My buddy Leo Pareja introduced me to the notion that if you aren’t paying for a product, you ARE the product. In other words, when you use a “free” service online or otherwise, your information is most likely where the company is making their money. This became painfully clear earlier in the week when it was revealed that Facebook effectively sold private information (by virtue of an app) on millions of its users to Cambridge Analytica, who in turn used the information to assist a client of theirs to use the information for the benefit of the Donald Trump presidential campaign. At this point, there is no evidence that the Trump campaign did wrong by acquiring this information, but it is a sobering reminder that the massive information that companies like Google, Amazon, Samsung, Facebook, and Microsoft have on us is anything but private. Facebook stock took a dive last week and Mark Zuckerberg has been crying mea culpa on CNN and the online media. Zuckerberg should expect a subpoena to testify in front of congress soon. I deleted all of my FB apps and definitely don’t want one of those creepy Amazon Echo or Google Home anywhere near my house.
I believe deeply in taking the high road; it is rarely good to lose your cool, especially in business. It’s part of what we call emotional intelligence…However, it’s not always best to walk away from a fight. There are some things worth fighting for, and for the right reasons…Historically, NAHREP has been friendly with consumer groups. We have not always agreed on everything, but I respect them and have worked hard to have a good relationship with them. But…
The incomparable NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE (NAL) event in Miami. This year, the crowd will be bigger and the speakers will be even more impressive! If you are not familiar with some of the names, let me provide some additional color: Eddy Cue is a Cuban-American and the second-ranking executive at Apple, Orlando Bravo is the wealthiest Latino in America with a net worth of more than 8 billion dollars, and Priscila Almodovar is the only Latina CEO of a Fortune 100 company. Beyond this incredible list of headliners, the hallways at NAL will include…
Attorneys General from thirteen states sent a letter to the 100 largest corporations in America, advising them that they believe the ruling extends to private companies. In their letter, the group of Attorneys General stated their view that “racial discrimination in employment and contracting is all too common among Fortune 100 companies and other large businesses.”