The Value of Stories in Business | Aswath Damodaran | Talks at Google

The world of investing/finance is divided into two camps. In one, you have the number-crunchers, who believe that the only things that matter are the numbers and that imagination/creativity are dangerous distractions. In the other, you have the storytellers, who build on the stories they tell about companies and how these stories will bring untold wealth. Each side believes it has a monopoly on the truth and looks with contempt at the other. Prof. Damodaran contends that stories matter, but only if they are connected with numbers. And numbers are empty, unless they are connected with narratives. In this talk, he looks at the process by which one might build narratives, check them against reality and convert them into valuations. Uber and Ferrari examples are used to illustrate the process.

This talk was moderated by Saurabh Madaan.

[presley]

The most important thing that should be on everyone mind currently should be to invest in different sources of income that doesn't depend on the government. Especially with the current economic crisis around the word. This is still a good time to invest in various stocks, Gold, silver and digital currencies.

[jorgipogi]

He saw the light. I remember watching his podcast and it was all about numbers and no context. Now, he is there.

[prateeksaini]

I love the energy and the examples used by the prof. We grew up using your books and now learning from you on youtube channel is a blessing. Thanks for sharing this information.

[thevoxdeus]

GREAT talk. This gave me more new information and ideas to consider than 10 talks on value investing would have.

[parthadlakha]

moderator did a good job as well
and what to say about damodaran, just a legend

[JapaneseStockInvestor]

Thanks Aswath Damodaran.
You are great.

[johnalmeida]

Some great nuggets...Looking at re-investment beyond capex

[Shawk]

Mr. Damodaran does not much talk about the quality and vision of the management of a company. This is the big X factor which makes or breaks companies.

[sonny]

Lamborghini is a better profitable business than Ferrari, that's because Lamborghini manufacturers farming equipment and they also manufacture a SUV. Ferrari doesn't do those things. Lamborghini does more than manufacture sports cars. I think that Ferrari should follows Lamborghini's example.

[charlestirkey]

History and Liberal Art majors do well in understanding non real narritives

[mirsatlol]

Netflix passed 500 : entering the impossible

[georgesamaras]

well the ompa loompa retail investors have spoken

[SanalMG]

Too eloquent! Come on! Faith....fate! Oracle? Oh! No! Pin the logic. About Tesla: The report says Tesla has ramped up supply orders for the units for the Model 3 and Model Y. The supplier has received an order for 4 million units, which would be enough to produce about 1 million cars.

[C_R_O_M________]

“Uber has this misogynistic toxic culture”, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t James Damore! What an idiotic way to describe and stereotype a whole company. Like it’s their policy to be “misogynistic and toxic” as if this could ever be a sustainable business model.

P.S. I suspect that this guy has in mind the incident with the female nut-job that essentially harassed an Uber driver about a Hawaiian figurine (if I recall well) that he had on his dash (and even another female passenger got fed-up with that hysterical person!).

[BMJC]

His lecture is so interesting that I have to make sure I understand every word, so I searched Bambi's mothers death, now i regret it

[tomr]

📁 2020
📁 Stories
📁 The Fed
📁 Numbers
⚠️ *This Folder Is Empty*

[Milindriify]

I wish a teacher like YOU. I can feel your Investing's passion. Thanks you for all the knowledge you share for free! Nobel Prize!!!

[aks]

Great Prof. Great content. What is most impressive is with hardly any audience ( almost empty) a World Renowned Prof has the same passion and energy as if it were his MBA class at Stern with 300 students.

[euming]

Damodaran is a brilliant eloquent speaker. This talk was a joy to watch. It was like watching a stand-up comedy show plus a gripping documentary all at the same time!

[AIwithOksana]

This is the best valuation explanation I’ve ever heard