There are a plethora of so-called “experts” running to and fro commenting on why Facebook® the former darling of the IPO (Initial Public Offering) investment world dashed all their hopes and dreams. Most are missing the point in my view because it was pretty clear to anyone whom looked at their developing love affair without the rose-colored glasses. All one needed to do was put down the rose spectacles and view the model through the prism of business for a clear view. The business model showed cracks right from the beginning.

Let me state right here that I have great respect for Mr. Zuckerberg and what he’s accomplished, and is still trying to. However as of today the IPO and business model that was used to bludgeon anyone critical of its claims is currently trading not only lower, but near half its original price. For those expecting to be rich by year-end they now might be facing losses of nearly half their money, and quite possibly more. But what’s the real reason why? Here’s how I see it…

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As anyone remembers when working on their own cars before they became computers knows the old sage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” So why are the media channels full with tantalizing teasers to make sure you’re tuned in to hear how once again a problem that has supposedly been solved 375.83 speeches ago is in need of another speech to tell everyone it’s once again solved?

For quite awhile now I have written (some might argue pontificate) that the Euro crisis has never been settled regardless of what has been expressed throughout the financial media outlets. I can not help myself but to break out in sheer laughter when someone argues with either myself or in a discussion with the talking heads on television that the crisis has been averted. Or as one buzzer banging commentator used to say “That issue is off the table!” I say to that...”Really?…Oh Really?”

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I wrote and published this article originally in April of last year. Like wine it might have more flavor today than when first crafted.

American Exceptionalism…It’s the Cure not the Disease

Sorry folks, I’m getting a little tired of all the bashing, hand wringing, or the self loathing I keep hearing surrounding the American Exceptionalism argument. Hopefully many of you haven’t bought into all this trite the so-called “Ivy leaguers” like to espouse. For me, I’ll take a little more talk, and action from people wearing cowboy boots than the wing tips.

Have most people in this country forgot that it wasn’t the suits, and ties that forged into the unknown with nothing more than a horse, a wagon, and yes a gun. If that bothers anyone, save the emails, I could care less. The schoolboy crowd could have never taken root in this new unknown until the people who had the courage to go out and do It…Did It! Only after these pioneers settled themselves in, and actually built the infrastructure that would allow this “genius crowd” to actually attend a school could they then look down their noses at them.

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Whether you’re a veteran entrepreneur or just making the plunge one thing will remain constant. You’ll have a lifetime filled with moments of reflection in self-analysis. Some will come out of the blue years or even decades later that will make you stop, think, and ask yourself;  “Was that the right decision at the time or not?” A truly informative, and useful self-analysis should also include this question answered honestly; “Would I make the same decision today if all I knew was what I knew then?”

Woulda, shoulda, coulda, is for amateurs and parlor game discussions. Shoulda bought shares in Apple® at $60.00 then you coulda sold them at $600.00 and you woulda made a killing is worthless chatter. If something you invested in went to ZERO and you lost a near fortune would you have still made the same decision based on what you knew then is more relevant, and useful. Sometimes knowing that yes you would, or no you wouldn’t and why is the only significant question to be answered regardless of the final outcome. I have done this countless times over my career. It never ends.

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Public Relations. Implicit in that term are two relationships not just one. The public’s relationship to you, and your relationship to the public. Although the meanings are joined at the hip that doesn’t mean one of them can’t be the antithesis of the other simultaneously. Nor does it mean that if you do X here…Y will result there. It’s not a zero sum game. They’re not locked in any correlated fashion. There can also be exponential adverse or favorable reactions to each other irregardless of making any sense.

That’s why what you say, when you say, and how you say it the first time you look into a camera, write an op-ed, or even argue with your spouse matters. Only seizing the moral high ground immediately will help protect you when the pikes and torches are being gathered. It might not be enough, but it’s the only salvo that has the best chance of providing any salvation. Whether it’s for the public itself, or your own dignity, knowing what you said was truth in the end might be all you’ll have.

You must to be able to look yourself in the mirror first warts and all and say, “I’m telling the truth” regardless if anyone believes you. If not, no matter how much make up one puts on eventually the truth will see daylight. Or worse you’ll be grilled by so many, for so long, no amount of special effects will be of help. Metaphorically speaking customers leaving you never to return is really not that different from an angry mob picketing your doors. Both produce the same results.

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