Europe, Energy, ESG: Observations from the road | EP126
Some of the main challenges facing the continent, what we gleaned from visiting over 45 companies, and ESG considerations that are front of mind for major European investment firms.
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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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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
