One of the best things about having a blog is when people you don't know tell you that they enjoy your writing. In the last few months, I've received a handful of unsolicited invitations to try a product or check out a site based on someone reading AlexBain.com. Even if they just did search of people with Red Sox text on their pages, I'm excited to know that it's that easy to find me. I got an emai...

Every word of what you're about to read is true, no matter how ridiculous it sounds: In the summer of 2002, the Red Sox played the Braves [complete boxscore], and I flew back from San Francisco to catch the game. I brought 3 friends from Bain & Co, and it was their first time at the ball park. In the top of the 7th inning, Julio Franco came up to bat with no outs after Rafael Furcal's leadoff doubl...

I find that 95% of the lessons I'll remember from HBS were learned at one of two times: The last 15 minutes of any class where the protagonist is in the room. We get a visit in about 1 out of 3 classes, and about 1 out of 4 of those visits I'll remember forever. Sometimes the entrepreneur has really practical advice, sometimes they're just inspiring, & sometimes their tale is cautionary. The last d...

Crazy weekend. My buddy, Paullie Walnuts, went to Notre Dame alum, & he wanted to expose a group of his friends to his alma mater. Well, whatever you think about the Fighting Irish's football squad (they're in the middle of their worst season ever), I can tell you that seeing one of their games in person is an experience every sports fan should have once. As a serious, longtime Red Sox fan, I know...

I love watching the Red Sox, but it's not just the team that makes a Sox game so special. It's also the stadium. Fenway has been a home away from home for me since I was a kid. I've been to as many as 33 games in a season (1995), and this year I've been to 26 (of which we won 21). I'm fortunate to get to spend a lot of time at such a beautiful, historic park, and I appreciate every minute I spend t...