The Business Pre‑Nup vs. The Business Divorce In our previous article, we discussed the importance of a shareholders’ agreement as the “business pre-nup” i.e., setting ground rules for managing a business together as co-owners. But what happens when someone decides to leave the partnership? Every business partnership has two chapters: coming together and parting ways. The Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) governs the second. If the shareholders' agreement is the "pre-nup", then the SPA is the divorce agreement drafted before the wedding. One party exits and the SPA decides who keeps what, how the price is paid, and who bears responsibility if any surprises come up later. For example, Party A and Party B have been business partners for years.…
Charlie Munger interviewed after the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in 2015. Image by Kent Sievers on Shutterstock. Charles Munger, who stood as a remarkable pillar in Berkshire Hathaway's development for nearly six decades alongside Warren Buffett, passed away at 99 on 28 November 2023. Munger was fundamental in the transformation of Berkshire Hathaway from a struggling textile production company into a global powerhouse. His passing occurred in a California hospital on Tuesday, as reported by the firm. Known for his long-standing residency in Los Angeles, Munger's vast contributions have not gone unnoticed. "Without Charlie's invaluable inspiration, wisdom, and involvement, Berkshire Hathaway wouldn't be where it is today," Buffett articulated in the statement. Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1924, Munger was…
Are You Still Running Your Business Like It's 1995? We live in an age defined by digital signatures, seamless cloud collaboration, and powerful AI. Despite having endless tools for efficiency at our fingertips, a shocking number of companies and professionals remain stubbornly anchored in the analog past. The continued reliance on hardcopy documentation, mandatory in-person approvals, and manual processes actively stalls progress and productivity. This persistence of 1990s playbooks begs the central question: Why do so many successful leaders and companies knowingly choose to resist transformation? The answer lies not in outdated technology, but in deep-seated human psychology. This instinct to cling to the familiar, even when innovation offers a clear advantage, is known as the status quo bias. We…
There is always something elusive about the Boardroom. It is a place where strategies are devised, risks weighed, and the future of companies charted. Yet, amid its polished oak walls and hushed deliberations, there's an aspect that has begun to echo louder than ever before - diversity. But it's not just about ticking boxes; it's about steering towards an inclusive future. Still questioning the value of a diverse boardroom? It's time you rethink your strategy. A study by researchers at Harvard Business School found that ethnically diverse organizations were 35% more likely to outperform their industry median. Notably, ethnically diverse boards are 43% more likely to deliver higher profits. Now that's a win you surely want on your side of the…
From Complexity to Clarity: Inside Oceanis' Mission to Simplify Maritime Finance Every great business starts with a problem. The most impactful companies emerge when someone sees a gap, discovers a creative solution, and adapts as the landscape shifts. This journey is exemplified by Oceanis, a maritime technology company that is transforming how shipping investments are analysed. At the heart of this transformation is a brilliant team and one of its co-founders and COO, Georg-Maximilian Kuhlmann. From his early days in logistics to redefining how the maritime world approaches investment decisions, Kuhlmann has dedicated nearly two decades to driving progress in shipping. His career spans ship financing, asset management, commercial operations, and technology — a rare combination that gives him a…
