On the Lex Fridman Podcast, former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos shared a revealing story about a surprising discovery he made regarding Amazon's customer service. Despite data indicating that customer service wait times were below 60 seconds, Bezos was receiving numerous complaints suggesting much longer waits. Determined to get to the bottom of the discrepancy, Bezos took a direct approach: he personally called Amazon's customer service line.

Bezos described how he approached the head of customer service and suggested they test the system themselves. Picking up the phone, he dialled the customer service number, and they waited in silence. To their surprise, the wait time was significantly longer than the reported 60 seconds, stretching over ten minutes. This firsthand experience validated the customer complaints and highlighted a critical gap in their data collection.

The incident underscored Bezos' belief in the power of anecdotes over data when discrepancies arise. His direct involvement in calling customer service was a testament to his commitment to understanding and improving the customer experience. Bezos' hands-on approach and focus on real-world feedback over abstract metrics demonstrated a leadership style that prioritizes truth and customer satisfaction, essential lessons in both business strategy and customer relations. (Full story)

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, known for his visionary leadership, is described by employees as "demanding" and "not easy to work for." Despite this, Huang believes high expectations and rigorous standards drive innovation and excellence. During a recent 60 Minutes interview, Nvidia staff at the Santa Clara headquarters depicted Huang as a perfectionist who expects a lot from his employees. Huang, who co-founded the now over $2 trillion chipmaker in 1993, confirmed this description, stating that extraordinary achievements require challenging environments.

Huang's leadership approach includes managing around 50 direct reports to avoid unnecessary management layers, a strategy that contrasts with the typical CEO's average of ten direct reports. Experts like Professor Wladislaw Rivkin and Professor Sankalp Chaturvedi note that while Huang's demanding style might be seen as cutthroat, it has been effective, driving Nvidia to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company. However, some experts suggest there is room for improvement by focusing more on employee wellbeing, highlighting the challenges of managing a large number of direct reports. Despite differing opinions on his leadership style, Huang's impact on Nvidia's success is undeniable. (Full story)

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital, remains bullish on Bitcoin despite its recent 17% decline. In a CNBC interview, Scaramucci predicted that Bitcoin could nearly double from current levels, potentially reaching $170,000 per coin and over $100,000 by year-end. He cited Bitcoin's role as a "store of value asset" or "digital gold," envisioning a market capitalization of $12 trillion. Scaramucci also pointed out that the selling pressure from the recent halving event, which reduced Bitcoin rewards for miners, will likely subside, aiding in price recovery. Additionally, he mentioned the compensations from the bankrupt Japanese exchange Mount Gox and the defunct FTX crypto exchange, which could see a significant portion of recovered Bitcoin reinvested into the market by loyal investors.

Scaramucci also noted the impact of the German government liquidating seized Bitcoins, adding to selling pressure. However, he believes these pressures will diminish, supported by recent legislative developments in the U.S. A bill passed by the House of Representatives proposes that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission regulate digital assets as commodities if they run on decentralized blockchains. Scaramucci views this as a critical step towards Bitcoin's mainstream acceptance, suggesting it will reassure investors and solidify Bitcoin's status as a legitimate long-term asset class in the United States. (Full story)

During the second quarter of 2024, the Tesla Cybertruck may have become the best-selling electric pickup truck in the US, although Tesla does not disclose individual model sales figures. Ford, however, has long held the title for best-selling electric pickup with its F-150 Lightning, which sold 15,645 units in the first half of 2024, including 7,902 in Q2. Despite these strong numbers, reports and unofficial data suggest that the Cybertruck could have outsold the F-150 Lightning, as Tesla's category of "other models," which includes the Cybertruck, reached 21,551 deliveries in Q2, a 12% year-over-year increase.

Industry speculation is fueled by multiple sources, including a social media post by Tesla Lead Engineer Wes Morrill and recent recall figures indicating increased Cybertruck production. Estimates suggest that if Cybertruck deliveries exceeded 7,902 units in Q2, it would secure the top spot for electric pickup sales. However, without Tesla's official breakdown of individual model sales, the exact impact of the Cybertruck remains uncertain. Analysts believe that significant Cybertruck production could imply a decrease in demand for Tesla's Model S and Model X, reflecting a shift in consumer preference towards the new electric pickup segment. (Full story)

The latest list of the world's highest-paid athletes reveals soccer stars as the leading earners, with Cristiano Ronaldo taking the top spot with $260 million, followed by Spanish golfer Jon Rahm with $218 million, and Lionel Messi with $135 million. LeBron James, who previously held the top position, now ranks fourth with $128 million. This year marks a milestone, as all ten top earners surpassed the $100 million mark for the first time, with significant contributions from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has backed several top-earning athletes. Football, basketball, and soccer dominate the list, showcasing the robust financial health of these sports.

Saudi Arabia's financial influence in sports is highlighted by Ronaldo's high-profile move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, with a substantial contract and endorsement deals boosting his earnings. Jon Rahm, who joined the PIF-backed LIV Golf series, has also seen a significant financial boost. Notably, only James, Messi, and Giannis Antetokounmpo earn more from endorsements than their playing salaries, with James leading off-field earnings at $80 million annually. This list underscores the immense financial rewards available to top athletes, reflecting their exceptional talent and achievements in their respective sports. (Full story)