Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pantone Color Services
The Pantone Universe is simply brilliant and inspiring. Check it out.
Useful links:
www.pantone.com
www.colorexpert.com
Useful links:
www.pantone.com
www.colorexpert.com
How To Sell Colored Gemstones
Jim Fiebig's opinion piece in the National Jeweler about colored gemstones was interesting. There is always opportunity in chaos. Many thanks.
Useful link:
www.zultanite.com
Useful link:
www.zultanite.com
Art Market Update
Interesting private collection indeed. Mr Keverne was spot on. For the best and rare prices keep going up. The market speaks for itself. Many thanks to Economist.
Useful links:
www.bonhams.com
www.keverne.co.uk
www.littletonandhennessy.com
Useful links:
www.bonhams.com
www.keverne.co.uk
www.littletonandhennessy.com
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Jewelry Market Update
Ken Gassman was spot on. Many thanks.
Historically, the jewelry business has had low barriers of entry. Almost anyone could (and still can) open a jewelry store and generate some sales. The problem is that too many jewelers enter the business because they love the dazzle of diamonds and the glitter of gold; they fail to grasp the concept that this is a business proposition. We say that those people are in the “jewelry business.” They come and go; they don’t stay long because they aren’t good business people. In contrast to those people who are enamored with the sparkle and dazzle of jewelry, there are the people who understand that selling jewelry is just like any other business: you invest capital for a return. Those people could run any business, because they understand the financial dynamics that drive the business. We say those people are in the “business of jewelry.” These people are the long-term survivors in the jewelry industry. They have controls and systems in place to run their businesses. It’s not the color of the gemstones that captures their attention; rather, it is the color of money that captivates them.
- Ken Gassman
Useful link:
www.kennethgassman.com
Historically, the jewelry business has had low barriers of entry. Almost anyone could (and still can) open a jewelry store and generate some sales. The problem is that too many jewelers enter the business because they love the dazzle of diamonds and the glitter of gold; they fail to grasp the concept that this is a business proposition. We say that those people are in the “jewelry business.” They come and go; they don’t stay long because they aren’t good business people. In contrast to those people who are enamored with the sparkle and dazzle of jewelry, there are the people who understand that selling jewelry is just like any other business: you invest capital for a return. Those people could run any business, because they understand the financial dynamics that drive the business. We say those people are in the “business of jewelry.” These people are the long-term survivors in the jewelry industry. They have controls and systems in place to run their businesses. It’s not the color of the gemstones that captures their attention; rather, it is the color of money that captivates them.
- Ken Gassman
Useful link:
www.kennethgassman.com
Precious Metals Book
CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has released the Precious Metals Book, an invaluable reference for jewelry manufacturers in all countries throughout the world. Check it out. www.cibjo.org
Keshi Cultured Pearls Update
Trade alert. Keshi cultured pearls are entering the natural pearl trade. Find the full article by clicking here. www.ssef.ch
Monday, May 17, 2010
Random Thoughts
Companies start out as hopes and dreams and stay there for at least a little while. Even after the product has been launched and users are jumping aboard, the company is still in hopes and dreams mode. But eventually one of three things happens to a company; it goes out of business, it gets sold, or it becomes a real business. And one of the most interesting things to watch and learn from, as an entrepreneur or investor in entrepreneurs, is what happens when you go from hopes and dreams to the real thing. There is a big chasm between hopes and dreams and the real thing. Companies need to grow up and go through the ugly adolescent phase. They start to doubt themselves, they start to churn employees, they may even go through a management change or two. Getting across this chasm is hard, it takes tenacity, both from the entrepreneur and team and from the investors. Everyone has to stay the course, buy into the plan, and execute it. Crossing the chasm to the real thing is not nearly as fun as the hopes and dreams phase. It is hard work and it happens after the gushing media has left your company for the shiny new thing. Your company will take a morale hit and you will have to lead it through this phase. But getting to the other side is worth all of it. There is nothing as satisfying in entrepreneur land than having a profitable growing sustainable business that doesn't need another dime of anyone else's capital. I have watched entrepreneurs stand up in front of their teams and tell them that they've reached that point. I get chills every time I see it.
- Fred Wilson
www.avc.com
So true!
- Fred Wilson
www.avc.com
So true!
360-Degree Research
Stuart Karten was spot on. Keep the focus on the end user. Period.
Useful links:
www.kartendesign.com
www.designresearchconference.org
www.starkey.com
Useful links:
www.kartendesign.com
www.designresearchconference.org
www.starkey.com
Robin And Lucienne Day
Contemporary Days: Robin and Lucienne Day Design the UK, is a brilliant documentary about the British design duo whose abstract, modernist design help change the post-World War II Britian. Don't miss. www.designonscreen.org
Art Market Update
The Economist report on the state of the art market in America was interesting. Many thanks.
Useful link:
www.christies.com
Useful link:
www.christies.com
CVD-grown Diamond Update
Rob Bates has an interesting update on the one-carat white lab-grown stone. Check it out.
Useful link:
www.apollodiamond.com
Useful link:
www.apollodiamond.com
Friday, May 14, 2010
Art Market Update
Market fluctuations are creating larger shifts in art-world taste. Check it out.
Useful links:
www.gagosian.com
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
Useful links:
www.gagosian.com
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
Gold vs. Diamonds
Avi Krawitz was spot on. The safe-haven mantle remains firmly in gold’s grasp. Really. Many thanks.
When it comes to gold, demand is influenced by consumption and investment. While the outlook on gold consumption for jewelry, in particular, and for industrial use, is largely a function of global economic activity, this factor is easily offset by its reputation as a risk-free store of wealth. With its historic roots of serving as a form of money, gold traditionally maintains its value as currencies depreciate.To a large extent, diamonds offer the same safety net. In fact, as Rapaport Group’s chief economist, Yariv Segev, explains, it can be argued that diamonds are even safer than gold, given their easily transportable nature. However, as Segev stresses, that’s where the similarities end. Price trends for diamonds have shown little resemblance to those exhibited for gold in the past few years. While diamonds followed financial markets in waiting for assurances of economic improvement, gold was far more bullish in its recovery from the downturn.While my father, who is by no means a financial advisor, naturally thinks about gold at the slightest sign of economic weakness, today there are few, if any, who view diamonds in the same way. On the contrary, the diamond industry is — or at least should be — cautiously contemplating the possible impact that Europe’s bailout might have on global consumer confidence.The main difference between diamonds and gold lies in the fact that investments in diamonds are not large enough to influence prices. The industry is almost exclusively dependent on consumer demand and therefore, on economic growth. This makes it highly susceptible to risk. We learned this when, as the recession set in and unemployment rose, consumers naturally shied away from diamonds. To subvert that risk, the industry would do well to encourage investments in diamonds. While a strong marketing focus along these lines would help, as has been suggested by many before, the most effective way to achieve this goal would be through the commoditization of diamonds. Granted, the complications of such a development are well recognized and constitute a debate for another forum. But the theory is that commoditization would make diamonds more accessible to the man on the street as they become easier to trade. For now, we recognize it as gold’s major advantage over diamonds in wooing investors.
- Avi Krawitz
Useful link:
www.diamonds.net
When it comes to gold, demand is influenced by consumption and investment. While the outlook on gold consumption for jewelry, in particular, and for industrial use, is largely a function of global economic activity, this factor is easily offset by its reputation as a risk-free store of wealth. With its historic roots of serving as a form of money, gold traditionally maintains its value as currencies depreciate.To a large extent, diamonds offer the same safety net. In fact, as Rapaport Group’s chief economist, Yariv Segev, explains, it can be argued that diamonds are even safer than gold, given their easily transportable nature. However, as Segev stresses, that’s where the similarities end. Price trends for diamonds have shown little resemblance to those exhibited for gold in the past few years. While diamonds followed financial markets in waiting for assurances of economic improvement, gold was far more bullish in its recovery from the downturn.While my father, who is by no means a financial advisor, naturally thinks about gold at the slightest sign of economic weakness, today there are few, if any, who view diamonds in the same way. On the contrary, the diamond industry is — or at least should be — cautiously contemplating the possible impact that Europe’s bailout might have on global consumer confidence.The main difference between diamonds and gold lies in the fact that investments in diamonds are not large enough to influence prices. The industry is almost exclusively dependent on consumer demand and therefore, on economic growth. This makes it highly susceptible to risk. We learned this when, as the recession set in and unemployment rose, consumers naturally shied away from diamonds. To subvert that risk, the industry would do well to encourage investments in diamonds. While a strong marketing focus along these lines would help, as has been suggested by many before, the most effective way to achieve this goal would be through the commoditization of diamonds. Granted, the complications of such a development are well recognized and constitute a debate for another forum. But the theory is that commoditization would make diamonds more accessible to the man on the street as they become easier to trade. For now, we recognize it as gold’s major advantage over diamonds in wooing investors.
- Avi Krawitz
Useful link:
www.diamonds.net
Global Business BBC
Take a look at an online site for the exchange of new management ideas. Many thanks to Peter Day.
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://managementexchange.com
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://managementexchange.com
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Diamond Auction
Sotheby’s diamond auction in Switzerland has seen a new record price per carat, with a blue, cushion-shaped 7.64 carat stone fetching 8.93m Swiss francs. A white emerald-cut 52.82 carat diamond fetched 8.8m Swiss francs, while an Alexandre Reza ring mounted with a 5.02 carat blue diamond sold for just over 7m Swiss francs. www.sothebys.com
Art Market Update
If you want to find out in which direction Western culture is headed, watch the auction scene. So true. Many thanks to Souren Melikian.
Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
Glassphemy Project
Take a look at David Belt's latest project: Glassphemy! It's a psychological recycling experiment, really. http://macro-sea.com
KP Launches Facebook Page
The Kimberley Process (KP) has launched a Facebook page with useful links to related articles, background information about the process and issues relating to conflict diamonds. www.kimberleyprocess.com
The 2009 Diamond Pipeline
The 2009 Diamond Pipeline: The Year to Forget. Chaim was spot on. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.idexonline.com
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.idexonline.com
Monday, May 10, 2010
Babies
Babies is simply beautiful. See it.
Useful links:
www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/babies
http://dschoolserver.stanford.edu/extreme
http://embraceglobal.org
Useful links:
www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/babies
http://dschoolserver.stanford.edu/extreme
http://embraceglobal.org
Random Thoughts
The main conclusion to be drawn from the two main sales (Christies/Sothebys) is that there is still a lot of money out there for important works by stellar artists—work that combines rarity, excellence, wall power and a fabulous provenance. With interest rates at near-record lows, stock markets in the shallows and property prices well below what they were two years ago, art is an attractive alternative asset class. For the best of the best—in short, a work such as Mrs Brody's “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust”—there seems to be little shortage of people with $100m to burn in a single night. On the other hand, works with some taint—the wrong period, wrong colour, wrong size, wrong estimate—have a much tougher time finding buyers. Why risk spending $1m on a work you might not be able to re-sell? Even in a rising market, finding buyers is no easy ride.
- Economist
www.economist.com
Spot on.
- Economist
www.economist.com
Spot on.
Global Business BBC
Peter Day's viewpoints on pedal power was interesting. I am a huge fan. I hope it's available worldwide.
Useful links:
www.worksman.com
http://bamboobikestudio.com
Useful links:
www.worksman.com
http://bamboobikestudio.com
CVD-grown Diamond Update
A New York lab has identified a near-colorless CVD-grown diamond larger than a carat that was submitted for grading. Buyer beware.
Useful links:
www.apollodiamond.com
www.gia.edu
Useful links:
www.apollodiamond.com
www.gia.edu
Antiques For Everyone
As part of the Antiques For Everyone's silver anniversary celebration in July 2010, the Birmingham Assay Office in the U.K. will be showing important pieces from its private silver collection at the NEC. Check it out. www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Art Market Update
Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about the state of the art maket (Impressionist/Modern works) was interesting. Many thanks.
Useful link:
www.christies.com
Useful link:
www.christies.com
Friday, May 07, 2010
Gary Hamel Viewpoint
Gary Hamel's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about the near infinite number of ways in which companies annoy their customers was brilliant. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
Modern Masters With Alastair Sooke
Thanks to Alastair Sooke. I enjoyed the show. The way Warhol's life and artwork has been investigated was brilliant.
Useful link:
www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/modernmasters
Useful link:
www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/modernmasters
No Dirty Gold Update
Gold mining has been linked to conflict and human rights violations, forest destruction, toxic pollution, and loss of lands and livelihoods. Take a look at the No Dirty Gold campaign and jewelry retailer statements.
Useful link:
www.nodirtygold.org
Useful link:
www.nodirtygold.org
Take One Picture
Brilliant. I loved it. Many thanks. Take One Picture display have been inspired by one specific painting from the gallery's collection - Pierre-Auguste Renoir's The Umbrellas. Take a look with the project manager, Caroline Marcus. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint
Thanks ever so much, Chaim. I will really miss those insightful memos, really.
Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com
Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Art Market Update
A Pablo Picasso painting has set a new record for the most expensive art work sold at Christie's auction house in New York fetching $106m (£70m). Amazing prize, really.
Useful link:
www.christies.com
Useful link:
www.christies.com
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Costume Institute Gala 2010
Take a look the Costume Institute exhibition: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Brilliant, really.
Useful link:
www.metmuseum.org
Useful link:
www.metmuseum.org
Ace Of Diamonds
David Domoney is designing the Ace of Diamonds display for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. This garden will celebrate links between plants and precious stones since many of the plants used will either have gemstones in their names or have flowers reminiscent of precious stones such as the hosta diamond tiara. Don't miss.
Useful links:
www.domoney.tv
www.rhs.org.uk
Useful links:
www.domoney.tv
www.rhs.org.uk
Different: Escaping The Competitive Herd
Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd by Youngme Moon explores what it means for a business to be different, to be meaningfully different, to be different in a way that makes a difference to consumers. A must read.
Useful link:
www.youngmemoon.com
Useful link:
www.youngmemoon.com
Corporate Social Responsibility Course
Take a look at the first Executive Course in Corporate Social Responsibility offered by the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF). The course will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, from June 20 - 22, 2010. www.cibjo.org
Future Of MBA Education
Srikant M. Datar / David A. Garvin was spot on. To remain relevant, business schools will have to rethink many of their most cherished assumptions. The world has changed, really.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Random Thoughts
I'm of a generation that doesn't collect things. We don't appreciate things. I'm kind of old-fashioned in that I appreciate things. I purchase things I enjoy and they are not always the most collectible. I have them because I am inspired by them.
- Jason Wu
www.jasonwustudio.com
Brilliant.
- Jason Wu
www.jasonwustudio.com
Brilliant.
Fairtrade + Fairmined Marks
The Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) has developed the first ever third party independent certification for gold to bring about social, environmental and economic development in artisanal and small-scale mining communities. This partnership enables both organizations to meet shared strategic objectives, creating a system to ensure that artisanal and small-scale miners can earn a better price for their gold. The partnership will be communicated on product via a co-labeling hallmark using both the FAIRTRADE and FAIRMINED Marks. Check it out.
Useful links:
www.fairtrade.net
www.communitymining.org
www.responsiblejewellery.com
Useful links:
www.fairtrade.net
www.communitymining.org
www.responsiblejewellery.com
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Random Thoughts
Everyone knows the protocol when an engagement is announced. The happy couple is congratulated, then the groom-to-be has his hand shaken and the bride-to-be has hers delicately held up so everyone can admire the twinkling new diamond on her finger and make a swift and furtive guess at how much it cost. The modern engagement ring marries materialism and romance in one hard, beautiful stone. But can it last?
- Ceri Radford
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/author/ceriradford
Sometimes it's really hard to tell.
- Ceri Radford
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/author/ceriradford
Sometimes it's really hard to tell.
Gerald Scarfe + Jonathan Yeo
Check out the art of politics with Gerald Scarfe and Jonathan Yeo. I enjoyed it. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.geraldscarfe.com
www.jonathanyeo.com
Useful links:
www.geraldscarfe.com
www.jonathanyeo.com
The Beauty Of Maps
A new exhibition at the British Library, Magnificent Maps, aims to put the art back into how we view, and use, these often beautiful examples. Don't miss.
Useful links:
www.rgs.org
www.bl.uk
www.susanstockwell.co.uk
Useful links:
www.rgs.org
www.bl.uk
www.susanstockwell.co.uk
Friday, April 30, 2010
Rough Diamond Tender
Take a look at IdexOnline research report on rough diamonds sold at auction.
Useful links:
www.diamdel.com
www.bhpbilliton.com
Useful links:
www.diamdel.com
www.bhpbilliton.com
The United States Kimberley Process Authority
The United States Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA) has launched its new website www.uskpa.org.
USKPA is a not for profit trade association formed for the purpose of administering and controlling the usage of U.S. Kimberley Process Certificates for the export of rough diamonds. The USKPA is authorized by the government to provide U.S. Kimberley Process Certificates to licensed entities for use in exporting rough diamonds. Check it out.
USKPA is a not for profit trade association formed for the purpose of administering and controlling the usage of U.S. Kimberley Process Certificates for the export of rough diamonds. The USKPA is authorized by the government to provide U.S. Kimberley Process Certificates to licensed entities for use in exporting rough diamonds. Check it out.
Picasso Collection
Met’s Picasso collection: 34 paintings, 58 drawings, a dozen sculptures and ceramics, along with 200 of the museum’s 400 prints is on display through August 2010. Many thanks to Holland Cotter for the info. Don't miss. www.metmuseum.org
Rupa Subramanya Dehejia Viewpoint
I thought Rupa Subramanya Dehejia's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal was interesting. Many thanks. You don't need a 10x. Income inequality is a visible inclusion in India today. In major cities, showing off one’s wealth / prosperity is becoming a popular sport in the emerging middle class and most certainly of the nouveau riche. Time for total internal reflection, really.
Shanghai Expo 2010
Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China will be held in the city of Shanghai, China from May 1 - October 31, 2010. Don't miss.
Useful link:
http://en.expo2010.cn
Useful link:
http://en.expo2010.cn
The Jade Story
The Economist story on the Chinese passion for jade was interesting.
Useful links:
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
www.christies.com
Useful links:
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
www.christies.com
The Rio Tinto Pink Diamond Tender
According to Josephine Archer, business manager, Argyle Pink Diamonds, there are only around 500 more Tender-quality diamonds available between now and 2018, and, like in any auction, once they are gone, they are gone. Period.
Useful links:
www.riotintodiamonds.com
www.riotinto.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
Useful links:
www.riotintodiamonds.com
www.riotinto.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
Random Thoughts
Rarity and demand are the two main factors. Top-quality diamond rough, especially among highly sought-after colored diamonds, is increasingly rare. At the same time, demand for investment-grade diamonds is continuing to grow worldwide, driven by the growing number of collectors in Asia, Europe, Russia and the U.S., as well as emerging markets in India, the Middle East and South America. The stability we have seen throughout this recessionary period is in some ways a function of the economy itself. Diamonds and gemstones have long been regarded as a stable store of value, and it is not unusual for collectors to seek out these alternative investments, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
- Rahul Kadakia
www.christies.com
Spot on.
- Rahul Kadakia
www.christies.com
Spot on.
Global Witness Update
This is Zimbabwe (TIZ). In Marange, diamond business will be as usual. The twig is bend so shall the tree grow. Sad, really.
Useful links:
www.globalwitness.org
www.kimberleyprocess.com
Useful links:
www.globalwitness.org
www.kimberleyprocess.com
Monday, April 26, 2010
Gary Hamel Viewpoint
Gary Hamel's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about the fault lines that run between individuals and institutions + the new thinking was brilliant. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
JIC Ultimate Proposal Contest 2010
I thought JIC's Ultimate Proposal Contest was a brilliant idea. The best engagement proposal story are ready for viewing online at JIC.org/ ProposalContest now through April 30, 2010.
Useful links:
www.jewelers.org
www.JIC.org
Useful links:
www.jewelers.org
www.JIC.org
Sabine Roemer
The Emerald Queen, a life-size fiberglass elephant designed by U.K. jeweler Sabine Roemer, will debut in the Wonder Room of London-based department store Selfridge's. Don't miss.
Useful link:
www.sabineroemer.com
www.worldlandtrust.org
www.selfridges.com
Useful link:
www.sabineroemer.com
www.worldlandtrust.org
www.selfridges.com
Art Market Update
Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about Turkish work of art was insightful. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
Unilock
Take a look at the new Unilock Pre-Set instructional kit for its patented bezel setting system. www.presetstone.com
Friday, April 23, 2010
Random Thoughts
The discipline which is most important in investing is not accounting or economics, but psychology.
- Howard Marks
www.oaktreecapital.com
Spot on.
- Howard Marks
www.oaktreecapital.com
Spot on.
Global Business BBC
Folding bikes, e-bikes, tricycles, recumbents, fixies, cargo bikes, and bamboo bikes is being reinvented and demand is great. The world is witnessing a genuine cultural shift towards two wheels. Many thanks to Peter Day for sharing his viewpoints.
Useful links:
www.brompton.co.uk
www.cyclescheme.co.uk
www.gocycle.com
www.wiggle.co.uk
Useful links:
www.brompton.co.uk
www.cyclescheme.co.uk
www.gocycle.com
www.wiggle.co.uk
Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint
Chaim Even Zohar was spot on. The Oppenheimer family has a unique ability to surprise and it won’t be any different this time around. Stay tuned.
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.e6.com
www.forevermark.com
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.e6.com
www.forevermark.com
Pearl Book
CIBJO (Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie), also known as the World Jewellery Confederation has released the Pearl Book. Check it out. www.cibjo.org
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Blood, Sweat And Luxuries
Six young British consumers swap their luxury lives for the simple mud huts and shanty towns of Africa and Asia to work alongside the people who mine, manufacture, process and recycle luxury goods. Don't miss.
The Colour of Paradise
The Colour of Paradise: Colombian Emeralds in the Age of Gunpowder Empires by Kris Lane traces the remarkable story of intercontinental trade (emeralds), from Colombian hillside to Mughal court. A must read.
Useful link:
http://kelane.people.wm.edu
Useful link:
http://kelane.people.wm.edu
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The History Of Beauty
Beauty Imagined: A History of the Global Beauty Industry by Geoffrey G. Jones provides authoritative history of the global beauty industry from its emergence in the nineteenth century to the present day, exploring how today's global giants grew. Don't miss.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Random Thoughts
Emotions spread from person to person because of two features of human interaction: we are biologically hardwired to mimic others outwardly, and in mimicking their outward displays, we come to adopt their inward states. If your friend feels happy, she smiles, you smile, and in the act of smiling you also come to feel happy. In bars and bedrooms, at work and on the street, everywhere people interact, we tend to synchronize our facial expressions, vocalizations, and postures unconsciously and rapidly, and as a result we also meld our motional states.
- Nicholas Christakis /James Fowler
http://christakis.med.harvard.edu
http://jhfowler.ucsd.edu
Spot on.
- Nicholas Christakis /James Fowler
http://christakis.med.harvard.edu
http://jhfowler.ucsd.edu
Spot on.
Wine Market Update
Acording to Jay McInerney, the fine wine market seems to be recovering faster than the art and real estate markets. Basically the market is back in form and I hope it stays firm.
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.ackerwines.com
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.ackerwines.com
Gary Hamel Viewpoint
I thought Gary Hamel's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about the fault line that runs between individuals and the institutions was rightfully true. We are a bunch of disconnected professionals. I guess there must be a way to reconnect and be truthful.
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
www.towersperrin.com
www.edelman.com/trust/2010
www.gallup.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
www.towersperrin.com
www.edelman.com/trust/2010
www.gallup.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
Monday, April 19, 2010
Random Thoughts
I had coffee with an entrepreneur last week who was worried that business was stagnant at her small, 20-person IT services company in New Delhi. She was looking for new ways to grow and asked me: Do you have any good business ideas I can use? I get asked this question almost everyday. So here is my advice to everyone: Stop looking for good ideas. That’s right, you read this correctly. Please don’t tell me about another good idea ever again. Instead tell me about good problems. They will most likely bring a business opportunity.
- Gautam Gandhi
www.google.co.in
Spot on.
- Gautam Gandhi
www.google.co.in
Spot on.
Fake Artworks
The National Gallery will be displaying some of its most embarrassing acquisitions for a new exhibition looking at fake artworks. Check it out.
Useful link:
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Useful link:
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Coachella
Coachella: Hollywood's answer to Glastonbury. www.coachella.com + www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Innovation Report
The Economist special report on innovation was insightful. The islands of success are surrounded by a sea of problems, but the opportunities are equally extraordinary. Really.
Useful links:
www.unctad.org
www.anilkgupta.com
Useful links:
www.unctad.org
www.anilkgupta.com
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Random Thoughts
In addition to buying shares in mining companies and natural resources funds, investors looking to gain exposure should also consider buying loose diamond of 5 to 20 carats with grading certificates. Blue, pink, yellow and red hues are sought-after.
- Ellen Kelleher
Do your own research and do the right thing.
- Ellen Kelleher
Do your own research and do the right thing.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint
Interesting overview on rough diamond prices. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.dtc.com
Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.dtc.com
Henri Cartier-Bresson Exhibition
Visit New York's Museum of Modern Art to view The Modern Century, Henri Cartier-Bresson's diverse choice of subjects. Don't miss.
Useful links:
www.moma.org
www.artic.edu
www.sfmoma.org
www.high.org
Useful links:
www.moma.org
www.artic.edu
www.sfmoma.org
www.high.org
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Johnny Cash Project
A brilliant idea. Take a look at a personalized, living portrait of Johnny Cash. Visually inspiring, really.
Useful links:
www.thejohnnycashproject.com
www.aaronkoblin.com
Useful links:
www.thejohnnycashproject.com
www.aaronkoblin.com
Art Market Update
The Economist review on Hong Kong's art market was interesting. I think the television in mainland China has played a big role in encouraging the wealthy elite to enter the art market. Period.
A white-jade seal dated from 1796, the last year of the Emperor Qianlong’s reign, set a new world record. Sold at auction less than two years ago for HK$46.2m against an estimate of HK$15m, it was estimated this time at HK$50m, only to earn HK$95.9m.
- Economist
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.e-yaji.com
A white-jade seal dated from 1796, the last year of the Emperor Qianlong’s reign, set a new world record. Sold at auction less than two years ago for HK$46.2m against an estimate of HK$15m, it was estimated this time at HK$50m, only to earn HK$95.9m.
- Economist
Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.e-yaji.com
Ryan McGinness
I really liked Ryan McGinness's signature logo drawings. They were simply brilliant. Period. Take a look. www.ryanmcginness.com
Random Thoughts
It's good to stand there and take a step back and just look at the Army from a distance. This will be history one day, Camp Bastion will be dust. We are painting history.
- Graeme Lothian
www.iwm.org.uk
www.military-art.com
I think it's important to record it for the next generation.
- Graeme Lothian
www.iwm.org.uk
www.military-art.com
I think it's important to record it for the next generation.
Global Business BBC
Peter Day's talk about the standards-setters; what they do, and why it matters on BBC World Service was insightful. Many thanks.
Useful links:
www.zyen.com
www.nottingham.ac.uk
www.baesystems.com
www.intertek.com
www.bsigroup.com
www.spiraltd.com
Useful links:
www.zyen.com
www.nottingham.ac.uk
www.baesystems.com
www.intertek.com
www.bsigroup.com
www.spiraltd.com
Reorganise For Resilience
Q: How can companies grow their business even in these difficult economic times?
A: Improved customer insight.
Useful link:
www.ranjaygulati.com
A: Improved customer insight.
Useful link:
www.ranjaygulati.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Random Thoughts
How do investment crowds get started? There is no single right answer to this question. But I think it is accurate to say that most investment crowds find their genesis in the deaths of other investment crowds. I like to use a very apt cosmological metaphor to help understand this process. Investment crowds are the stars of the financial universe. The stars in the Milky Way and in the much larger cosmos have limited lifetimes, which typically end in a massive explosion called a supernova. But new stars are being born (i.e., starting their own process of nuclear fusion) all the time. What is the source of the material that is the stuff of a new star? Well, it is just the cosmic debris left by the explosions of old stars! In much the same way, investment crowds bum brightly in the financial universe and are responsible for much of the observed price fluctuation. But they have finite lifetimes (a few months to a few years). The inevitable disintegration of any investment crowd causes a big run-up or drop in prices and lots of commotion and confusion in the marketplace. But the debris associated with the disintegration of a crowd is the stuff from which the next crowd forms. The change in price associated with the disintegration of an investment crowd is powerful advertising. It attracts the attention of investors, especially of those whose portfolios have been directly affected by the rise or fall in asset value.
- Carl Futia
http://theartofcontrariantrading.blogspot.com
http://carlfutia.blogspot.com
So true!
- Carl Futia
http://theartofcontrariantrading.blogspot.com
http://carlfutia.blogspot.com
So true!
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