I spent most of last week in Europe evaluating several interesting opportunities for expanding the Asset International franchise. I am confident that we will have several announcements to make over the next several months that will benefit our clients.
I did not arrive back in San Francisco until late on Saturday evening, but I came back in plenty of time to watch both the NFC and AFC championship games on Sunday. In my last column, I predicted a Patriots vs. Packers Super Bowl. Tom Brady and the Pats delivered on their side of the equation, with a masterful game plan by Bill Belichick. Brady and Belichick will make their 6th appearance together in a Super Bowl. This ties Belichick with the legendary Don Shula. Brady however will stand alone as the only quarterback to start in six Super Bowls.
With slightly over two minutes left on the game clock, it looked like I had it right with the Packers, as they had dominated the Seahawks for most of the game. In many respects, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks seemed out of sync for most of the game. It was no surprise that they would try an onside kick after bringing the score to 19-14. A second-year tight end, Brandon Bostick, who had seen little playing time all season outside of special teams, lined up in a blocking position for the Packers. As the kick came in his direction, Bostick forgot all about executing his assignment and went for the ball, which went through his hands, bounced off his helmet and was recovered for the Seahawks by Chris Matthews. Pete Carroll’s Seahawks went on to win the game in overtime, 28-22, and the Packers were sent home.
My prediction for Super Bowl XLIX is the Pats by 3!
We all have a role to play on our corporate teams and the key to the overall team winning is the execution, by all of the team members, of their specific assignments. Over my many years in business I have seen teams come up short because someone decided to play a different role and did not execute on their assignment. Bostick will have to live with this transgression and distinction for some time. I trust that most of us manage teams that can learn from this in the game of business.
On a personal note, one of the highlights of my trip was the opportunity to ride in and drive a new Porsche 911 S Turbo Cabriolet on the Autobahn. A great way to spend a Friday afternoon!
I promised in my last column to give some boutique winery recommendations. Here are two winery lists that I highly recommend that you get on.
Donelan Family Wines
This family run winery, based in Santa Rosa, California is a small producer of predominantly Rhone-style wines. They recently added two Chardonnays, Genevieve and Nancie, and their 2013 releases each received a score of 94 from the Wine Advocate. Two of their Syrah releases, the 2012 Cuvee Keltie and 2013 Obsidian Vineyard, had almost perfect scores. The family patriarch, Joe Donelan, is an expert in welcoming new members to their mailing list and understands the real long-term value of a customer. They are a relatively small winery so do not wait too long before others discover them. (www.donelanwines.com)
Keplinger Wines
Helen Keplinger, who was featured on the cover of the Wine Spectator about six months ago, also is a small producer of Rhone-style wines. She is the winemaker for Keplinger Wines and her husband, DJ Warner, manages the vineyard. One of my favorite of their releases is the Sumo. On their website they describe it, “as a Cote Rotie twist on Petite Sirah.” Their releases consistently score in the mid-90s from the Wine Advocate. (www.keplingerwines.com)