On monday there will be several shocked folks when they hear from me. I hope I have the guts like Al.
That's really the key, isn't it. Not just finding someone you admire but letting the lessons learned impact your own life.
I'm surprised so many here on the thread have met or been influenced by McGuire. Yesterday when I read the tribute, I was sitting at my local haunt and had to wipe the tears away before someone saw me. And I didn't even know the man. Though I've known a couple of that caliber. Usually people of this breed have suffered a few "scratch-marks on the soul" along the way. The price is often high and that's what makes them who they are.
Now, back to our regular programming --- or at least close --- a couple articles from today's LATimes business section:
1) Enron's business model gives clues to the future:
latimes.com
The last line reminds me of hearing John Chambers back in 1996/97 telling the Comdex audience, "If our suppliers don't go online, they will no longer be our suppliers":
But more significant than Lay's contacts is the new business landscape brought about by global competition and the rise of the Internet. In that environment, companies everywhere are likely to become students of the Enron model.
2) Vulture Capitalists find a way to benefit from dot.com failures:
latimes.com
For 'Vulture' Firms, It's the Best of Times
Investors who snap up assets, stock and debt of troubled companies are finding ripe pickings as the economy stumbles. They take big risks, but expect to earn high returns on bets others now shun.
By WALTER HAMILTON, Times Staff Writer
Unlike so many dot-com companies that have died painful deaths, Patrick Byrne's Internet start-up is thriving.
Sales have jumped 140,000% in the company's 16 months in business, and Byrne expects the Salt Lake City firm to turn profitable this quarter. His formula for success? Byrne liquidates the assets of dot-coms and other companies that have gone belly-up.
Byrne rushes in to gobble up computers, office equipment and anything else being unloaded at fire-sale prices by desperate companies. He resells the goods at below-retail prices on his Overstock.com Web site. With dot-coms dropping almost daily, Byrne is finding deals galore.
"It's a great business," Byrne, 38, said. "It's really the greatest business I've ever seen."
With the economy's dramatic slowdown and the stiff losses suffered by many investors in the stock market since last spring, these are dour days for a slew of American companies, employees and investors.
But for a small number of businesses and investors, times couldn't be better: Their success is based on others' failure.
Known as "vultures," they feed on the carcasses of weak or fallen companies. And right now, they have a lot to pick at. . . .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I just checked out the website and didn't see anything exciting, but it does show what can be done via the Internet.
Pat |
