Mrshafrir.com

Ominous, yet obvious, comments from Google's CFO today are sending GOOG plunging.

GOOG

I don't understand the hoopla. Well, of course anytime the CFO of a hyper-growth stock like GOOG comes out and says growth is slowing, it's not a good thing. But isn't it obvious that revenue has to come from other sources? When 99% of your revenue comes from one source -- search -- looking for alternative revenue streams is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, Google hasn't shown much of an ability to produce revenue generating products that are embraced by a critical mass of consumers. And one has to wonder if concentrating so much on products like Google Base (the so-called eBay killer) will leave them vulnerable on the search side to Yahoo!, MSN, and Ask.com.

Maybe you had too much too fast?

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

According to Crain's New York Business, Microsoft plans on adding 140 jobs (mostly in sales) and 70,000 sq. ft. of office space in New York this year.

What I found most telling was the quote from Microsoft's NY/NJ General Manager, Michael Robinson: "It builds credibility."

When one of the world's most recognized brands is making moves to "build credibility" it serves as a powerful reminder that no matter what your position is (in your company, in your organization, in the world), your work is never done. It also speaks the importance of building face-to-face relationships...

Especially when Google has some prime real estate in Times Sq.!

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This one courtesy of Einsten:

"The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.”

Also, Dave has asked that I mention that if you are looking for THE place to recruit for $100k+ jobs, click here: TheLadders.

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday I watched the Orlando Magic take on the Houston Rockets on NBA TV. NBA TV was trying out a "Silent Game", meaning there were no announcers describing the action.

They claimed that they had added more courtside mics and turned up the volume on them so that we would feel like we were watching the game "courtside".

Not even close. The only bit of audio that was at all interesting was Grant Hill complaining that he got hit on the arm on a drive to the basket. Other than that, it was your typical grunts and squeaking of shoes.

That said, I did like the concept. It's not something I would go for every time -- there are a few announcer teams that really add to the game -- but for a random Sunday afternoon, it was worth a shot. I would definitely recommend turning up the sound on the mics though. A well timed "Muthaf***a" would have made watching the entire game worthwhile.

Also, I should note that it is possible that Darko Milicic, who was recently traded from his spot on the bench in Detroit to a spot in the rotation in Orlando, *might* have some game. He blocked three Juwan Howard shots in the span of 3 minutes and finished the game with 2 steals and 4 blocks. He also played every minute of 4th quarter crunch time and looked, for at least one game, like a real NBA player. Let's not go buying a Darko jersey just yet though, boys.

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

The Scene: Professor Thom's, 3:30PM, 2/25/06

Waitress: Does your roommate have a girlfriend?
Me: Nope.
Waitress: Good, because I don't want someone with baggage.
Me: Well, I didn't say that...

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 09:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

BLine 9: you have a Blog?
BLine 9: you loser

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm reading the 10th Anniversary issue of Fast Company when I stumble across an ad for American Spirit cigarettes.

This makes no sense to me.

If you were to take a poll of things I'm most likely to do tomorrow, "buying a pack of cigs" would come out on the bottom, right before "drink a cyanide milkshake" and right after "spend an afternoon at Victoria's Secret checking out the new spring line". It's just not going to happen.

I know that print advertisers are able to place ads in certain regional versions of magazines. For example, according to Ali, ads for Lord & Taylor show up in versions of GQ in areas where Lord and Taylor stores actually exist. In areas where Lord and Taylor is replaced by, say, Marshall Fields, there would be an ad for Marshall Fields (I realize these stores probably fall under different corporate umbrellas, thereby making my point still relevant but perhaps factually inaccurate; it's 4:30AM and I'm not doing the research).

So why can't magazine advertisers target ads by behavior and preference? Why does it take a special content section, like the old Golf Plus sections in Sports Illustrated, for me to see ads about golf? And why do I have to tear out an ad printed on heavy stock for something I would never buy just so I can keep reading Fast Company?

Go ahead Fast Company, ask me what I like. I'll tell you. Hell, if you make it easy by putting the form online, more power to you. Throw in a freebie, like an extra issue or two, and I'll tell you my deppest, darkest secrets (like everything I bought online in the last 6 months -- that way, you don't have to pay Amazon to find out). And then you can "serve" me up relevant ads in my next issue. I'll read them, and, like most fickle 20-somethings whose tastes are less than loyal, I may just buy what you're selling. And, in the meantime, you make more money by charging a higher premium for targeted ads (that's how it works, isn't it?).

Is there a company out there doing this? You know, like Google for print ads...or am I just gonna have to start this myself?

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 04:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

It's 4:07AM on Sunday and I'm wide awake.

Why?

Drugs? Nope.

Wild sex-filled escapades with a bedroom full of Playmates? Nope.

The maniacal ramblings of my roommate about another Stephon Marbury injury? Perhaps.

The fact that I slept from 5PM to 11PM on Saturday night? Or maybe it's because I fell asleep at 8 on Friday night, woke up at 3:30AM and then went back to sleep from 5:30 to 9? Ding ding ding.

In any case, I can't recall a case of jet lag like this ever. I guess this is the "cost" of a free ten-day trip to Israel.

(And if that sounds like me complaining, it is. It takes a rare talent to be able to complain about something like a free trip, and I've never been one to hide my gifts.)

I do take solace in the fact that Dylan said this trip was better than his trip last year to Greece. I also periodically check up on him to make sure he is having as tough a time with the jet lag as I am. He is, thankfully.

One thing I'm really enjoying is the bounty of programming options on TV at 4AM on a Sunday morning. Erik Estrada is selling real estate in Hot Springs on the Food Network right now if anyone would like to join me.

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 04:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I work for a startup. It's a fascinating exercise in a lot of things.

Sometimes, you're doing so many things at once for so many people, that it helps to step back and look at some of the things you've accomplished. Otherwise, you run the risk of working for work's sake.

When companies in your space sign up for your services, it's immediately gratifying.

So thanks, CareerBuilder, SimplyHired, and MediaBistro -- you're today's reminder that what we're doing here at TheLadders.com is, well, working. Welcome aboard!

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 02:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mardi Gras returns to New Orleans this week.

I've been twice -- once to visit DK at Tulane Law School, once for JazzFest -- and loved every minute of it.

From the music to Muffalettas, Po' Boys to Pat O'Briens, New Orleans has a certain Joie de Vivre that I have not found in any other city in the country (or world for that matter, although Amsterdam, for other reasons, certainly ranks highly). So I, for one, am excited to see New Orleans get this piece of its city back.

It certainly deserves it.

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Apparently, I was the most successful air-to-air missle in the Yom Kippur war (1973).

Check me out!

That actually makes two Shafrir's flying through the skies during that war as my Dad, Avishai Shafrir, was an IDF Paratrooper at the time...

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Andrew Koch (whose initial entry I unintentionally cribbed) and Stone roll out the welcome mat.

Thanks!

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 09:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The infamous Madison Sq. Park hamburger "stand", the Shake Shack, reopens for business on March 21. To help you plan your next 24 days, the Danny Meyer team has provided us with this handy Countdown Clock:

Now the real question -- how does Shake Shack compare to the other burgers available in New York City?

A quick regression: there are many things that New York does well in the world of food. Pizza for one. Haute cuisine for another. There are some things that suck in New York: Mexican and BBQ (with R.U.B. being a decent exception) come to mind.

So, back to the burger. New York happens to have a ton of spots that put out a great burger (if you don't believe me, check out Chowhound for the debate).

My favorites, in order:

1) Molly's
2) Shake Shack
3) Paul's
4) McHale's (now closed)
5) Burger Joint
6) JG Melons
7) Cedar Tavern

There's definitely a few that I'm missing. I did notice a new "Burger Joint" at a bar called Scenic on Avenue B that I want to check out. One place that did not make the list is New York Burger Co. (or something like that). While the dipping sauces for the fries are great, the burger doesn't hold a candle to any place on the list above.

As soon as I figure out how to enable comments, all 3 of my readers can chime in as well.

Edit: Andrew has reminded me about Corner Bistro. I'd have to put that one probably between Burger Joint and JG Melons on my list, although on atmosphere alone, it is great.

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 08:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night Joel came home and was angry that I was watching American Idol without him.

Thankfully, it didn't lead to this:

Fla. Man Kills Roommate Over Toilet Paper

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Welcome to my world -- it can be a strange place.

Posted by Michael Shafrir at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (1)