Today everything is measured by speed: the speed of internet, speed reading, speed dating, speed everything. Most of us don’t have real goals but we push the speed button towards the town of nowhere. Why we do this?
Researchers at Harvard shown that we block ourselves from having clarity and even find fast solutions to our problems. They believe that the constant traffic of thoughts prevents us from seeing clearly, listening in detail and tapping one of our most precious resources – our intuition. Continue reading “The word to today is speed. The speed to … nowhere or what?”
Venture Beat just published today The top 22 mistakes of first-time CEOs. I don’t know why are 22 but they seem to be common sense.
Just browsing them and wanted to share this precious content with my online family:
1. Does not begin to build a culture of accountability in the organization on day one
2. Fails to keep their mouth closed and their ears and eyes open
3. Does not build understanding, trust, and credibility with key stakeholders in the first three months on the job
4. Over-promises and sets unrealistic expectations early in the game
5. Makes decisions for change before having the understanding and credibility of the market, business, and people
6. Drives changes too quickly and fails to understand how much change the business and culture can withstand
7. Fails to establish a true vision and strategy working with the key stakeholders and employees of the company
8. Complains and vents to the board and others about problems of the past versus talking about solutions
9. Fails to drive a strategy and operating plan that creates a successful business model
10. Over-hires talent without having the right understanding of the needed people, processes, and technology Continue reading “The top 22 mistakes of first-time CEOs”
In this article I highlight Lief Simon’s poin of view regarding the actual state of the real estate market in Turkey. Enjoy!
The real estate market in Turkey wasn’t hit as hard as others around the world in 2008 and 2009. Values in some districts of Istanbul dropped by maybe 25% at the height of the downturn (about the same as in Panama)…but in just a year-and-a-half prices had recovered. That rate of appreciation (10% to 15% per year on average) has continued through this year and is expected to carry on indefinitely.
Specifically, real estate values in Istanbul were up 11.6% on average in 2013, according to the real estate company in Istanbul I spoke with. And 2014 growth rates are expected to be greater.
Despite these impressive rates of appreciation, Istanbul real estate remains a bargain compared with other global-standard cities. With a starting market price of around US$1,000 a square meter, middle-class housing in the Turkish capital can be an excellent bargain.
Turkey real estate
That said, to put things into some perspective, the 11.6% average rate of appreciation isn’t as impressive for the locals, as inflation in the country has been running about 9% a year. Still, real estate has been staying in front of inflation on average, making it a good place for Turks to park their capital. And I believe it’d be possible to realize appreciation well beyond the averages if you bought right. My real estate contact reports possible appreciation of up to 30% per year…again, if you know what and where to invest.
Foreign buyers also have to consider currency exchange rates. A foreigner who invested US$100,000 on Jan. 1, 2013, would have had an 8.5% loss in U.S. dollar terms on Jan. 1, 2014. On the other hand, rental yields in the 10% to 12% range could have made up for the capital loss. As real estate is a long-term investment, you can’t worry too much about short-term currency fluctuations, but you do want to be aware of them. Continue reading “The state of real estate market in Turkey from Lief Simon – LiveAndInvestOverseas.com”
Panama’s former dictator Manuel Noriega is suing the video game company Activision in Los Angeles County Superior Court for damage to his reputation.
The lawsuit claims that Activision’s game Call of Duty: Black Ops II harmed his reputation by depicting him as a kidnapper, murderer, and enemy of the state, and that the depiction was used to earn profit which he now deserves a share of. Noriega’s appearance in the game in one in which he helps the primary antagonist.
The Call of Duty series is one of the most popular brands in video game culture, with Call of Duty: Black Ops II selling more than 24 million copies. During the first few months of release in 2012, the game earned more than US$1 billion.
Noriega was military dictator of Panama from 1983–1989. Removed from power during the 1989 U.S. invasion Operation Just Cause, Noriega was convicted in the United States on charges of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering. After serving jail time in the United States, he was extradited to France in 2010, where he was tried and convicted of money laundering before again being extradited in 2011 to Panama. He is currently in jail in Panama, convicted of human rights violations related to his time in power. Continue reading “Manuel Noriega Sues Video Game Company”
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