Tag Archives: Competitive Advantage

“Strategy Follows Structure” — John Bogle on Investment Funds

Investment Fund Structures “You are what you eat” is the common phrase about nutrition.  With investing, I think a corollary should be “you are where & how you get your capital”.  This is particularly true with any type of investment fund as John Bogle, the… Continue reading

Economies of Scale — Fundamentals Through Graphics

The Experience Curve Revisiting fundamental business concepts is helpful.  Old concepts often have new meaning when viewed after new experiences.  Or, as we say at the school where I am a co-owner, “See it with today’s eyes and hear it with today’s ears.” One important,… Continue reading

Elusive Moats of Competitive Advantage — Definition by Morningstar

Moats of Competitive Advantage Investors look for “moats” or competitive advantages that create more certainty and more growth in revenue and margins.  In managing or investing in businesses, it is helpful to understand what moats other companies have been able to build and why.  This… Continue reading

Company Culture a Superman-Strong Competitive Advantage

In a very difficult environment for small vocational schools recently, the National Holistic Institute, one of the best massage schools in the country where I am a co-owner, is surviving and thriving.  A key reason behind the organization’s success is its unique, palpable company culture… Continue reading

Business Owners Benefit from Good Ideas from the Edge

Happy Anniversary to the Stockman Grass Farmer newspaper and Wired magazine — 65 years for the Stockman Grass Farmer this month and 20 years for Wired magazine in January (but issue 1.1.1 released this month for the iPad).  At certain points in time for me,… Continue reading

Business Strategy Plans Not Working? – Top Down vs Bottom-Up

Business Strategy Plans Business strategy, in my opinion, usually develops over time rather than being a master business strategy plan from the CEO. It is often tempting to think that we can devise a master business strategy plan and then focus on executing that strategy.… Continue reading

Competitive Advantage, Company Culture, and Simon Sinek

Competitive Advantage as Company Culture A powerful competitive advantage, even though it is intangible, can be built through a unique company culture.  I have seen it in action, and it is powerful.  It works particularly well today because many people prefer to work at a company and make purchases… Continue reading

Business Moat – Assessing the Width (To Sell or Not To Sell)

Business Moat Assessing the strength of the moat around your business is the next post in the series, “To Sell Your Business or Not To Sell Your Business — That is the Question“. Simply put, the wider and stronger the moat around your business, the… Continue reading

Thoughts on the Berkshire Hathaway Meeting 2012

The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Below are a few words of advice from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger yesterday at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting.  Business owners and investors should make a point to attend a Berkshire annual meeting sometime.  There are not that many… Continue reading

To Sell Your Business or Not To Sell Your Business — That is the Question (a series)

Should you sell your business? This is one of the most difficult questions and there is no one right answer. I have been asked this question so many times and it is the most difficult to answer. To provide some assistance on the question, however,… Continue reading