My tribute to famed Michigan money manager Paul Cook, who during the dot.com era became a media celebrity for being among the first to appreciate the disruptive potential of the internet and for a time generated triple digit returns. I’m proud of my footnote role in Cook’s success.
Business
Automotive Bidenomics: Clunkers for the Masses
Buying a car is the second biggest purchase most Americans make. Thanks to Bidenomics, almost one in four Americans can only afford a vehicle that’s ten years or older and the percentage is fast increasing.
Understandably, Americans who can only afford older vehicles judiciously avoid GM and Ford models.
The Quiet Humility of SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell
Why SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell and her two lead engineers, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, are three of the most inspiring leaders in corporate America.
Patrick Spence: The Sales Guy Who Soiled Sonos
Some thoughts on the hotshot Canadian salesman responsible for harming a once great technology company.
Brian Niccol: Starbucks’ Emissions Belcher CEO
Some thoughts on the woke hypocrisy of newly named Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol and the red-hot Lincoln Nautilus the “All In On America” automaker manufacturers in China.
The Axing of Royal Bank of Canada’s Nadine Ahn
Some thoughts on a salacious management scandal at my beloved Royal Bank of Canada and the institution’s deft handling of the response.
Suffice to say, when Royal Bank says it will “vigorously defend” damning allegations about Canada’s biggest bank, it makes good on its promise.
Texas Serves GM a 10-Gallon Privacy Lawsuit
Texans are famed for thinking big, and that includes the Lone Star State’s AG Ken Paxton. In wake of his recent $1.4 billion record settlement with Meta for privacy violations, Paxton appears determined to shake down GM for an even bigger amount because of the automaker’s controversial practice of capturing the driving habits of its unwitting customers and selling the data to third parties.
Even for those already familiar with GM’s ethically challenged business practices, Paxton’s allegations are startling.
China’s Wicked Smart Technology Prowess
If the U.S. media was overseen by knowledgeable and responsible grownups, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris would be forced to address how they plan to derail China’s possibly insurmountable efforts to establish its technological supremacy and rule the world.
Delta’s Ed Bastian: A New Low in CEO Leadership
Actions speak louder than words and Delta CEO Ed Bastian had a message last week for his 100,000 employees and the more than 500,000 passengers stranded at airports or waiting for hours on hold: “Let them eat croissants.”
Delta’s $34M Ed Bastian Isn’t Ready When You Are
Sharing some thoughts I’m confident will be of interest to thousands of disgruntled Delta customers stranded at airports around the world or waiting on hold for hours praying someone will help them.