Editor’s Comment: My good friend, Ron DeMattia of Corporate Value Partners sent me this article. It’s more data for the series of discussions he and I have had about the M&A business done right and done wrong. The wrong way (in our view) is adding debt to dividend shareholders; a few people gain and many people lose. Staples owners are cited here but the highest profile case of such concerns currently is Eddie Lambert and his long ride as Sears/Kmart owner. The courts and others are currently hounding Lambert to discern how much his hedge fund (ESL) gained while tens of thousands lose their jobs and their retirement savings (stock as well as pensions). Sycamore and Sears are just two of dozens of cases Ron and I wonder about.
Editor's Comment: I ran into the Farnam Street blog and Parrish quite by accident. What I found is a fascinating learning community "dedicated to improving self-education in a learning community environment". This particular article relates to Howard Marks' recently published book, "The Most Important Thing". Both Marks' book and Parrish' blog primarily interest the investment community but this article relates to a much broader point: how our first thoughts can mislead us. A real great reminder for me.
Editor's Comment: This is our first try at video article instead of our usual print piece. Seems worth it as I laughed most of the 9 minutes of this Don McMillan’s zany chart presentations. For those who’ve suffered through innumerable power points with charts and graphs, it’s a welcome relief. Thanks to Tim French for passing this on to me.
Editor’s Comment: I’m honored to be on the private email list of a wonderful writer named Carll Tucker. After ramping and selling a successful chain of community newspapers, Carll founded The Daily Voice, one of the first internet local news outlets. Think of your community newspaper accessed online, right down to classifieds, obits and council meeting reports. He’s also published an entertaining journey book, “The Bear Went Over the Mountain”, enjoyably recounting his search for US Vice Presidents’ gravesites while rethinking his life. The missive I’m sharing nicely defines my own view of life at age 66 plus this marvelous quote about the demands of great wealth: Had we ten times the wealth we’d have fewer investable moments – because great wealth makes great demands. Enjoy.
Editor’s comment: As with every fad and trend I’ve witnessed, there are a lot of fakers in the early years of growth. ESG Investing (Environmental, Social and Governance) is another of those places. This Bloomberg article takes a deep dive into the methods by which some ESG funds have become more marketing than truth.
Editor’s comment: I don’t understand India and I’m curious as to how we will morph into a cashless society. This article blew me away by talking about both.
Editor’s comment: Simply the most thoughtful article I’ve read on this issue which has sadly become a purely political one in our country.
Editor’s comment:This is among the best articles I’ve ever shared. The very idea that we “don’t find values, we choose them” is just explosive to me. I read the 10 signs pretty much like a test, each one is an important one to consider and rate myself on. (Hint: #6 is a problem for me.)
Editor’s comment: I’m lucky in that I pick the organizations I work with now. But for those still in careers, Chomorro-Premuzic provides four points to assess and perhaps improve the organization you’re working in and your own habits for learning.
Editor’s comment: This incredibly bold article by Professor Patrick Stokes says he informs his students that they “are not entitled to any opinion they cannot rationally argue and defend”. What a concept! These days, I worry that “twittered opinions” become accepted as truth.
