Banana republic

Started the day by getting to the wrong Söderberg cafe. We met a lady who talked to us about crisis management at UBS during 9/11 and the 2008 crisis. Apparently Goldman Sachs had the best risk management teams and systems in place to spot the coming crash. The 30-year rule at Goldman has been that if a position is down for more than 3 days in a row, they get rid of it. Traders were screaming that they’re crazy for selling mortgage-backed securities. But they stuck with the rule and came out on top. Watch The Big Short if this sounds like Greek to you.

The other side of the chat was about how Scotland is a Banana republic. The government has great plans, but can’t deliver at all. How did we get here as a society? This stream of consciousness is due to a black Americano on an empty stomach.

This street in Edinburgh seems to have more cafes per capita than anywhere in the world. Choice paralysis? Or does the competition mean that you can have the best coffee in Scotland on this street?

Edinburgh loves its bricks of all colours, shapes and sizes. Something to calm me (and you) down:




Anyways, off to Glasgow to deliver presentations and schmooze with investors. Still no presentation clicker :(

Twobob