Literally since the day she was born people have been complimenting my daughter. Her looks, her brains, her charm (she takes after her mother) and her behavior. For that last one I sometimes get credit. Not that I deserve it. Mostly I’ve stood by and simply watched in awe and tried not to get in… [Continue Reading]
Archives for June 2011
The Myth of Motivation
Alec Baldwin, with his best flinty-eyed glare, announces the new sales contest. “First prize,” he says “is a brand new Cadillac Eldorado. Second prize is this set of steak knives. Third prize: You’re fired.” The movie is “Glengarry, Glenross.” Baldwin is the ruthless sales manager addressing his motley crew of losers and has-beens. Their mission… [Continue Reading]
Why You Need F-You Money
Shortly after 9/11 my company kicked me to the curb. Six months earlier our division president had taken me to a congratulations lunch for a record breaking year. We were explosively growing and embarrassingly profitable. Over a bottle of fine wine we discussed my very bright future. It was the best job I’ve ever had…. [Continue Reading]
My short attention span
Now that I’ll probably never have a full-time job again I’ve finally figured out something. I’m good for about four years. I just quit my job. Best boss I’ve ever had. Great properties. Wonderful team. Fine industry. Customers who were friends. My boss said, “You may not believe it now, but in a couple of… [Continue Reading]
Why I Can’t Pick Winning Stocks, and You Can’t Either
Don’t feel bad. Most pros can’t either. Indexing vs. active management is always a fascinating debate, at least for us stock geeks with nothing better to do. Over the decades I’ve been on both sides of it at various times. For a very long time I laughed—ha, ha, ha, ha—at the indexers. I made all… [Continue Reading]
The Monk and the Minister
OK, let’s get this blog off and running. Here’s one of my favorite parables to get us started: Two close boyhood friends grow up and go their separate ways. One becomes a humble monk, the other a rich and powerful minister to the king. Years later they meet. As they catch up, the minister (in… [Continue Reading]
