These are a selection of course appraisals from past seminars.

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"Interesting to hear the changes in mind-set as the weeks passed."

"I will succeed or fail on my own decisions, and my own decisions alone."

"Excellent content and insight into the working of the market."

"I wish I had been introduced to the opportunity of learning to trade futures 20 years ago"

"The description of the operation of the markets was a complete revelation"

"What I have learnt in the last few weeks will be with me for the rest of my life"

"If I wasn't confident I could do it, having learnt enough, I would have said so."

"I really felt as if somebody had woken me up to reality."

"Investment in terms of time and money very worthwhile."

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Venue - could be improved as we all accept - too claustrophobic, hot etc., and insufficient, comfortable space. However, suitable in the final analysis.

Content/structure - we were all impatient and perhaps only realised in the later stages, the importance of getting the basics - cash cannon etc., ingrained, and the undertaking of the movements of stock in the real world. Our need to see the charts early on was premature and any group criticisms in the early days petered out as time went on.

Presentation - I would suggest that the ideal way, only perhaps in week 2, to show us the evolution of the market would be to project the charts, ideally bit by bit, as they would evolve on your screen, onto a large display that could be discussed bar by bar, cash beside future. Get us to appreciate the evolution of the day as we will experience it. Not easy because you would need a history to do a proper analysis.

Group - good bunch of guys from a wide variety of backgrounds. Interesting to hear the changes in mind-set as the weeks passed.

Action

• Get set-up
• Paper trade
• Curb impatience
• Get confident
• Take action

P.S. Only criticism is really that when reading the books, there was too much time between quotes while you looked for them. As you were aware, our minds wandered and I think if you had pre-marked them, it would have been better for our concentration. Perhaps we should have been asked to explain the cash cannon/bull/bear tests etc. amongst ourselves more often, relating to the actual stock movements to get the whole process truly ingrained, and have the quotes ready to hand.

Duncan:

Just a brief word of appreciation for the seminar - as Trevor said the best money ever spent.

Look forward to staying in touch.

Peter Baker

Benefits - The course was very rewarding, both from a learning perspective, but also as a paradigm shift in my future life. Trading, I am sure, will provide me with a way of life that will bring benefits previously unforeseen. For example, I will now have the freedom of choice to make my own decisions unencumbered by the demands of employer, banker, customer or creditor. I will succeed or fail on my own decisions, and my own decisions alone.

Venue - The venue of the course proved to be far more suitable than at first impression. The surroundings gave one the ambiance to focus on what was being taught with little or no outside distractions. The Committee Room was favoured due to more room and direct fresh air without loosing the focus of the Plumer Room bunker.

Course Content - This was superb. Duncan's presentation style of repetitive dissemination of course material made sure that what was intended to be imparted, found its way into the subconscious, as well as the conscious, and I am sure created the situation where all course members will be able to simply recall the key issues and methodologies. The constant emphasis on being cautious, paper trading and imposition of stops, should ensure that all course attendees leave with no double of what they should do. I do not believe the content or the pattern of the course needs to be changed in any way.

Personal Opinion - I have really enjoyed spending these two weeks learning from a Master, and feel privileged to have done so.

The course was reassuringly expensive.

Mike Murley

Excellent content and insight into the working of the market.

One example of each of the types of market action at the top and bottom of market on a projector or blackboard would help the initial understanding of the type of thing to look for. Other things which may be displayed for better understanding and copy:

• Cash cannon diagram
• Position sheet
• Standard deviation
• Rise mushroom top drop and test
• Price waterfall
• Daily list of key things/summary to remember

Dear Duncan,

Thank you for the insights into the workings of the stock market, they have allowed me to correctly predict the FTSE four times this week for a total of 300 points, pity I did not have any money on these paper trades.

The aforementioned predictions were made by watching the price and future action and the limited software I currently have

Trevor Lane

I wish I had been introduced to the opportunity of learning to Trade Futures some twenty years ago, and God being willing, feel this same way in the not too distant future.

Thank you Duncan. Every success in the future.

Greg R

Venue - I thought the venue was fine. Although the room was small, this helped to create a good atmosphere, almost a "bunker" mentality. Although it was sometimes hot and noisy, again this mimics market and trading conditions, which will not always be ideal!

Structure - The two week break was OK, though a week would have been enough. The lack of a formal, pre-defined structure of topics was disconcerting at first, as was the slightly disjointed presentation with essential information being dropped into general discussion, and with changes of pace. However, I got used to these things and came to prefer that approach, again it reflects the markets.

Content - The description of the operation of the markets was a complete revelation to me, even though I have worked in related areas for many years. The psychology and subconscious aspects and readings from books were also surprising, but equally useful. I feel that what I have learned will literally change my life.

Group - The size and composition of the group was just right. We had many fruitful discussions.

Future action - I will now start a month of paper trading and, if successful, will start to trade in April.

Jon Kellett

Venue - The location of the venue was good, easy access to the tube. In terms of the rooms, odd that we were not situated in a sufficient size room for eight persons. In terms of services, it would have been good to have, say sandwiches during lunch time, and also a jug of fresh water (these are common items which you get nearly always in most conference/meeting rooms).

Structure - It would have been nice to know the overall structure, but not vital. The structure is something that some people like to keep them happy. For me, I would have appreciated a little more structure on the second week of the seminar.

Content - This was OK. Would like to have seen more information during the second week as things were a bit slow paced. Possibly more emphasis on chart reading.

Presentation - Could have been better. Use of an overhead projector to project charts for the whole group to see.

All in all, what I have learnt in the last few weeks will be with me for the rest of my life. You have not just taught me invaluable trading skills, but also skills that will also make me a better allround person. "Nam - Myoho - Renge - Kyo."

Haydyn Matthews

I have come to the course with no knowledge of the markets, or anything to do with trading. The course has taught me a great deal, and enough for me to be able to go home and make trading my new career. If I wasn't confident I could do it, having learnt enough, I would have said so. The understanding of the cash cannon and the markets has been well drummed in, as well as the need to paper trade. My army training courses has made the course feel a little slow at times, and I have felt a need for one or two handouts. Perhaps after detailed discussion, as not to confuse the importance of writing it down to learn. My only criticism of the teaching aspect is that I felt the way you page through books to be a slow way to get a message across.

In the main, points were brought out, already prepared. Some of the time we spent sitting, and this could have been spent on charts. I won't know if more time on charts was needed until I get home.

In all, the two weeks was enjoyable and only time can tell if it is my best investment, but I think it is.

Andrew Habgood

I found the whole subject absolutely fascinating. I really felt as if somebody had woken me up to reality and I had my eyes truly wide open for the first time in my life.

It is a complex and at times nebulous subject and I think that the way you put it across suited my learning style very well. You made this often perceived as impossible subject entirely accessible to me and I feel that that is very much an achievement to you.

As far as my criticisms are concerned, I find myself very much in two minds. I appreciate your desire for the student to really learn and understand, and to achieve this you have designed your teaching so that there are no written notes and so the student therefore has to 'feed' back to you through their notes that they have understood the concepts. This, in some ways, is the only way to learn, and it suited me. However, I think that it would be very useful to have some things already written down - as a means of visualising these unusual concepts. That is why I asked to photocopy your note of the market cycle with the relevant actions written down accordingly in their place. I would also have liked to have had some charts to keep in note form which clearly illustrate the various 5 actions at the top and bottom of the market - in their various permutations. I know these are infinite, but it would help an apprentice trader to begin to see, and therefore understand how one needs to begin to train the eye to recognise these movements.

I am a visual person and always like to have something in my hand which I can see, so that I can apply myself and understand.

I also believe that regular breaks scheduled during the day are very necessary, because the human mind can only take in so much at such intensity, and needs to stop to be able to come back afresh, this I think we did achieve.

You conveyed the world of trading very well in all its dimensions and I very much appreciated the emphasis you placed on greed and fear and the traps both these emotions will play to potential traders. I was very pleased with the way you managed to convey the mechanics of trading and the human factors - you showed the inevitable synthesis between them in an objective and cautionary way.

I will stop there and finish by saying how much I enjoyed our teaching sessions and how delighted I am that I followed my instincts to ring you up. Thank you very much Duncan, for opening up such a hidden and fascinating world to me.

Frances Sutton

Venue - Adequate. First 2 days somewhat uncomfortable which did not help concentration. Also would have benefited from more regular & organised (in time terms) breaks (small = OK) so as to refresh & maintain concentration levels - less of factor in second week when atmosphere more relaxed and felt able to disappear for short spell.

Structure - In terms of how course was put together / developed = excellent. Well understand the necessity to instil principles in early stages & repeat, while gradually moving on to the more interesting aspects (charts etc).

Presentation - Good and worked well with group size. May have helped to have had photocopies of charts as they were discussed so as could make notes - relying somewhat on memory here. Generally overhead projections etc not required.

Group - Worked well as a 3 with the persons involved / DR. Perhaps ideal number. More than 5 would have assumed classroom proportions & lot of personal input from individuals may have been lost.

Content - Excellent. Lived up to & beyond all expectations. Emphasis on psychological aspects very helpful from self development perspective & helped to put whole project in context. The real importance of this however is probably not yet realised. Apart from sheer nuts & bolts of course was very interesting & stimulating as well.

Use of systematic vinsevism - a good approach to the subject & life in general. Supportable evidence, analysis - action.

Apart from the mechanics of cash cannon, the principles of patience, practice & persistence stick with me & the use of slogans here is very good / powerful & enjoyable. Good to make up your own & stick on wall.

Discussion of mental state - getting in right frame, staying there, avoidance of other viewpoints, millionaire mindset all very strengthening. The practice of trading requires this but also helps one to nurture the right state - working at home, bunker mentality etc. The opportunity to home trade is therefore a powerful hook to enable one to achieve many self help / personal goals. Downside - not getting out and meeting people every day. So what? Better to be selective.

General
On basis that best thing teaching can do is teach / inspire tutees to teach themselves then the course was a major success. This is partly due to the fact that the concept / opportunity is so powerful, however the content / structure of the course and delivery also very important. Introduction to books to read & subject in general = very inspiring. Overall course opened up a whole new & inspiring window giving huge opportunity.

Investment in terms of time & money very worthwhile.

Course was very enjoyable (this is important).

Openness of DR (& other group members) in sharing thoughts / experiences contributed hugely to the success of the course.

Alastair Kerr

 

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