HIPS report surveyor, talking about investment and 48 Laws of Power

Last night we did a Google search to compare prices of Home Information Packs (HIP) reports. I choose a web site that compares estimates for HIPs called 'Local Surveyors Direct'. I registered and it gave me eight quotes from businesses offering HIPs reports from the general area. They ranged from about £185 + VAT to £360+ and VAT. Within a few minutes of registering Mark got a call from Iftikhar Ahmed from Energy National offering a good deal and able to come today to do the initial survey. Iftikhar arrived on time, was friendly and efficient and got on with the job. This was a good experience, this bloke is busy, he has excellent customer service skills and we enjoyed sharing our business plan with him. He said he'd come and visit when we get there.

I talked to a friend today who agreed to pass our Business Presentation on to a friend of his who deals in investments and mortgages for a large UK bank. He said he would ask this contact if he would be willing to give us some advice and tips when approaching potential investors , banks and mortgage lenders.

Over the weekend I read an article about 50 Cent the hip-hop rapper and Robert Greene author of "The 48 Laws of Power". The Guardian described Green's book as an "unsentimental view of humanity". Unattrative statements such as "crush your enemy totally" should have repelled me. I was, however, curious and today I read a summary I found on the web. It is vicious, hard-arsed stuff. This is not a recommendation. But in between the aggressive and combatative language there is a curiously resonate realism to some of his statements. If there are people using this sort of philosophy as a way to inform their actions and lead their lives, then for me, it is worth paying attention.