INVESTING IN TURNAROUNDS IS A TOUGH BUSINESS FOR TOUGH PEOPLE
Turnaround guys I think much of the flak about Bain Capital is not deserved. This group and others may be considered predatory or corporate raiders and some may very well be that. I don’t know enough about Bain to comment, but do know a lot about the turnaround business. I have financed many turnarounds, some [...]
HOW TO MAKE A DECISION
Okay, there are other ways to make decisions too, but I like the decision matrix. I learned this technique 35 years ago and have used it frequently over the year for many decisions. I like it because it gives me a quantitative bases to clarify my thinking. I have here an example of how i [...]
I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BUY HEATH INSURANCE!
That may seem like an odd opinion from a conservative. I recognize the constitutional issues and it may not come to pass, but why do I feel this way? First, many people would not buy it unless their employer provided it. I don’t know about other states but do know that in Minnesota that it [...]
BOOK REVIEW FROM LUTHER STUDENT I MET ON LINKEDIN
I met Tyler Zey on the Luther group on Linkedin. He is a remarkable young man who has already started an internet busineess and some blogs. I admire his ambition and entrepreneurship! Check out his site: ChangeJars.com Here is his review of my book: Rob Severson’s “Connecting Peace, Prosperity, and Purpose” is a neatly formed [...]
HOME OWNERSHIP FOR EVERYONE?? IS THAT REALLY A GOOD THING?
Well that sure sounds good doesn’t it? It just makes sense that we should all own a home! I for one disagree! I think there is so much more to home ownership than just getting the mortgage and moving in. even though one may qualify for the loan there are other things to consider that [...]
WHY CAN’T OUR GOVERNMENT MAKE DECISIONS? DO THEY MIX TOO MANY ISSUES?
I think by now everyone knows the US is in a financial bind. Too much debt, too much spending that increases debt, and many other problems. Why don’t they do something we keep asking? One of the best classes I took while at Norwest 30 years ago was a class in problem solving and decision [...]
IS IT TIME TO DO A GOVERMENT BAILOUT?
I’ve been thinking again. When businesses get into trouble then need to quickly get new financing in order to execute their turnaround plan and stay alive. They approach lenders who may buy their plan and provide the money they can get, or they seek to bring new equity into their business. In the process of [...]
I HAVE A DREAM! YES, LOTS OF THEM!!
Yes, I dream a lot, hence the name for my blog: “I’ve been thinking” My articles are not based on lots of research, just my experiences in life and work. My hope is that someone will find it some day and find an idea that helps them n their career and life in general. One [...]
DOES REFINANCING UNDERWATER MORTGAGES REALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM?
I have been reading about the mortgage deals Obama is proposing for folks whose home values are less than their mortgage balances. As I understand it, he wants to get lower rate financing for these folks that are current on their mortgages and would like a lower payment on their loans. I don’t understand how [...]
DO WE WANT OUR GOVERNMENT IN THE VENTURE CAPITAL BUSINESS? CAN WE AFFORD IT?
ARE VENTURE CAPITALISTS GREEDY? That is what they say, some even call them vulture capitalists! Well, I’m sure some are and some aren’t like in any business. But in he case of VC’s is there good reason to be “greedy”? I was in the venture capital business for four years and learned a lot about [...]
