The Art of Boring™ was created for curious and passionate investors. We share strategies, frameworks, and insights to help readers and listeners make better investment decisions. Our aim? To provide some bottom-up, long-term investing signal to cut through the short-term noise.

  • The curious incident of the dog in the night

    Our conversation is notable because it highlights an important reminder for investors: investment insights are not usually obvious right away. Often we arrive at them because we have followed a scent.

    April 19, 2017

  • (Not) boring finds for April 2017

    These are just some of the articles, insights, and ideas percolating amongst our team. Are the topics always about investing? Not necessarily. Do they appeal to our collective sense of curiosity as investors in a complex and fascinating world? Absolutely. We hope you find value in them as well.

    April 5, 2017

  • Couple's retreat

    While there’s no one-size-fits-all framework when it comes to developing relationships or work culture, here’s a sample retreat format that has worked for us.

    March 29, 2017

  • A focus on quality (or “HQCRBEMTPDV”)

    We really think our focus on quality at a fair price puts the odds in our clients favour over the long term because we are both aware of the potential traps of value investing and the lure of a good growth story. We just wish the acronym wasn’t HQCRBEMTPDV.

    March 22, 2017

  • (Not) boring finds for March 2017

    Each month we share some of the interesting reads, views, and ideas that caught our attention. Some relate directly to investing; others challenge and enlighten us for different reasons.

    March 8, 2017

  • When to stand and when to shift

    In investing, there are going to be times when you should be at odds with the market and times when you should not. Knowing when you should be different is an important question to ask and, from our perspective, should be informed by your goals and principles.

    March 1, 2017

  • Story time

    While studying the stories of historical success is obviously an important part of learning, the approach also brings with it investing pitfalls to be aware of. One such pitfall is narrative bias.

    February 22, 2017

  • Let it land

    In our efforts to express ourselves and to be heard we often hamper our ability to fully listen and discern. In order to see the big picture and respond to stimulus most effectively it’s important to first “let it land.”

    February 15, 2017

  • (Not) boring finds for February 2017

    Each month we share a few of the interesting reads, views, and ideas that caught our attention. Some relate directly to investing; others resonate with us for different reasons. 

    February 8, 2017

  • Why emerging markets?

    Given the volatility and risks generally associated with emerging markets, some may ask “why there and why now?” There are a number of reasons...

    January 31, 2017

  • Beyond a reasonable doubt

    Like many disciplines, investing requires measures of both science and art to navigate uncertainty and to move forward decisively.

    January 25, 2017

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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