This essay’s TL;DR ? Don’t get too caught up in the current “this time it’s different” hype cycle. Focus on the basics and what is immutable. “EVERYTHING IS CHANGING. NEW NEW THING WILL NOW REPLACE THE OLD NEW THING!” Currently the zeitgiest is all about and around AI hot takes. Earlier it was Blockchain andContinue reading “Calm in Chaos: A Framework for the Overhyped Now”
Category Archives: Competition
On Information Asymmetry
Information asymmetry is defined in wikipedia this : In economics and contract theory, information asymmetry deals with the study of decisions in transactions where one party has more or better information than the other. This creates an imbalance of power in transactions which can sometimes cause the transactions to go awry. Here is a lensContinue reading “On Information Asymmetry”
Unsustainable Business Models
My one favourite place when in London is a Borders Bookstore. I have spent many pleasant hours is their flagship store on Oxford Street. The third floor there has a Starbucks where you can, after you have vacuumed for your favourite books from the stores’ aisles below, ordered a latte, proceed to waste the dayContinue reading “Unsustainable Business Models”
Weak Moats in Business
Recently I wanted to buy a book a blog recommended. The book sold in India for 1300 rupees online. It was available in Amazon UK for 240 rupees, gbp converted to inr. I had friends in the UK who could get it to me quickly. A good test of the fundamental strength of your business/Continue reading “Weak Moats in Business”
Why ‘Cost Plus Pricing’ is passé
Most of us here learn pricing strategy in business economics 101 from a cost plus angle. I want to sell this killer mouse trap Mr.Venture Capitalist/Loan Officer : It costs X dollars/rupees/pounds to make. I will add a y% margin and sell it. Voila! That strategy died sometime in 2002. Unless you are a pioneerContinue reading “Why ‘Cost Plus Pricing’ is passé”
The Next Disruption: Is Your Business Ready for the Cheap Flight Revolution?
I was in Bangkok a few days ago (late 2010) with friends and we stayed at Khaosan Road, the western traveler mecca. We did multiple laps of the nearby streets in our short stay there. Anything less than a month should count as short stay. Bangkok and Thailand deserve more. Airlines like AIR ASIA willContinue reading “The Next Disruption: Is Your Business Ready for the Cheap Flight Revolution?”