profiles of people
Brazilian firm Odebrecht was really good at bribery.
“Some years, said [CEO] Marcelo, graft expenses neared 2 billion reais ($611 million).” |learn more
under the microscope
Studies show having power can cause brain damage.
This new study brings a whole new meaning to the oft-repeated phrase power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Feeling powerful impairs the neural process of mirroring. Over time, it may cause functional changes to the brain. | learn more
tech, startups, internet
Should micro-VCs invest differently?
Chicago-based investor Victor Gutwein (M25 Group) sets out to explain why he thinks the later-stage VC model doesn’t fit for smaller, earlier investors. This is the first of a multi-part series that’s worth following. | learn more
tech, startups, internet
A Harley-Davidson dealer used AI to increase sales leads by 2,930%.
“His dealership went from getting one qualified lead per day to 40… By the third month, the dealership’s leads had increased 2930%, … leaving Jacobi scrambling to set up a new call center with six new employees to handle all […]
tech, startups, internet
What’s a real business anyway?
Venture investor Bryce Roberts takes an opportunity to clarify differences between lifestyle businesses, venture businesses, and what he calls real businesses. I think the distinctions get confused a lot nowadays, so it’s nice to see someone spell them out. |learn more
fun facts
Animals can have regional accents.
Humans don’t have a monopoly on location-based differences in how we communicate. Researchers have found regional dialects among whales, monkeys, dogs, and cows. | learn more
book recommendations
The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed.
If you’re acquainted with finance or investing, you’ve probably heard of Benjamin Graham’s concept of value investing. It’s also made famous by its very successful application by Warren Buffet. The content of the book can be a little dry in […]
better doing
Expiring vs. long-term knowledge.
There’s an important distinction to be drawn here. Think about how much of what we learn every day won’t matter in a year. This is expiring knowledge. Then, consider the fundamental truths that we learn that will always matter. This […]
retail therapy
Walmart associates now drop off packages on their way home.
Some years back, I heard a story about the McDonald’s in Williston, ND (home of the somewhat recent oil boom). The manager would drop by the oil workers’ camp in the AM to pick up dinner orders, then drop them […]
thoughts of food
A premature post-mortem of The Melt.
“In 2011, Silicon Valley’s finest minds launched The Melt, a restaurant chain meant to reinvent the humble sandwich. Here’s the untold story of why that hasn’t gone according to plan.” | learn more