Archive for September, 2009



VV Show #60 – Larry Kramer of MarketWatch

Sunday 27 September 2009 @ 3:53 pm

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Larry Kramer

Today’s media executives plotting to charge for their content would do well to hear how Larry Kramer beat Jim Cramer’s TheStreet.com by resisting pressure to put most content behind a pay wall while not relying entirely on advertising. To the average consumer, MarketWatch.com seemed to have come out of nowhere during the late 1990s to quickly establish itself as one of the leading sources of online financial information. For MarketWatch founder Larry Kramer, it represented the last chapter of his 15 year journey as a first-time entrepreneur. Larry started his career as a journalist, going from reporter to the top editor of the San Francisco Examiner in just 10 years with stops at the Washington Post and Trenton Times along the way. Larry founded DataSport Inc. (the company that would eventually morph into MarketWatch though a series of mergers and partnerships) with $500,000 from friends and family. He almost ran out of money early on. After a wild ride on the public market, Larry sold MarketWatch to Dow Jones for over $500 million in 2004 and went on to become the president of CBS Digital Media until 2006. Hear how Larry lived though two different careers and what he’s planning next.


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Shana Tova תשע

Wednesday 16 September 2009 @ 9:00 pm

Here it is, another Rosh Hashanah arriving, and the previous one still seems so recent. I looked back at my wishes from last year, and some of them came true. Obama won and showed the world what Leadership 2.0 is all about. Hapoel Haifa won, made it to the Israeli premier league, and did that with a lot of passion, commitment and style.

This year I decided to be a bit more specific, something beyond just general health and world peace. So, here are my 3 wishes for the new Jewish year:

  • 5 great deals: When I talk about deals, I mean it in the most broad sense. Some combination of exits, strategic accounts, partnerships or massive distribution. 5 amazing business deals that will make a direct or indirect influence on Gemini’s success.
  • 3 amazing rock concerts: I already have tickets for Leonard Cohen, Shalom Hanoch (1AM at the Barby) and Pearl Jam (again). Although we are back in Israel, I hope to attend at least 3 world class rock concerts with real emotional impact.
  • 1 historical championship: Between the Patriots and Hapoel Haifa, how about another historic championship. Odds are low, but hey – I am asking for just one.

Add 5+3+1 and it equals Nine(9), the Hebrew letters of the new Jewish Year: תש”ע.

Shana Tova!

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Characteristics of Great Investors

Saturday 5 September 2009 @ 12:52 am

Chanced upon this great post by Matt Blumberg on “10 Characteristics of Great Investors“.
Should be read by ALL investors, I think.
I am listing my favourite five of the ten characteristics below:

Great investors know how to give strategic advice without being in the operating weeds of a company
Great investors get to know whole management teams, not [...]


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