Brett's Boss Blogs

     Returning agency to those who have lost their ability to make many decisions for themselves is an idea that has been applied to many social efforts recently. Agency entitles an individual to the ability to make decisions via their own free will without constraints they cannot control. For example, Novogratz's work in Africa has returned the financial agency to many individuals around the continent. My first step in deciding on a method for bringing positive change to the world would be to identify an issue where people in need have lost agency of some sort. Education is an area I could see having the potential to bring tremendous change to the world. Many organizations attempt to start new schools in afflicted areas but do not account for how to make those schools long lasting. Connecting children in poor countries to teachers and volunteers in developed nations via the internet is an idea I have been contemplating.     Another topic I have been read...

Every year golf celebrates one of its oldest tournaments at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The Masters first began in 1934 and has inspired generations of golfers who want nothing more than to don a Green Jacket. For anyone invested in the game of golf, this is much more than an article of clothing, it is a ticket into one of the most exclusive clubs in golf history. Historic legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player have been joined by contemporary stars like Jordan Speith, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson. The difficulty or the course and the skill of the golfers on hand always makes for an exciting experience. Augusta National is widely known as one of the most incredible golf courses in the world. As a result, this tournament draws many fans who want to see their favorite golfers compete at the highest level. Currently, a Thursday through Sunday badge which retails for $375 would cost around $6,000. The remarkable increase in resale price stems from...

When I read the introduction to this book I was excited to keep reading. I feel as though I can relate to Collins because both my parents are affluent, and as a result, I have lived a relatively worry-free life. I find it interesting when Collins states that living in a society filled with what he refers to as "economic apartheid" is non-beneficial, even to the 1 percent. The book also appears to be very heartfelt in nature. Collins gave away a half-a-million dollar trust to explore other opportunities in life, so it is clear he is serious about what he is writing about. The book does a good job analyzing the different characters in the American economy as well. Everyone has a role but no one appears to be labeled a victim or perpetrator. There is a humanizing aspect to his writing that makes his ideas easy to understand as well. His discussion on what it means to be wealthy was particularly interesting. I also appreciate the idea of empathy guiding his though...

Still figuring out the formatting From: Brett Emershad To: Professor Hansen CC: Writ 340 Subject: AMDP Investment Pitch Date: February 28, 2018 “At Nike we believe it is not enough to adapt to what the future may bring – we’re creating the future we want to see through Sustainable Innovation”             - Mark Parker, President and CEO, Nike, Inc. Nike has been a titan of industry for decades. Consumers around the globe recognize Nike as an iconic athletic wear company. Nike is also the brand behind many of the world’s most popular athletes from Neymar to Tiger Woods. Unfortunately, the positive economic and societal footprints have been counteracted by their environmental impact. Other forces such as pressure to close down sweatshops have forced Nike to formulate a new business strategy. This new venture will revolutionize how businesses interact with the environment and I believe Nike needs AMDP’s investment...

The Esports Takeover Brett Emershad Gaming had a simple beginning. Pong is a relic of the past, but in 1970 it was widely known as the most entertaining invention of its time. Thanks to advancements in technology gaming have established a major industry. Billions of people play video games every day and esports have effectively turned that group into an audience. Esports essentially translates to competitive video games. Specific esports leagues invite teams to compete in tournaments, some with rewards worth over $10 million. The DOTA 2 International Championship sold out 20,000 tickets in less than 10 minutes. From what has been seen, it is clear that gamers are interested in their practice beyond just playing. Corporations spending resources on esports are just now beginning to capitalize on this new public craze. Esports have successfully made both playing and watching video games fun.    History of eSports Stanford University provided the first glimpse int...

     The second portion of Growing a Farmer was as enjoyable as the first. Timmermiester does an excellent job communicating his experiences in lessons applicable to both business and life. Throughout the middle section of the book, Timmermeister describes situations he faces and approaches them like a businessman -- he researches the topic and comes up with a plan of action. He never blindly throws himself at a project because he understands that can only lead to failure. Another interesting trend I found while reading is the fact that most of his projects stem from a gift or tip from a friend. A book from a friend inspired him to try beekeeping. Two animals gifted to his farm by friends started his venture into livestock.      The chapter discussing his orchard was fascinating. When he is pondering his trees he relates them to a more reliable 401(k) than one he could find a financial institution. This was striking to me because it communicates the i...