It is surprising in an era where financial calamity is rampant and the average investor is powerless in the face of global trends that so few seem prepared to look further than leading internet sites for information.

Pressed for time, it seems people find it easier to go with the flow. Don’t get me wrong, I use the internet all the time, but importantly in conjunction with intelligence gleaned from substantial and purposeful interaction with a diverse network of business acquaintance as well as the odd gem of information or series of clues picked up randomly from articles, newspapers or conversations.

Simply ‘skimming the net’ as some advocate when research is needed, leads in the main to the highest ranking Google hit or put another way, to what most people know already. True intelligence reflects what most people do not know. Those with heightened awareness to this reality will find real information that if acted upon will encourage safe investment outside the patterns of the herd.

Informed research showed months ago that a financial calamity was in the making. Exorbitant property prices, easy and seemingly limitless mortgages were too good to be believed. Alarm bells alerted the savvy investor who then dug out hidden signs of market weakness that presaged an inevitable crash. It is only human to believe in proven patterns, but has history not shown over and over again that a good thing cannot last?  It is often beyond the will of most to conduct exhaustive internet searches that uncover unpopular and discordant opinion. Heeding these as a matter of course and factoring them into strategic planning can only be of benefit.