What does it take to turn a lead into ...

I expect that by the word "lead" you would mean to go ahead (or beyond) or to show the way; while not forgetting to guide, influence or induce. If the above be correct, then the whole matter of this lead or need to lead would be fulfilled via an adherence to and abidance by your skill set or specialization. An expression of which may be enabled through the various resources and platforms available for such pursuits in today's time and age. Now, depending on the nature and subject of the specialization; and the need of others to keep pace with such matters the following may be dispersed, while the spread may range from a few hundred page views a day to probably thousands. But then again persons involved with marketing and the research thereof would look at the matter from the perspective of what their customers would require at a given point in time and over a period of time and would address such matters accordingly. Whichever way it may be viewed, it would all be quite dynamic; as the topography itself would be changing over the passage of time.

How superficial are decision makers?

Decision makers are not superficial by any standard; and if the person under study happens to be superficial then he would not qualify to be a decision maker. But, then again the world does have an above average representation of persons who do not really qualify as decision makers; and only time would prove this to be correct. Depending on the nature and import with regard to the decision to be taken; a decision maker may take a few moments to give a decision, as he has already studied the matter under review. While on other occasions the same decision maker may take months to decide as the decision would probably have a bearing on the future progression of the enterprise under his charge and there would be a higher factor of risk involved. Despite, the above there are no fixed rules with regard to the time taken to decide or make a decision; while the confidence of persons presenting the proposal would be an added advantage indeed.

How do people maintain resiliency during stressful experiences?

Resiliency or resilience would be an important part of the survival kit that all human beings (while not excluding the other species residing on our plant) are required to carry through life. Of course, it would be life itself that would teach an individual the importance of resiliency to overcome the various obstacles in life's path in positive fashion. Some would learn the lessons quickly while other would procrastinate and take their own sweet time; but learn they would. Depending on the nature of the obstacle and level of stress experienced, various people would respond differently.

Books on Short-term Stock Investment.

In today's time and age, a few weeks to three months would be considered short term, three to six months would be medium term and six months to a year would be long term. This would be based on the improved market efficiencies, affording better and faster information flow with regard to stocks you may have under study for onward investment. As you appear to be new to this highly specialized field of endeavour of investment analysis and portfolio management, you may consider a reading and understanding of the following books: Security Analysis by Graham & Dodd The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham One up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management by Prasanna Chandra For options and futures segment of the stock market you may consider reading: Options, Futures & Other Derivatives by John C. Hull (The options and futures segment should be avoided at all costs as an individual investor; although it may be tempting as it provides a leveraging of the investment capital under management, it would still be speculative in nature along with a higher factor of risk and would not qualify as investment). After reading the books listed above; it would be expected that you would develop your own unique investment system and methodology, along with risk control and money management tools and measures in place. Good luck.

LinkedIn IPO; will you become a shareholder?

All of us have been utilizing the resources at LinkedIn religiously; indeed it is a part of our daily regimen. Of course, the present valuations appear to be rich and not everyone would be able to get allotment through the IPO. I would take a closer look at the stock after it is listed in the stock markets in India. Thereafter, I would give preference to purchasing the stock in the secondary market; which after a period of time would provide a fairer estimation of its EPS and growth thereof; and more information would be available to make a reasonable decision. Of course, the price of the stock itself may be higher or lower and would be a fair discounting of the stock; but that would be a secondary consideration.

So, it's after 6pm here on the east coast of the USA and the world didn't end...

Yes, I did hear about this a few days back, and wondered whether the people around the world had become so bored with life that they wanted the occurrence of a global end. I have on occasion dabbled in philosophy and its relevance to present day life. Although, there are references to an end; but it would be more on the lines of the people probably achieving a level of self-actualization which would be beyond the philosophy as understood today. This may be concluded as the end of the present known philosophy, which would be replaced with a future philosophy of a higher level and standing. Despite, the above the struggle of the classes and the battles between nature and mankind would continue unabated. Looking forward to a happy and happier 2012 and beyond.

Why MNCs are getting leverage to exploit natural resources like water at minimal/no costs in spite of general people are not getting even clean drinking water?

While appreciating the concern you have expressed with regard to exploitation of natural resources by MNCs; this would appear to be more a matter of economics with a historical backdrop. To illustrate would require a repetition of views I may have expressed on an earlier occasion; which would be to say that in earlier times struggle and conflict (including but not limited to wars and battles) arose due to a need to have control over trade routes or parts thereof. However, in more recent times due to the advent of science and technology and the high speed of information flow on a global scale, the trade routes have been mostly secured. Now, the battle ground has shifted to take control of the end points of these trade routes; these end points are of course abundant in natural resource. Which would over a period of time enable the controllers of the end points to charge prices depending on economic factors; including but not limited to the value addition that may be undertaken. The collateral damage would of course include displacement of the population otherwise residing at such locations. To cut a long story short, this is economics at play.

What is the best way to locate and buy an Investment Advisor's book of business?

It would appear that you are looking for an introductory book on investment management; in which case "Investing made Simple" by Antony Loviscek would probably fit the bill.

If I only had one year to live, I would ...

I have given much thought to this question over the years; and on every occasion I have concluded to live life to the fullest every day, the year and thereafter would look after itself. Of course, on average I make sure that my day has a positive start and negative occurrences during the day are kept to a minimal and acceptable level; and I do make time at the end of the day to do a recap and how to better my day the next day. It would only be fair to say that the description above is not an easy task and would take much practice over a lifetime.

New to Investment.

The question is indeed refreshing. The starting point would be to read a few good books on investment analysis and portfolio management; after which you may consider developing your very own investment system, including but not limited to both process and methodology. Then would come the stage of simulating the system with real time data while utilizing only pen and paper without application of real money. After ironing out the deviations with regard to risk and return of the investment system; it would be time to take on real time stock positions to test the waters. As long as you abide by the initial investment objectives and related strategies and tactics and improve on them over the passage of time; you would find results building up to your expectations. Of course, you would be required to keep a close watch with regard to both risk control and investment capital management. While keeping away from the futures and options segment of the market as these would be speculative; and therefore would not qualify as investment. As you would appreciate there are no free lunch tickets here nor are there any short-cuts. The process described above would take anywhere between 5 to 7 years to complete; and you would be learning new things every day. It would require patience, fortitude and skill to achieve any level of success in this highly specialized field of endeavour.