Episode 131: Venture Capitalist and Should I Go Public

Episode 131 originally broadcast on December 08, 2007

The School of Business for December 8, 2007

Russ and John take on the heavy lifting that enables listeners to be smarter in running their businesses. Includes: BusinessMakers Quote of the Week - tenacity from Winston Churchill; This Week in Business History presents stories of "Nobel" undertaking; Navigating Business Jargon - buzzwords and technospeak that will keep you from being labeled an "old fogie;" and Dumbest Moments in Business History - Apple Computer board member Al Gore complicates things.

Blair Garrou of DFJ Mercury

Russ and Erica O'Grady interview Blair Garrou, managing director of venture capital firm DFJ Mercury, who discusses what's hot among VC investment themes. Web 2.0 has created high consumer interest in "speeds and feeds" of communication networks. Garrou comments on technology companies selling mobile applications and services, and digital content ad networks and platforms. Is Web 2.0 a passing fad and will VC interest continue? Garrou discusses VC exit strategies: IPO vs merger/acquisition.

Flashback - Michael Oxley

Flashback to August 2007 for cuts from the BusinessMakers' thought-provoking interview with Michael Oxley, co-author of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, 25-year member of Congress, and presently vice chairman of NASDAQ. Oxley shares thoughts on the cost of implementing Section 404, on American Entrepreneurship, the difficulties and rewards of "going public," and comments on the founding of NASDAQ - one of the ultimate acts of entrepreneurialism.