I'm unsure if the point of my last post, http://boards.fool.com/Message.asp?mid=27276862 , was understood. Maybe my point was so self evident that everyone thought it a waste of time or perhaps I failed to communicate clearly. Or perhaps I was too socially incorrect for my target market. Who knows, the possibilities are endless.

I'll try again, as I think it is an important point that I was trying to make. Kelbon said "I can't see what is going to drive Walgreen's profits and stock price upwards"

Investors too often look at things through their own eyes rather then the from the perspective of the target market. That is why I suggested asking women about their Walgreen experience. It is important to understand the target market and see things through their eyes. Women are the predominate target market for pharmacies. As I said and Denny added to with his 'value of time' comment, location, location, location is also of great importance for pharmacies.

In investing it is important to know your limitations and how to work around these if you absolutely can't resist making a particular trade. My advice was not directly for kelbon, a person who I find clear of mind and open to ideas. I imagine (s)he is wise enough to stick to investments where he has edge, investments which are within his wheelhouse and where the potential greatly outweighs the risk. Like me, perhaps he and others here sometimes can't resist investing outside their competence. In those instances I find it useful to get as much input from the customers and the entire value chain as possible.

Over the last few years a major addition I've made to my investing is asking questions. These days most stores I go into I ask questions like:
- How's business?
- What's selling well?
- What's not selling?
People love being asked these questions and it can all be done during the transaction. It seems to make them happy and adds to my knowledge.
Talking to people I meet and know, I ask them about what ever they are in to. I ask kids what games are hot, what clothes are in and out, what stores, merchandise and drinks are cool. Adults are an endless source of information, I almost never encounter someone I can't learn something from. I've found that everyone loves to be thought of as an expert and enjoy talking about what they're in to. Everyone is worth listening to and if you don't learn something from them the failing is more than likely with you.

Cheers
Dean