Trump's Brand Expands Across GCC Amid Iran Tensions
With the Iran conflict now in its 4th week, an important angle worth noting: President Trump’s family business (Trump Organization) has substantial licensing deals across the GCC - Trump Towers, hotels & golf resorts in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar & Oman, partnered with government-linked developers. The Trump Organization currently has active or announced licensing/branding deals (hotels, towers, golf resorts & residential) in 4 GCC countries: Saudi Arabia: Multiple projects including Trump Tower Jeddah, Trump Plaza Jeddah, and Trump International Golf Club + resort in Wadi Safar/Diriyah (with Dar Global). United Arab Emirates (UAE): Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai (80-storey landmark with hotel & residences). Existing Trump International Golf Club in Dubai, plus further residential/hotel expansions (potential in Abu Dhabi area). Qatar: Trump International Golf Club Simaisma + branded villas (first major entry into Qatar real estate, with Dar Global & Qatari Diar). Oman: Trump International Oman in Aida/Muscat (hotel, golf course & residences, partnered with Dar Global & government-linked Omran). Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners now manages ~$6.2B AUM, the bulk from Saudi PIF, UAE & Qatari sovereign wealth funds and he is reportedly seeking billions more from the same sources while involved in regional diplomacy. Clear economic incentives side for rapid de-escalation. As the late Charlie Munger used to say: “Show me the incentives and I’ll show you the outcome.” History shows, unless there is a recession, equity markets almost always bottom during geopolitical shocks - well before any formal end to conflict. $NDX $SPX
Ascender and Maven Letters Prompt Bain to Extend Offer
MCJ (6670 JP) - the Letters from Ascender Capital and Maven Capital appear to have had something of an effect. Bain extended the TOB today. They would not extend if they had reached the minimum. I wrote about this on...
Hire Hungry, Not Perfect Resumes; Drive Beats Credentials
I've hired 40+ people for e-commerce brands. Here's the pattern: People with 'perfect resumes' quit in 3 months. People with hunger and no experience are still with me 3 years later. Credentials don't matter. Drive does. Hire hungry.
Upcoming March EZ PMIs May Signal Three Rate Hikes
% min until the first EZ PMIs start to trickle in for March, with ERZ6 pricing in three hikes for this year. Let's see whether the latter holds. Remember,that the PMIs will tend to import this shock as "strength" via...
Seeking Account Director for PR & Marketing Agency
I am looking for an Account Director for a PR and Marketing Agency. If you are a candidate fit for the role, please reach out to me.
Composable ERP Cuts Rework and Simplifies Tech Swaps
Minimize project rework and make technology replacements less painful. A best-of-breed or composable ERP environment is key. #ERP #TechStrategy https://t.co/J4jmSyxXKl
Discover Hidden Talent Through Their Work, Not Labels
Find Hidden #Talent Based On Their Work – Just Like You’d Find An Unknown Artist @DrJohnSullivan https://t.co/WsZnRA8DEJ #HCM #HRM #HumanResources #HRTech #CHRO #FutureofHR
Unexpected Small Nations Accelerate Global Economic Convergence
Growth is accelerating, but not where most expect. Moldova is projected to lead global GDP per capita growth with +53% by 2030. Alongside countries like Guyana and Turkmenistan, emerging economies dominate the percentage rankings. But the more interesting signal is where speed meets scale. Countries...
Pakistan Faces Energy Crunch as Qatar LNG Supply Dries
Almost 99% of Pakistan’s LNG imports came from Qatar last year. Now, PAK import terminals are close to shutting down. Pakistan may be forced to turn to more EXPENSIVE and DIRTIER furnace oil to generate power. PAKISTAN SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR...
Human-in-the-Loop Risks Turning Us Into Rubber Stamps
Important. ‘Humans-in-the-loop’ assumes the human is consistently motivated to stay active in the loop. Instead, we progressively offload the work until we become a rubber stamp
Running a Business Is Hard, Buying Easy—People Misunderstand
operators: you know how to run a business that's the hard part buying one with no money down is the easy part most people have it backwards
Power Panel Drives India's Progress
MyPOV: a power panel on leading India forward. @NavaniRajan moderating @kris_sg @bharat_radhika @sanbatra Madhu Sasidhar #IndiasporaForum @IndiasporaForum https://t.co/4HcaGuNPXB
India’s Digital Infrastructure Thrives on Public‑Private Collaboration
MyPoV: @_RituSingh interviewing legendary CEO @Bajaj_Finserv @sanjivrbajaj He’s talking about how strong the digital public infrastructure is in India from payments to wealth management. The Indian government has strong private public cooperation @IndiasporaForum #IndiasporaForum
Upgrade Excuses Kill Strategy; Lead with Purpose
Feeling held hostage by system upgrades? It's a common driver, but a terrible reason for digital transformation. Leaders, push for clearer purpose, goals, and strategy beyond just 'the vendor is making us.' #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #TechLeadership https://t.co/BlfCq6bE4K
Chinese Automakers Outsell Japanese Rivals Globally for First Time
Xinhua: "Chinese automakers have surpassed their Japanese counterparts in global vehicle sales for the first time, marking a significant shift in the global automotive industry." https://t.co/PtNMiJISii
Invest $50K in Webinars, Earn $1M Yearly
I spent $50K learning to run webinars. One workshop/month now drives $1M/year across my companies. Here's the exact system:
Discipline Is Infrastructure, Not Restriction, Shaping True Character
Discipline is often framed as restriction. In reality, it’s infrastructure. It removes randomness from performance. When standards are clear and consistently applied, decisions improve without constant oversight. Character, then, isn’t built in moments of pressure—it’s revealed by the systems you’ve...
Private Credit's Circular Lending: Cliffwater Borrows From Itself
The circular relationships within the private credit ecosystem are fascinating. For example, Cliffwater invests in Carlyle's private credit fund. On the other end, Carlyle's private credit fund lends to Cliffwater (first lien loan shown below). So it appears that ultimately, Cliffwater is lending...
Future Labor: Salarymen Generalists or Small Business Owners
The near-term future of human labor is Japanese -- we'll be either salarymen (generalists getting constantly reassigned to new tasks by companies), or small businesspeople. Gotta write up this take before @GearoidReidy beats me to it
Third Manipulation Spike Pushes Brent to $104
Now, after the third incident of price manipulation, oil prices are rising again. Bent is about $104/b.
China Slashes Hi‑Tech Metal Shipments to Japan, Boosts Magnet Exports
China cuts some hi-tech metals sent to Japan – but magnet exports rise. Why? https://t.co/7TeFEq0KsX
Japan's Oil Imports Mostly Middle East, Review Ordered
"Takaichi Orders Review of Entire Supply Chain for Oil Products" I suspect the review will find that about 90-95% of #Japan’s oil imports come from Middle Eastern countries... https://t.co/hjPmFeOPov
Iran's Economy Was Not Collapsing Before US‑Israeli Attack
One of the many lies about Iran that has been generated in Washington, D.C., and other Western capitals is that, before the current US-Israeli attack on Iran, Iran's economy was in a state of collapse. NOT TRUE. JUST TAKE A GLANCE AT...
Agentic AI Generates Six High-Quality ICP Meetings Weekly
6 weeks in: How Agentic AI is already delivering 6 high-quality ICP meetings a week by @Timothy_Hughes https://t.co/7UsnSpKjGN @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Salesforce #SalesEnablement #Marketing #Leadership #MarketingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence
Stand Firm: Prioritize Company Over Vendor Pressure
Push back on vendors and teams, even when uncomfortable. Doing what's right for the company matters most, despite their pressure. #BusinessTips #VendorManagement https://t.co/vw7A0CqBOg
Venezuela's Bolivar Plummets 86%, Dollarization Needed
On this week's Hanke's #CurrencyWatchlist, the Venezuelan bolivar ranks as the WORLD'S WORST currency. The bolivar has depreciated by 86% against the USD over the past year. The only thing that will salvage Venezuela is DOLLARIZATION. https://t.co/HsoegSMSO1
Lenders Demand Only Top‑Tier Collateral for Redemptions
Of course assets would have to be pledged as collateral for any borrowings to meet redemptions, under this thought experiment. Doubtful the lenders would accept anything other than the “best” collateral. Think about it.
CNN to Cut Jobs, Shift Toward Digital Future
Scoop: CNN is expected to lay off some staffers this week as network chief Mark Thompson works to push the network away from linear television and into the digital future.
Iran’s Fragmented Leadership Clouds US Negotiation Prospects
Important nuance before assuming the stage is set for US-Iran negotiations: ❓ How unified is Iran’s top leadership at present — across the legislative branch, the military (especially the IRGC), and the religious establishment? ❓ Does Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hold...
Threads Adds Profile View Counts as Social Proof
🚨 NEW 🚨 Threads is starting to show the number of recent views you’ve received directly on your profile. The metric becomes visible once an account surpasses 10K views over the last 30 days, but there is an option to turn...
Great Communicators Ask Many Simple, Caring Questions
Super communicators ask 10 to 20 times more questions than the average person, and most of them are simple. The real skill is asking questions that invite people to talk about what they actually care about, and then genuinely listening...
Turn Data Into Insight: Evolve Your Marketing Strategy
What if "Data-Driven Marketers" became "Insight-Driven" instead - A Blog by @TBorreson11 https://t.co/ZL5RmRjA0P #personalbranding #networking #community #digitaltransformation #digitalmarketing #digitalselling #socialselling #belonging #culture #businessintelligence https://t.co/ME5t1rZGvq
Strait of Hormuz: Tiny Passage, Massive Oil Impact
I’m wondering if the news media can muster up an article or report about the Strait of Hormuz, how big it is at its narrowest point and why it’s such a critically strategic waterway to oil trade…. I haven’t heard...
Hidden Entry Fees Can Drain Millions From Investors
If you invest $10,000 today, how much of that actually gets invested after all charges? If the answer isn't close to $10,000, you should understand why. One client found out she'd been paying a 2% upfront sales charge every time she...
Transform From Salesperson to Sales Architect
From Salesperson to Sales Architect: Navigating the Agentic Shift by @Timothy_Hughes https://t.co/8jjjB5tYZQ @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Salesforce #SalesEnablement #ArtificialIntelligence #Marketing #MarketingStrategy #Tech #TechNews https://t.co/kcaEQ8Fn2g
Act Now, Learn What Works Through Feedback
One of my favorite lessons I’ve learnt from working with smart people: Action produces information. If you’re unsure of what to do, just do anything, even if it’s the wrong thing. This will give you information about what you should actually...
Floating Storage Delays Iranian Oil Sales, Relief Unlikely.
Despite some accounts on this app implying that all oil that Iran has shipped is already sold…that is not the case. Some oil is shipped and is floating storage…to then be sold later. This does not mean the USTs...
Software Firms Must Pick Margins or Growth, Not Both
@DavidGeorge83 nails it. It's a tough reality check for software companies, but those don't pick a path between super high margins and accelerated growth won't make it. The "and" + "just a few more years" strategy no longer works.
AI Redefines Startup Moats, Margins, and Deep Tech
The startup landscape has fundamentally shifted in the last 2 years with AI's rise, and there are 5 changes that have caught many off guard: 1. Product-market fit is easier to lose than ever I used to believe reaching $10M...
Revenue‑Sustaining Startups Risk AI Pivot Missteps
lots of non-AI native startups funded in the 2020-2025 timeframe trying to figure out: - can you reinvent the product to be AI-native? - do you pivot towards AI? - or just use AI in the backoffice, and ride it out? opportunity cost is...
December 2026 PCE Inflation Projected at 3.1%
GS: We Now Expect December 2026 Headline PCE Inflation of 3.1%, 1pp Above Our Pre-War Forecast; Both Headline and Core PCE Could Peak Higher in a More Severe Risk Scenario https://t.co/sMwHyf6s7N
OpenAI Boosts Private‑Equity Offer in Enterprise War with Anthropic
Exclusive: OpenAI sweetens private equity pitch amid enterprise turf war with Anthropic, sources say https://t.co/ZcUhtQFcMj
Iran War Triggers Global Inflation and Supply Chain Strain
Goldman Sachs: Brace for worldwide inflation surge. The supply shortages created with the Iran war. What will that do to demand, China & other exports, inventory, supply chains, and logistics? Especially the transportation modes.
Emotion Drives Loyalty: Connect Beyond Product Features
7 Ways to Foster Emotional Connections with Customers https://t.co/ZXn6tzmf4U #Loyalty. What’s #emotion got to do with it? A lot. It’s often thought of as key driver of loyalty. It goes beyond functional benefits of product/service, taps into custmrs’ feelings, values,...
Parsi Explains Rial’s 12% Surge Amid US‑Israel Conflict
Johns Hopkins PhD Trita Parsi is on to something. What Parsi reports helps explain why the Iranian Rial has soared by 12% against the USD during the first 3 weeks of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Post‑CNY Container Surge Set to Strain US Trucking
Ocean container imports are just starting to roll in from CNY. This index tracks container at the point of bookings, which take about 3 weeks from bookings date to hit US ports. It is updated daily. In coming weeks, we will...
Oil Shocks Fail to Stubbornly Raise Inflation Expectations
GS: Over the Past 40 Years, Even Major Oil Price Shocks Did Not Leave Long-Lasting Effects on Consumer Inflation Expectations https://t.co/8naRIKCG9F
Commodity Price Surge to Add 0.35pp Core PCE by 2026Q
GS: We Estimate That the Boost from Commodity Price Increases to Year-Over-Year Core PCE Inflation Will Peak Around 0.35pp in 2026Q4 in Our Baseline Scenario https://t.co/e4Hp5utn1j
Tariffs Inflate Costs, Threaten Jobs; Need Pro‑Growth Policies
Tariff taxes are raising costs for businesses and squeezing workers. As Governor, I want policies that strengthen U.S. manufacturing, lower costs, and create stable jobs—not add uncertainty and expenses. https://sentinelcolorado.com/nation-world/nation/trumps-tariffs-are-hurting-american-manufacturers-instead-of-helping-them/
Master the Big Picture, Accelerate Your Rise
After college I joined a $500MM+ AUM real estate private equity firm. Within just 2 years, I became a junior partner I won't deny luck played a part, but I'd like to think there was some skill involved as well Most important...