Say a billionaire approached you and asked: in a perfect world what would you need to be your best trader?  Assume you worked at a prop firm so any of this would also be available for your fellow traders.  He would offer an open checkbook.  You would trade and focus only on growing your P&L.

Here is my partial list:

1) Programmers to build and improve trading tools to grow our P$L.

2) A team of outside trading coaches available to work with traders on individual concerns.

3) Capital for the best traders to take on more risk.

4) Money dedicated solely to building moral.

5) Draws for traders working hard, not yet making enough money in their first two years.

6) A culture committed to getting better everyday.  For example I recently visited a top US Hedge Fund that offers an in-house gym and personal trainers for anyone interested.  I am not suggesting a firm needs a gym just the culture of always striving to get better and the understanding that all the little things like exercise are important.

7) Access to all markets and products.

8) An ability to always grow- a firm without a ceiling.

9) Capital for new systems developed and back tested by traders that most interest them.

10) A firm training you to be your best person with trading as the vehicle for this growth.  It is not about the money.  It is not about just the competition.  It is about growing people who know they can become great at anything because they have as traders.

What would be on your list?

Mike Bellafiore

Author, One Good Trade