What Caught My Attention This Week

This week, I decided to start a review of the things that caught my attention over the past week and that I think are worth sharing with you.

The plan is to make this a weekly or biweekly feature (still to be defined).

Some of these may resonate with you as well.

A few of the items I share here may later evolve into full posts.

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Currently reading:

1- Ethics by Benedict de Spinoza:

A profoundly beautiful and uniquely insightful description of the universe, Benedict de Spinoza's Ethics is one of the masterpieces of Enlightenment-era philosophy.

Published shortly after his death, the Ethics is undoubtedly Spinoza's greatest work - an elegant, fully cohesive cosmology derived from first principles, providing a coherent picture of reality, and a guide to the meaning of an ethical life. Following a logical step-by-step format, it defines in turn the nature of God, the mind, the emotions, human bondage to the emotions, and the power of understanding - moving from a consideration of the eternal, to speculate upon humanity's place in the natural order, the nature of freedom and the path to attainable happiness. A powerful work of elegant simplicity, the Ethics is a brilliantly insightful consideration of the possibility of redemption through intense thought and philosophical reflection. The Ethics is presented in the standard translation of the work by Edwin Curley. This edition also includes an introduction by Stuart Hampshire, outlining Spinoza's philosophy and placing it in context.

2- On War by Carl von Clausewitz:

Clausewitz had many aphorisms, of which the most famous is, "War is not merely a political act, but also a political instrument, a continuation of political relations, a carrying out of the same by other means," a working definition of war which has won wide acceptance.

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Podcasts that I found interesting

1- Reed Hastings - Building Netflix

2- The future of intelligence with Demis Hassabis

3- The arrival of AGI with Shane Legg

4- 10 yeats of Acquired (with Michael Lewis)

5- Sin noticias de Gurb

6 - Joan of Arc - Warrior Maid

7- Wagner: Live at the Royal Albert Hall

8- How to make a few more billion dollars: Brad Jacobs

9- Film club: our sci-fi favourites - https://ift.tt/048IMtE

10- Unfinished business (part 1): quantum physics turns 100

https://ift.tt/tlax9rk

11- Unfinished business (part 2): fixing the “biggest problem” in physics

https://ift.tt/CmBZeSE

12- A conversation with Binyamin Netanyahu

https://ift.tt/HPBmhkQ

13- The technologies to watch in 2026

https://ift.tt/K2HUN5u

14- How is AI changing warfare?

https://ift.tt/Luvfd0n

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Articles that I found interesting

1- Your Analytics team is dead man walking

Three Data Point Thursday

Your Analytics Team Is Dead Man Walking.

Read more

24 days ago · 6 likes · 1 comment · Sven Balnojan PhD

2- Highest-Paid Athletes in the World: Comparing Salary/Winnings with Endorsements

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Videos that I found interesting

1- Panel Data Regression Tutorial

2- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, escritora. Desde África con amor

3- HPI 25: ‘Context is King’ When Interpreting Premier League Match Demands - Dr. Paul Bradley

https://ift.tt/O5ID9Mm

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Movies videos that I found interesting

1- The Amateur

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That’s it for this week. If any of these caught your attention—or if you’ve come across something worth sharing—feel free to reply or leave a comment.

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The Art of Intelligence

Intelligence is like trying to assemble a 1,000-piece puzzle when you only have 250 of the correct pieces. On top of that, you’re surrounded by 5,000 pieces from other puzzles that do nothing but create noise. And yet, based on this incomplete and messy picture, you’re expected to provide an educated opinion on the subject.

A few months ago, I watched a MasterClass on The Art of Intelligence that I found extremely insightful. I took away several valuable “knowledge nuggets” that helped me better structure and challenge my thinking on this topic—and that I’ve since been able to apply to my day-to-day work.

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Below are my notes. Hopefully, they may also be of value to you.

1. What is analysis?

Analysis is not speculation or opinion. Analysis means systematically reviewing all available information, identifying what is relevant, and determining how it fits together to provide insight on a subject. In other words: which puzzle pieces matter, and how do they connect.

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2. Sources of intelligence

There are two primary sources of intelligence:

1. Human (people)

2. Technical

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3. Human vs. technical intelligence

Technical intelligence is important—mandatory, even. However, a good human source of intelligence will always outperform purely technical sources. The key is not access, but quality: the source must be reliable, informed, and credible.

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4. Relationships as a core skill

A defining trait of strong intelligence craftsmanship is the ability to build relationships with key people who can provide relevant and valid insights. This requires trust, which is built by using information consciously, correctly, and responsibly.

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5. The importance of listening

Listening is a critical skill. You must:

• Ask the right and most pertinent questions

• Actively listen to what people—or the data—are telling you

Avoid forcing feedback to fit a pre-existing narrative. As a rule of thumb, follow the WAIT principle:
Why Am I Still Talking?

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6. Building meaningful relationships with sources

• Build trust through patience

• Listen with undivided attention

• Apply the WAIT principle

• Avoid purely transactional relationships

• Understand the other person’s challenges and motivations

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7. Understanding deceit

Establish a baseline behavior for when human sources are telling the truth. As with lie detection techniques, truthful behavior tends to show low variance and consistent patterns. Deception, by contrast, often introduces higher variance, making patterns harder to maintain and identify.

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8. Creating a safe analytical environment

Create space for honest opinions within your team by:

• Selecting the right people (avoid “yes-men”)

• Giving your opinion last

• Asking junior colleagues to speak first

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9. Bias awareness

• Acknowledge that everyone has biases—and understand their impact

• Be especially alert to anchoring, confirmation, pendulum, groupthink, and mirroring biases

• Always express conclusions with an explicit confidence level

• Beware of compounding bias effects

• Always factor in the motivations of your sources

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10. Managing risk and uncertainty

• Always keep the risk/uncertainty matrix in mind

• Identify as many risks and uncertainties as possible

• Develop mitigation plans for each

• For more refer to my note:

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11. Presenting your conclusions

• Build personal, timely, and close resonance with the decision-maker

• Use accessible language—even for complex or technical topics

• Tailor your message to the decision-maker’s preferred decision-making process

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Conclusion

Intelligence is not about having perfect information—it’s about making sense of imperfection. It requires discipline over instinct, listening over speaking, and humility over certainty. The real craft lies in knowing which puzzle pieces matter, which ones are noise, and how our own biases shape the picture we think we see.

Strong intelligence work is ultimately human work. Trust, relationships, and judgment matter as much as tools and technology. By creating safe spaces for dissent, questioning our assumptions, and clearly communicating uncertainty, we don’t just improve our analysis—we improve the quality of the decisions that follow.

In a world overloaded with data, the advantage belongs not to those who know the most, but to those who think the clearest.

(text revised by a LLM)

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Are We Living Inside a Sci-Fi Movie Already?

Are you a fan of sci-fi movies? Or are you curious about dystopian—or almost dystopian—visions of the future? If so, I highly recommend listening to a great episode of Babbage, the science podcast by The Economist. In it, The Economist’s science correspondents share their favorite sci-fi films—and it’s a fantastic list. Here are the movies they mentioned, along with my own thoughts: 1- Blade Runner (1982) My favorite movie ever. A timeless exploration of identity, technology, and what it means to be human. I also strongly recommend the sequel, Blade Runner 2049, which is surprisingly excellent. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/ 2- Ghost in the Shell Still on my watch list. There’s also a newer live-action version starring Scarlett Johansson, which has sparked mixed reactions. Curious to see how both compare. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36934560/ 3- The Martian I’ve seen it and liked it—though it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. Still, a solid and optimistic take on science and problem-solving. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3659388/ 4- Dune (1984) I’ve watched it, but I much prefer the recent adaptation. That said, I would have loved to see the legendary version envisioned by Alejandro Jodorowsky, which was never made. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087182/ 5- Tenet I’ve already seen it, but it didn’t really make a mark. I might give it another try—some films demand a second viewing. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6723592/ 6- The Matrix I really liked it. When I saw it for the first time, it made a huge impact on how I thought about reality, technology, and control. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/ 7- Colossus: The Forbin Project On my watch list. An early and unsettling take on AI, control, and unintended consequences—still very relevant today. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064177/ https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2025/12/24/film-club-our-sci-fi-favourites

- Pedro

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Reseña de libro - El inversor inteligente, de Benjamin Graham

Reseña de libro - El inversor inteligente, de Benjamin Graham Mi valoración - 4/5 (Cualitativa - “Me ha gustado mucho”) “El inversor inteligente es un realista que vende al optimista y compra al pesimista.” He leído este libro porque me ha sido recomendado por diversos amigos, conocidos, autores y publicaciones que leo habitualmente. Confieso que mis expectativas eran altas y que una pregunta importante subyacía en mi mente antes de empezar: ¿Qué puede aportarme un libro sobre inversión que vaya más allá de lo que ya he estudiado y aprendido en mi Master in Science in Finance o en la preparación de los distintos niveles del CFA Institute? Tras terminarlo (más de 850 páginas), puedo asegurar que ha sido una muy buena inversión —en este caso, de tiempo— y estoy convencido de que he aprendido mucho. No tanto en términos técnicos (es un libro bastante accesible para un lector medianamente informado en finanzas e inversiones), sino en cómo abordar la lógica y la filosofía de la inversión desde una perspectiva holística, apoyándose en principios fundamentales (first principles) que todo inversor debería interiorizar si aspira a tener éxito en ese arte que es invertir en los mercados financieros. No encontrarás soluciones ni fórmulas mágicas, pero sí principios orientadores clave que, aplicados a tus conocimientos de finanzas, negocio, estrategia y gestión de recursos, te permitirán desarrollar una estructura sólida para la toma de decisiones. Principales premisas que me llevo del libro 1 .Distinción clara entre inversor y especulador. El inversor realiza un análisis exhaustivo ex ante del activo que va a comprar y, basándose en dicho análisis, considera que existe una alta probabilidad de preservar el capital y obtener un rendimiento adecuado al riesgo asumido. 2 .El inversor debe limitarse a activos de empresas relevantes, con un historial prolongado de resultados positivos y una situación financiera sólida. 3 .Para obtener de forma consistente resultados superiores a la media del mercado (alpha), es necesario seguir políticas que inviertan en valores sólidos y prometedores que no gocen de gran popularidad en el momento de la inversión. 4 . La inflación es una variable clave, tanto por su impacto en la valoración de los títulos como por su efecto en la rentabilidad de la actividad de la empresa analizada. 5 .Un inversor inteligente jamás debe prever el futuro basándose exclusivamente en la extrapolación del pasado. 6 .El valor de cualquier inversión es —y siempre será— una función del precio al que se adquiere. 7 .El rendimiento del mercado de valores depende de tres factores: a) Crecimiento real (beneficios y dividendos) b) Crecimiento nominal derivado de la inflación c) Crecimiento de la especulación 8 .Es fundamental vigilar métricas globales de valoración del mercado (PER, CAPE, etc.). PER superiores a 15 y valoraciones por encima de 1,5 veces el valor contable neto son señales de alerta. 9 .El rendimiento alcanzado está directamente relacionado con la cantidad de esfuerzo que el inversor está dispuesto —y es capaz— de dedicar a la inversión (diferencia entre inversor pasivo y “emprendedor”). 10 .Un inversor no debería tener más del 50 % de su cartera en acciones. Solo en casos muy excepcionales, y con una convicción profunda basada en datos y análisis rigurosos, esta regla debería incumplirse. 11 .Cinco reglas para invertir en acciones: a) Diversificación adecuada, pero no excesiva b) Invertir únicamente en empresas de gran tamaño y con financiación conservadora c) Priorizar empresas con historial de pago de dividendos d) Imponer reglas ex ante sobre el precio máximo de compra e) Limitar la exposición a empresas de alto crecimiento (o incluso excluirlas) 12 .El inversor trabaja siempre con una mentalidad de largo plazo. 13 .Es imprescindible tener en cuenta los costes de transacción, lo que favorece carteras más estables. 14 .El inversor debe centrar su atención en grandes empresas que, por razones coyunturales, atraviesan periodos de impopularidad. 15 .Un inversor debe tener muy claro qué puede controlar y qué no. Entre las variables controlables están: a) Precio de compra b) Costes de intermediación c) Costes de cartera d) Expectativas sobre los resultados e) Optimización fiscal f) Su propio comportamiento en el mercado 16 .Aprovechar y analizar toda la información disponible: leer memorias anuales, prestar atención a lo que se dice off the record y, sobre todo, a las notas a los estados financieros. 17 .Factores clave para valorar un título: a) Perspectivas de largo plazo (económicas, políticas, sociales, demográficas, etc.) b) Equipo directivo c) Fortaleza financiera y estructura de capital d) Historial de dividendos e) Pay-out 18 .Antes de invertir, realizar una simulación aplicando la estrategia de forma virtual y validar los resultados potenciales. En definitiva, El inversor inteligente no es solo un libro sobre inversión, sino un tratado sobre disciplina, paciencia y pensamiento independiente. En un entorno dominado por el ruido, la inmediatez y la búsqueda constante de rendimientos rápidos, Graham nos recuerda que invertir con éxito es, ante todo, un ejercicio de carácter. Su mensaje sigue plenamente vigente: quien sea capaz de controlar su comportamiento, respetar los principios fundamentales y aceptar que el mercado no siempre es racional, tendrá una ventaja estructural a largo plazo. Por ello, más que una lectura puntual, este libro es una referencia a la que merece la pena volver periódicamente. (texto revisado por un LLM) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5847484850

- Pedro

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Book Review – The 10 Rules of Highly Effective Pricing: How to Transform Your Price Management to Boost Profits | Rating 2/5 | Qualitative: It is OK

Book Review – The 10 Rules of Highly Effective Pricing: How to Transform Your Price Management to Boost Profits | Rating 2/5 | Qualitative: It is OK “Yo soy yo y mi circunstancia…” | “I am myself and my circumstances” Ortega y Gasset, 1914 This famous phrase by Ortega y Gasset came to mind as I began writing this review—it also helps explain the somewhat surprising rating I gave the book. The book, a bestseller by pricing literature standards, is an easy and engaging read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone starting their journey into pricing or to those seeking a light introduction or a broad overview of the pricing domain. However, for a pricing expert, although it remains a pleasant and smooth reading experience, the book essentially aggregates and consolidates ten well-known pricing truisms—concepts that every pricing professional learns early in their career. The ten principles (not quoted verbatim) can be summarized as follows: 1.Pricing is a C-suite domain. 2.Strive for a pro-profit mindset (avoid leakages). 3.Understand and sell value. 4.Promote and implement price segmentation. 5.Carefully define your price structure, price variation drivers, and price adjusters to maximize profit. 6.Avoid price wars. 7.Create and communicate a price image or perception to your customers. 8.Use data, technology, and models to define your prices (embrace the body of knowledge). 9.Define and uphold pricing governance rules. 10.Avoid preconceived pricing myths that negatively impact decision-making, such as: a) Market share and profit are positively correlated. b) My product is a commodity, so price is my only lever. c) Small price concessions have little impact on the P&L. d) Dynamic pricing is always a black box. e) Pricing is purely cost-based. f) Pricing management is only about increasing or decreasing prices. g) Customers are solely driven by low prices. In a nutshell, depending on your starting point and objectives, I can either highly recommend this book—or simply consider it a “nice to have” if you have nothing else on your reading list. For the latter group, I could recommend several other books that would provide far greater value for your time investment. (text revised by a llm)

- Pedro

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Leadership Lessons from a Maestro

A good friend recently recommended this TED Talk by Benjamin Zander on The Transformative Power of Classical Music. It’s an absolute gem. In just 20 minutes, Zander reveals not only the profound and universal appeal of classical music but also offers remarkable insights into leadership, management, and the art of inspiring others. Take a short break from your day and watch it — those 20 minutes will be exceptionally well spent. (text revised by a LLM) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LCwI5iErE&t=33s

- Pedro

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Taking Advantage of Summer: A Deep Dive into “Next Year in Moscow”

Taking Advantage of Summer: A Deep Dive into “Next Year in Moscow” This summer, I finally had the chance to listen to Next Year in Moscow, the powerful podcast series by Arkady Ostrovsky, produced by The Economist. Though released in 2023/2024, this series is nothing short of a small masterpiece. I strongly encourage everyone to listen to it—not just to learn, but to reflect. It offers rare and valuable insight into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, framed through a Russian lens. My hope is that it captures the voice of the silent majority within Russian society—those whose stories often go unheard. Each episode is brilliantly narrated, contextualized, and constructed with care and precision. Arkady Ostrovsky deserves full credit for this remarkable work. I can’t recommend Next Year in Moscow enough. Make time for it. Let yourself absorb the stories, the perspectives, and the underlying complexity of a nation in turmoil. This is also my tribute—to those still fighting an uphill battle from within, and to those forced into exile who carry with them their integrity, their values, and their vision of freedom. And who knows—maybe next year, you’ll be able to celebrate in Moscow once again: “Boy, bring us some vodka… we are coming home.” (text revised by a LLM) https://www.economist.com/audio/podcasts/next-year-in-moscow

- Pedro

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Book Review – The Sorrow of War, by Bảo Ninh | Rating 4/5 | Qualitative: I really liked it

Book Review – The Sorrow of War, by Bảo Ninh | Rating 4/5 | Qualitative: I really liked it A Stark, Unflinching Portrait of War This book offers a profoundly different perspective on the Vietnam War—one I was not accustomed to—told with striking clarity, raw emotion, and elegant simplicity by a North Vietnamese veteran. Through the eyes of the protagonist, Kien, we are guided into the heart of the sorrow that war inflicts on everyone it touches. His story is not just personal, but emblematic of an entire generation forced to confront loss, disillusionment, and the psychological ruins left behind. The narrative exposes the painful journey endured by every soldier and the society that bears the weight of conflict. From shattered dreams to the erosion of personal aspirations, and for those who survive, the enduring scars—memories, trauma, and the haunting presence of ghosts from a bygone era. This is a book that compels reflection—not just on the Vietnam War, but on all wars being fought even as these words are read. It reminds us that the sorrow, disfigurement, and long-lasting consequences of war are not bound by geography or time. They repeat, decade after decade. I strongly recommend this book for its brutal honesty, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling. It is a stark, unfiltered meditation on war—not only on what it does to individuals, but to the soul of a society. Happy reading. (text revised by a LLM)

- Pedro

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The 40 best books published so far this year (06’25)| From The Economist

The 40 best books published so far this year https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/06/05/the-40-best-books-published-so-far-this-year From The Economist Biography and memoir 1- Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America. BySam Tanenhaus 2-Careless People. By Sarah Wynn-Williams 3-The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI and the Race to Invent the Future. By Keach Hagey. 4-Source Code: My Beginnings. By Bill Gates 5-The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia and the World’s Most Coveted Microchip. By Stephen Witt Business, economics and technology 6-Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company. By Patrick McGee. Scribner 7-The Art of Uncertainty: How to Navigate Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck. By David Spiegelhalter 8-Chokepoints. By Edward Fishman 9-The Corporation in the 21st Century: Why (Almost) Everything We Are Told About Business Is Wrong. By John Kay 10-Empire ofai. By Karen Hao 11-House of Huawei. By Eva Dou Culture and arts 12-Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum. By Elaine Sciolino 13-Bye Bye I Love You: The Story of Our First and Last Words. By Michael Erard 14-Fatherhood: A History of Love and Power. By Augustine Sedgewick 15-John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs. By Ian Leslie 16-Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words. By John McWhorter 17-Raising Hare. By Chloe Dalton Fiction 18-Among Friends. By Hal Ebbott 19-Beartooth. By Callan Wink 20-The Dream Hotel. By Laila Lalami. 21-Flesh. By David Szalay 22-Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way. By Elaine Feeney 23-Ripeness. By Sarah Moss 24-Theft. By Abdulrazak Gurnah. 25-Twist. By Colum McCann 26-We Do Not Part. By Han Kang History 27-38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia. By Philippe Sands 28-The cia Book Club: The Best-Kept Secret of the Cold War. By Charlie English 29-The Einstein Vendetta: Hitler, Mussolini and a Murder That Haunts History. By Thomas Harding 30-Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church. By Philip Shenon 31-The Last Days of Budapest. By Adam LeBor 32-Peak Human. By Johan Norberg 33-Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life. By Tiffany Jenkins 34-The Third Reich of Dreams: The Nightmares of a Nation. By Charlotte Beradt Politics and current affairs 35-The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping. By Joseph Torigian 36-Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments. By Kenneth Roth 37-Russia’s Man of War: The Extraordinary Viktor Bout. By Cathy Scott-Clark Science and health 38-Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s. By Charles Piller 39-Is a River Alive? By Robert Macfarlane 40-More and More and More: An All-Consuming History of Energy. By Jean-Baptiste Fressoz 41-Waste Wars. By Alexander Clapp.

- Pedro

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A Fresh Perspective on Perfectionism, Inspired by HBR Ideacast

A Fresh Perspective on Perfectionism, Inspired by HBR Ideacast I recently listened to a thought-provoking episode of HBR Ideacast featuring Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, which explores how to understand and manage perfectionism. The episode draws on insights from her book How to Be Enough—a read I highly recommend. For me, the conversation was eye-opening. It prompted a fundamental shift in how I approach perfectionism. Why? Because it led me to revisit the first principles behind this often misunderstood mindset. Here are a few key takeaways: -Perfectionism isn’t about wanting everything to be flawless. Rather, it stems from overvaluing performance—viewing outcomes in binary terms (success or failure) and tying one’s self-worth to results. -It’s often driven by a positive trait: conscientiousness. This includes a strong sense of responsibility, diligence, a desire for excellence—all admirable qualities. However, when unchecked, they can push us beyond the point of diminishing returns. In essence, perfectionism arises when our conscientiousness compels us to keep refining or reworking something—whether it’s a report, decision, or assessment—even when further effort no longer adds value. In other words, when we ignore the “good enough” principle. Reflecting on my own habits through this lens, I recognize that I often struggle to draw that line. More than once, I’ve spent excessive time on tasks that, in hindsight, didn’t warrant it. To address this, I’m adopting a simple rule: Before continuing to improve a piece of work, I’ll ask myself—Is this already good enough for the purpose it serves? Lastly, if a recruiter asks me about my biggest weakness, I may still say "perfectionism"—but now, I can explain it with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what that means and how I’m working to manage it constructively. https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/hbr-ideacast/id152022135?i=1000683028403

- Pedro

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Book Review – The Fifth Risk, by Michael Lewis | Rating 3/5 | Qualitative: I liked it

Book Review – The Fifth Risk, by Michael Lewis Rating: 3/5 Qualitative: I liked it "There is an upside to ignorance and a downside to knowledge. Knowledge makes life messier—it makes it a bit more difficult for a person who wishes to shrink the world into a worldview." The Fifth Risk carries all the hallmarks of a Michael Lewis book: sharply written, engaging, and built around a compelling story. As expected, it’s both entertaining and accessible, with a strong narrative arc that makes for a seamless reading experience. If I’m not mistaken, this is the third book I’ve read by Lewis (after Moneyball and Flash Boys), and I still have a couple more on my shelf. This one did not disappoint. The book explores the early ethos of the Trump administration, revealing—through personal stories and concrete examples—the widespread chaos, unpreparedness, and lack of competence that defined many parts of the transition & the ensuing 4 years. It portrays a culture marked by ignorance, arrogance, and a disregard for knowledge, values, and fundamental governance principles. Lewis structures the book around five main areas: the transition process itself, the titular “fifth risk” (tail risk), the degradation of public-sector talent (people risk), and the mismanagement and commodification of public data by private interests—often through crony capitalism. In essence, The Fifth Risk refers to the kind of organizational decay that happens when long-term risks are routinely met with short-term, simplistic solutions—solutions that are fast, easy, and often wrong. It’s what occurs when systems fail to attract and retain the best minds, when the wrong people are promoted or celebrated, and when technical knowledge and scientific rigor are steadily eroded. The result is a weakened capacity for innovation and long-term planning. At the root of this failure is a lack of vision, purpose, and investment in critical public functions. Lewis illustrates how decisions with lasting consequences were made by individuals who lacked the necessary skills, understanding, or ethical grounding to make them responsibly. The book walks us through specific examples across several departments, including the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), showing the human and institutional costs of mismanagement. It’s worth noting that the book was written in 2018, yet it resonates deeply in 2025—perhaps even more so now. While one could argue that there is another side to this story, even if only half of what Lewis reports is accurate, the implications are sobering. The damage described may take years to fully undo. For anyone seeking to better understand the state of public institutions—and the broader risks that come from neglecting them—this book is essential reading.

- Pedro

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Book Review – The Pricing Roadmap, by Lehrskov-Schmidt | Rating: 3.5/5 | Qualitative: I really liked it

Book Review – The Pricing Roadmap, by Lehrskov-Schmidt Rating: 3.5/5 Qualitative: I really liked it As part of a book club (#BOP) that I’m a member of, I was invited to read The Pricing Roadmap a few weeks ago. I must confess: when the title was selected, my expectations were low—borderline apprehensive. I feared this might turn out to be “wasted” time. But, having committed to the group, I dove in—albeit reluctantly. To my surprise and delight, this journey turned out to be anything but a waste. This book offers tremendous value—not only for pricing professionals in B2B SaaS, but for anyone working in pricing or revenue management. Lehrskov-Schmidt writes as a seasoned practitioner. The concepts he presents are not just theoretical; they’re battle-tested and grounded in real-world experience. His approach is highly practical, yet anchored in solid theoretical frameworks that prompted me to pause, reflect, and reconsider some of my long-held assumptions—both in familiar areas and from entirely new angles. A particular highlight for me was his use of Clay Christensen’s “Jobs to Be Done” framework, which immediately caught my interest and added depth to the discussion. Key Learnings & Takeaways: Pricing is inherently complex—but that doesn’t mean your customers need to experience it that way. The value lies in the pricing structure, not the price point. Don’t just price the product—price the customer. Invest in designing a pricing process that enables segmentation through product packaging and pricing metrics. Understand your business’s economies of scale, which can provide a sustainable competitive advantage by keeping profits above your weighted average cost of capital (WACC). A business can scale through: Unit Sold Unit Price Unit Cost Each of these can reveal different scalability patterns—linear, critical mass, and diminishing returns. Unit cost decreases with volume—up to a point, per Economics 101. Unit price or network effects reflect increasing product value as user numbers grow. Units sold can drive down selling costs as customer numbers increase. Pricing strategy should align with scale patterns and always be grounded in overall business strategy. The CUPID framework (Customers, Users, Products, Iteration, and Distribution) helps define key product attributes and stakeholders, guiding the pricing process. Two key concepts tied to the product model: Fencing (akin to segmentation, aligned with Jobs to Be Done) Laddering (the customer journey within a segment—enhancing and monetizing value) Every pricing model should contain: The mechanism that determines what the customer pays A structure for differentiating prices across segments Pricing mechanics are based on pricing metrics, which should meet these criteria: Operational viability Relevance in the customer value chain Willingness to pay and fairness Metric density and monetization clarity Metric density stood out to me: your pricing metric should be unambiguous and tightly aligned with customer value. Wallet structure is a fascinating (though challenging) concept—tailoring your value proposition to multiple stakeholders within a customer to unlock monetization opportunities. Price points are relative, influenced by competitors and customer sophistication. Anchoring strategies include: Cost-based Niche-based Perceived value-based Fair value-based Establish a clear discount structure, distinguishing between structural and sales-driven discounts—governed by clear rules. Raising prices should be demystified. Treat it as a normal part of doing business—communicate clearly, transparently, and consistently. If this has sparked your curiosity, I recommend checking out the author’s https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSPricing for further insights into his thinking. This book may not have the hype or social media buzz of more mainstream titles, but it’s a must-read for anyone serious about pricing and revenue management. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (text revised by a LLM)

- Pedro

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Book Review – A Sense of Urgency by John P. Kotter | Rating: 4/5 | Qualitative: I really liked it.

Book Review – A Sense of Urgency by John P. Kotter Rating: 4/5 Qualitative: I really liked it. This book had been on my reading list for several years—one that consistently piqued my curiosity and interest. Yet, for one reason or another, it was never the book I selected next, each time I faced that familiar decision (a choice I make roughly 25 times a year). Given this long anticipation, the bar was set high by the time I finally picked it up in March 2025. I’m happy to say it not only met but exceeded my expectations. This is one of the few business books I’ve read recently that I truly enjoyed. It resonated deeply with me—both in how it framed the context and in the practical value of the principles and recommendations it sets forth. Its lessons are highly applicable to day-to-day professional life and relevant across all types of organizations. Kotter explores the persistent need for change that organizations must embrace in order to thrive—or even survive—in an increasingly competitive landscape. Typically, “change” is addressed only in times of crisis, whether driven by internal dysfunction or significant external disruption. However, as Kotter aptly points out, the need for change is a constant. It must be proactively embraced, enabled, and managed to avoid or minimize the spread of what he calls the "complacency virus"—a condition that often stems from past successes and leads, sooner or later, to the very crises organizations hope to avoid. To counteract this, Kotter argues that a true sense of urgency must be cultivated. This means more than just reacting to problems or appearing busy—it means eliminating both complacency and false urgency. The latter misdirects energy toward unproductive meetings and meaningless activity that generates motion without progress. A genuine sense of urgency must be embedded in the everyday rhythm of the organization—not just activated during moments of survival. It includes: A clear understanding of the organization’s risks, opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses. A compelling plan to address these challenges and break free from the status quo. A vision supported by an actionable strategy and effective tactics to build the necessary capabilities. Relentless communication of that vision and strategy. Empowerment of every individual to act within their sphere of influence. The first step in this journey is recognizing and addressing complacency, which may already be deeply rooted in your organization. This involves identifying its sources, watching for red flags, and engaging in honest self-assessment. Kotter provides vivid examples that will likely resonate with your own experiences. To instill real urgency, the author proposes one core strategy supported by four enabling tactics: Strategy: Each organization must define its own strategy, grounded in solid analysis and ambitious yet logical goals. But this strategy must also stir emotions—winning hearts and minds. It should be uplifting, exciting, and personally meaningful. To achieve this, leaders must share key facts and construct a logical, emotionally compelling case that drives engagement. The Four Tactics: Bring the outside reality in—ensure external realities are part of every conversation. Lead by example—demonstrate urgency in your own behavior. Identify and seize opportunities that arise from crises. Confront the “NoNos”—those persistent resistors—relentlessly. For further insights and actionable takeaways, you’ll need to read the book yourself—which I strongly recommend. This is a book I’ll keep in my “petit” library, as I know I’ll return to it time and again throughout my professional life.

- Pedro

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Reseña - El hombre en busca de sentido por Viktor E. Frankl

He terminado El hombre en busca de sentido por Viktor E. Frankl Mi valoracion - 3/5 (Qualitativa - “Me ha gustado”) Un testigo en primera persona de la experiencia humana que muchos han pasado en los campos de concentración durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Frankl (neurocientífico y psiquiatra) describe, de una forma humana (física y psicológica), aquello que ha vivido y que le ha permitido desarrollar una de las principales ramas de la psicología: la logoterapia. Esta se basa en la capacidad de una persona para afrontar sus problemas, traumas y situaciones difíciles mediante la búsqueda de sentido (logos), permitiéndole así reorientar su enfoque para vivir una vida más plena. Me resultó muy difícil, dada la distancia que tengo respecto a esa realidad tan tenebrosa, conceptualizar que lo que estaba leyendo fue una realidad concreta para millones de personas hace 80 años, y todo ello únicamente por profesar una determinada religión y cultura. Es especialmente impactante cómo tantas personas con vidas acomodadas, intelectualmente activas y reconocidas por su comunidad, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, pasaron de un momento a otro a ser tratadas como una especie subhumana, con todas las consecuencias que eso implicó. Todo ello debido a una ideología y a un hombre (lunático) que logró dominar y someter a una sociedad tan fuerte y libre como la alemana. La capacidad del ser humano para adaptarse a las circunstancias más exigentes y mantener su dignidad y sus estrategias de supervivencia es el hilo conductor del libro. Esto permitió al autor desarrollar su teoría, que se basa en la idea de que el hombre solo será pleno y capaz de vivir una vida completa en la medida en que pueda encontrar y dar sentido a su existencia. Es uno de esos libros que resuenan y seguirán resonando en tu cabeza después de haberlo leído. Lo recomiendo mucho, tanto por la historia y el relato personal como por las enseñanzas que puedes aplicar en las más diversas áreas de la vida. (texto revisado por LLM) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7325429590

- Pedro

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Speed, Strategy, and Talent: The Story Behind Ford’s Le Mans Victory

A film I recently watched about Ford’s bold bet and its race to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a highly engaging movie that tells a fascinating story while illustrating how clear goals, a solid strategy, strong leadership support, and—above all—the right people and talent can turn the seemingly impossible into reality. As a bonus, it also highlights the role Goodyear’s technology played in making it all happen. If you’re a fan of cars, motorsport, and great storytelling, this is definitely a film worth watching. (text revised by a LLM) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1950186/ https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0G0ZJRP5IMCAV5729ZXNRCIP8M/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

- Pedro

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AI and Traffic Flow: Innovation, Emissions, and the Google Factor

An initiative by Google and the city of Manchester aims to use AI to dynamically regulate traffic lights across the Greater Manchester region. This is a great use case for AI technology, as studies show that 50% of car emissions at traffic intersections come from vehicles stopping and starting. Based on previous experiences in Brazil and India, traffic flow is expected to improve by up to 30%, while emissions could decrease by up to 10%. The only caveat is that, after reading The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6776829635), I’m always looking for the catch—questioning what Google stands to gain beyond the explicit use case. In this particular instance, the implications seem both obvious and concerning. That said, opportunities like this should be explored and supported. However, we must remain vigilant and ensure that the inevitable data surplus we provide to companies like Google is not misused. (text revised LLM) https://content1.avplayer.com/6536783932d8a8365a0842d9/videos/65367e747ebff164c504fe60/65367e87c1aacf127d085a34/video.mp4?AV_TAGID=65367eb2aacb313497060747&pid=6536783932d8a8365a0842d9&cid=65367e8906c29393c30221d6&AV_TEMPID=65367eb2bc7bf3bcc50e2584&AV_PUBLISHERID=6536783932d8a8365a0842d9&av_qd1=6536806d667c2a96db026742&videoId=65367e747ebff164c504fe60

- Pedro

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Van Gogh’s Sunflowers—in LEGO form!

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers—in LEGO form! This is exactly why LEGO remains at the top of its game. You can build your own Van Gogh masterpiece, enjoy the process like a kid (or with your kids), and then hang it up as a unique piece of art—two for the price of one! Already added to my wishlist—check it out! (text revised by a LLM) https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/vincent-van-gogh-sunflowers-31215

- Pedro

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Tiny Desk Concerts: My New Musical Obsession

Probably it took me too long, but a couple of weeks ago, I discovered NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts on YouTube—and what a treat! These 20-minute performances feature a variety of artists in a cozy setting that makes you feel connected to the music on a whole new level. I’m completely hooked! Whenever I want to relax, escape, and enjoy great music, this is my go-to. Below is a link to one of my favorites with Sam Smith, but the best part is that there are countless performances to explore, so you can find the ones that suit your taste. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! (text revised by a LLM) https://youtu.be/L_BHC2l30pY?si=-LhK85mVf48fMmTL

- Pedro

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Escaping into Books: The Power of Reading and Reflection

It's no big surprise to me, but it turns out books and libraries have a positive impact on readers' lives. I’m always a bit skeptical of such studies, but I couldn’t resist this confirmation bias once I saw it. 🙂 I must admit, I love reading but rarely visit libraries—something I plan to change this year. For me, the main benefits of reading are: - It transports me to different worlds and perspectives. - It helps me escape the present moment and take a long-term view on topics. - It expands my knowledge and broadens my horizons. - It fosters personal growth and self-reflection. - It allows me to engage with my thoughts and enjoy solitude. As for the study, it suggests that libraries: - Help people feel calmer and more at peace. - Prepare individuals for the complexities of the world. - Serve as valuable sources of knowledge. - Support personal growth and development. When was the last time you visited a library or picked up a book? Give it a try—you might just enjoy it. (text revised by a LLM) https://lithub.com/its-official-research-has-found-that-libraries-make-everything-better/

- Pedro

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No te Pierdas Aprendemos Juntos 2030: Inspiración y Aprendizaje en Cada Charla

Aprendemos Juntos 2030" es una iniciativa de BBVA que no te puedes perder por su calidad, diversidad y la impresionante trayectoria de sus invitados, quienes aportan conocimiento y experiencia única. He visto muchas charlas sobre diversos temas y ninguna me ha decepcionado. Si ya no sabes qué ver en tus plataformas de streaming, échale un vistazo y aprendamos juntos (texto revisado por un LLM) En BBVA creemos posible una vida mejor en un mundo más sostenible y queremos ofrecerte las herramientas para enfrentar los grandes retos del futuro. En este canal descubrirás las historias más inspiradoras y los contenidos más útiles para afrontar tu día a día, animándonos a luchar por una sociedad más inclusiva y respetuosa con el planeta. Suscríbete y no te pierdas todas nuestras novedades, ¡te esperamos! https://www.youtube.com/@AprendemosJuntos/featured

- Pedro

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