Video of my conversation with Betty Liu of Bloomberg outside Smith and Wollensky.



Ever since I joined Toastmasters, my ability to speak in front of various different kinds of audience has gotten a lot better.  In particular, I joined Pacers toastmasters, which meets twice a month at the Sony Building in mid-Town.

Posted by Guy Spier at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments ()

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When I left HBS, there was a controversy over the stealing of an election for the HBS Finance Club.  At the time, I thought that it would be a good idea if HBS could retroactively rescind the MBA if someone behaved badly.  For example, the MBA could be automatically rescinded if the person in question was convicted of a felony.

Now HBS MBA's have created the business school student's equivalent of the Hippocratic Oath.

For my part, I found Warren Buffett, and spent a good part of my life studying him.  I susepct that studying Buffett is a good deal more productive.  That said, there is nothing wrong with taking the oath as well.  A bit like the Lord's Prayer, there is little in it that any rational human being would disagree with.

I suppose that it does leave me wondering whether these students feel that they had their ethical muscle excercised enough during the 2,000 or so cases that they will have studied over their two years in Cambridge.  Perhaps not.

Therefore I promise:

• I will act with utmost integrity and pursue my work in an ethical manner.
• I will safeguard the interests of my shareholders, co-workers, customers and the society in which we operate.
• I will manage my enterprise in good faith, guarding against decisions and behavior that advance my own narrow ambitions but harm the enterprise and the societies it serves.
• I will understand and uphold, both in letter and in spirit, the laws and contracts governing my own conduct and that of my enterprise.
• I will take responsibility for my actions, and I will represent the performance and risks of my enterprise accurately and honestly.
• I will develop both myself and other managers under my supervision so that the profession continues to grow and contribute to the well-being of society.
• I will strive to create sustainable economic, social, and environmental prosperity worldwide.
• I will be accountable to my peers and they will be accountable to me for living by this oath.

This oath I make freely, and upon my honor.

Posted by Guy Spier at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments ()

There is mounting evidence that Bridge is much more than just a game.

Not only does Warren Buffett play the game, he encourages Berkshire Shareholders by setting up a bridge area outside Borsheims at the annual shareholder meeting.

Now this New York Times article adds what I have already been learning:  Bridge is extremely effective at delaying the onset of all sorts of age related mental deterioration.

So far, scientists here have found little evidence that diet or exercise affects the risk of dementia in people over 90. But some researchers argue that mental engagement — doing crossword puzzles, reading books — may delay the arrival of symptoms. And social connections, including interaction with friends, may be very important, some suspect. In isolation, a healthy human mind can go blank and quickly become disoriented, psychologists have found.

“There is quite a bit of evidence now suggesting that the more people you have contact with, in your own home or outside, the better you do” mentally and physically, Dr. Kawas said. “Interacting with people regularly, even strangers, uses easily as much brain power as doing puzzles, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is what it’s all about.”

And bridge, she added, provides both kinds of stimulation.

Posted by Guy Spier at 08:53 AM | Permalink | Comments ()

I think that Michael Lewis provides the best review yet of Snowball.  Indeed, I think that it builds on Alice Schroeder's work & gives some perspective on the book itself.

Posted by Guy Spier at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments ()