Business Today International Conference
"Charting the Course: Navigating the 21st Century Economy"
November 18-20 2012
Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City




Open Notes:

Dr. Steven Bloom: Senior VP of NASDAQ
Mega Trends
1. A Sluggish US economic recovery. GDP growth at 4% is ideal but it’s currently 2%. Unemployment is too high, but inflation is under control at 2 percent though health care and food are high.
2. US has $16 trillion in debt, the highest in relation to GDP since WW2 in 1945. It took 20 years to return to a normal rate. (The fiscal cliff is coming up with solutions so we don’t have to simultaneously raise taxes and reduce expenditures)
3. Anemic outlook by consumers, leaders and investors.
4. Growing U.S income equality and poverty (1/6 of Americans are considered impoverished)
5. Globalization of world economics
6. Euro zone in crisis (Weak countries are PIGS, Portugal Italy Greece Spain) Germany may be softening.
7. Middle East oil and other economic shock (oil is king in powering economies) The big question is ”Is there an alternative to middle eastern oil?”
8. Rise of China (low labor cost: rural, back office of the world), not just for unskilled labor. However, China may be experiencing its own real estate bubble.
9. Rise of emerging markets generally BRICS (for you South Africans)
10. Power of business innovation and entrepreneurship

Back: Rohan Manchanda, Marcello Schermer, Aazar Ali, Dianna Yau, Kyle Brandon
Front: Daniel Israel, Yohan Atlan, me, and Hannah Kate

Ms. Barbara Byrne: Barclay’s Capital Vice Chairman
Life Lessons
1. Get to know the client, provide quality service, and think what they need.
2. No is just another answer to yes.
3. Be unbelievably optimistic.
4. You cannot celebrate other people's failures
5. You should build for the future
6. Be kind to everyone
7. Set goals, mistakes happen
8. Stakeholders: community to be involved. Citizenship is core to who we are.
9. The investment banking business continues to evolve: Increased regulation is fine as long as the rules are clear "Work and Passion"
10. What makes is stand out is having an opinion and taking a stand. You can be quiet... But say something. When you take a stand, you think about issues.
11. When you are working on something but time flies, that's your passion. You are in the zone. You are energized.

Mr. Michael Novogratz: President of Fortress Investment Group

Mr. Michael Novogratz: President of Fortress Investment Group
Life Comments
1. Spend 5 or 10 percent of your day trying to make the world better, to solve complex, difficult problems.
2. Who talks to their parents daily? If so, cut your parents off... You are supposed to figure out who you are and who you are supposed to be. Give yourself some space
3. Statistically, people will live to 80s or 90s. Chill out. The single best thing to do for oneself is to take a year off between college and work to see the world. 50 percent of growth is overseas. Grow empathy, opportunity. Business opportunity, cultural opportunity. Get off the fast track and travel.
4. Don't chase the new great idea. Stumble around things and figure what you love.
5. Steal mentors, you are not going to do it alone. If you don't ask, they can't say no. Be confident enough and sneak up to them. People love to talk about themselves. Learn and your success will be built on the shoulders of others.
6. Have fun. What makes you feel that joy? If you don't like your job, quit. Having fun and finding joy is your life’s mission.
7. Invest in all sides of yourself. How do we educate and nourish the soul? Find some time to meditate, pray or some sort of spirituality. Read biographies of people.
8. Health: Be wary of your diet and exercise. Educate oneself on exercise.




End Notes.

Once again, I’m still alive!

Thursday October 11th 2012.

The reason I’m writing this article in English is because I want you to show what’s going on in Venezuela Internationally.

This year we built at my house in Caracas a Suca for the Jewish holiday (Google it). After 10 days we had to take it down. I called my uncle and asked if I can borrow his pick up truck for a couple of hours, so I could load the bamboos and palm tree leaves. My uncle sent me the 1998 Ford 150 truck with the driver Eduardo.

Both of us loaded up all the materials of the Suca to put it in the garbage. Once we reached the dump  we began  taking off all the cargo. It was at 3:30pm in front of a school called “Colegio Patria” and next to an

eldership. Two normal, average looking guys walked up the street where we were offloading the stuff. They saw us and kept walking  towards us. Once we finished our work they came at us aiming two very

powerful  guns at us. When they reached us, both pointed at me even though I wasn’t the driver. I gave them my wallet, watch, and my the phone.  My partner  Eduardo did the same. They took the SUV keys and left.

We hid ourselves behind the school’s door in case the robbers were going to start shooting. Then, a guy that saw everything, offered to take me home. Thankfully my home was only a couple blocks away.

Eduardo was shocked, and I had  to act and think quickly. I called 911 which didn’t work. Then I called my uncle to tell him that I lost his car. I took my other car which was parked at my house and drove to the Police Municipals. From a previous experience I had, I had became  friends with the Police Director. Once in his office he used the  police radio to notify the police in Caracas about the car. After all of this  Eduardo and I drove to other police and army departments. After eight hours, we finally found the car!

Today, Friday October 12th at 4:30pm I am sitting at my computer, reflecting and analyzing what happen. I can say one more time that God wants me here and isn't ready for me yet. But, I'm confused. It  is very sad that what I experienced yesterday thousands of Venezuelans experienced every day. In most of the cases the robbers kill the victims, or kidnap them. I was lucky.

I have met people around the world that says that Chavez, the Venezuela President, is a very good leader. If he is a great president why are there people robbing others to bring food to their house?  Somehow you have to feed your family I guess. Why is Chavez giving to other countries the money our country makes from the oil instead battling the delinquency and creating jobs?

If you know someone that works in your country’s International Relations Department, or in the UN, or in any International Court. Please help! Venezuela is falling down. This country needs international pressure on the government.

Esperando en el JFK

Hace un par de meses mi hermano viajo desde Caracas a Nueva York. Yo fui al aeropuerto esperarlo un par de horas antes de que llegara y me senté en una de las salidas del gigantesco aeropuerto JFK. Sentado ahí, me puse a ver la gente que salía por la puerta, valga la redundancia, a intentar saber por su apariencia cual era su destino de partida. Este tipo de “juego” lo he hecho antes, pero hacerlo en el JFK ha sido un reto muy difícil. Lo que lo hace tan complicado es la cantidad de gente distinta que viaja de donde sea en el mundo y que siempre por esa puerta donde esperaba se mezclaban los vuelos. Bueno, el primer grupo de gente sale, el patrón era de estatura mediana, morenos, hablaban español y tenían en vez de maletas eran bolsas plásticas con cierre y la imagen de “Piolín”. Esto es típico en Perú, Bolvia y Ecuador. Pues sí, el vuelo era proveniente de La Paz, Bolivia, lo sé por que lo confirme con uno de los pasajeros. Luego empezaron a salir jóvenes muy blancos con chaquetas de vestir azules, lo primero que viene a mi mente fue “no son latinos”. Eran muy ordenados y silenciosos, ellos iban como en fila uno tras otro. Era obvio que venían todos en grupo, pero no podía identificar de donde eran. Pensé que eran Alemanes, Polacos, Lituanos, pero es que ninguno tenia el color de pelo oscuro. Bueno, el grupo de jóvenes se reúne a un lado esperando a que salgan todos y en eso noto que los hombres tienen a un costado de la chaqueta la bandera de Finlandia. El contraste entre los Bolivianos y los Finlandeses era demasiado, y yo esperaba a los Venezolanos, mi mente no sabía que esperar a ver. En eso sale otro grupo y noto que el patrón es señores mayores como con cinco maletas en un carrito, esas maletas viejas de tela con flores estampadas. Ellos venían usando el teléfono hablando español y las familias (hijos y nietos) venían todos corriendo a recibirlos. Yo los identifique rápido y acerté, venían de República Dominicana. Ya se acercaba la hora de que el vuelo de Venezuela saliera y ponía mas atención a la gente que salía por si acaso mi hermano saliera. Alrededor mío había gente preguntando a los empleados del aeropuerto si el viaje de Madrid o de Francia ya había llegado. En eso sale otro patrón de gente de pelo muy negro, morenos y tenían muchos muchos niños consigo. No supe identificar de que país venían pero estaba seguro de que eran de cultura Árabe. Tal vez una o dos mujeres venían con la cara tapada, es decir, no vienen de un llegaron de un país muy religioso o de un país mas mente abierta. Seguido salio gente con el patrón de sombrero de llanero y sobreros de vaqueros hechos paja. No eran muchos los que salían con sombrero, pero todos o casi todos salían con camisas manga largas de tela con cuadros. También de ese grupo salieron seis o siete personas con traje de vestir que se notaba que tenían reuniones en la ciudad el mismo dái. Ellos venía hablando Inglés con acento un poco raro que realmente no podía identificar. En mi mente decía “Quién caminará por la quinta avenida con un sombrero así?” Me acerque a preguntar y ellos venían de Texas. Después, hubo como diez minutos donde paró de salir gente, eso fue raro ya que la última hora fue corrido. En eso sale gente usando camisas del Real Madrid, del Barcelona y de Argentina. Las mujeres y niñas venían muy arregladas y con lentes grandes, las jóvenes usaban sweteres unicolores, mas que todos rosados, amarrillos, verdes manzana, etc. que decían “Aeropostale” en todo el medio y grande. En general el grupo era muy ruidoso. Los señores llegaban con camisas manga larga marca polo. No se porque hubo un par de gente que salía con gorra y lentes de sol al mismo tiempo,  jajajajajaja, será que había sol allá adentro? La gente traía muchas maletas pero como las movían y cargaban con tanta facilidad concluí que estaban casi vacías y venían Nueva York a llenarlas. Era claro que el se trataba del viaje de Venezuela. Me acerque mas a la salida y empezaba a escuchar la gente diciendo “llegamos marico”, “José, agarra esa vaina coño!”, esto reafirmo que se trataba de los Venezolanos, en especial cuando un señor muy gordo y con bigotes dijo “mi hermano, hemos llega’o al Imperio mesmo”.  En eso salio mi hermano con una camisa y Crocs amarrillos fosforescentes, con una gorra de Venezuela Fútbol Club y un bolso anaranjado inmenso. Definitivamente, nos tenemos que hacer notar, somos distintos.

En verdad es un orgullo ser Venezolano! 

The Economic View: London Olympics 2012

    Besides promoting excitement and bringing the opportunity to be the center of the world, Summer Olympics 2012 in London will be one of the biggest financial projects of modern time. Many people think that during the recession and with economy issues the world is facing that hosting an event of such caliber will cost a lot of money. Well, it will, but the revenues for the city and the hosts will be even bigger. After 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, it was reported that a record breaking number was spent on the games, making it the most expensive Olympics so far. The number, however, was not revealed but it is rumored to be around $40 billion. It has big chances to be matched or surpassed by London Olympics. Summer Olympics and Paralympics’ main sponsors include McDonald’s, Visa, Coca-Cola and Adidas. 

    2012 Summer Olympics will feature the longest Olympics sponsor: the American fast food restaurant McDonalds. It will be the main sponsor of the event and has already opened several new restaurants for the event, including the record-breaking 1500-seated restaurant in the east of London, in Stanford. McDonalds will have four big restaurants and only two for public use: the rest will go to the Athletes Village and Media Centre. It just shows how much the American giant has invested in this year’s Olympics. What also may worry the hosts and the guests, is that McDonald’s sponsorship deal features a highly unusual request and something most of the hosts won’t agree. McDonalds has purchased exclusive rights to sell fries during the Olympics, popularly known as chips. But the British can relax, because their favorite food fish and chips are not bannedm. However, they can only be bought in a combo. If you only want chips, you have to go to the nearest McDonald’s. Funny what money can do, right?

    Many are already predicting a financial catastrophe by the hosts, but there have been several optimistic predictions as well. More than £800 million were invested for the infrastructure, including the building of the new Olympic stadium in London.  Research has shown, that the most expensive games so far were in Barcelona 1992 and the country ended the games in a large debt. The situation is a bit tricky, but the concerns for the London 2012 are not that big. When London first bided for the hosts, their budget was £5 billion but  since 2005 it has risen to £9 billion. Nevertheless, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron assures that UK will gain more than £16.5 billion and the London 2012 will boost UK’s economy in the next four years. Unfortunately, there will be no lasting benefit for the economy and the UK will eventually return to the recession. There have been many controversies, because it is expected that only the city of London will benefit from the games while the rest of the UK will “chip in” with the investment.

    Most of the income from the Olympics will also come from the tickets, as tourists are expected to arrive from all over the world. There are predictions that only 83% of the 9 million released tickets will be sold, boosting the income for the Olympics for £400 million.

    There is no doubt that the 2012 Olympics will be remembered by sporting activities and some new heroes and records. But the Olympics will end, and whether Britain will get their expected profit, is still a question to be seen.


Daniel Simkin

Un serveur, ma petite amie et moi au restaurant.

Moi: comment ça va?
Becky: ça va, et toi ?
Moi: je vais bien
Becky: C’est un bon restaurant
Moi: Oui, c'est  mon ami Brian Brik qui m'a conseillé de venir ici.
Becky: c'est ton meilleur ami?
Moi: Oui, c'est un bon ami
Becky: comment s'appelle  ce restaurant?
Moi: le restaurant s’apelle “Buono Café”
Moi: Garçon! Garçon !

Hôte: Bonjour, bienvenue au Buono Cafe
Voici notre menu.
Becky & moi : Merci
Becky: Quelle est la spécialité dans votre restaurant ? Sinon auriez-vous un plat du jour ?
Hôte: Nous avons comme plat du jour un hamburger accompagné de patates douces.
Becky: Je déteste les hamburgers, y aurait-il de la salade?
Hôte: Oui, la salade de la "montanga" c'est également notre spécialité.
Becky: Que contient cette salade ?
Hôte: La salade de la montanga contient : des carottes, des champignons, du concombre, des oignons, des petit-pois, et des condiments,
Son assaisonnement : un peu de vinaigre et de l’huile.
Becky: mmmmm, ça m'a l'air très bon.
Hôte: OK, je reviens dans trois minutes.

Becky: Dani, que vas-tu manger?
Daniel: Mon ami David Kaufman, m'a conseillé de commander leur viande, mais je ne suis pas encore sur. Et toi?
Becky: Mon ami, Shirley Abecasis, m'a recommandé de demander la salade capresse, mais je ne sais pas..
Daniel: Shirley est un peu folle! Mais c' est une bonne amie.

Raul Brik: Daniellll, comment ça va? Comment ça se passe à New York?
Daniel: mon pote!!! Je vais bien, très bien, j'étudie beaucoup. Et toi?
Raul Brik: Je vais bien aussi, je travaille aussi beaucoup.
Daniel: Tu as des nouvelles d'Anita, de Kenny et de  Jenny?
Raul Brik: Ils vont bien, Jenny étudie le français, Kenny apprends à jouer de la guitare et Anita travaille à la maison.
Daniel : C’est une bonn famille!
Raul Brik: Et toi Becky?
Becky: ça va bien, les cours sont un peu durs, mais ça va  !
Raul Brik: super! C'était sympa de vous revoir. Je dois encore aller voir ma cousine!
Daniel et Becky: Ok partenaire!

Hôte: Avez vous fait votre  choix, Madame?
Becky: Je vais prendre de la soupe à l’oignon.
Hôte: Monsieur?
Daniel: Je prendrai du paté de champagne
Hôte: désirez-vous boire quelque chose ?
Becky: un citron pressé
Daniel: pour moi, un jus d’orange. s'il vous plaît
Hôte: et pour la plat principal Madame?
Becky: je veux prendre la salade de la montagna
Daniel: Je vais prendre du boeuf bourguignon.
Hôte: Bon! Je reviens dans quelques minutes.
Daniel et Becky: Merci!

Daniel: C’est un bon plat
Becky: Il est délicieux !
Hôte: cela vous plaît?
Becky: oui, oui c'est parfait..
Daniel: j'aimerais commander  une bouteille de vin?
Hôte: quel vin?
Daniel: un vin français bien sur..
Hôte: pas de problème, je vous apporte notre carte.

The scientist and his son

This is a story I heard a few years ago. It’s an excellent story and I think everyone can learn from it. I say this because years later I’m still learning from it.

In the basement of a humble home, a father worked on his new invention, he was a scientist. He was working relentlessly one day, when his youngest son came in to his laboratory with the hopes of helping his father with the new invention. His work was too complicated for the small child, and he didn’t want to be distracted and so he said to they boy “Come back tomorrow and we’ll see” thinking the boy would forget and allow him to work. Yet, they boy did not forget, and he came back the next day asking his father if he could help. The father was upset he was being distracted from his work, and he wanted to find something he could entertain the boy with. He tore off a page from a magazine that had a picture of the world; then he ripped it into hundreds of pieces, and handed them to his son along with some tape, “Now put it back together”. Only a few minutes later, the child came back with a perfect taped up picture of the world, and he handed it back to his father. His father was in awe, how could a small boy who doesn’t even know what the world looks like put together this picture in such a small amount of time? “Son, how did you do this?” he asked, and the boy answered, “Well, I turned all the pieces around and I saw it looked like the picture of a person, and I pieced back the person and when I turned it around I had the picture of the world”. The small boy knew what a person looked like, so by fixing the person first he was then able to fix the world.

We can reflect upon the message of this story, that in order to have a better world we must first become better people.

Foot Print: http://impactmediaworld.com/Clients.html