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March 27, 2008

Community Heroes

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The heroes in community growth are the folks who never get any credit. Their networks reach across the community, tying out-lying organizations together in unexpected webs.

Local CEOs and power brokers, you say? Nope.

They are bakery owners who hire immigrants - and show others how. They are cops who create a system to help victims of domestic violence. Maybe even, simply, a CEO who hosts meetings for the community in her boardroom (Stephenson, 33). 

Finding them is not easy, networking them less so, and harnessing them in common tasks is crucial to community growth. Three layers of people are important:
  • Hubs know many people and help in expanding the network.
  • Gatekeepers tie disparate groups who wouldn't dialog together.
  • Pulse-takers provide insight and perspective, and maybe, keep everyone honest.

Looking for a technology perspective on this? There is even a GIS component in the research used to map the location of leaders in a community.

Reference

Stephenson, Karen. The Community Network Solution. Strategy+Business. Winter 2007. 32. http://www.strategy-business.com/press/enewsarticle/enews022808?pg=0

Posted by jackmixner at 10:20 AM |

California Start-up Makes Good

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Better PLC of Palo Alto signed a contract today with Dong Energy A/S to supply Denmark a nation-wide system of automobile charging stations (Abboud). 

One very good way to increase your valuation is to sign a very big, and very long-term, contract.

Reference

Abboud, Leila. For Danish Drivers, Filling Up Will Be a Breeze. Wall Street Journal. 27 March 2008. B5.

 

Posted by jackmixner at 09:53 AM |

March 17, 2008

Ranking Competitive Cities

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The Milken Institute's survey of best performing cities 2007 is out. Ranking of cities are based upon job growth 2001 and 0225, wage and salary growth in 2000 and 2004, short term job growth (march 06 versus March 2007), relative high tech GDP growth with 2001 and 2005 as a base-line, location quotients relative to job growth (Milken, 11).

Orange County didn't make the list. Riverside and Ontario, and Las Vegas made the list. I wonder which cities will make the list in 2008, what with all the economic changes across America.

Best Performing Cities 2007. Milken Institute. http://www.milkeninstitute.org/pdf/best_prfrmg_cities.pdf

Orange County 2008 Community Indicators. Children & Families Commission of Orange County. http://www.ocbc.org/Community%20Indicators%20Rpt%202008.pdf

Posted by jackmixner at 05:01 PM |

March 05, 2008

Warren Buffet's Annual Letter

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If you have never read one of Warren Buffet's annual letters you should. Here is this year's: http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2007ltr.pdf

Here are the criteria Buffet - and Berkshire - use to select companies to buy:

  1. A company Charlie (Buffet's partner) and I understand
  2. Favorable long-term economics
  3. able and trustworth management
  4. Sensible price tag (Buffet, 6).

Buffet's favorite "moats" to protect return of invested capital (Buffet, 6-7):

  • Low cost producers in the company's industry
  • Enduring companies aren't "in industries prone to rapid and continuous change."
  • Businesses requiring a great manager
  • Long term competitive advantage.

Buffet's example of a prime Berkshire holding? See's Candies. Look at page 7 of the annual report. It makes for interesting reading.

Reference

Buffet, Warren. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. To the Shareholders ... February 2008. http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2007ltr.pdf

Posted by jackmixner at 03:54 AM |