http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:24:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As summer officially ends and one is reminded of fall activity, winter, and even the dreaded snow of the future, we are reminded of the connection between the enjoyable summer vacation and business. When flying, one often encounters the "hurry up and wait" syndrome; passengers rush into the airport, through ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/09/your-flight-is-leaving-or-is-it/ While a number of large established hedge funds have recovered quite well from the financial crisis, many small funds have continued to struggle. We anticipated this development in the new normal environment where competition is greater and margins are tighter. In such an environment, there is greater differentiation between the ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/07/hedge-funds-muddling-through-their-marketing/ Over several years, we have provided service for, and have been affiliated with, a number of large financial service organizations who have formed their own asset management units. The appeal of asset management is quite obvious: recurrent revenue and generous profit margins. Despite the effects of the financial crisis which ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/07/intra-preneurial-spirit/ The often active discussion around how to best compensate institutional asset management salespeople seems to have heated up even more recently, based on conversations we've had with managers and executive recruiters. Coming out of the crisis there is a keen focus on business growth. Managers have a sense of urgency ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/06/compensation-for-institutional-sales/ In the past we have written about the new normal economy, a new reality which will present many challenges to success and profitability. This environment is like the aftermath of a major earthquake where there are a series of aftershocks. The events of the past weeks in Europe are good ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/05/staying-the-course/ As 2010 gets underway, broad trends toward outsourcing of a variety of services and functions continue. For the foreseeable future, we will be in an era where efficiency and tight execution predominates. Those firms that constantly examine their cost structure and optimize value per dollar spent have the best chance ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/01/outsourcing-trends-continue/ There has been much talk lately of "convergence" in asset management. That is, are alternative and traditional asset management styles and products converging so that there will no longer be much distinction between the two? Some years ago DE Shaw launched 130/30 strategies which are hybrids between the two forms ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/01/converging-on-the-client/ On the first business day of the year, we are all hopeful and optimistic for a successful and prosperous year, especially after the difficult environment we've recently experienced. However, while we may yearn for the easier environment we previously enjoyed, it is more likely that we will settle into a ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2010/01/success-in-2010-will-hinge-on-efficient-execution-of-strategies/ While there are some nascent signs of recovery, and the markets like to climb the proverbial wall of worry, every day seems to bring more news of headwinds to the economy. Some of the headwinds are current events like debt problems in Dubai followed by financial problems within the EU. ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2009/12/the-weather-outside-is-frightful/ In the post-financial crisis world, there are a lot of questions swirling around regarding the demand for hedge funds and what their proper allocation should/will be within investment portfolios. Will the prior trends toward wider acceptance resume, or will they be curtailed by residual fears of loss and mismanagement? I believe ... http://www.margolisadvisory.com/blog/2009/12/the-long-and-short-of-it/