Friends of Dave #54: Bye Felicia
2017 was an interesting year to say the least. So let's bring it 2018!
There are so many adjectives historians will be able to use to describe 2017 when they look back at the year that just was....tumultuous, stressful, revolutionary, transitional, inspiring, de-moralizing and warm are among legitimate contenders. Boring and uneventful are most certainly not.
I know a lot of people were glad to say "Bye Felicia" to 2017 and with good reason. More craziness than most can stomach. I'm trying to keep things in perspective, however. I've decided to compartmentalize 2017 into the same category as what starting middle school was like for most people: there was some sort of drama happening every day, we didn't quite know what our place was, it didn't take much to get us emotional and everyone was learning how to manage their hormones. And, oh yeah, we realized that it was all going to last at least another two years or so until high school started...if we were lucky or we moved to Canada....
So here we are 2018. We are still awkward but a little bit wiser. There is still a lot of drama around us, but we're kind of getting used to navigating our way. We are starting to figure a few things out about ourselves which includes trying to ignore "friends" who say weird stuff on Facebook (okay, so Facebook wasn't around when I was in middle school, but just go with it). The important thing is we are growing -- and we know if we can just keep things together and make a conscious effort to learn from our mistakes, it is going to get better. I do think 2018, while not perfect, is going to be a good year for us.
With that, time to get back to business, Friends of Dave. I've got a few 2017 recaps, a some interesting looks at trends to come in 2018, and the usual quirky random stuff you all seem to enjoy this week. If you are up to it, definitely check out the podcast on negotiation at the end -- admittedly it's long, but definitely worth the time for anyone receiving this, not just the sales folk.
Stay warm and have a great weekend.
XOXO
Dave
Putting 2017 in the Rear View...
Fred Wilson: What Happened In 2017 — avc.com
Always insightful VC Fred Wilson looks back at his predictions for 2017 vs. what actually happened.
2017 Year in Review: Top 10 Logistics Stories — www.globaltranz.com
If you are not following the logistics space, you should. Significant innovation that is being driven by automation, shifting global consumer purchasing habits and expectations, and blockchain are making this a hyper growth space, particularly for leading technology companies. Get up to speed on what had the most impact in 2017.
Financial technology startups emerged as serious challengers to financial services in 2017 — techcrunch.com
VC's Dana Stalder and Allen Miller from Matrix Partners provide their takes on what factors contributed most last year to the continuing evolution of FinTech.
Jump Start Your Thinking About 2018...
Private label businesses could have a breakout year in 2018
Report from Cadent Consulting Group is predicting private-label brands could "steal" as much as $64 billion from national names over the next decade, as millennials are becoming more receptive to shopping brandless than baby boomers.
15 Trends Shaping Tech In 2018 — www.cbinsights.com
Car ownership models are shifting. The race to become an AI powerhouse is under way. Fitness is going gym-less. And pets are becoming tech-enabled. CB Insights looks at the trends poised to reshape industries in 2018.
Alexa: Is 2018 the Year Amazon Also Conquers FinTech? — www.bloomberg.com
Get the scoop from well known VCs and experts on what's to come in 2018 for payments, lending, banking, M&A, funding and Asset Management. Good read.
And Just A Few More Random Tidbits For You...
After the Holidays, Christmas Trees Have More Work to Do — www.atlasobscura.com
Yeah, at least they are making themselves useful....unlike that slacker Elf on the Shelf.....
Tequila becomes way more popular after 10 PM — qz.com
Quartz data analysis suggests a lot of that bad judgment will involve tequila.
In related news...the newly hired head of research for Quartz is Captain Obvious....
Court orders dentist to pay his own mother for raising him
You want to shut up a Millennial who is complaining about their college loans? Send them this.
And The Last Word....LISTEN
PODCAST: The Art of Letting Other People Have Your Way — www.farnamstreetblog.com
I'm not a big podcast person, but this is definitely worth the time. Stay in from the cold and listen to this one from Farnam Street if you can. Some interesting insights from negotiation expert Chris Voss, author and former lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI for all Friends of Dave.