08/8/19

Minimum Wage $15

Allow me to admit up front that I am a closet supporter of a $15 minimum wage. I don’t think it is a smart policy, but I like the idea. Unfortunately, it has been tried in several locations, the report card is in, and the results are not good.

A good number of reliable sources prophesied that a $15 minimum wage would devastate the restaurant business whereat that wage is applicable to kitchen workers, bus boys, servers, and even some cooks.

Turns out those prophesies were correct. Let’s take a look at New York City restaurants. This chart comes from an American Enterprise Institute publication by Mark J Perry that was sent to me by my pal Jeff Carter.

Continue reading →

08/8/19

Heil Hitler

So, I’m reading a few things and I stumble on this bat shit crazy story from a former FBI guy, Frank Figliuzzi, about how President Donald J Trump is signalling to Nazis, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists “Heil Hitler!” with his choice of the term for which government flags will be flown at half mast to honor the recent murder victims in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas.

Let me step back for a second: There is NOTHING funny, clever, or wise about making gratuitous references to Hitler, a truly evil person who unleashed Hell on earth. It is repugnant. 

He — this Frank Figliuzzi in his blue suit, blue shirt, coordinated tie, sleek haircut — looks like a normal enough guy, right? And, he was with the FBI, right?

Look at his mouth. Let me tell you about the words that came out of that nasty mouth. Guy says President Trump is sending “coded messages” to Nazis, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists. This guy.

Image result for images frank figliuzzi

Continue reading →

08/5/19

Practice Like You Play

One of the best bits of advice I ever received was to practice the same way I intended to play — good advice when pertaining to sports, the military, and business.

Startups are often given a pass for not following sound practices.

“Hell, they’re just startups.”

Continue reading →

08/3/19

Speaking Truth To The People

We are in a maelstrom of political activity with the Democrat primary raging amongst a crowded field. Crowded fields force candidates to try to distinguish themselves from the other offerings. Great fun. Enormous entertainment.

Image result for images dem debates

All perfectly normal. Last time in 2016, it was the Republicans who were spreading the manure, hurling insults while winnowing the field down to its eventual candidate.

[Note: Candidate former Governor of Florida, mega-funded, entitled, family business President, political dynasty-heir-Jeb Bush famously said, “Donald, you can’t insult your way to the White House.” Who knew?]

Continue reading →

07/29/19

Regulation — A Word of Praise

Your Big Red Car is not one to praise regulation or regulators. No surprise there, eh?

Your BRC, in fact, is guilty of railing against regulation. Fair play.

Today, I rise to praise the outcome of a regulatory action — the approval of the T-Mobile – Sprint merger that leaves the country with three wireless providers of some significant substance. This was good regulation with a good result on the eve of 5G, creating three worthy competitors for your wireless dollar. Bravo.

Image result for images logo t-mobile

The big three will serve 95% of the market as follows:

AT&T serves 100,000,000 customers.

Verizon serves 100,000,000 customers

The new T-Mobile/Sprint serves 90,000,000 customers.

Continue reading →

07/29/19

Venture Capital Data

In working with startup CEOs one of the most important discussion points is raising money. To be able to effectively understand the market for venture capital, one has to do a bit of study on the subject.

Luckily, there are a number of great sources out there. One of them is PitchBook which publishes something called the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. It is worth a read.

A couple of things caught my eye. First is that the money flow continues at record levels. More money and a consistently high level of deals. Good news.

Continue reading →

07/28/19

Pickle Juice Is Normal

So, I’m having an adult beverage with a pal and I order a Pickle Juice Martini, a lovely concoction made with vodka and pickle juice. My pal looks at me, says, “What?”

“Yes, I adore a pickle juice and vodka drink. It doesn’t have to be a martini. It can be in a whiskey glass with cracked ice or a single large round ice cube.” I dig a single large ice cube.

He looks for the lobotomy scars and says, “Nobody drinks pickle juice.” He is a confident, accomplished person whose opinion I usually respect, but this time he has wandered off the reservation. I tell him so.

Tito's Vodka Pickle Infusion Martini

Tito’s vodka is handmade in Austin By God Texas. I like mine in a whiskey glass with a sliver of dill pickle, but that’s just me.

[Three ounces Tito’s, one ounce pickle juice, one half ounce dry vermouth, shaken with cracked ice, strained into a chilled martini glass. Same approach but in a whiskey glass over ice with a few pickle chunks or spears. Your choice. Choose wisely.]

Continue reading →