We recently attended the Churchill Club's Breakfast With Roger McNamee: Great Opportunities in the New Normal. Roger discussed his new book, "The New Normal: Great Opportunities In A Time Of Great Risk".
Thanks, Mom!
Roger was heartfelt and animated in his discourse, and got plenty of laughs (at least from our table) ... not an easy thing to do so early in the morning with a sober crowd. Well, mostly sober except for that strange guy in the back, ... ah, nevermind ...
I would like to personally thank Roger's mother who, according to Roger, got him this book deal. I'm fairly certain that this book has started many interesting and no doubt provoking self-assessments, and will engage many to follow their passions, aka their "true calling."
Think Small ...
So what is the "New Normal"? Here's my favorite quote from the book:
"...there are more than 24 million small businesses in the United States... They already represent more than 99% of all employers in America ... and create 80% of all new jobs. ..."
Silence CNBC!
Roger's remarks at breakfast brought the New Normal into focus. And please forgive me if I have misquoted Roger, but I was doing my best to take accurate notes while belly-laughing ... hopefully in all the right places. Here are the gems I captured:
"The economy has been training us all to be entrepreneurs..."
"The New Normal -- We're stuck with it ... so there ..." :-)
"We value time more than money." But what about that old adage, "Time is Money?"
"Manias are part of the American Spirit." As Americans, I'd prefer we keep this one to ourselves... part of our continuing challenge in global image management ...
"Watch CNBC with the sound off!" OF COURSE!!! After all, how much "Kudlow & Kramer" can one stand? Personally, Maria Bartiromo and Jill Clayburgh never fail to give me a lift and they made the Bubble Madness MUCH more bearable. And Jill is quite a comic genius in her own right ...
Friends of Frank
Regarding the example made of Frank Quattrone, who was sentenced last year to 18 months for obstructing justice (the judge exceeded the 10-to-16-month range recommended by the guidelines), Roger stood up for his friend and strongly urged others in the audience to do the same. Frank showed true kindness to Roger. One evening, Frank gave Roger a three hour personality counseling session where Frank repeated the (musical) theme: "You're too smart to be such an Asshole."
So now here is Roger's success trifecta:
"Play the things you know..."
"Focus on 'Leaps of Imagination'..."
"Follow your Passion ..."
Going Up?
Well, Roger McNamee has done just that with the formation of Elevation Partners back in September, 2004. Elevation Partners is a private-equity group whose partners include the U2 rock star Bono.
Last September, Elevation Partners doubled the amount of money it is seeking from investors to $2 billion, according to a regulatory filing. It seems the Menlo Park, Calif.-based group has many investors ready to participate in its fund, which is investing in media and entertainment companies. And it certainly must help to have Bono, the 44-year-old lead singer of the Irish band U2, as one of Elevation’s executives. As far as "Bad VC / Good VC" is concerned, Elevation Partners is quite Good ...
Flying With The Bros!
And speaking of passion, how about checking out Roger & his crew as The Flying Other Brothers. They have an upcoming gig in Redwood City, Calif. at the Little Fox on Saturday, January 22nd. Check it out!!!
BTW Roger, where is the bootleg recording section? :-)
Uh, seriously dude ... (?) ...
Rock On!!!
[For more, here's Roger's blog ... ]
Comments