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Marketplace

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

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Ideas that go against the grain

Idealab CEO Bill Gross

In part two of our interview with Idealab CEO Bill Gross, Kai Ryssdal finds out how he chooses which ideas to keep, which ideas have been significant and how he has personally changed along with the company.

Idealab CEO Bill Gross (Idealab)

EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT

Who: Bill Gross, chairman and CEO, Idealab.

Education: He graduated with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

What you may not know: Launched his first business as a teen selling bulk candy to classmates for a profit.

Personal: Gross lives with his family in Pasadena, Calif.

Music From This Show

  • Drugs Lil Kim
  • Love is the Drug Roxy Music
  • The Wound that Never Heals Jim White
  • Satellite Dave Matthews Band
  • The Big Ship Brian Eno
  • Doctor! Doctor! The Thompson Twins
  • The Party Which You Know Will Be Heavy Kinski

Marketplace Confessional

"We tend to forget that debt is another form of slavery. So, they are selling our debt to others? Hmmm, what happens if we can't pay? Hmmm, our credibility starts to wane. Why the heck, if we are to be seen as leaders in this vast world, would another country listen to us? Get ready people -- the beastly game is in full effect. Remember how back in the day, the mob would extend debt to those who couldn't get it? Remember? What happens if that person couldn't pay up? Good luck, Fannie and Freddie! . . . "

The Specials

INTERACTIVE: PAC Men

Leadership PACs are the main fund-raising tool for most lawmakers. Find out how they raise and spend all that money.

BLOG: Getting Personal

Marketplace Money answers your personal finance questions. Submit yours now.

GAME: Budget Hero

Think you could balance the federal budget? Play the game.

BLOG: The Greenwash Brigade

Environmental professionals scrutinize eco-friendly claims by businesses, governments and groups. Check out their reports.

ELECTION 2008: State your issues

Are the candidates addressing issues that matter to you? Help us report on the campaigns. Share your thoughts.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Middle East @ Work

No region outside the U.S. affects our pocketbooks, politics and portfolios more. See our special coverage from Cairo and Dubai.

Conversations from the Corner Office

Marketplace goes one-on-one with CEOs, company founders, head honchos...

Sit in

Working

Intimate profiles of workers in the global economy.

Meet them

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