My Hero-- Warren Buffett

Over the last year, I have become a student of the genius of Warren Buffet. This led to my article, in Chief Executive Magazine, comparing the simplicity of Warren with the complexity of GE. Both have a "go big" vision...but how they got there in entirely different.

Warren, only invests in businesses that are simple and he understands. This is my logic and so I agree with what he is doing and how he does it. Though he is a BILLIONAIRE and could buy the world, he has elected to lead a simple life and place his estate in the hands of other billionaires, the GATES to invest to benefit of the less fortunate.

My admiration for Warren, whom I have never met and never will, is his opportunistic purchasing of assets that fit his portfolio and make economic sense. The Forbes article of February 11, 2008 about his "super investor" Walter Schloss... who is 91 years young...still has Warren's attention is recommending "unloved stocks"....

The only issue, I have with Warren is succession planning... but he probably has already selected a competent successor and his "virtual company" Berkshire Hathaway may continue even after the legend is only just a legend.

The message is clear:

• know what you like,
• be consistent,
• do what you say
• keep it SIMPLE
• and let the competent, acquired business management run their own businesses...
  
  WHY ISN'T THIS BEING TAUGHT IN OUR BUSINESS SCHOOLS, rather than the art and science of being creative financial geniuses.
  
  Take a look at my Chief Executive article: "Decision Time for Buffet and Immelt". It can be found on my website and BLOG: www.strategyleader.com
  
  Bill Rothschild