Latest Interviews
Showing 5161–5175 of 5,331 transcripts.
Clear all filters- Milken Institute1h 16m
Chinese Market Culture: How Well Can You Know a Company? (updated)
David Bonderman, Howard Chao, Benjamin Fanger, John Pattar, James McGregor
This panel explored the structural complexities of China's corporate landscape, ranging from the historical dominance of Township and Village Enterprises to the persistent legal ambiguities of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) structures. Participants detailed how severe challenges in financial transparency necessitate "forensic" due diligence and asset-holding strategies akin to a pawn shop to mitigate enforcement risks in a judicial system lacking full independence. Ultimately, the discussion emphasized that navigating this high-risk environment requires investors to bypass reported earnings for cash flow analysis while closely monitoring specific political reform indicators to anticipate regulatory shifts.
- Milken Institute59 min
The Big Picture for Global Media (updated)
Gale Anne Hurd, Michael Lynton, Leslie Moonves, Robert Pittman, Julia Boorstin, Les Moonves
A panel of leading media executives, including Bob Pitman, Les Moonves, Michael Lynne, and Gail Berman, convened to analyze the industry's rapid transformation driven by mobile connectivity, social media engagement, and the global dominance of streaming services like Netflix. The discussion detailed specific strategic shifts such as CBS's legal battles against Aereo, the rise of international box office revenue, and the redefinition of content creation to suit binge-watching and second-screen behaviors. While the group acknowledged the challenges of advertiser adaptation and piracy, they ultimately concluded that the core value of high-quality content remains paramount despite the volatile landscape of digital distribution and potential future consolidation.
- Milken Institute1h 24m
Investing in African Prosperity (updated)
Tony Blair, Bill Gates, H.E. Paul Kagame, Strive Masiyiwa, Rhonda Zygocki, Michael Milken
A panel of government leaders, corporate executives, and development experts convened to analyze Africa's demographic surge and its potential to become a global economic powerhouse despite significant infrastructure and financial gaps. Key speakers highlighted transformative successes in nations like Rwanda and Ethiopia, alongside private sector initiatives by Chevron and the Clinton Foundation that are leveraging mobile technology, transparent governance, and direct operational partnerships to drive sustainable growth. The consensus emphasized that unlocking the continent's future requires multi-stakeholder collaboration that treats Africa as 54 distinct markets while prioritizing human capital investment and local capacity building over traditional aid models.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
Institutional Investors: Where in the World Will Returns Come From? (audio/video update)
Janet Cowell, Joseph Dear, Michael Sabia, Mauricio Wanderley, Tom Finke, Joe Deere
Representatives from CalPERS, the North Carolina State Treasurer, the Canadian Caisse de Dépôt, and Brazil's Funcef convened to detail strategies for recovering from financial crises and targeting 6.7% to 7.5% annual returns in a low-yield environment. The panelists emphasized a decisive shift away from benchmark-relative mandates toward direct ownership of real economy assets, with significant capital redeployment into private equity, infrastructure, and emerging markets like China and Brazil to hedge against inflation and fill fixed-income gaps. While noting political and monetary risks in Europe, these leaders projected a moderately offensive posture for 2013, prioritizing internal management to reduce fees and enhance long-term growth despite the scarcity of high-quality investment vehicles.
- Milken Institute1h 18m
MI Forum: Silicon Rally: L.A.'s Thriving Tech Scene (SD)
Walter Driver, Susan Feldman, Michael Jones, Dana Settle, Mike Jones
The Los Angeles tech ecosystem, known as Silicon Beach, sustains approximately $1 billion in annual venture capital while differentiating itself from coastal hubs through an emphasis on immediate revenue generation over delayed monetization. Despite producing major exits like SpaceX and Riot Games, the region faces significant headwinds including a scarcity of local late-stage funding, a shortage of experienced angel investors, and reliance on external Series B capital. To mature into a sustainable platform for multibillion-dollar valuations, the panel advocates for entrepreneurs to leverage personal expertise and tap into underutilized capital pools within diverse community family offices.
- Milken Institute1h 26m
MI Forum: Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose
Former Link Exchange co-founder Tony Hsieh scaled Zappos into a billion-dollar enterprise by prioritizing "delivering happiness" over traditional retail metrics, a strategy that secured a 2009 Amazon acquisition while preserving operational independence. The company distinguishes itself through radical customer service tactics, such as a 365-day return window and unscripted phone support, which drive a 75% repeat customer rate by treating the business as a service provider rather than a merchandise vendor. Furthermore, Hsieh enforces a culture-first management model where core values dictate hiring and firing, using financial incentives like the "offer to quit" to filter employees who align with the organization's mission to generate long-term value through emotional connection.
- Milken Institute1h 16m
MI Forum: Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don't
Paul Sullivan, Skip Reimer, Cyrus Hekmat, Eric Schmidt, William Rickles, Jamie Dimon
Paul Sullivan distinguishes "clutch" performance from mere luck by defining it as the repeatable execution of high-level skills under extreme pressure, characterized by laser-focused attention, adaptability, and a strategic balance between fear and desire. Through case studies ranging from Eli Manning's Super Bowl victory to Jamie Dimon's disciplined leadership, Sullivan demonstrates that these traits are learned via deliberate practice rather than innate talent, enabling individuals to avoid the paralysis of overconfidence and overthinking. The presentation concludes by urging a shift from outcome-oriented anxiety to present-moment execution, making elite performance accessible to professionals across various fields through consistent, pressure-simulated training.
- Milken Institute1h 8m
MI Forum: Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World
Authors argue that "Sustainable Excellence" has evolved from a moral preference into a critical business imperative, compelling corporations to integrate environmental and social factors into core strategies to survive resource constraints. Major companies like Nike, Ford, and Unilever demonstrate this shift by reimagining products and forming strategic alliances with NGOs, moving sustainability from peripheral reporting to central boardroom decisions. Despite persistent challenges such as consumer behavior gaps and geopolitical risks, the convergence of regulatory mandates and market efficiency suggests that sustainable practices are becoming synonymous with fundamental business excellence.
- Milken Institute1h 15m
MI Forum: The Grace of Silence
Journalist Michele Norris presented her book *The Grace of Silence* at a KCRW forum, recounting how her family's unspoken trauma regarding her grandmother's "Aunt Jemima" performances and her father's 1946 police shooting in Birmingham revealed the protective function of silence in Black American history. Norris contrasted these personal narratives with systemic racial disparities and the "post-racial" myth, arguing that unaddressed historical trauma continues to shape contemporary inequities in employment and education. The event concluded with Norris advocating for a "National Day of Listening" to preserve such family oral histories, emphasizing that acknowledging these specific stories is essential for understanding national strength rather than dwelling in pain.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
MI Forum: Creating a World Without Poverty
Muhammad Yunus, Mike Milken, James McGowan, Betsy Zyman, Ross Duvall, Steve Barth
Founded by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to democratize access to capital, the Grameen Bank operates a unique microfinance model where 7.3 million borrowers, 97% of whom are women, own the institution itself. This structure inverts traditional banking by eliminating collateral and legal enforcement while utilizing social pressure to maintain repayment rates exceeding 98%, thereby extending credit to the world's poorest populations. Building on this foundation, Yunus has expanded into social business ventures like Grameen Danone and Grameen Shakti, which deliver essential services ranging from nutrition to solar energy without relying on external dividends.
- Milken Institute1h 51m
The Hot Zone Approach to Battling Gang Violence
Connie Rice, Rev. Jeff Carr, Malcolm Klein, Charlie Beck, Ray Bercini, Father Gregory Boyle, Brian Center, Mike Clouden, Richard Sandler, Father Greg Boyle, Deputy Chief Charles Beck, Detective Ray Bersini, Deputy Mayor Jeff Carr
Panelists led by Dr. Malcolm Klein and Los Angeles officials analyze the city's gang crisis, redefining the problem through five distinct gang types while critiquing the current over-reliance on individual-focused interventions. The discussion highlights a strategic shift toward evidence-based policies, such as the "Summer Night Lights" program and collaboration with organizations like Homeboy Industries, which emphasize community hope and structural economic reform over pure suppression. Despite reporting a drop in homicides from 350 to 167, experts warn that sustained political will and a $40 million investment are essential to address the underground economy and prevent a resurgence of violence.
- Milken Institute1h 24m
Where Is the Economy Headed? A View From the Presidential Campaigns
Michael J. Boskin, Leo Hindery, Jr., John McCain, Barack Obama, Mike Clouden, Peter Purcell
Economic advisors Leo Hendry for the Obama campaign and Michael Boskin for the McCain campaign engaged in a moderated policy dialogue at a Milken Institute event, debating critical issues including income inequality, the causes of the financial crisis, and the efficacy of global trade agreements. The participants presented divergent views on taxation, where Hendry advocated for repealing tax cuts for high earners to reduce deficits, while Boskin argued that such measures would harm the U.S. standard of living and cited technology rather than policy as the primary driver of inequality. Through structured opening statements and rebuttals, the forum highlighted deep disagreements on regulatory approaches to the mortgage crisis and the role of government intervention in stimulating the economy.
- Milken Institute1h 13m
Demystifying the Mortgage Meltdown: What It Means for Main Street, and the U.S. Financial System
This presentation dissects the 2008 mortgage meltdown by attributing the crisis to unsustainable debt levels, rampant securitization, and a fragmented regulatory environment that failed to manage systemic risks. Speakers detail how high leverage at institutions like Lehman Brothers and AIG, combined with rating agency failures, precipitated a severe liquidity freeze and a housing market correction that wiped out trillions in equity. The analysis concludes that current policy interventions, including TARP, offer only temporary relief and that lasting stability requires comprehensive regulatory reform to increase capital reserves and eliminate opacity in complex financial products.
- Milken Institute1h 13m
Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President
Vicente Fox, Mike Milken, Governor Davis
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox joined Milken Institute Chairman Mike Milken for an exclusive dialogue on U.S.-Mexico strategic partnerships, highlighting Mexico's demographic surge, trade achievements under NAFTA, and the economic impact of the region's growing workforce. Fox detailed his administration's record of stabilizing inflation and boosting the stock market while advocating for comprehensive immigration reform and contrasting his cooperative leadership style with isolationist or force-based policies. Looking toward the future, the discussion projected Mexico's rise to become a top-five global economy by 2040 and urged deeper binational integration to counterbalance emerging Asian powers while addressing ongoing security challenges.
- Milken Institute1h 28m
Sam Wyly: 1,000 Dollars & an Idea
Sam Wyly, Milken, Mike Clouden
The Milken Institute hosts a December series of private breakfasts featuring former White House Chief of Staff Mac McLarty and new Los Angeles Times editor Russ Stanton, while scheduling a January forum on stem cell research with Allen Tronson. Concurrently, the organization promotes its 2009 Global Conference for April 27–29, noting that capped attendance is expected to sell out. These upcoming events follow a broader narrative highlighted by Sam Wiley's extensive business history, ranging from his tenure at IBM and the founding of Sterling Software to his recent leadership of Green Mountain Energy.