Why Recessions Forge Great CEOs Who Think Beyond Cost-Cutting
04/15/2025
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But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
February 16, 2022: According to a regulatory filing, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway purchased about $1 billion worth of shares in Activision Blizzard in the fourth quarter, jumping in before Microsoft agreed to buy the video game publisher for $68.7 billion.
The filing shows that Berkshire owned 14.66 million shares valued at $975 million as of the end of 2021.
Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard in mid-January for $95 per share, sending the stock up 25% to above $82, though it’s since fallen a bit. It would be the largest deal ever by a U.S. technology company.
Buffett is poised to notch a handsome profit should the acquisition close. The stock reached as low as $56.40 in the fourth quarter after the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a suit alleging that Activision and its subsidiaries fostered a sexist culture and paid women less than men.
Activision also said in November that it was delaying the releases of Diablo IV and Overwatch 2. And it was hit with disappointing reviews of its new game, Call of Duty, Vanguard, released the same month.
Bill Gates, co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft, stepped down from the boards of Berkshire and Microsoft in 2020. Gates is a longtime friend of Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman, and CEO. They rank fourth and sixth, respectively, among the world’s wealthiest people, according to Forbes.
But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
Companies invest millions in leadership development, yet many of their best executives leave within a few years. Why?
The most successful business leaders don’t just identify gaps in the market; they anticipate future needs before anyone else.
With technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and global interconnectedness, the role of business leaders
The leadership landscape is profoundly changing, influenced by technological advancements, shifting workforce expectations, and the need for adaptability in an unpredictable global environment.
In the fast-paced business world, corporate leaders often find themselves at the crossroads of risk and reward, where bold decisions …
April 24, 2025: Silicon Valley is experiencing a sharp recalibration in artificial intelligence investment, with signs of AI fatigue emerging across venture capital
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But the CEOs who make history in downturns aren’t the ones with the deepest cuts
