America is a nation of optimists. Most of us are willing to "take a chance" on a gaudy speculation if it appeals to us, even though we don't really know much about it.
Now there's nothing wrong with this zeal to make a fortune. America grew great because its citizens have ever been willing to take long risks in hope of great gain. The trouble is that most people enter these long-shot speculations without investigation. They're willing to buy shares in almost any new company merely because it's in an exciting and highly popular business, such as electronics, boating, plastics, or automation. They're buying on imagination instead of information.
Now this is all wrong. Even with all the facts at hand you can "get stuck" or buy into a company headed nowhere. But you do owe it to yourself to get all the information you can about the venture before plunging in.
The first thing to consider is the product or service to be offered.
Is it in the mainstream of a rapidly growing demand? And is that demand likely to last? In 1955-1956 over four hundred uranium companies were launched. Their shares were feverishly snapped up by speculators, and swift market gains of 500%, 1000% and more were recorded in many of these radioactive issues.
Yet where are they today? Not more than a dozen of these atomic hopefuls of a few years back survived or succeeded. So examine, and try to appraise product or service demand and the durability thereof. The "horse collar" is unlikely to stage a comeback!
Growing Industrial Sectors
In the 1960's, the attractive "demand" areas seem to be in electronics, automation, photography, boating, motels, boatels, bowling, drugs, appliances, new metals and alloys, automatic vending, stereo and hi-fi, consumer finance, publishing, scientific instrumentation, and packaged foods. So, if you seek speculation with unusual growth potential, look among the foregoing. Merely investing in a promising industry, however, is not enough.
In a bright, hopeful company just starting out, there are three more things you must look for. The first is money. At least half of all new ventures fold up because they run out of capital. Be sure the money raised for this "dreamboat" you're looking at will carry it for the first two years. The worst sort of new venture is "operation rathole," where the management always needs "just a few thousand more" to stay alive.
Next after money comes management. At least ten per cent of all new companies are started by crackpots with some advanced and perhaps highly functional idea, designed plan, or patent. Such innovaters may have the best idea in the world, but they'll fail with it because they don't know how to run a business: to manufacture, to control costs, to merchandise, to finance, to follow up orders or leads, or to keep correct records and accounts. So check on the men who are going to run this new business. Are they solvent financially?
Have they had adequate practical or technical background and experience, preferably with a major company in a kindred line? Is there a plan for a balanced organization including competent accounting? So many promotions fail because the key man is too much of a specialist. He may be a wizard salesman but a poor production man. He may know sales promotion but have no idea about cost controls. These diverse talents can, of course, be bought or hired, but often the business founder insists on running a one-man band. That can be fatal.
The third important thing to look for in a new company is superiority of product or service. The new wares offered should be advanced, unusual and ahead of the field. Equally in products, attractive appearance, outstanding performance, durability and freedom from service or repair are vital. In mining and mineral enterprises, the quality and quantity of ore bodies or indicated mineral reserves are vitally important. It doesn't do much good to have a gold mine assaying $300 to the ton if the ore will shortly run out.
Do your homework before you invest and you will be sure to come out a winner!
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