Masters in Business
Aswath Damodaran on the Future of Business Education
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Legacy thinking impedes rational disruption in industries like publishing.
- Fintech companies capitalize on legacy practices in the financial services sector.
- The value of modern college education varies, emphasizing long-term financial implications.
- Social media platforms like Reddit drive unique crowd short squeezes in financial markets.
Deep dives
Academic Expertise and Innovation
Universities are often stuck in legacy effects, with experts having mastery over the way things used to be rather than embracing change. Innovations like Apple's iPod disrupting the market succeeded because they acted like startups within established companies. Microsoft's entry into the cloud business under Satya Nadella also showcased a willingness to build on internal strengths rather than taking the acquisition route.
Disruption in Financial Services
Financial services, though disrupted to an extent with free trades and online money transfers, still exhibit resistance to change in areas like wire transfer fees. Fintech companies capitalize on these legacy practices, highlighting inefficiencies that traditional banks maintain despite evolving technological solutions.
Challenges in Publishing Decisions
The inefficiencies seen in publishing decisions, such as suspending an Indian edition due to perceived cannibalization without concrete data, illustrate how legacy thinking impedes rational disruption. The industry's reluctance to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences reveals a resistance to embracing evolving market dynamics.
Education's Value Proposition
The value proposition of modern college education varies, with higher education proving essential for some but not all students. While prestigious colleges may offer advantages in initial job placements, long-term income differentials based on college attended diminish over time. The rise of online education provides self-starters with opportunities to educate themselves, offering a viable alternative to traditional college pathways.
The Impact of College Decisions on Financial Future
Encouraging students to consider the economic implications of college choices, the speaker suggests that choosing a more affordable college with a scholarship can lead to more financial flexibility in the long term, emphasizing the importance of managing the high costs of higher education.
The Phenomenon of GameStop and Social Media Influence
Exploring the GameStop situation, the speaker discusses the unique crowd short squeeze driven by social media platforms like Reddit, highlighting the significance of social media in amplifying market trends and the power of collective action in financial markets.
Challenges Faced by Tech Giants and Middle-Aged Companies
Analyzing the lifecycle of tech giants like Amazon and Google, the speaker reflects on the challenges faced by mature companies like these in maintaining innovation and market dominance, citing examples of companies adapting to changing landscapes to stay relevant.
Economic Insights on Inflation and Market Volatility
Delving into the effects of inflation on markets, the speaker discusses the impact of inflation on pricing power, profitability, and overall market valuation, highlighting the importance of stability in inflation for long-term financial decision-making and economic outcomes.
Bloomberg Radio host Barry Ritholtz speaks with Aswath Damodaran, who holds the Kerschner Family Chair in Finance Education at New York University's Stern School of Business. A nine-time "Professor of the Year" winner at NYU, Damodaran teaches classes in corporate finance and valuation to MBA students. He has also written several books on corporate finance and equity valuation and has published widely in journals. He received his MBA and Ph.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles. His next book, "The Corporate Lifecycle: Business, Investment, and Management Implications," will be published in December.
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