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Intelligence Squared

Lionel Barber and Zanny Minton Beddoes on the Story of the World’s Wildest Investor, Part Two

Nov 1, 2024
38:49
Snipd AI
Lionel Barber, former Financial Times editor and author of "Gambling Man," joins Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, to explore the wild journey of Masayoshi Son, the tech titan behind SoftBank. They discuss Son's audacious investments, including Alibaba, and his pivotal role in Silicon Valley's boom. The conversation navigates Son's unique strategies, his ambition to build an empire, and his compelling relationship with Steve Jobs, illuminating the intersection of technology and investment in a rapidly changing world.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Masayoshi Son views himself as an empire builder, radically transforming business norms in Japan and adapting post-WeWork challenges with strategic counsel from hedge funds.
  • His unique ability to foresee potential in emerging companies, like Alibaba, coupled with high leverage investments, exemplifies his bold yet risky approach to technology investments.

Deep dives

Masayoshi Son: The Empire Builder

Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank, perceives himself as an empire builder rather than merely a CEO, fundamentally reshaping how business and investment are viewed in Japan. His self-comparison to historical figures like Napoleon underscores his grand ambitions and his unique approach to corporate governance. Following the WeWork debacle, he sought guidance from hedge funds like Elliott Management for strategies to enhance his companies’ value, showing his willingness to adapt and learn despite the challenges he faces. This mindset drives his pursuit of major investments around the globe, positioning himself as a bridge between Western and Asian markets.

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