Investing has changed drastically over the years. Many of the tools that were hardly accessible or cost money to use are now available at the click of a button. For instance, one of the best tools that investors can access online is the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. The SEC is an independent federal regulatory agency tasked with protecting investors and capital, overseeing the stock market and proposing and enforcing federal securities laws. By using the SEC, you can view information about brokerage firms, investment advisor representatives, and their professional background and conduct. This could include current registrations, employment history, and disclosures about certain disciplinary events involving the individuals. However, these tools that are accessible online can only effectively be used if you have a solid understanding of basic investing principles. One in which includes only purchasing businesses that have excellent management. When you are looking to trust your money inside the walls of a business, you need to have confidence in the people leading the company. Management capable of taking the company to new heights. People who live and breathe the business. Responsible individuals who make decisions that lead the company in the right direction. Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos, a great example of an effective and honest leader, who cultivated a strong sense of culture in his company. He once stated, “In addition to trying to WOW our customers, we also try to WOW our employees and the vendors and business partners that we work with. We believe that it creates a virtuous cycle, and in our own way, we're making the world a better place and improving people's lives. It's all part of our long term vision to deliver happiness to the world." This week, Danielle discusses why company analysis is so important in the investing process, and why a strong leader such as Tony Hsieh is one of the key factors to a high-performance business. Learn more about finding quality stocks to invest in with the Rule #1 Four Ms for Successful Investing Guide. Click here to download: https://bit.ly/2JzMXpC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices