The Power Law: Inside Silicon Valley's Venture Capital Machine


Sebastian Mallaby - 2022
    Innovations rarely come from "experts." Elon Musk was not an "electric car person" before he started Tesla. When it comes to improbable innovations, which are the only innovations that really matter, a legendary tech VC told Sebastian Mallaby, the future can't be predicted, it can only be discovered, through iterative venture-backed experiments. It is the nature of the game that most of these experiments will fail, but a very few successes will succeed at such a scale that they will more than make up for everything else. That extreme ratio of success and failure is the power law that drives the VC sector, and all of Silicon Valley, and the wider tech sector shaped in its image. The implications of that power law echo around the world.In The Power Law, Sebastian Mallaby has parlayed unprecedented access to the most successful venture capitalists of all time - the key figures at Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, Accel, Benchmark, and Andreessen Horowitz, among others--into a riveting blend of storytelling and analysis that unfurls the whole history of incubating tech companies, in the Valley and ultimately all over the world​. We learn the unvarnished truth, often for the first time, about some of the most iconic successes and infamous disasters in Valley history​, from the comedy of errors that was the birth of Apple to the avalanche of venture money that fostered hubris at WeWork and Uber. We're taken inside the different strategic models of the storied ​venture firms, their virtues and drawbacks​. We see the impact of culture, within VC​ partnerships and the companies they nurture--the importance of consciously tending it, and the disasters that ensue when power is concentrated in the wrong hands.​VCs' relentless search for power-law ​grand slams brews an obsession with the ideal of the lone entrepreneur-genius, and companies seen as potential unicorns are given intoxicating amounts of power, with sometimes disastrous ​results. On a deeper, more systemic level, the need to make outsized bets on unproven talent ​reinforces bias that ​channels money and support to, e.g., a certain kind of white guy from Stanford, with women and minorities still represented, within VCs themselves and the companies they support, at woefully low levels. This doesn't just have social justice implications: China's homegrown VC sector, having learned at the Valley's feet, is exploding, and in short order now has far more women VC heads than America has ever had. Still and all, Silicon Valley VC remains the most successful and influential incubator of business innovation in the world: it is not where ideas come from so much as where they go, to become the products and companies that create the future. Of all the people in the world gambling on the future, this group has made, not just a science of it, but many competing sciences, and The Power Law, by taking us so deeply inside their game, give us the be​nefit of thinking more keenly about our own future through their eyes.

The Art of Being Rational : Charlie Munger


Oxana Dubrovina - 2019
    Find out what he has to say! Charlie Munger is one of the most successful businessmen in the world. He is worth more than a billion dollars and has spent his career not only honing his own business decision-making abilities but also teaching others to do the same. Now, all of his wisdom and insight into wealth management is collected in one place. Author Oxana Dubrovina wants to give you a crash course in Munger’s life-changing philosophy. This success self-help guide and motivational biography will put you on the road to a bright financial future by using Munger, as well as other inspirational leaders like Benjamin Franklin, Lee Kuan Yew, and even Jesus Christ, to illustrate important messages about how to live a good, honest, and successful life.

Invent and Wander: The Collected Writings of Jeff Bezos


Jeff Bezos - 2020
    Spanning a range of topics across business and public policy, from innovation and customer obsession to climate change and outer space, this book provides a rare glimpse into how Bezos thinks about the world and where the future might take us.Written in a direct, down-to-earth style, Invent and Wander offers readers a master class in business values, strategy, and execution:● The importance of a Day 1 mindset● Why “it’s all about the long term”● What it really means to be customer obsessed● How to start new businesses and create significant organic growth in an already successful company● Why culture is an imperative● How a willingness to fail is closely connected to innovation● What the Covid-19 pandemic has taught usEach insight offers new ways of thinking through today’s challenges—and more importantly, tomorrow’s—and the never-ending urgency of striving ahead, never resting on one’s laurels. Everyone from CEOs to entrepreneurs just setting up shop to the millions who use Amazon’s products and services in their homes or businesses will come to understand the principles that have driven the success of one of the most important innovators of our time.

Decisions: Life and Death on Wall Street (Kindle Single)


Janet M. Tavakoli - 2015
    A prominent bank CEO seems on the verge of a nervous breakdown.In Washington D.C., a former Wall Street regulator checks into a hotel using the name of a hedge fund manager for an illicit meeting with a prostitute. In a D.C. suburb, the CFO of a beleaguered mortgage giant chooses a drastic personal end to “relentless pressure”.In a picturesque suburb of Zug, Switzerland, the CFO of a major insurance company decides to end his life. In London, a financier kills himself in a way he once said he never would.In her new memoir, Janet Tavakoli shines a bright light on the money-driven culture of Wall Street and Washington, and the life and death consequences of our decisions that put profit above all.Approximately 16,000 words of text (not including front and back matter and references. 105 total pages)Praise for Decisions"Tavakoli takes us on a scenic tour of the recent lowlights of Wall Street and Washington...demystified and rendered tragically human. It's a compelling tale.” Jake Bernstein, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting "Merrill Debauchery Only Begins This Woman's Tale... 'Neither Bill nor I believed Calvi committed suicide,' Tavakoli writes. 'Bill joked that he'd never hang himself. It was too gruesome.'"Bloomberg News "Janet Tavakoli is a born storyteller with an incredible tale to tell. She takes us on a br /isk journey from the depravity of 1980s Wall Street to the systemic recklessness that crushed the global economy.”Nomi Prins, author of All the Presidents' Bankers “An authority on credit derivatives, has written a reflective memoir about life in the world of finance. Tavakoli is not a woman who employs words carelessly, and when she says fraud she means ... fraud.” All About Alpha Praise for Janet M. Tavakoli“She knows her stuff, has strong opinions, and turns a colourful quote.” Financial Times “Janet Tavakoli knows more about the inside of the financial world than nearly anyone else!”Jim Rogers, Author of Street Smarts - Adventures on the Road and in the Markets“Intelligent analyst whose command of the arcane world...mixed with a brutally honest analytical framework makes it a pleasure to read her work.” Asia Times Online

Capital: The Story of Long-Term Investment Excellence


Charles D. Ellis - 2004
    The Capital Group is one of the world's largest investment management organizations, but little is known about it because the company has shunned any type of publicity. This compelling book, for the first time, takes you inside one of the most elite and private investment firms out there?the Capital Group Companies?a value investment firm par excellence. It digs deeps to reveal the corporate culture and long-term investment strategies that have made Capital the one organization where most investment professionals would like to work and would most recommend as long-term investment managers for their family and friends.

The Millionaire Mind


Thomas J. Stanley - 2001
    Stanley, Ph.D., answers these questions and provides us with further insight into the thoughts and lives of this wealthy segment of the population in The Millionaire Mind. A follow-up to Stanley's New York Times bestseller, The Millionaire Next Door, The Millionaire Mind may surprise readers with its findings about the kinds of people that millionaires really are. Interestingly, many millionaires were not straight-A students in high school, nor did they attend prestigious colleges. Instead, they were often told when they were younger that they were not bright and that they would not be successful. These challenges taught them how to surmount obstacles and motivated them to try harder and to take risks to get ahead financially. The major risks that these millionaires have taken and continue to take are financial ones. They must overcome the fear of taking risks, and they must maintain this courage throughout their adult careers. Stanley discovered that many millionaires share similarities in techniques to allay their anxieties and stay on track financially. Some of these include: Believing in myself Counting my blessings every day Countering negativethoughtswith positive ones Sharing concerns with spouse Visualizing success Outworking, outthinking, out-toughing the competition Hiring talented advisors Constantly upgrading my knowledge about my occupation Spending considerable time planning my success Exercising regularly Having strong religious faith Stanley also reveals that millionaires are very often successful in marriage as well as in work (the typical millionaire has been married to the same spouse for over twenty-five years) and that they usually lead relatively frugal, economically productive lifestyles. Perhaps most interesting to readers will be the section that Stanley devotes to how millionaires chose the career in which they would be most likely to succeed. So don't miss out on picking apart and analyzing the thoughts and habits of millionaires with Thomas Stanley and The Millionaire Mind, a book sure to be as brilliantly revealing and fascinating as his previous bestseller on millionaires. Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D., is a researcher, author, and lecturer. He has studied the wealthy for more than 25 years. The Millionaire Next Door, published in 1996, has sold more than one million copies in hardcover and nearly one million in paperback. The book has been on The New York Times Best Sellers list for more than 150 combined weeks. His previous books include Marketing to the Affluent, which Best of Business Quarterly named one of 10 outstanding business books, Selling to the Affluent, and Networking with the Affluent. Dr. Stanley lives in Atlanta. He was a professor of marketing at Georgia State University, where he was named Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Professor. He holds his doctorate from the University of Georgia in Athens.

Good Stocks Cheap: Value Investing with Confidence for a Lifetime of Stock Market Outperformance: Value Investing with Confidence for a Lifetime of Stock Market Outperformance (Business Books)


Kenneth Jeffrey Marshall - 2017
    But company values stay relatively steady. This insight is the basis of value investing, the capital management strategy that performs best over the long term. With Good Stocks Cheap, you can get started in value investing right now. Longtime outperforming value investor, professor, and international speaker Kenneth Jeffrey Marshall provides step-by-step guidance for creating your own value investing success story. You’ll learn how to: •Master any company with fundamental analysis•Distinguish between a company’s stock price from its worth•Measure your own investment performance honestly•Identify the right price at which to buy stock in a winning company•Hold quality stocks fearlessly during market swings•Secure the fortitude necessary to make the right choices and take the right actions Marshall leaves no stone unturned. He covers all the fundamental terms, concepts, and skills that make value investing so effective. He does so in a way that’s modern and engaging, making the strategy accessible to any motivated person regardless of education, experience, or profession. His plain explanations and simple examples welcome both investing newcomers and veterans. Good Stocks Cheap is your way forward because the Value Investing Model turns market gyrations into opportunities. It works in bubbles by showing which companies are likely to excel over time, and in downturns by revealing which of these leading businesses are the most underpriced. Build a powerful portfolio poised to deliver outstanding outcomes over a lifetime. Put the strength of value investing to work for you with Good Stocks Cheap.

Emerging Real Estate Markets: How to Find and Profit from Up-And-Coming Areas


David Lindahl - 2007
    Buy all the copies on the bookshelf before your competitor does!" --Frank McKinney, "The Maverick Daredevil Real Estate Entrepreneur" and author of Frank McKinney's Maverick Approach to Real Estate Success "I've never seen another real estate book even come close to laying out a profit road map the way this one does. If your local economy is too hot or too cold, Lindahl's guide will show you how to invest in the up-and-coming markets with the greatest profit potential." --Stacy Kellams, President, www.RealEstateCourseReviews.com "Lindahl shows you how to look into the future and see where the next hot real estate markets will be. It's the closest thing I've found to a real estate crystal ball." --Jeff Adams, President, www.FreeRealEstateMentoring.com "The brilliant thing about this book is Lindahl's approach to investing by 'remote control.' He has a real-world system for living in one place and making money from investments in another." --William Bronchick, attorney and coauthor of Flipping Properties "In the crowded field of real estate gurus, Lindahl stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. This book is must reading for any serious investor--beginner or veteran." --Justin Ford, author of Seeds of Wealth and Main Street Millionaire

Revenue Management


Robert G. Cross - 1996
    Cross answers this question with his ground-breaking approach to revitalizing businesses: focusing on the revenue side of the ledger instead of the cost side. The antithesis of slash-and-burn methods that left companies with empty profits and dissatisfied stockholders, Revenue Management overturns conventional thinking on marketing strategies and offers the key to initiating and sustaining growth.Using case studies from a variety of industries, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations, Cross describes no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech methods that managers can use to increase revenue without increasing products or promotions; predict consumer behavior; tap into new markets; and deliver products and services to customers effectively and efficiently. His proven tactics will help any business dramatically improve its bottom line by meeting the challenge of matching supply with demand.

Real Estate Development: Principles and Process


Mike E. Miles - 1991
    Thoroughly updated, the book includes material on financing and marketing.

Inside the House of Money: Top Hedge Fund Traders on Profiting in a Global Market


Steven Drobny - 2006
    Author Steven Drobny demystifies how these star traders make billions for well-heeled investors, revealing their theories, strategies and approaches to markets. Drobny, cofounder of Drobny Global Advisors, an international macroeconomic research and advisory firm, has tapped into his network and beyond in order assemble this collection of thirteen interviews with the industry's best minds. Along the way, you'll get an inside look at firsthand trading experiences through some of the major world financial crises of the last few decades. Whether Russian bonds, Pakistani stocks, Southeast Asian currencies or stakes in African brewing companies, no market or instrument is out of bounds for these elite global macro hedge fund managers. Highly accessible and filled with in-depth expert opinion, Inside the House of Money is a must-read for financial professionals and anyone else interested in understanding the complexities at stake in world financial markets. "The ruminations of supposedly hush-hush hedge fund operators are richly illuminating." --New York Times

Fearless Salary Negotiation: A step-by-step guide to getting paid what you're worth


Josh Doody - 2015
    Read Fearless Salary Negotiation, take notes, then follow Josh Doody's step-by-step negotiation process. Your future self will thank you.” - Josh Kaufman, bestselling author of The Personal MBA and The First 20 Hours “Josh has written the definitive playbook for anyone hoping to maximize their pay. Fearless Salary Negotiation is well organized, actionable, and easy for anyone to follow and use.” - Annie Duke, Decision Making Expert “Fearless Salary Negotiation provides a thoughtful salary negotiation and market research framework. I used it to negotiate $10,000 more in base salary at a new firm.” - John Miller, Financial Advisor “I applied Josh's salary negotiation method and got a much better job where I'm paid what I'm worth. In less than a week, I interviewed for and negotiated a new job with a base salary increase of $15,000!” – Shannon Long, Physical Therapist “I would have left a lot of money on the table without this book.” - Dan Brothers, Territory Manager "Thanks to Josh's book, I was able to increase my salary by 10% with a single email. This is the most valuable email I've ever sent, and I wouldn't have sent it if it wasn’t for this book.” - Justin Abrahms, Senior Software Engineer “Josh’s advice helped me land a better job and a bigger salary with more benefits than I even thought possible.” – Eric Macam, Project Scientist “Josh has built a very successful career, first in engineering and now in project management. I’m glad he’s finally writing about it so others can learn from his success!” – Ryan Delk, Entrepreneur What's inside? Fearless Salary Negotiation will help you get paid what you're worth by teaching you how to negotiate your salary, when and how to request promotions and raises, and how to ace every interview. Fearless Salary Negotiation shows you... How companies manage their salary structure—When you know how companies structure their salaries, salary negotiations, promotions, and raises make a lot more sense. How to estimate your market value—Understanding the market value for your skill set and experience is critical to the negotiation process. I'll who you how to estimate it. How to ace your next interview—Salary negotiation begins with the application and interview process. Acing your interview puts you in a position to command a higher salary. How to negotiate your new salary—You should negotiate your salary, not just accept the first offer you get. I'll help you plan and execute your salary negotiation to maximize your pay. How to leave your job on the best possible terms—It's important that you don't burn any bridges when leaving your job. Your future salary negotiations could depend on your reputation.

Entrepreneurial Leap: Do You Have What it Takes to Become an Entrepreneur?


Gino Wickman - 2019
    . . but how can you decide if you should really take the leap?There’s a lot on the line, and you have to ask yourself difficult questions: Do I have what it takes? Is it worth it? And how the hell do I do it?You need answers, not bullshit. This book has them.Entrepreneurial Leap: Do You Have What it Takes to Become an Entrepreneur? is an easy-to-use guide that will help you decide, once and for all, if entrepreneurship is right for you—because success as an entrepreneur depends on far more than just a great idea and a generous helping of luck.In this three-part book, Gino Wickman, bestselling author of Traction, reveals the six essential traits that every entrepreneur needs in order to succeed, based on real-world startups that have reached incredible heights. If these traits ring true for you, you’ll get a glimpse of what your life would look like as an entrepreneur. What’s more, Wickman will help you determine what type of business best suits your unique skill set and provide a detailed roadmap, with tools, tips, and exercises, that will accelerate your path to startup success.Packed with real-life stories and practical advice, Entrepreneurial Leap is a simple how-to manual for BIG results.Should you take the leap toward entrepreneurship? Find out today and let tomorrow be the first step in your new journey, whatever shape it may take.

Richer, Wiser, Happier: How the World’s Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life


William Green - 2021
    

Find Your Yellow Tux: How to Be Successful by Standing Out


Jesse Cole - 2017
    Start standing out. Whether in school, factories, or corporate offices, people are in a mad rush to the middle, going about their business and fitting in. The problem is, while you may feel as if you’re doing your own thing, you’re not—you’re doing what’s expected of you. To stand out, take whatever you think is normal, and do the exact opposite. In Find Your Yellow Tux, Jesse Cole, in-demand speaker and baseball ringleader, shares how you can achieve amazing things by doing the unexpected. Using examples from his life and the lives of his heroes—P. T. Barnum, Walt Disney, and MLB owner Bill Veeck—Cole shows how to reinvigorate your goals, reignite your passions, and excel in business and beyond. The time to break the mold is now—with Find Your Yellow Tux, you'll discover how to find joy and success in everything you do.