The creation of “Commando in your pocket” was a real school for me personally and for those of us who worked to create it. As a journalist, I am usually the observer of the effort and I am really glad that I have now been given the opportunity to move from observation to action, to alleviate the problem of financial illiteracy in the country. Through “Commando”, I learned a lot this year. I want in this text, if you allow me, as a Christmas present, to share two of the many things I remembered or learned while making “Commando” and that I believe will help you too.
I was lucky enough to live what we discuss through the podcast, how it is the companies and the small groups that make the difference. How, when people are found who think the same way, but with different talents and a willingness to interact complementarily, the result is always successful. I learned first hand what Cleopatra Kitti explains through the podcast, how we must seek, find our “race” to create. Look for 2021 and you your own race.
I also remembered the value of having what Cleopatra describes in podcasts as “your board.” That is, your own mentors, whom you will resort to to learn through their experience, who will discuss your options and will help you find your next steps. Without this support, our options and capabilities are severely limited. In the end, the damage will inevitably reach “our pocket”.
Due to my profession, many times friends and acquaintances approach me because they want my advice on issues related to the management of their personal finances. I am honored by the trust they show me and I hope that I do not give the impression of a “know” journalist. I want to believe that I always remind myself that another journalist of financial reporting and another financial advisor. How I always refer them to seek professional advice and how very difficult I will refer them to a specialist. It is these conversations that we had together, these questions that I was not able to answer, your urgent need for information, that opened the console in the studio of Politis and hosted his friend and co-creator of “Commando in your pocket” and its creator “Queens of Money” Cleopatra Kitti.
We thank my sister Maria Georgiou who supports us in creating and promoting the podcast and Panagiotis Konstantinidis for the technical editing. Our institutional sponsor, the Association of Banks of Cyprus and especially the director Mr. Michalis Kammas, who believed in the sincere effort we make and supported it. Special thanks to my colleague, director of “Politis” Dionysis Dionysiou, who hosts us at his place for the production of the podcast, and who became the communication sponsor, as well as the entire team of Politis who embraced our effort and shows each new episode “Commando”. We also thank AON Cyprus and its director Mrs. Filippo Manari, who encouraged us from the beginning, and for his practical support in the co-production of special episodes related to our retirement plan. Finally, we thank the academics who supported us and highlighted the problem of financial illiteracy through their research, the Cardet nonprofit team and all of you who follow us and are encouraged to continue our effort next year.
