Scott answers a question on Peloton’s recent collapse in value and explains why it’s the perfect opportunity for Nike or Apple to acquire the company. He then shares why he likes to invest in the picks-and-shovels of booming industries and offers advice on geographically diversifying your portfolio.
Podcast Type: Office Hours
Office Hours: The Race to a Super App, When to Expand Your Board, and Deciding to Get an MBA as an Entrepreneur
Scott answers a question on verticalization within the grocery delivery market and explains why there’s power in controlling access to the consumer. He also offers advice to a start-up founder on when to add more members to a board of directors, and why business school is still worth it, even if you just want to work for yourself.
Office Hours: Amazon’s Aggregators, Turning Data into Insights, Career Moves, and Why the Don Draper Era is Dead
Scott answers a question about companies that buy up small third-party sellers on Amazon’s marketplace. He then explains why he thinks businesses should take money out of marketing and put it into the product itself. Scott also discusses the importance of analyzing data, and shares why he believes greatness is in the agency of others.
Office Hours: Volvo’s Subscription Model, The Debit Generation, Exploring Job Options, and Pre-Seed Investing
Scott answers a question about Volvo’s subscription service and offers a prediction for where the auto industry is headed. He then explains how ‘buy now, pay later’ services deceive customers into debt, and gives advice for how to approach leaving your company. Scott also discusses the factors to consider when investing in pre-seed companies, and how to make smart money decisions with your partner.
Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
Office Hours: On Running, Expanding College Admissions, and How Banks Can Boost Their Brands
Scott answers a question about whether On Running is a good long-term investment after its recent IPO. He then shares his thoughts on how legacy banks can keep up in an increasingly digitized financial system, and why universities with big brands need to let in more students, not fewer.
Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
Office Hours: Doing Business With Russia, Competing with Industry Giants, and Choosing the Right Hire
Scott answers a question about Google and Apple’s decision to take down a Russian voting app. He then explains why finding a niche to serve is crucial to competing against industry Goliaths as a small company. Scott also offers advice to an expanding business on whether to hire an employee for a marketing or business development role.
Office Hours: Healthcare and Technology — with Aagya Mathur
Aagya Mathur, the CEO and Co-founder of Aavia, joins Scott to answer a question about integrating health apps like Aavia with primary care. They also discuss how blockchain can be applied in the healthcare industry, and how the pandemic has accelerated trends in the space. Follow Aagya on Twitter, @aagya320.
Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
Office Hours: The Fast-Casual Business Model, Early Career Tips, Pivoting to Academia, and Prof G’s Nutritional Habits
Scott explains why he’s a fan of Chipotle’s business model in an evolving fast food industry, and why it’s time employers to start paying their employees liveable wages. He then offers advice to a recent graduate about showing face at the office and encourages someone to accept a new role at a university, even if it means taking a pay cut. Scott also discusses his relationship between food, exercise, and his body image.
Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
Office Hours: Betting on Alibaba, When to Sell Your Start-Up, and Going to College Abroad
Scott answers a question about investing in Alibaba amid regulatory uncertainty in China. Scott then explains when to sell a company, discusses the state of the online tutoring space in China (which is also facing regulatory disruptions), and gives his thoughts on pursuing a university degree overseas.
Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
Office Hours: Square’s Social Solution, How Labor Got Crushed, and the Dangers of Bad Corporate Governance
Scott answers a question about whether Square should acquire Twitter. He also explains how a concentration of power among investment firms poses a threat to a healthy business ecosystem, and how an imbalance between capital and labor is driving people out of the workforce.
Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic