A Blog from Gerbsman Partners Board of Intellectual Capital on “Maximizing Enterprise Value” for technology, life science, medical device and cleantech companies and their Intellectual Property
A column from 1999 went viral because its predictions are dead-on.
You have to read it to believe it.
An 18-year-old magazine column went viral over the past week because it’s just so good. The column effectively predicts the iPhone, Siri, and even Facebook’s privacy scandals — all the way back in 1999.
What makes this so special is that not only did Gerrold foresee smartphones, but he also clearly saw the privacy issues that have come with them.
If there’s one quibble with the prescient column, it’s that voice assistants — whether Apple’s Siri, Google’s Assistant, or Amazon’s Alexa — can’t really do complicated queries the way Gerrold predicted. But maybe the prediction is still ahead of its time.
US census data shows the region that includes San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward — a city in the East Bay that offers a quicker commute to Silicon Valley — lost more residents than it attracted between 2016 and 2017. And the migration is worsening in the Bay Area’s urban core.
The Wall Street Journal reported that in the year ending July 1, census data shows the area had a net loss of almost 24,000 residents who moved into other parts of California or the US.
The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area lost only half that many residents the year prior. As recently as 2013 – 2014, the region saw net annual gains of about 15,000 people.
A critical lack of affordable housing and sky-high rent prices have made the San Francisco Bay Area unlivable for many artists, artisans, longtime residents, and even tech entrepreneurs.
The median-priced home in San Francisco sells for $1.5 million, according to Paragon Real Estate Group. It’s not uncommon for buyers to bid hundreds of thousands above asking and pay in all cash.
The situation has forced many to rent longer than they would like. In March, San Francisco’s median two-bedroom rent of $3,040 was about two and a half times as high as the national average. Still, people are finding ways to make it work. They cram into communal housing, or “co-living” units, that offer perks like maid service and free internet in lieu of space. Some give up their internet, cable, and cars, while others take home wherever they go by living in vans.
The housing crisis could put Silicon Valley at risk
The San Francisco Bay Area, recognized as a global hub of tech finance and innovation, may be at risk of losing top tech workers if they can’t afford to live there, even on six-figure salaries.
Katherine Maher, executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation, which is based in San Francisco, responded to the report on Twitter, saying: “As a non-profit employer, I cannot see how we reconcile this with a future for our organization in San Francisco.”
She added: “Our local employees, particularly the younger ones, struggle to make ends meet. They leave when they start families. How can we be an equitable employer when only those who can afford to work for us, do?”
Brian Brennan, senior vice president at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, told the Wall Street Journal that while the area’s high-paying jobs and lifestyle still bring tech workers to the Bay Area, “it is hard to get the best talent outside of this region to come here and stay here.”
The do’s and don’t of proper attire in the Caribbean
The thrill of receiving an invitation to an event is often diminished by the sheer panic that sets in when you read the words: resort chic, smart casual, festive attire. What do these terms mean? Isn’t smart casual an oxymoron? Deciphering the dress code can be especially difficult when living in the Caribbean where the temperatures soar, but the culture can be quite conservative. Whilst no sartorial rules are set in stone there are guidelines to follow, such as: when in doubt, over dress. Thankfully, fashion expert and image consultant Lauren A. Rothman, also known as The Style Auteur, and author of Style Bible, is here to provide a Caribbean tailored guide to the do’s and don’ts of proper attire.
RL: Tell us how you came to be a fashion expert. LR: I said my first word while shopping with my mom at Bal Harbour Shops in Miami, Fl. Since then, shopping has been my favourite sport.
RL: Discuss the importance of first impressions and the role of image. LR: We communicate who we are through what we wear. Our clothes tell a story… and I help my clients communicate their narrative successfully, and effectively.
RL: What are the biggest faux pas when it comes to dressing? LR: Respect the dress code – even the unwritten one! Don’t wear a
ball gown to a barbeque or distressed, ripped jeans into a boardroom.
RL: What are the rules when it comes to trends and dressing for one’s body? LR: It doesn’t matter what’s ‘in’ if it doesn’t look good on YOU! Dress for the body you have, not the fads and trends in the media.
RL: There has been a marked increase in the availability of inexpensive apparel on the market. Are there pieces that are worth investing in? LR: Yes! Be savvy about when to save and when to splurge. Invest your time and money in pieces that cannot be easily replicated and fit you perfectly. Save on styles that are overly trendy or colourful – you will tire of them more quickly.
RL: What are the five pieces every woman and man should have in their closet? LR: Women should build a wardrobe to include a fabulous bag that reflects their personality and style, stylish but comfortable shoes to run around town, sunglasses that fit their face shape, an assortment of shape wear that will help any outfit look killer, and statement jewellery that goes from beach to bar.
Every stylish guy should aspire to have at least one classic, well-tailored suit that can be dressed up or down, dark jeans that can be paired with a tee or blazer, a signature belt that communicates their style philosophy, sunglasses that move from the beach to the boardroom, and a plain navy tee – the most versatile staple.
RL: Is there a style maxim that you swear by? LR: Dress for the body you have, not the one you dream about.
Resort chic
What to Wear W: Strappy maxi dress with jewelled flip-flops.
What to Wear M: Linen pants and dressy tee.
Island Cocktail
What to Wear W: Pop of colour dress and wedges.
What to Wear M: Slacks, dress shirt and linen blazer.
Smart Casual
What to Wear W: Belted shirtdress paired with flats.
What to Wear M: Tailored shorts with a colourful dress shirt, sleeves rolled up.
Festive Attire
What to Wear W: Short fringed dress with high-heeled sandals.
What to Wear M: Silk sport coat with a slight sheen paired with dark slacks and a skinny tie.
Beach Wedding
What to Wear W: Whimsical floral dress that works barefoot and in heels.
What to Wear M: Light-coloured linen suit.
Black Tie
What to Wear: Sexy gown with embellishment or cutouts.
What to Wear M: Tuxedo with tie and white dress shirt.
Background
This report analyzes the terms of 190 venture financings closed in the fourth quarter of 2017 by companies headquartered in Silicon Valley.
Overview of Results Valuation Results Remain Strong
Valuation results continued to be strong in Q4 2017, but the percentage price increases declined moderately compared to the prior quarter, following three consecutive quarters of increases.
Internet/Digital Media Scores Highest Valuation Results
The internet/digital media industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q4 2017 compared to the other industries, with an average price increase of 179% and a median price increase of 51%, both up from the prior quarter.
Valuation Results Down for Series D Financings
Series D financings recorded the weakest valuation results in Q4 2017 compared to the other financing rounds, with the highest percentage of down rounds and the lowest average and median price increases of all the financing rounds.
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