree."

"The Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults helps us identify the values, beliefs and expectations of 18- to 29-year-olds, including college students and graduates," said Clark University President David Angel. "Clark launched the Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP) model for liberal education to give emerging adults the opportunity to develop the skills and capabilities that are crucial to success while helping them prepare for a productive, fulfilling life after college."

Clark's pioneering LEEP program better prepares today's students for the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world by fully integrating life-changing global, workplace and personal experiences with an innovative liberal arts curriculum, partnerships with leading employers and Clark alumni, and the signature Clark outcome of effective practice.

The Clark poll also shows that 37 percent of emerging adults have not been able to find enough financial support to get the education they need. Responding to this issue, Clark focuses on cutting costs without compromising the value of its education. "As a university, we stress being responsible to our students by ensuring a valuable return on investment. This is the essence of LEEP," said Angel.

The Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults is based on 1,029 interviews of 18- to 29-year-olds nationwide. The margin of error is +/- 3.06 percent. A mixed-mode methodology was used for this project. Visit http://www.clarku.edu/clarkpoll.

Founded in 1887 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Clark University is a small, liberal arts-based research university addressing social and human imperatives on a global scale. Clark is emerging as a transformative force in higher education today. LEEP (Liberal Education and Effective Practice) is Clark's pioneering model of education combining a robust liberal arts curriculum with life-changing world and workplace experiences. http://www.clarku.edu

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Survey: College Education Is Key To Success In Life For 18- To 29-Year-Olds

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 10, 2012) - The new book "Act. Adapt. Achieve." (Bionic Publishing, October 2012, ISBN: 1478286830: $12.95 paperback, $3.99 Kindle) reveals what is missing in the pursuit of most goals: the periodic analysis of the results of one's actions and the subsequent adaptations and course corrections that can lead to success. In this book, author Dean Erickson shares the process he developed while achieving success in academics, athletics, entertainment and the business world, as an Ivy League college graduate, honored athlete, former working actor and Wall Street trader, and current CEO of Bionic Capital LLC. "Act. Adapt. Achieve." introduces Erickson's newly-created "Idea Circle," which can be used by individuals who seek greater success in business, athletics, weight loss or almost any endeavor, and by larger organizations for project management, product development and other purposes.

The book explains how to:

Packed with motivation and information, including Success Worksheets to help readers stay on track, "Act. Adapt. Achieve." is meant for anyone who wants to live their best life and attain their goals.

"Too many people hope for success more than they plan and work for it," says Erickson. "Rather than simply hoping that 'the universe will provide,' know that you already have everything you need to achieve success. You just have to accept responsibility and use what you already possess."

Erickson wrote "Act. Adapt. Achieve." as a follow-up to his first personal development book, "Choose Your Story, Choose Your Life," in which he wrote about the challenges he faced growing up in a home with an alcoholic father, and how he transformed his life by choosing to focus on and tell the best version of his personal story.

Ten percent of net proceeds from the sale of both books will benefit charities that help children achieve their dreams as well as The V. Foundation for Cancer Research.

To view the Idea Circle or for more information, visit http://www.ActAdaptAchieve.com.

Excerpt from:
Author Dean Erickson's New Book: "Act. Adapt. Achieve." Reveals Missing Step to Success and Introduces Idea Circle

Dismal market returns haven't exactly created a tailwind for 401(k) and IRA portfolios over the last decade or so, but an equally pernicious -- and more entrenched -- problem is that our brains are messing with our retirement plans.

"We are wired for financial defeat," says Rapid City, South Dakota, certified financial planner Rick Kahler. "Whatever has the most emotional juice right now is what gets our attention. Invest $5,000 in your IRA for a retirement that is 10, 20, 30 years away? Or spend the $5,000 for a vacation to the Bahamas?" All too often, the Bahamas wins out.

William Meyer, founder of Social Security Solutions, notes that our thirst for immediate gratification can easily take a six-figure toll.More than two-thirds of folks opt to claim a lower Social Security benefit starting as early as age 62. For a married couple, than can mean leaving as much as $100,000 on the table. "If you wait to claim until age 70, you're locking in a benefit that is 76 percent larger," says Meyer.

More productive planning

Forever tweaking your asset allocation probably won't get you near the retirement payoff that tweaking your brain will achieve. Consider these strategies for engaging your brain in more productive retirement planning:

Get Thee to a Calculator, Pronto: OK, you know you probably should be saving more for retirement. And when life keeps intervening -- that Bahamas vacation you and yours really really need, or the realization that the kid's orthodontia isn't covered by insurance -- you tell yourself that next year, you'll ramp up your savings rate. You've got plenty of time, right?

What you may not realize is how expensive that time is. Research conducted by Craig McKenzie, a psychology professor at the University of California, San Diego, shows that we have a tendency to "massively underestimate the cost of waiting to save. It's difficult to appreciate the difference between giving yourself 20 years to save and 40 years."

For example, a 30-year-old who is saving $10,000 a year and earning an annualized 6 percent will have $1.2 million at age 65. Care to guess what someone starting at 45 will have? About $390,000. The younger saver invests $150,000 more than the 45-year-old does, and in return has an ending balance that's $800,000 larger. Even if you're already past your 20s and 30s, you might find it eye-opening to see how extending your investment timeline by delaying retirement on the back end of the calculation can help matters. Your company retirement plan probably has an online calculator you can play with; or try this one.

Make it Personal: How you frame retirement savings decisions can help boost your ability to delay gratification. When individuals were asked if they'd prefer to have $3,400 in one month or $3,800 in two months, 57 percent chose the latter. When the same scenario was framed in terms of one's personal age -- "when you are 2 months older" -- 83 percent chose to wait for the bigger payoff.

How does that translate to better retirement planning? Yale School of Management marketing professor Shane Frederick, one of the study's authors, says a 50-year-old who frames a savings goal as "when I am 65" will likely be more patient to focus on that delayed gratification, than someone who frames it as a more generic "in 15 years."

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Retirement Planning 2.0: Retrain Your Brain for Financial Success

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My Personal Success Story: Carmen - Video