Katie Doll

Senior SEO Writer

Somehow, Katie was able to pull off her childhood dream of creating a career around books after graduating with a degree in English and a concentration in Creative Writing. Her preferred genre of books has changed drastically over the years, from fantasy/dystopian young-adult to moving novels and non-fiction books on the human experience. Katie especially enjoys reading and writing about all things television, good and bad.

Expertise

Bachelor of Arts in English With a Concentration in Creative Writing

The Rescue of Salomon Brothers: Warren Buffett’s Plan

How did Warren Buffett help Salomon Brothers out of a hostile takeover? Why was the investment bank in danger to begin with? In 1987, Ron Perelman and Michael Milken conspired together to take over Salomon Brothers at its most vulnerable time. But with a large loan provided by Warren Buffett, Salomon Brothers managed to avoid the nasty bid. Keep reading to learn more about the heroic rescue by Warren Buffett and Salomon Brothers’ swift recovery.

Jim Simons’s Career: From Soviet Codes to Stock Trend Patterns

How did Jim Simons first identify stock trend patterns that changed the market forever? What did Simons do as a codebreaker? Jim Simons is known for his work as a mathematician who identified recognizable and consistent patterns in the financial market. But what some people might not know is that he started out decoding Soviet messages and signals during the Cold War. Discover more about how a codebreaker used his work to identify stock trend patterns.

The Importance of Mentors and How to Find the Right One

What’s the importance of mentors for your life and career? How can you find a mentor that will push you toward success? A mentor is someone who guides you through your career, academics, or life. They are likely people who have gone through the same experiences as you, which puts them in the optimal position to offer advice and support. Below we’ll go through the importance of mentors, how to find one, and what you can do to show your gratitude for their help.

RJR Nabisco’s LBO: Why Ross Johnson Caved In

Why was Ross Johnson resistant to a leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco? Why did he eventually cave in? In the 1980s, many LBO consultants were pursuing the idea of buying out RJR Nabisco, but CEO Ross Johnson was hesitant. Eventually, he agreed to try an LBO, which would later become the biggest in history. Learn more about RJR Nabisco’s LBO below.

Liar’s Poker: Quotes About Wall Street’s Tricky Game

What are the best Liar’s Poker quotes that detail the wealth-chasing culture of the 1980s? What does the book say about ethics in investing? In Liar’s Poker, Michael Lewis discusses the events that led to a boom in the bond market around 1980. Additionally, he details how the Salomon Brothers investment firm was ideally poised to make the most of that market, and what the internal culture of Salomon was like. Below are quotes from Liar’s Poker that share all you need to know about the book.

The History of Jim Simons’s Renaissance Hedge Fund

When was the Renaissance hedge fund launched? How did Jim Simons attract mathematicians and investors to the fund? After careers in codebreaking and academia, Jim Simons turned to a life of finance in 1978. He launched Monometrics in the same year, which was later renamed Renaissance. Learn more about Simons’s journey to the successful Renaissance hedge fund.

The 10 Best Negotiation Books for Getting What You Want

A Guide to Developing Effective Negotiation Strategies

Do you want to make the best deal in a negotiation? What are the best negotiation books for making deals? Making negotiations is a part of everyday life. People make negotiations on houses, salaries, or even where to eat for a date night. Settling on a deal that’s satisfying to both parties is the best possible outcome, but not always easy to achieve. We’ve rounded up the top negotiation books that you can use to make attractive deals.

Company Bidding Gone Awry: RJR Nabisco’s Story

Guaranteed Basic Income: Creating A Better Tomorrow

Do people usually bid on companies in LBOs? How many financial companies bid on RJR Nabisco? According to Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, competitive bidding is unusual in LBOs. But because Ross Johnson pitched the idea of an LBO to his board before preparation, it become a bidding contest between different competitors. Continue reading to learn more about the bidding contest for RJR Nabisco.

What It Was Like Being a Bond Trader for Salomon Brothers

How hard was it being a bond trader in the 1980s? How did Salomon Brothers take over Wall Street? Salomon Brothers investment bank was founded in 1910 by Arthur, Herbert, and Percy Salomon. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the firm found its niche within the growing bond market. Keep reading to learn how the Salomon Brothers controlled the bond market, according to Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis.

How Jim Simons’s Trading Strategy Changed the Market

What is Jim Simons’s trading strategy? Why did his strategy take off in the 1990s and 2000s? Jim Simons’s trading strategy was so unique that it made him one of the best money managers in modern financial history. It focused on buying or selling currencies at the right time based on the model’s predictions of when they were most likely to rise or fall in value. Let’s look at how the Renaissance strategy dominated the Quant Era of Wall Street.