Latest Interviews
Showing 331–345 of 355 transcripts.
Clear all filters- Goldman Sachs22 min
The State of Small Business in America
Warren Buffett, Lloyd Blankfein, Michael Bloomberg, Jack Dorsey, Savannah Guthrie
Goldman Sachs, Square, and various business leaders convened to address the systemic financial and regulatory hurdles facing established small businesses, noting that traditional banking approves only 10% of capital requests while regulatory costs consume significant operational time. The program highlighted Square's success in approving over 98% of loan applicants through automated repayment models and emphasized a hiring philosophy prioritizing resilience and passion over elite credentials. Strategic insights from Jack Dorsey, Mayor Bloomberg, and Warren Buffett focused on reducing bureaucratic burdens, fostering open organizational cultures, and aiming to delight customers to drive sustainable growth.
- Y Combinator28 min
Fundraising Panel at Female Founders Conference 2016
Talia Frenkel, Katelyn Gleason, Aarthi Ramamurthy, Liz Wessel, Kat Manalac, Caitlin Gleason
Four YC alumni from diverse sectors including healthcare, consumer goods, and job marketplaces share detailed accounts of their capital-raising journeys, which ranged from bootstrapping to securing multimillion-dollar rounds through persistent outreach and strategic narrative framing. The founders emphasize that overcoming investor skepticism requires deep domain expertise, a willingness to educate unfamiliar backers, and the resilience to handle rejection without compromising professional relationships. Ultimately, the discussion underscores that fundraising is an optional strategic tool rather than a mandatory industry norm, urging entrepreneurs to prioritize value creation and self-belief over blind adherence to Silicon Valley conventions.
- Bank of America21 min
2016 Tax Season: What small business owners need to know
Carol Roth, David Solis, Ebong Eka, Steve Strauss
Small business owners are advised to avoid DIY tax preparation and instead cultivate a year-round professional team of CPAs and financial advisors to ensure compliance and optimize financial outcomes. This strategic approach integrates automated record-keeping with real-time collaboration to navigate complex 2015 regulatory shifts, including the Affordable Care Act's employer mandate reduction and revised IRS contribution limits. By treating tax planning as a continuous process rather than an annual event, businesses can prevent costly penalties, secure necessary capital, and leverage significant deductions like the $2 million Section 179 equipment allowance.
- Milken Institute45 min
Carrots, Sticks and Nudges: Balancing Public Health and Personal Freedom
Megan McArdle, David Boaz, Bob Casey, Doug Teitelbaum
A bipartisan panel led by Senators Casey and Burr convened to address critical gaps in pandemic preparedness, stagnant antibiotic innovation, and the evolving definition of public health beyond infectious diseases. Experts highlighted systemic failures ranging from the erosion of scientific trust and bureaucratic barriers to bariatric surgery to the market disincentives preventing new antibiotic development and the regulatory controversies surrounding e-cigarettes. Ultimately, the discussion emphasized that future progress requires a "multiplier effect" of collaboration between government and private sectors, coupled with greater empathy for individuals struggling with chronic conditions to bridge the divide between public health policy and patient reality.
- Bank of America22 min
The Evolving Small Business Workplace: How to Adapt for the Future to Recruit, Retain, and Optimi...
Carol Roth, Rob Hilson, Alexandra Levitt, Steve Strauss
Bank of America's Fall Small Business Center Report reveals that 72% of small business owners anticipate growth next year, driving a strategic shift toward hiring Millennials while Baby Boomers retire. Experts advise entrepreneurs to mitigate these expansions through standardized interview processes, revenue guarantees, and the cautious integration of technology that aligns with specific team needs. Successful retention now depends on fostering cognitive diversity and offering tailored perks like telecommuting, ensuring employees feel valued rather than merely incentivized.
- Milken Institute44 min
2015 CA Summit - Powering California’s Economy: A Conversation with John S. Watson
John S. Watson, Brian Sullivan
John Watson outlines a severe global energy downturn driven by oversupply and resilient U.S. shale production, projecting hydrocarbons will still satisfy 75% of energy demand two decades from now. He critically contrasts this reality with California's restrictive regulatory environment, arguing that high costs, environmental mandates, and inefficient policies are driving corporate out-migration and stifling economic growth despite the state's status as a major energy and agricultural hub. While detailing Chevron's strategic focus on cost discipline and specific international LNG projects, Watson advocates for nuclear and natural gas expansion over current subsidy structures to achieve effective carbon abatement without undermining economic stability.
- Goldman Sachs22 min
National Geographic Society - Storytelling as an Agent of Change: Talks at GS Session Highlights
Marcus Bleasdale, Susan Goldberg, Dr. Enric Sala, Claudia Malley
At a decade-long anniversary event with National Geographic, Goldman Sachs hosted Susan Goldberg, Dr. Enric Sala, and Marcus Bleasdale to discuss the intersection of storytelling and conservation policy. Goldberg outlined a five-principle framework prioritizing urgent global issues, while Sala detailed how the Pristine Seas Project leveraged scientific data to secure a record 300,000-square-kilometer marine reserve in Chile. Bleasdale further illustrated the power of imagery by exposing the link between conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and electronics supply chains, concluding with panelist pledges to unify global leadership on climate and sustainability.
- Bank of America22 min
Effectively Managing Your Small Business’s Cash Flow
Carol Roth, Will Barr, Max Eliscu, Rieva Lesonsky, Steve Strauss, Cheryl Roth, Max Elliske, Riva Lassonski
Expert panels define cash flow as the critical narrative tool for business survival, emphasizing that small business owners face the primary challenge of delayed client payments that often exceed standard Net 30 terms. To mitigate risks such as missed opportunities and payroll failures, stakeholders recommend implementing daily monitoring, maintaining a six-month operating reserve, and utilizing technology to accelerate revenue inflows. The consensus strategy for stabilizing finances involves securing lines of credit proactively and adopting the "cash flow yoga" approach of collecting payments faster than expenses are paid.
- Bank of America30 min
Small Business Lending: Navigating the Current Environment
Carol Roth, Joe DiNicola, Barbara Weltman, Steve Strauss
Bank of America and expert panelists Steve Strauss, Joe DiNicola, and Barbara Weltman discuss how small business owners can leverage favorable financing conditions by maintaining strong FICO scores and demonstrating two years of positive financial trends to negotiate better terms. The event advises entrepreneurs to strategically blend traditional bank loans with alternative sources like crowdfunding while strictly avoiding predatory lenders by adhering to the Responsible Business Lending Coalition's Bill of Rights. Finally, the panel emphasizes that securing capital requires early banker relationships, accurate financial forecasting, and a clear growth plan to ensure borrowed funds drive business expansion rather than creating a debt spiral.
- Goldman Sachs21 min
MBA 101: Navigating Industries, Careers and Beyond: Google Hangout
Goldman Sachs representatives Pierre, Sabrina, and Nate moderated a panel discussing MBA recruiting strategies, emphasizing that academic excellence and genuine passion are critical for differentiation in Investment Banking and Private Wealth Management. The speakers advised treating the hiring process as a marathon that prioritizes deep connections over high-volume networking while utilizing career services to navigate off-campus opportunities. They further detailed how the firm supports a sustainable work-life balance by integrating community engagement and mentorship into demanding professional roles.
- Bank of America39 min
Small Business Success: Finding Talent and Balance
Steve Strauss, Jill Calabrese Bain, Rieva Lesonsky, Nikhil Arora
The 2023 Bank of America Small Business Owner Report reveals that a majority of entrepreneurs sacrifice personal compensation and work excessive hours to sustain their ventures, often relying on personal credit to cover business needs. Industry leaders and experts subsequently recommend redefining success through work-life integration, strategic delegation, and a "for-purpose" mindset to mitigate burnout and foster sustainable growth. By prioritizing employee retention through non-monetary recognition and self-compassion, owners can align organizational health with the critical need for personal recharge and innovation.
- Goldman Sachs29 min
Goldman Sachs Economists on EU Capital Markets Union: Talks at GS Session Highlights
Huw Pill, Jim Esposito, Philippe Ithurbide, William Wright
As European economies transition from crisis management to long-term structural growth, a strategic push is underway to establish a Capital Markets Union that diversifies funding beyond the banking sector. This initiative targets critical barriers such as fragmented exchange infrastructure, inconsistent insolvency laws, and information asymmetries that currently hinder SME access to public markets. Panelists recommend immediate regulatory harmonization and technology-driven standardization to unlock deep pools of long-term capital, ensuring that medium-sized enterprises and infrastructure projects can secure sustainable financing.
- Milken Institute43 min
Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation With U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, acting as the chief commercial advocate, outlined a strategy to bridge the business community and the administration by prioritizing legislative reforms on trade promotion, patent litigation, and corporate taxation to restore global competitiveness. The Department leverages its four-pillar framework to maximize data utility from agencies like the National Weather Service while deploying 108 Export Assistance Centers and diplomatic missions to advance U.S. interests in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Simultaneously, the administration focuses on critical infrastructure cybersecurity standards and international tax reform to unlock trillions in stranded capital and stimulate domestic investment.
- Y Combinator34 min
Fundraising Panel at Female Founders Conference 2015
Danielle Morrill, Nancy Hu, Mathilde Collin, Susan Johnson, Maran Nelson
Following a dramatic pivot from low-margin services to a software model that nearly forced Mattermark into eviction, founder Danielle Druckenmiller and her team secured a $6.5 million Series A led by Brad Feld after overcoming repeated rejections and a critical liquidity bridge. The panel also featured fellow Y Combinator graduates Susan Johnson, Mathilde Collin, and Nancy, who detailed their successful seed and early-stage fundraising strategies involving rapid meeting volume, strategic mentorship, and targeted PR approaches. These accounts collectively illustrate how early-stage founders navigate high-pressure fundraising landscapes by balancing persistence with operational discipline and transparent team communication.
- Y Combinator23 min
YC Panel at Female Founders Conference 2015
Kirstine Athu, Elizabeth Irons, Kate Corto, Jessica Livingston, Carolyn Levy, Kat Mignolet
This session outlines Y Combinator's rigorous evaluation of startup applications, emphasizing the need for clear idea articulation, massive market opportunities, and strong execution capabilities across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Founders receive critical guidance on optimizing team dynamics, such as establishing distinct roles for spouse-couples and avoiding unequal equity splits, while also learning to overcome common psychological barriers like underplaying personal contributions during pitches. The event concludes by highlighting the diverse founder demographics currently entering the program and announcing that applications for the next batch are open alongside a networking reception.