The Fantasticks

A great musical. Really. www.fantasticksonbroadway.com

Innovation In A Downturn

The Mckinsey report was insightful. It's amazing how innovation transforms traditional businesses to successful business models of tomorrow. A New Normal. Really.

Useful link:
http://whatmatters.mckinseydigital.com

Copenhagen Consensus Centre Report

The scientists proposal of using cloud ships to launch clouds into the sky via 1,900 unmanned wind-powered ships criss-crossing the oceans, sucking up sea water and spraying it from the top of tall funnels to create vast white clouds was interesting. The Copenhagen Consensus Center estimates that it will only cost US$9 billion to launch in the next 25 years, compared to the US $250 billion that many countries plan to spend on climate change every year. It's mind boggling, really. The question is, will it work?

Useful link:
www.copenhagenconsensus.com

Random Thoughts

The worst thing you can do in a trade is try to get back to even. I call that the 'prayer trade.' I can spot guys on the floor who have it on because they shake back and forth, basically in prayer, mumbling, 'Oh, please God, just let it come back to me. Let me break even.' What is that? Break even? That’s a loser. I’m not in this business to break even. There’s always opportunity in the markets, so forget breaking even. If breaking even is your goal, you’re not trading anymore.

- James Lackey

So true!

Butler & Wilson

I think imitation jewelry will never go out of style. For 40 years Butler & Wilson has been the jewelry company of choice for film stars and princesses, they have made imitation into chic, and its amazing their deliciously sparkling gems and fantastically oversized jewelry has adorned the pages of Vogue for four decades. A great story indeed. Hats off to Simon Wilson!

Useful link:
www.butlerandwilson.co.uk

Thirty Second MBA

I loved it. Directly from the people who make business happen. Good advice from the trenches. Short. Sweet. Unfiltered. Entertaining. Relevant. Thanks, Fast Company. 30 Second MBA

Shepard Fairey Update

Shepard Fairey is back with a new Barack Obama portrait with a brow knit in determination, surrounded by a halo of stars. It's on the cover of the August 20, 2009 Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com

Useful link:
http://obeygiant.com

Gemfields Report

Gemfields auction results were interesting. They were able to sell 26 of 27 parcels of rough emeralds in London for US$5.9 million, an average of US$4.37 per carat. The 1.36 million carats offered in the auction represented the higher quality stones produced at Kagem, but only 5% of total production by volume. The only parcel that failed to reach its reserve price contained just over 3,000 carats for which Gemfields wanted US$300/carat. Great timing. www.gemfields.co.uk