Brigadoon Weekly
September 8, 2019
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross
Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia
Argentina, Dad, Tracksmith, Hype Cycle, STEM, Errol Gerson
ROSS RANT
What Alibaba can learn from Argentina
Alibaba looks wonderful until you realize it is protected from Amazon in its home market of China.
Is Jack Ma up to the challenge of Jeff Bezos?
Possibly.
But we will really never know.
How to properly manage the balance between protection and competition has been a challenge for governments for centuries.
Leaders know the steps you take to build a modern, world-class economy matters - do you protect it with subsidies and limiting market access or do you challenge it with trade and open market access?
Time and again those nations that challenge their home companies to be competitive globally are the most prosperous and most successful. Germany, the United States, Britain, Japan, and Italy are all prime examples.
In the 1930s, Argentina ranked among the ten richest nations in the world, after the likes of Australia, Britain, and the United States, but ahead of France, Germany, and Italy. With all the benefits of land, natural resources, and immigration, Argentina should have been able to maintain its position on this table and even possibly overtake the United States.
As it now stands, we know how this turned out for each country.
Argentina chose protectionism while the United States chose competition.
China and the leadership of Alibaba should consider Argentina and grasp that what looks good and sensible today, may not last forever.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross is a strategist and advisor working at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics. Ross specializes in helping entrepreneurs and thought leaders make better connections and better communications. He is the founder of Brigado
FIVE TO READ
The marvel of the human dad: Among our close animal relatives, only humans have involved and empathic fathers. Why did evolution favor the devoted dad? http://bit.ly/2A3uedO
How running brand Tracksmith has taken an anti-Nike approach to building a brand http://bit.ly/2A3uxFu
How language shapes our perception of reality: The many subtle differences across languages might actually change the way we experience the world. http://bit.ly/2A3uZUc
The marketing hype cycle: Marketers have heard the “hype” about a bewildering amount of new marketing technology (martech), but sometimes hype is just hype. Vendors might pitch artificial intelligence as a game-changer and personalization as the next big thing, but how can marketers really know where to invest and what will make the biggest impact? http://bit.ly/2zZvxuf
Mind over STEM: With universities around the world cutting liberal-arts programs and even eliminating entire majors such as history, there is every reason to worry about the fate of the humanities. In an era of deepening technological determinism, we are going to need these disciplines now more than ever. http://bit.ly/2A3Mfst
EVENTS
Brigadoon Sundance 2020
February 23-25
Brigadoon is organizing its eighth gathering of entrepreneurs and thought leaders at Sundance Mountain Resort next winter.
Think of three days in the Utah mountains, engaging subject matter experts, meeting new entrepreneurs, hearing from thought leaders, enjoying winter mountain sports, a spa, yoga and meditation classes, the Owl Bar, delicious meals, relaxing by a fire, powerpoint free sessions, and discussions with fellow participants on emerging issues shaping commerce and culture.
The event is more retreat and less conference.
The gathering is less transactional and more transformational.
2020 Topics:
Space Exploration
Ocean Adventure
Internet of Things
Immigration + Border
Robots + Automation
Modern Monetary Theory
Architecture
Mental Wellness + Performance
2020 Bonus Activities:
High West Brunch + Tour
Thought Leader Training
Concierge Service
More information and tickets - here.
PODCAST
The Futur: Contagious selling with Errol Gerson http://bit.ly/311njhf
SOTD
Minstrel Boy - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros http://bit.ly/316Avl1
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
