This is an early and non-controlled, but quite exciting, study from Arizona State University that points to the relationship between health and gut microbiome. FMT stands for Fecal Matter Transplant. “Prior to the study, 83 percent of participants had ‘severe’ autism. Now, only 17 percent are rated as severe, 39 percent as mild or moderate, and incredibly, 44 percent are below the cut-off for mild ASD.” Two years later, the children are doing even better. | learn more
A template for churn, MRR and cohort analysis
“The idea is that you have to enter only a small amount of data and everything else is calculated automatically.” | learn more
The problem with ‘5 whys’
Do you remember learning about the strategy for root cause analysis that involves asking why five times? Don’t get carried away with this tool. Click the link for great reasoning and examples. | learn more
How to prep for a better board meeting
This is a wonderful post from entrepreneur-turned-VC Mark Suster about making board meeting more impactful. If you participate on boards at any level, this is valuable info. | learn more
Interview with LVMH Chief Digital Officer
This interview is a great reminder of China’s outsized role in the luxury goods market. “Ian Rogers, the chief digital officer of LVMH sat down with Jing Daily to talk about reinventing the biggest luxury group in the world and the huge role China is playing in the luxury industry.” | learn more
Government raid exposes $1B telemarketing Medicare scam
“The federal government on Tuesday raided dozens of locations belonging to doctors and medical equipment companies suspected of taking part in a massive telemarketing scam that targeted Medicare recipients and cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion.” | learn more
Facebook seeking $1B in VC money for crypto project
“Citing sources familiar with the matter, [New York Times tech reporter Nathaniel] Popper states that Facebook is seeking a $1 billion sum to develop its cryptocurrency project. He states that seeking outside investment could keep the project more in line with the crypto community’s decentralized ethos…” | learn more
Why growth rates matter so much for valuation
Tom Tunguz shares a different way to think of startup valuations closely tied to growth rates. If a startup is growing at 100%, 90% and 80% in the next 3 years, that means 85% of the value of the business will be created during those years. | learn more
The valuation vs traction matrix
Jason Calacanis explains early stage tech company valuations and demystifies some of the craziness we see. If you’re a founder, employee, or investor at early stage tech companies this is a worthwhile read. | learn more
Escalating opinions about the escalators planned for new O’Hare terminal
Tribune readers share escalator horror stories in response to the plan that “proposes having departing travelers ride up escalators to a raised check-in and security floor, then take escalators down to gate level.” | learn more