Posts written by Mason Myers
Berkshire Week 2012: Predict Stephen Burke as next Berkshire CEO
First, a little extraneous caveat about this prediction. I have not spoken to anyone at Berkshire about this. Frankly, I do not know anyone who works at Berkshire. And, I have no special knowledge about this at all. It is just a pure guess (maybe a… Continue reading
Berkshire Meeting Week: Berkshire CEO After Warren Buffett
I believe the next CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is hiding in plain site. There is a person that is very obvious, but no one (as far as I have read) has mentioned him as a potential candidate. Tomorrow, I make my prediction. Today, I have fun… Continue reading
Enlightenment about Investor Alignment
Obtaining alignment among the various parts of a company, particularly between company founders and investors, is a never-ending topic. Two items have caught my eye this month that relate to this issue and may help spread some enlightened thinking about investor alignment. First, Fred Wilson, a… Continue reading
Growing Your Business Without New Customers or New Products
This is a very basic, but effective, tool to brainstorm growth initiatives — just a simple reminder for us all. On one axis, put a list of all your products or services. On the other axis, put a list of all your customers. Then, fill-in the matrix for… Continue reading
Company Founder Regrets Sale to Traditional Private Equity
Be careful to whom you sell your company, said the founder of Jimmy Choo footwear, Tamara Mellon. In the Financial Times, Mellon was quoted, “What happens in private equity is they come in and they say we’re going to be a great partner. We want… Continue reading
Facebook Governance and ISS — I Support Zuckerberg
For each unique company and unique situation, I believe they should utilize business structures, financing strategies, and all other tools that help them keep their company unique. For this reason, I cheer on Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook for their ability to utilize unique investment terms… Continue reading
Construct a Perfect Business, Financially Speaking
Designing the financial model (in a real-world sense, not a spreadsheet sense) of your business is worth every minute that you can dedicate to it. We should craft the financial model of our business with as much care as a fine architect and craftsman would… Continue reading
Grow Your Business Faster with Singles and Doubles
To grow faster, I have found it is better to focus on growth initiatives that are singles and doubles — counter-intuitive but effective. Some people prefer to attempt the big, home-run initiatives. Large companies, in particular, can feel they need a growth initiative to provide… Continue reading
Make Business Variability Your Friend
Life, nature and business are variable. They rarely travel in straight lines. They are organic. They move up, down, and sideways often on timeframes that you cannot predict or control. Trying to control, manipulate and insulate yourself from these movements can be frustrating and usually… Continue reading
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