Mawer’s top book recommendations for 2016
Every year, our team pulls together a list of books that influenced our thinking in the previous year.
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What we know from marshmallows: The relationship between self-discipline and success
In 1968, researchers from Stanford University stuck a marshmallow in front of a four year old girl and gave her a choice: eat the marshmallow now or wait 15 minutes and receive TWO marshmallows.
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Worrying signals for Russia’s economy
Two important events involving Russia occurred in the last week. First, Russia amassed a highly suspicious buildup of 20,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. Second, Russia’s yield curve inverted.
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Skating over the line
Narrow rules have a cost. Although there is value in the clarity of rule, process and position, a system must also be flexible.
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Language matters
Just how important is a common language to investing? While some investors view it as the sort of soft, fluffy stuff best left to liberal arts majors, empirically—and in our experience— it is an essential feature of high performing investment teams.
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The toothbrush test
A few weeks ago, I was introduced to Google’s Toothbrush Test. Contrary to the images that the name inspires, this test does not involve sticking a web-enabled toothbrush into your mouth to collect data on your molars. Instead, it relates to how Google allocates capital.
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Look for the baby
This past week, one of my colleagues shared a learning at our weekly research meeting. Christian and his wife, Siggi, were on vacation when Siggi unfortunately dropped her iPhone into the bath.
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Waiting in line: The high cost of red tape
Imagine you spent 4% of your life waiting in line. Given that there are 8,765 hours in a year, this would imply that you spent 350 hours each year staring at the backs of people’s heads.
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The art of survival
The restaurant industry is tough. Virtually anyone with decent cooking skills and a modest amount of capital can open one; the barriers to entry are quite low. Restaurateurs must also face an unpredictable customer base, as well as significant competition and substitutes.
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Fraudster alert: 10 ways investors can avoid being duped
History is ripe with hucksters. Investors were reminded of this again this month when stock market darling Gowex declared bankruptcy.
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What we know from marshmallows: The relationship between self-discipline and success
In 1968, researchers from Stanford University stuck a marshmallow in front of a four year old girl and gave her a choice: eat the marshmallow now or wait 15 minutes and receive TWO marshmallows.
September 11, 2014
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Worrying signals for Russia’s economy
Two important events involving Russia occurred in the last week. First, Russia amassed a highly suspicious buildup of 20,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. Second, Russia’s yield curve inverted.
August 8, 2014
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Skating over the line
Narrow rules have a cost. Although there is value in the clarity of rule, process and position, a system must also be flexible.
July 29, 2014
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Language matters
Just how important is a common language to investing? While some investors view it as the sort of soft, fluffy stuff best left to liberal arts majors, empirically—and in our experience— it is an essential feature of high performing investment teams.
July 24, 2014
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The toothbrush test
A few weeks ago, I was introduced to Google’s Toothbrush Test. Contrary to the images that the name inspires, this test does not involve sticking a web-enabled toothbrush into your mouth to collect data on your molars. Instead, it relates to how Google allocates capital.
July 11, 2014
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Look for the baby
This past week, one of my colleagues shared a learning at our weekly research meeting. Christian and his wife, Siggi, were on vacation when Siggi unfortunately dropped her iPhone into the bath.
July 10, 2014
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Waiting in line: The high cost of red tape
Imagine you spent 4% of your life waiting in line. Given that there are 8,765 hours in a year, this would imply that you spent 350 hours each year staring at the backs of people’s heads.
July 4, 2014
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The art of survival
The restaurant industry is tough. Virtually anyone with decent cooking skills and a modest amount of capital can open one; the barriers to entry are quite low. Restaurateurs must also face an unpredictable customer base, as well as significant competition and substitutes.
June 26, 2014
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Fraudster alert: 10 ways investors can avoid being duped
History is ripe with hucksters. Investors were reminded of this again this month when stock market darling Gowex declared bankruptcy.
June 17, 2014
