Monthly Archives: August 2018

08/6/18

The First Amendment Ignorance

The First Amendment, Big Red Car? What about it? Everybody knows about the First Amendment.

Big Red Car here on a grayish morning, but it will burn off soon. So, I’m looking at a study with alarming results.

Out of 1,000 persons surveyed only ONE was able to name the five rights protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Worse still, 40% of the respondents could not mention a single right.

Image result for image us constitution

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution are contained in a document called the Bill of Rights.

How is that possible?

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08/5/18

Control – SNAP, an exemplar in control

Big Red Car here filled to overflowing with a good church sermon. I will have to digest it a bit.

So, one of the things the Big Red Car preaches to his CEO coaching clients is, “Retain control of your company at all costs. When you lose control, the probability of your being replaced goes up astronomically.”

This is what the Big Red Car says when a venture capitalist wants to make an investment resulting in an “after money” equity ownership of 20%, but wants two seats on a five-man Board of Directors.

“Uhhh, CEO, if the VC owns 20% then he gets 20% of the board seats. That’s one, not two!”

Interestingly enough, CEOs seem to always win this argument. This is a matter of control.

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08/4/18

North Korea Expectations

North Korea – whassup?

Big Red Car here on a lovely Saturday morning back from blueberry pancakes at the Counter Cafe, y’all. Is this a great country or what?

So, I have been following the continuing saga with North Korea and their de-nuclearization. The story continues.

Let’s update it a bit, shall we?

US Secretary of State Pompeo meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho in Singapore at the ASEAN Conference. I think our guy can take him.

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08/4/18

Employment Structural Change

Big Red Car here on a Saturday morning getting ready to go out for blueberry pancakes at the Counter Cafe.

I have always been interested in delving beneath the covers of employment in the United States. The average person focuses on BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) U-3 – the widely reported level of unemployment which is currently at 3.9%, but that paints a very shallow picture of the employment status of the economy. Perhaps, an overly optimistic one.

Let me give you the bottom line first – the US economy is undergoing a huge structural change as the Baby Boomers begin to retire and younger folk have a different attitude toward employment.

I have often observed that the prospect of long term, stable employment is a thing of the past and the “gig” economy is here to stay. Talking to you, Mr. Internet.

My favorite source of useful data and analysis is dshort.com which is run by Doug Short, PhD, under the banner of Advisor Perspectives. You should be reading this guy’s stuff. The best in the business.

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08/3/18

Canadian Drug Purchasing

Big Red Car here on a …………. aw forget it.

Today, we chat about buying prescription drugs in Canada. Why? Because it will save you a lot of money.

The Big Red Car has been doing this for a decade. It is easy, but you have to know how and where.

Today, I tell you.

First, there is an organization called the Certified International Pharmacy Association <<< link. They certify Canadian pharmacies.

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08/3/18

Pricing Strategy – Rent the Runway

Pricing strategy, Rent the Runway, Big Red Car? Huh?

Full disclosure: The Big Red Car has never rented a dress from Rent the Runway, but the Big Red Car has always been intrigued by RTR’s pricing strategy.

Oh, my goodness, Big Red Car!

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: Jenn Hyman, Christian Siriano and Jenny Fleiss attends the Rent the Runway DC store Opening at Rent The Runway on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Rent The Runway)

Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss – co-founders of Rent the Runway – at their 24 November 2014 opening in Washington, DC (Kris Connor/Getty)

So, it’s a beautiful warm Austin day and we live in the greatest city, in the greatest state, in the greatest country in the world! Ahhh, on Earth as it is in Texas!

So, the Big Red Car has always been a fan of a smart pricing strategy. I think one of the smartest guys out there is a chap named Patrick Campbell of Price Intelligently by Profitwell.

Here is their website: Price Intelligently.

Pricing strategy is a way for a company to obtain a better source and magnitude of revenue by being smart. You should be reading that Price Intelligently blog.

As a bonus, here is the Price Intelligently “Tear Down” on the Rent the Runway pricing model. Read it here.

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08/2/18

CEO Shoptalk – Traits of Leaders

Big Red Car here on a beautiful, sunny Thursday. Ahhh, on Earth as it is in Texas, y’all.

So, I’m at church on Sunday listening to the sermon – I love and desperately need a good sermon – and it inspires me to think about some of the traits of great leaders – not “good” GREAT!

I come up with four traits which seem to separate the great from the good and the mediocre.

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08/1/18

The Economy

The economy, Big Red Car?

Big Red Car here on a warmish Wednesday in the Great State of Texas. Ahh, on Earth as it is in Texas!

So, the Big Red Car is taking a look at the economy — IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID — and likes what he sees.

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