What's Up With Kevin O'Leary?

blueblood · May 2, 2016

His funds don't do all that well in comparison to others - or so I've heard.

That would be because hes very disciplined in what stocks he goes after. He only goes for dividend paying stocks which he deems as low risk. But as we all know a lot of time other stocks that dont pay dividends can be worth more and increase/decrease their valuation more than a dividend paying stock.

Accountability Now · May 2, 2016

He's already worth a billion, and he would probably see it as some sort of civic calling from his "people".

I don't think he's worth a billion. Most sites say he's at 300 million with only this site saying 400 million

http://richestcelebrities.org/richest-business/kevin-oleary-net-worth/

Obviously, its still enough for one person but I would have to agree with Moonlight in that I can't see him taking a pay cut for this.

blueblood · May 2, 2016

"pull a Trump"!... you mean wildly inflate his "business acumen", as Trump has done? What is one to believe in the face of such a questioning/critical rebuke, as follows:

The real (and shocking) story of Kevin O'Leary's business career

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Yet he has more money than you, i, or the author of that piece.

waldo · May 2, 2016

Yet he has more money than you, i, or the author of that piece.

isn't questioning the business acumen of O'Leary... fair game? If the guy presumes to run as a candidate for CPC leader... to become Prime Minister of Canada, why would you take a somewhat defensive posture with your reply? Does O'Leary having more money than you (as you acknowledge), meet your personal criteria/qualification for CPC leader/Prime Minister?

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?Impact · May 2, 2016

I heard he's a big time businessman - just how big, I don't know.

While he would like you to think that, from all I can see he is a failed businessman. He did strike it big once, when he sold his company to Mattel for several billion dollars. I heard they unloaded that company a couple of years later, after firing him, for $27 million. Most of us would call the fraud, but it equally doesn't say much about Mattel's due diligence. His reputation on the O'Leary funds and actual follow through with Dragons Den don't seem to be very brilliant either.

Argus · May 2, 2016

isn't questioning the business acumen of O'Leary... fair game?

Sure. Want to compare it to Trudeau's?

waldo · May 2, 2016

Sure. Want to compare it to Trudeau's?

why so touchy/defensive? Which one of those 2 individuals touts/touted himself as a business/financial wizard? Surely you can try to make your case for O'Leary based on his own initiatives and successes/failures therein - yes?

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May 2, 2016

IMO, political leaders need to be quick learners, information junkies, encouraging of dissenting opinions, decisive, measured, patient and above all passionate. Some overlap would exist with CEOs of massive and diverse companies but for the most part, business acumen is largely irrelevant. Neither O'Leary or Trump are measured or patient and are prone to bluster and grand standing. Donald certainly discourages advice or dissenting opinion, I don't know enough about Kevin yet.

Some prominent Reagan and HW Bush era advisers are supporting Trump as a means to collapse the party. They see the eventual crushing defeat as the means to oust the Tea Party and religious zealotry. O'Leary could serve as the same sort of party crushing joke as The Donald but, the CPC doesn't need to be burnt to the ground. It just needs a new fact based, less ideological direction and a more inclusive leader.

jacee · May 2, 2016

Sure. Want to compare it to Trudeau's?

I think we can let O'Leary speak for himself:

I did an inventory of every deal I've ever done and it turned out that

every single deal I made money on was a partnership, and

every colossal failure, where I lost millions, was something I tried to do by myself.

Would you put the finances of the country into his hands?

I.don't.think.so.

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Edited May 2, 2016 by jacee

eyeball · May 2, 2016

I assume that's because O'Leary would send the CPC rocketing into the dustbin of obscurity?

-k

Hopefully conservatism completely, between him and Trump. I still think we'll need to suffer a government under these bozo's though to really bring it home why.

Argus · May 2, 2016

IMO, political leaders need to be quick learners, information junkies, encouraging of dissenting opinions, decisive, measured, patient and above all passionate. Some overlap would exist with CEOs of massive and diverse companies but for the most part, business acumen is largely irrelevant. Neither O'Leary or Trump are measured or patient and are prone to bluster and grand standing. Donald certainly discourages advice or dissenting opinion, I don't know enough about Kevin yet.

Jean Chretien was very successful and he didn't tolerate the slightest dissent. Nor was he an information junkie in any way.

Business acumen is irrelevant? I suppose if you consider that the job of the leader is only selfies and photo ops. If he's to be a marketing figurehead with no actual decision making power, then I suppose you're right.

Moonlight Graham · May 2, 2016

He's already worth a billion, and he would probably see it as some sort of civic calling from his "people".

He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be satisfied with a certain threshold of money. He does seem to love himself being on TV though. I see the Trump comparisons.

bush_cheney2004 · May 2, 2016

Hopefully conservatism completely, between him and Trump. I still think we'll need to suffer a government under these bozo's though to really bring it home why.

I find it amazing that Donald Trump has already imprinted himself on the collective Canadian consciousness for this political context.

Another "definitional" moment ? Who is Kevin O'Leary ?

waldo · May 2, 2016

I find it amazing that Donald Trump has already imprinted himself on the collective Canadian consciousness for this political context.

Another "definitional" moment ? Who is Kevin O'Leary ?

considering the global-wide U.S. laughing/fretting stock Trump has caused, that's quite a "definitional reach" you have, hey! Jeezaz, the way O'Leary has pumped his own tires over that U.S. "Shark Tank" copy of the Canadian teevee show Dragon's Den, it's hard to fathom you've never heard of the guy... well, whatever floats your agendaBoat!

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BubberMiley · May 3, 2016

Jean Chretien was very successful and he didn't tolerate the slightest dissent. Nor was he an information junkie in any way.

Business acumen is irrelevant? I suppose if you consider that the job of the leader is only selfies and photo ops. If he's to be a marketing figurehead with no actual decision making power, then I suppose you're right.

The skills for doing business and the skills for running government are very different. Business skills applied to government usually only result in fellow businessmen lining their pockets with sweet government deals.

Argus · May 3, 2016

The skills for doing business and the skills for running government are very different. Business skills applied to government usually only result in fellow businessmen lining their pockets with sweet government deals.

That's a given under a Liberal government anyway.

Martin Chriton · May 3, 2016

IMO, political leaders need to be quick learners, information junkies, encouraging of dissenting opinions, decisive, measured, patient and above all passionate. Some overlap would exist with CEOs of massive and diverse companies but for the most part, business acumen is largely irrelevant.

Running a large and successful organization is extremely challenging; would need most or all of those traits for many broadly successful companies:

quick learners - many markets are highly competitive, if you don't learn quick you are out of business. Politicians are typically slow learners relying on lies/spin to the uninformed and can always run deficits when they make mistakes
information junkies - successful organizations are highly data driven. If you walk into any senior mgmt review meeting without backing data you will have your rear handed to you. Politicians fortunately can just make up whatever data they want and repeat it ad nauseam. E.g.: repeating '78 cents to the dollar gender gap myth' would be enough to be fired/demoted for if used in a similarly bogus context in industry
decisive - CEO/senior leads need to commit and hold to their commitments, both for internal alignment and external contracts. Politicians can just say whatever and have no intentions of meaning it or change their opinion the next week if polls change. For companies in tricky situations you often run into a bet the company moment. Not so easy to flip flop!
measured - companies are often run on limited budgets -- when they're spending their own money, need to be careful about how to invest and grow the company. Politicians can just claim recession and spend whatever of other folks money without worry of going bankrupt -- your children will just solve our debt problems, no worries!
patient - in business, strategies takes time to pay off, in politics you don't need to worry as it's someone else problem down the road, e.g.: just lower the retirement age it's basically 'free'.
passionate - business leaders often spend their entire working lives and perpetually long hours. Politicians can run with little professional interest/success/investment/career up until that point.

The skills required for a _successful_ politician where success is defined as winning elections is typically much a smaller list:

Good orator - need to be superb at reading prepared speeches. e.g.: Obama
Attractive/relatable - e.g.: Justin and Sarah Palin
Convincing liar and/or delusional

Edited May 3, 2016 by Martin Chriton

bush_cheney2004 · May 3, 2016

Successful corporate VPs and CEOs can certainly be convincing liars and/or delusional.

Martin Chriton · May 3, 2016

Successful corporate VPs and CEOs can certainly be convincing liars and/or delusional.

Correct, and if they meet the other criteria on my second list they stand a chance of being elected as a politician. Some level of delusion I think is required to be a company founder.

For example, Trump is a combination of liar/delusional, however, a horrible orator. If he stuck to a script he could be doing much better w/ general US electorate. His initial announcement that his paid speech writers wrote was actually not bad, he ad-libbed in all the crazy racist stuff.

bush_cheney2004 · May 3, 2016

...For example, Trump is a combination of liar/delusional, however, a horrible orator. If he stuck to a script he could be doing much better w/ general US electorate. His initial announcement that his paid speech writers wrote was actually not bad, he ad-libbed in all the crazy racist stuff.

Actually, Trump's success to date with inflammatory political speech is a large part of his success. The other "polished" GOP candidates are now watching Trump on TV.

May 3, 2016

Business acumen is irrelevant? I suppose if you consider that the job of the leader is only selfies and photo ops. If he's to be a marketing figurehead with no actual decision making power, then I suppose you're right.

It's the ability to quickly consume information, advice and adviser opinions and then make appropriate decisions that is important. Success in a particular business is largely irrelevant. Most businesses are focused on one area or industry. Business leaders are typically experts in that area and rarely have to be quick studies in new fields.

May 3, 2016

The skills required for a _successful_ politician where success is defined as winning elections is typically much a smaller list:

Good orator - need to be superb at reading prepared speeches. e.g.: Obama

Attractive/relatable - e.g.: Justin and Sarah Palin

Convincing liar and/or delusional

One can be a successful politician or sales person with the qualities you described, but not a good political leader.

?Impact · May 3, 2016

One can be a successful politician or sales person with the qualities you described, but not a good political leader.

Sorry, successful sales persons depend on their reputation and repeat business. Not all sales persons are focused on pushing unwanted transactional products and then moving on.

May 3, 2016

Sorry, successful sales persons depend on their reputation and repeat business. Not all sales persons are focused on pushing unwanted transactional products and then moving on.

I agree that the best build solid relationships with their clients, but one can still be successful at moving product with little more than charm and a good smile.

Argus · May 3, 2016

I agree that the best build solid relationships with their clients, but one can still be successful at moving product with little more than charm and a good smile.

Witness Justin Trudeau.