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It is a challenge to communicate investment information and ideas in a concise yet accurate manner. One category where that comes into play is “one-pagers.” Much like with résumés, standards for creating them are changing.

A book by Aswath Damodaran provides a useful framework to analyze companies, their stories, their financial policies, and their managers, as well as the philosophies and methods of investors.

This posting offers some questions for practitioners in response to recent academic papers, many of them which leverage artificial intelligence in some way.

Are there changes afoot in how people communicate that will invade the investment realm? Thoughts on normal evolution, generational differences, and new rules of engagement.

A dictionary of investment terms by Jason Zweig provides insight into the language and practices that animate the business. History, etymology, and satire make for a fun and enlightening read.

The next posting in this series shifts gears considerably from the first one, focusing on capital allocation principles at the company level.

Reviewing the history of key parts of the investment ecosystem can provide context for the structures and practices of today. This posting looks at the emergence of the consulting industry by way of a central player in its development.

Investment recommendations, even those presented with a high degree of confidence, can easily go wrong. What factors affect whether someone reverses their previous recommendation or sticks with it?

To wrap up a long series of postings, here are some closing thoughts about the power of cultural evaluations and their importance in understanding the upheavals ahead.

The corporate finance and M&A functions of investment banks sit at the nexus of market and corporate activity. The dominant culture within them has permeated the investment ecosystem.

Microsoft Excel is everywhere in the investment world. A reflection on uses, errors, and history, as well as some wizards of columns and rows.

From trivial swag to fancy perks, the investment business is full of favors and gifts. How do they affect what decisions we make?

What types of knowledge are important for investment professionals? How should they be trained? Alix Pasquet offers some thoughtful and differentiated ideas.

A look at common principles for benchmark selection, some challenges to their use by asset owners and mutual funds, and three examples of benchmark evaluations from investment providers.

Here are some good readings courtesy of the CFA Institute Research Foundation (among many others that could be cited), regarding important aspects of the investment ecosystem, behavioral finance, fiduciary responsibility, and the financial crisis.