Sunrise over Roma and Piazza San Pietro, originally uploaded by gbatistini.
Wow! Have you ever seen the Vatican from this perspective? Holy indeed!
Priceless Advice from an Financial Analyst
When I worked at KRON-TV in San Francisco in the 1990s, I was a publicist and got to see young financial print journalists Herb Greenberg cut his teeth in TV. His column in the business section of the San Francisco Chronicle was always a good read, even for a non-business or financial industry savvy person like me.
I remember his column speaking to me not just from a business perspective, but from a philosophical perspective. He may have offered sound financial advice, but what rang true for me were his observations described so simply, succinctly and honestly. Observations keenly attuned to the stories that brought meaning to numbers and businesses decisions impacting the market. His great writing spun analogies in my mind. Analogies to human behavior, to “gives and gets” and cause and effect.
After reading his April 26-27, 2008 story in The Wall Street Journal, “A Columinst’s Parting Advice,” I tore it from page B3 and kept it on my desk for a few weeks. I read it several times. I especially like Lesson No. 1 = the numbers don’t lie. For me, the numbers may be true but I believe people. And I see even great financial wizards see the sway power of people, even on absolute numbers. Here are some lines from his article I like most:
Like most journalists, much of what I know about business, investing and economics has been picked up through osmosis. It is the closest you can get to a backdoor MBA. — getting paid, in the process. Of course, just when you think you have figured it out, something comes out of left field to remind you that the lessons never really stop.
Lesson No. 1: The numbers don’t lie… avoid the spin or the face-to-face meeting that can create a psychological connection that may skew what otherwise would be black-and-white analysis. Don’t ever underestimate the power and influence of the human factor.
Lesson No. 2: Quality, not quantity….The more complex and convoluted the financial statements get, especially for businesses that aren’t overly complicated, the more reason to worry.
Lesson No. 5: Risk isn’t a four-letter word. A good rule of thumb is that before you buy, instead of asking how much you can make, first ask how much you can lose. That is what the smart guys do.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: HerbGreenberg, Advice, philosophy
Brilliant Welcome, Good Eats in the Omni Hotel Atlanta
Brilliant Welcome & Good Eats in the Omni Atlanta, originally uploaded by KenEKaplan.
A crazy week in Atlanta for my first trip to work at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
We shared stories on blogs, social networks, Twitter, Utterz and video sharing sites to help participating science students and parents follow the excitement and amazing projects from the event.
This was truly one of the most inspiring events I’ve attended in a long time. To see so may young people with the spark in their eye, intelligence in their words and caring in their gestures. The science was out of the world but the students and teachers at the event lifted hope in me that our future is in good hands.
Robot RoVAAR at Intel ISEF 2008
Robot RoVAAR at Intel ISEF 2008, originally uploaded by KenEKaplan.
This solar powered robot vehicle was one of the many cool things I saw today roaming the floor at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The RoVAAR, Robotic Vehicle for Automation Application Research is a project by high school senior Brian Michael Cherbak.
The Action of Atlanta — Young Scientists Compete at ISEF
I packed my bags on Mother’s Day arrived in Atlanta the next evening to meet up with the Intel International Science and Engineering team.
I’ll be meeting some of the 1,500 high school science students who arrived from over 50 countries to compete for big $ and scholarships. Here are a few stories so far:
Video — Road to Intel ISEF: Wizkids Worldwide Gather
What They’re Saying on the Road to ISEF
Video — First Look at the Action at ISEF
Wired’s GeekDad Coming to ISEF
It’s Tuesday, Day Two…and I’m off to the show. If you have a favorite science project story — past or present — please share it here.
Video Sailing Santa Cruz-Monterey
May in the middle on Monterey Bay. I’m no sailor but I couldn’t resist seeing what it was like to pull into the port of Monterey.
I didn’t have the head or stomach for the travel between, but the enormity of the Bay, the swells, gusty winds and countless water surface skimming birds.
Best part was arriving in Monterey, cruising past the barking sea lions, gray water reflecting pink form the setting sun. The pace was teaming with wildlife comfortably in tandem with tourist and hometown conservationists.
Moods of Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, Italy
Assisi, Italy, originally uploaded by R.o.b.e.r.t.o..
This is a trippy shot I saw today on Flickr. It not only reflects my mood these days — frustrated from working too much and dreaming of being with my family. It also threw me back to my wedding day.
My wife and I got married inside the Basilica of San Francesco not long after all of the scafolding was removed following the 1997 Assisi earthquake. See photos of Assisi from that time, including this shot of falling frescos and a homage to Assisi after the earthquake. Here are some of the Fescoes.
We stood next to the brown, ragged robe of San Francesco. What a magical living shrine to love and humanity. Unlike this photo, it was a super sunny, hot day…but cool and refreshing inside beneath the frescoed chiesa.
This photo is pure and moody as the sun goes down and the lights beam on the basilica. Reminds me of the many times we walked down that path. With every step the chiesa grows bigger and more awesome.
Know Where You Are, Been, Going?
I found this inside Ning‘s Education Group. Amazing!! There are a few other cool videos in Ning’s Education group, including tutorials on Twitter and this one with Sir Ken Robinson, a mind expanding author who I first heard of from his presentation at the annual event Ted.
“There is an enormous amount of creativity.”
“It’s an extraordinary time, when we really don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
“Everyone has an interest in education.”
Clear Blue Capo Vaticano, Calabria
di sole e d’azzurro, originally uploaded by tribalbob.
This is not a far drive from where our family stays in Pizzo, Calabria. The yellow cactus fruit, clear blue water and dreamy yachts…I gotta get there and bring my camera!
Got Your Name Google Alert On?
Getting a Google Alert monitoring your name is essential. Made sense when I heard Intel blog pioneer Josh Bancroft mention it over a year ago. And it proved exceptionally useful and quick this week at the New Comm Forum 2008.
Rohit was hosting a panel on new communications strategies called “The Future of Marketing & Advertising” featuring:
Neil Chase from Federated Media – publishers and networks
David Takheim from Six Apart – platforms and publishing toolsKen Kaplan — me — offering stories from inside Intel
In keeping with the fast and real-time world we’re living in, Rohit encouraged the panalists to keep it raw and share their own insights. On the morning of the event, he sent out this blog post listing questions that could help shape the discussion. About one hour later, Neil and David arrived inside the room ready to go. One of the first things both guys said was: “Thanks for the questions, I just got them in Google Alerts.”
For me, this was the first time I saw Google Alerts work so well, in a timely manner. I’ve used Twitter for quick hook ups before, but this showed the power of blogs, search engines and being tapped into what’s important to “you.”
The panel was well attended with a fully engaged audience asking great, real-work world questions by the likes of Tim Marklein of Weber Shandwick PR and Jennifer McClure, maven of the Society for New Communications Research and the wonderful host of NewComm Forum event. Here’s what Rohit had to say after the panel:
I really enjoyed hearing from Neil and David what’s working and how much hard work is going into to relationship building, making connections and helping more people learn how to use new tools. At Intel, we’re trying a lot of new things thanks for my pal David Veneski teaming up with Federated Media. And Six Apart seems like a part of the Intel family, and continues to try new things, building new services into blogging platforms.
The event pulled together some great people, including Tom Foremski, Shel Israel, Joseph Jaffe , Katie Paine , John Cass (I had the pleasure of meeting — see earlier post), Shel Holtz , Todd Defren , Brian Solis, Geoff Livingston and Giovanni Rodriguez.
The New Comm Forum is an event brimming with good arguments and storytelling that help communication pros see where they are, how they got there and how to move ahead…with a little help from our friends.
Movin' Ahead 