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October 29, 2005
In other notes
Had an odd call from the US Gov with respect to a private equity issue. Got a follow on email on a fund they seem to have in the works and new structure proposal.
After reading the proposal over, I have to say ... I can't make bloody heads or tails of its thinking. I'm not often at a loss of understanding like this. Either I'm stupid or this proposal makes no bloody sense.
The question is, what do I tell them on Monday for this damned call?
Half wish they'd fuck off. But half a mind that there might, in its bizarre bollixed up way, be a business opportunity here.
But this means trying to make some sense of it.
[UPDATED]
Actually on rereading the theoretical thinking was clearer, but the practicalities seem more than slightly fucked. Regardless, it was interesting speaking with an Under Secretary. Are Under Secretaries powerful people in USG?
In any case, the issue revolved around structuring a US G vehicle to subsidise equity investment in smaller firms in the MENA region. An interesting concept, although their proposal in practical terms was quite wierd and off base. Still, I was able to give them my practical view of the issues involved in market and what I thought Funds would think here.
Posted by The Lounsbury at October 29, 2005 02:03 AM
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Perso Biz Notes
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Comments
Well, at the risk of stating the obvious, you could make vague statements of interest, in the hopes of drawing some sort of information that makes some sort of sense.
Would it help to play a bit coy over the topic? Hint that you have substantial commitments, and this better be really tempting for you to do something about it?
Or, it could be something as simple as some idiot failed to paste in one or two pages...
Posted by: ascendance at October 29, 2005 03:43 AM
To be clear I have been asked to comment on the substance. Vagueness is not possible.
Posted by: The Lounsbury at October 29, 2005 11:15 AM
First, get a couple of Big Macs, couple dozen Dunkin' Donuts, some Budweiser, don't forget to super size it all, then plop yourself on the couch and watch Oprah reruns. Then, when the stupor has commenced, reread the proposal. No doubt you will see it in a new light.
P.S. it would be helpful if at the same time you had a picture of President Bush on the wall.
Posted by: Barnabus at November 2, 2005 10:57 PM
Actually none of the above are available to me, but after some decent Cuban products I was able to discern their thinking, which on a theoretical level was interesting, but the practical proposal was just crap.
Posted by: The Lounsbury at November 3, 2005 02:36 PM
