BBC #1: 6/25/12

Monday, June 25th marked the first official meeting of the Baltimore Business Club.  Three presentations were made, and the response was strong enough to keep the club going.

Presentation and Presenter: The Renewable Report preview, Mike Kirby

I made the first presentation, and we viewed one of my draft episodes of the Renewable Report.  The concept for the online show was born this past April, and this was the first time anything had been shown publicly.  The episode we viewed was a not yet released show, featuring an interview with Fritz Eisenbrandt, the Founder and President of Smart Homes Services.  In the episode, we discussed home energy audits and the various services his company provides.  After the show, members offered tips and suggestions for how the show could be improved before it’s launch on July 16.  Two ideas that were immediately incorporated into the show were to include the logo, email address, and twitter handle of The Renewable Report on the screen during the episodes.

Presentation and Presenter: Investing in the Pride of a City, Drew Vogt

Drew made a power point presentation about putting together an “investment group” to purchase 2-6 Personal Seating Licenses for the Ravens.  It was a funny, but well thought out and informed presentation.  Drew’s summary of his presentation is below:

Main Points:

-2009 recession dramatically reduced the price of M&T Bank PSLs.
-Section 550, $4,000/PSL in 2007 -> currently $2,000/PSL
-Sell tickets at 20-30% above face value
-Hold on to PSLs for 5-10 years allowing PSL market to go back to 2007
levels, or higher.

Revenue Generation:
– Yearly ticket sales
– Sell PSLs at higher value (50-150%) in 5-10 years

Summary:
With an investment team of 2-6 people, purchase a group of 2-6 PSLs.
Invest money now, make money later.

Presentation and Presenter: The Drift and Thinking the Unthinkable, Mark Wheeler

Mark presented parts of a consulting workshop he attended during his time with Colorful Remedies, a painting and remodeling company in West Chester, PA.

The concept of the drift basically states that within groups of people, actions and words are often repeated, whether right or wrong.  When things are repeated, they are justified within the group and solidify their place as truth.  This can have negative consequences in certain cases, and the main idea is to avoid the drift, step back, and think about what is really going on as an independent mind.

Thinking the Unthinkable is a model Mark illustrated on the white board with four quadrants: 1) status quo, 2) crisis, 3) thinking the unthinkable, and 4) new reality.  There is a circular cycle here that promotes progress.  What Mark stressed was the importance and value of skipping the crisis stage and heading straight from the status quo into thinking the unthinkable.