4 ms·
Warren Buffett is an expert salesperson, and this tone is the exquisitely crafted product of 70 years of salesmanship. Buffett has worked tirelessly to build hi
by gizmo 10y ago
Warren Buffett is an expert salesperson, and this tone is the exquisitely crafted product of 70 years of salesmanship. Buffett has worked tirelessly to build his public image, and his "aw-shucks" act is a critical part of that. His image of a down-to-earth person with unquestionable integrity* has enabled him to lock down investment deals under the most favorable possible terms.
*) read one of his biographies to see he's not afraid to play dirty
- differentView 10y agoWhat's the worst he's done?
- 1019210 10y agohttps://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/11/17/warren-buffetts-secret-he-was-a-shoplifter.aspx https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/11/17/warren-buf...
- stagbeetle 10y agoOff-hand, I can't give specifics. Lehman is one situation that comes to mind. Another, not WS-based, is that he disowned his granddaughter for talking about the family in a documentary about the ultra-rich.
- techer 10y agoNot a blood granddaughter. Just for your information. I'm not making a judgement either way.
- anamoulous 10y agoHere is more info regarding the granddaughter. I would encourage anyone to read it as this situation is more complicated than it seems: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wealth-buffett-idUSN2040437020080221 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wealth-buffett-idUSN204043...
- valuearb 10y agoHe sure supported that girl with a great deal of money. Despite her not being a blood relative, and growing up in another family.
- p4db 10y agoI do not know what the worst is that he has done. For sure he and his business partners tried to strongarm the german city / community of Egelsbach to sell it's airport (Germany's largest small airplane airport, near Frankfurt/Main) to him. The aim was to expand the airport, at the expense of the inhabitants. The upside would have been 1-10 jobs, the downside a lot of noise and reduced price of property and life quality. A lot of intransparent things were going on, fortunately it seems that things came to a halt. It's business. I would not believe the image of a business man of his class. [Disclaimer: I live in Egelsbach, Germany, and I have followed the case with great concern.] Additional source (in German): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flugplatz_Frankfurt-Egelsbach https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flugplatz_Frankfurt-Egelsbach
- argigg 10y agoSurely the main upside of expanding an airport wouldn't be "1-10 jobs", it would be increased transportation and commerce?
- skybrian 10y agoIt sounds like NetJets bought 80% of shares in the airport [1]. Who did they buy it from? (I assume they were willing to sell?) [1] http://www.juve.de/nachrichten/deals/2009/05/net-jets-uebernimmt-mehrheit-am-flughafen-egelsbach http://www.juve.de/nachrichten/deals/2009/05/net-jets-uebern... Translated: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.juve.de/nachrichten/deals/2009/05/net-jets-uebernimmt-mehrheit-am-flughafen-egelsbach&prev=search https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://...
- valuearb 10y agoSo a subsidiary wanted to expand an airport they use. What's the big deal?
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- ryan0x00 10y agohere's one off the top of my head. Musk vs. Buffett: The Billionaire Battle to Own the Sun - https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-solar-power-buffett-vs-musk/ https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-solar-power-buffett-...
- valuearb 10y agoSo he's a bad guy because a subsidiary wanted solar owners to pay fair costs for grid access? Does anyone even think he's aware of this decision?
- valuearb 10y agoI've read his biographies. He's super ethical.
- gillianlish 10y agohe's just a simple cave man billionaire.