These are questions we are considering asking Warren Buffett when we meet with him on Friday, March 11.
Healthcare• What is your “opinion” on healthcare reform and the direction of insurance industry?
• Given the volatility in health care regulation, how do you see it affecting the valuation of publicly-traded insurance companies, especially Geico?
Personal Questions• What is your most personally rewarding transaction you’ve ever done?
• What are your guiding principles?
• What are you striving for? What is your motivation?
• Personal sacrifices: what are your regrets in your personal life? Does he regret the impact on his family?
• What would you do if you didn’t invest/work in business?
Succession Planning• What have you done to ensure succession planning?
• How will BH evolve with regards to technological evolutions and societal changes?
• As your ownership decreases in BH, do you foresee a change in agency versus stewardship-related issues to managing the company?
• Investment Advice
• If we had to put your entire net worth into 1 stock, which one?
US Competitiveness• What is America’s future competitive position?
Montana-related• How do we maintain land ownership in Montana, given the rising estate tax pressures on owners/family businesses? How do you reconcile the problem of people being land rich, cash poor?
• What’s your view on railroad prices for farm goods/ coal transportation? Does railroad transportation favor the “big guy” versus the smaller, independent farmer?
• What advice to you have for Native Americans with regards to Montana business relations?
• "How should rural states currently relying heavily on oil and gas production invest to insure a prosperous future?"
BSNF-related• What is the long-term opportunity with BNSF?
• For Montana, how will the BNSF investment benefit the regional economy and investments in infrastructure?
Global Trade• Given the 2003 comments on trade imbalance, what are your views today?
Management-related• How do you deal with all the various management personalities and styles in your subsidiaries?
Social Issues• What are your social/philanthropic interests? What would you try to fix first?
• Why are you letting someone else manage your philanthropic endeavors? Are wealthy individuals equipped to manage/disperse philanthropic funds?
• Are you pro- or anti-anything in terms of your passions?
• What would the world look like without Warren Buffett?
• Why the strong interest/concern for the tax burden for the poor?
Economic Disruption• Is there an inconsistency in your actions when helping out banks in the 2008 crisis, given that you don’t invest in turnarounds?
Reputation-related• Do you believe your reputation was affected by your involvement with Goldman Sachs?
Ethical Questions• Where do you draw the line with regards to investing in businesses that cross ethical lines?
• Business ethics: in your analysis, how much do you weigh ethical issues, including human rights, environmental, etc.?
No comments:
Post a Comment