16 May 2019

A Painful Realignment: Peter Zeihan on Brexit Fallout

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A Painful Realignment: Peter Zeihan on Brexit Fallout

Self-interest is the order of the day in foreign relations. That’s what Peter Zeihan is seeing in his role as a geopolitical strategist.

The relative stability that followed World War II was maintained through a tradeoff, he explained at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference, hosted by CFA Society of the UK. The United States ceded economic benefits to other countries in exchange for their participation in a global defense network.

The international order that developed in the 1940s to contain the Soviet Union did not include contingency plans for anything other than a world dominated by two global superpowers. “It had never occurred to the Americans that the global system could ever go anywhere except for the logical endpoint of nuclear annihilation,” he said.

That global order no longer serves US interests. “Economically, it was never supposed to,” Zeihan said. “Then it wouldn’t be a bribe.” Read More

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15 May 2019

The Era of Big Data Capitalism

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The Era of Big Data Capitalism

Can you feel the change in the air? We have officially entered the era of big data capitalism. That’s according to Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation at the University of Oxford.

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14 May 2019

The Secret to Bringing Your Best Brain

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If you have 12 minutes to read this blog post, then you have enough time to become a bada$$.

That was the goal of Pete Ronayne’s session at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference, hosted by CFA Society of the UK. Ronayne, from the Center for Creative Leadership, led a presentation on How to Bring Your Best Brain and Bada$$ Self to All That You Do.

Central to the idea of bringing your best brain to something is the idea that your brain is both lazy, and paradoxically, greedy for energy. On average, it weighs 2% of a person’s body weight while consuming 20% of the body’s energy. And it is working at 100% of capacity, all the time! Read More

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ESG Integration in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

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CFA Institute and the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI) have released a series of reports addressing the current state of global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration. The most recent report ESG Integration in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa: Markets, Practices, and Data explores the current state of ESG integration in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

This report follows the release of the following reports: ESG Integration in the Americas: Markets, Practices, and Data, and Guidance and Case Studies for ESG Integration: Equities and Fixed Income. Our findings covering the Asia-Pacific region will be published in May 2019. Read More

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13 May 2019

Paul Smith, CFA: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

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Paul Smith, CFA: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Paul Smith, CFA, returned to his hometown of London to deliver his fifth and final address as president and CEO of CFA Institute at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference, hosted by CFA Society of the UK.

Taking on the conference’s theme of disruption, Smith acknowledged the difficulties a “turbulent, ever-changing” world posed for investment professionals, but observed that such challenges made certain bedrock principles of CFA Institute ever more important, especially that of professionalism: building it, maintaining it, and demonstrating it.

From there, Smith looked back on his tenure, highlighting the remarkable growth in CFA candidates and charterholders across the globe. He also outlined the continuing challenges that he expected would occupy his remaining time as president and CEO and be key priorities of his successor, particularly those of diversity and continuing professional development.

“The journey continues for all of us,” Smith said, “and I am so glad to have accompanied you for part of it. I wish you all every success in your careers and in your lives.” Read More

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Daniel J. Levitin Offers an Alternative to Multi-Tasking

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The CFA Institute Annual Conference is an unrivaled opportunity to access high-quality, unbiased educational content that equips investment professionals with the latest thinking on critical industry issues. The 73rd CFA Institute Annual Conference will be held in Atlanta on 17–20 May 2020.

The Alternative to Multitasking

The science is clear: Multi-tasking doesn’t work. Its seductive allure stems from our ability to lie to ourselves in the mistaken belief that we can simultaneously respond to an email, listen to a conversation, watch a moving stock ticker, and compose an epic tweet.

At the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference, hosted by CFA Society of the UK, neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explained that the relevant question is not how many projects we can complete at once, it’s how we can structure our time to work on individual projects more effectively. Read More

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12 May 2019

Ronald N. Kahn: Seven Trends in Investment Management

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The CFA Institute Annual Conference is an unrivaled opportunity to access high-quality, unbiased educational content that equips investment professionals with the latest thinking on critical industry issues. The 73rd CFA Institute Annual Conference will be held in Atlanta on 17–20 May 2020.

Ronald N. Kahn: Seven Trends in Investment Management

Ronald N. Kahn’s book, The Future of Investment Management, drew its inspiration from the changes that have transformed the finance industry over the last several decades.

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11 May 2019

Sharing Global Insights and Local Expertise

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Sharing Global Insights and Local Expertise

Finance made civilization possible, and London has been a global financial capital for centuries. It has dealt with sovereign debt crises and “too big to fail” entities that date back to medieval times. This week, London will host the investment industry’s largest and longest-running educational gathering of investment professionals.

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6 May 2019

Sustainability, Technology, and Disruption: Key Themes for Investment Professionals in 2019

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The forces of disruption will impact your career, the broader investment profession, and even your life. Which global shifts, technological innovations, and market developments should you understand to capitalize on the opportunities of the future? Recognizing change and adapting to disruption will allow you to thrive in the unfolding investment environment.

The 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference, hosted by CFA Society of the UK, will highlight Disruption: The New Reality in Investment Management, focusing on disruption and its effects on the global investment profession. Sessions will consider sustainability, fintech, and other topics of interest, providing facts, exploring research, developing strategies, and sharing opinions on managing the disruptive forces at play in global finance. Read More

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30 April 2019

Mariana Mazzucato Calls for a Disruption of Value

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Mariana Mazzucato Calls for a Disruption of Value

Economic policy is the focus of intense debate — and for good reason: A dynamic, healthy economy that adapts to changes in financial systems requires dynamic, healthy discussions that adapt to changes in perspective. The shifting nature of modern business, for example, has raised questions about anti-trust regulation and whether it can address current challenges in global markets.

Mariana Mazzucato, economics professor and director of the Institute of Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London, frequently enters the public debate to discuss how to improve productivity and limit rent-extracting behavior in the markets. Her most recent work aims to disrupt how we think about value. Read More

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