This weekend was memorable for a number of events. While at a personal level, it was memorable for my son getting his Karate Black Belt, for many it was memorable probably due to another famous Indian victory over Pakistan at the World Cup, and for some it was memorable due to Valentine Day. But the … Read more
“Thank God for the Supreme Court – now the government has to catch all the black money holders with Swiss Bank accounts” exclaimed my friend Swami while we were having our coffee this week. My broker friend Jigneshbhai was unmoved and kept sipping his coffee waiting for Swami to continue. As usual, nothing irritates Swami … Read more
And for a Friday (because this is a long weekend), a few stray thoughts and a few general observations and a few points of view (all my own work): Like the two great minds that influenced the 20th century the most were Gandhi and Einstein. Einstein changed the way we think about what the world … Read more
Very many years ago I had read a book considered by many as a classic in technology marketing – “Crossing the Chasm – by Geoffrey Moore”. It describes the challenges faced by technology marketers, most of whom, at some point, have to sell a product or service that has definite value that will change its … Read more
‘It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.’ So said someone accomplished. I learnt this truth in my job a few years back when I used to analyse marketing campaign effectiveness for marketing managers. How much ever I tried to tell them that a … Read more
Most investors find it difficult to truly appreciate the mind-boggling effect of the power of compounding. Financial companies keep touting how 5000 rupees invested regularly will give you 1 crore in 25 years, but most people don’t quite get it. The human brain has a problem with understanding geometric progression. The reason, perhaps, is that the … Read more
One hundred lesser would not have made Sachin Tendulkar a lesser legend in anybody’s eyes. Like the last four runs that Sir Don Bradman did not score did not make him any lesser a batsman. Or the last successive Wimbledon title that Federer failed to win in a row did not make him a lesser tennis player in … Read more
Andy Murray’s victory in the Wimbledon final last Sunday reminded me a lot of the Indian victory in the Mumbai World Cup final. Both Andy and the Indian team carried a the heavy burden of expectations on their shoulders, albeit Andy had it more in person one would have to say. Both the home nations … Read more
“It is pathetic – this spot fixing. They get so much money, and still fix”, cried my friend Swami, as we were having our weekend coffee. My broker friend Jigneshbhai was, as always, watching Swami and listening. After a while, Jigneshbhai asked nonchalantly, “Who are you talking about?” As always, this irked Swami even more. … Read more