Finance · FORTUNE
Fortune #26
Mixed — reflect carefully
If you cannot explain how an investment might gain or lose value, give yourself time to understand it before committing money.
QUOTE CARD
A quote for you
“คุณสามารถรวมเครื่องปิ้งขนมปังกับตู้เย็นเข้าด้วยกันได้ แต่สิ่งเหล่านั้นอาจจะไม่เป็นที่ถูกใจผู้ใช้สักเท่าไหร่”
— ทิม คุก
ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่บริหาร Apple และผู้บริหารธุรกิจชาวอเมริกัน
- Person
- Tim Cook
- Source work
- During the Q & A session after an earnings call (2012-04-24)
- Source text
- You can converge a toaster and refrigerator, but these things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user.
STORY & REFLECTION
A product they cannot explain
Guidance-based illustration · A product they cannot explain
Illustrative scene: A colleague recommends a product with a complicated name and an attractive chart. The listener nods without understanding where returns come from or when principal could fall.
They request official documents, read risks and withdrawal terms, and try explaining the product plainly at home. Unable to do so, they ask more questions and keep the money uncommitted.
Investor.gov recommends checking the seller, risks, and disclosure documents before investing. If the product's workings remain unclear, ask questions before putting money at risk.
Not understanding is reason enough to pause.
Reflection
If you cannot explain how gains and losses occur, do not rush.
A small action today
Explain in your own words how the product may earn or lose money.
A question to reflect on
Which part of this product can you not yet explain?