Warren Buffett was interviewed by Jeff Cunningham from Arizona State University's School of Journalism earlier this year. Many of the questions are related to journalism, but as with any Buffett interview, viewers will pick up nuggets of wisdom applicable to investing. My notes include the minute mark for the video below.
| Minute Mark | Topic | Comment |
| 0:45 | How did you learn to communicate well? | Buffett took a public speaking class |
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| 1:20 | How do you keep up with the overwhelming amount of information from web and social media today? | Read newspapers, 10-K's, magazines, etc. |
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| 1:50 | How do you process information so quickly? | Buffett filters what he reads and doesn't waste time on unnecessary stuff |
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| 2:30 | Buffett talks about 2008 financial crisis | He was optimistic about the U.S. despite the downturn |
| Â | Â | Bought his first stock in spring 1942 when the world outlook was much worse |
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| 3:55 | Has the Dow ever felt too frothy? | There have been a couple of times, but he always remained optimistic about the country |
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| 4:55 | How do you communicate with the 330,000 employees of Berkshire? | Buffett communicates through his CEOs by writing a short message every two years emphasizing the importance of Berkshire's reputation |
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| 6:30 | What advice do you have for CEOs scrutinized by the media? | Buffett uses Salomon Brothers as an example |
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| 8:30 | Buffett is asked about media bias | He observes many journalists who have made up their mind before gathering facts |
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| 11:45 | Buffett discusses JPMorgan's situation during the financial panic | Â |
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| 14:15 | Buffett discusses Coke's compensation package situation | Â |
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| 19:50 | Is there something we can do to better educate journalists? | Most journalists and people in general don't understand the dynamics in the boardroom |
| Â | Â | Finance journalists need to understand accounting |
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| 23:20 | Buffett is asked about effect of Facebook and Google | He talks about decline of newspapers |
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| 25:20 | Buffett still gets much of his info from 10-Ks | He ignores social media |
| Â | He talks about writing the Berkshire 2014 Annual Report | He writes the annual report as if he were communicating with his sisters |
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| 31:50 | Buffett gives parting advice | He starts with hypothesis and then looks for the facts |
| Â | Â | Don't be selective about the facts |
| Â | Â | Don't let hypothesis determine the conclusion |
| Â | Â | Need to learn about accounting and business |
| Â | Â | If you do good work, you'll attract the right type of sources |
| Â | Â | Must want to have curiosity about business |
