Seek must be a rip-off

OK, this isn’t exactly cutting-edge business analysis, but stay with me. Employment website Seek makes a net profit after tax of $23.9M off revenue of $70M. That’s a markup above costs of nearly 52%.

So I figure they could drop their prices by a good 20% and still be making plenty more profit that the average quite-successful business, yeah? Hell, a computer shop only makes 6% to 8% when they sell you a laptop.

No wonder their share price is at a record high.

If I ever become an Evil Overlord…

… then here’s the plan: Follow the advice given in The Top 100 Things I’d Do If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord. Including:

  • My Legions of Terror will have helmets with clear plexiglass visors, not face-concealing ones.
  • I will not interrogate my enemies in the inner sanctum — a small hotel well outside my borders will work just as well.
  • If my advisors ask “Why are you risking everything on such a mad scheme?”, I will not proceed until I have a response that satisfies them.
  • My vats of hazardous chemicals will be covered when not in use. Also, I will not construct walkways above them.

Sure, the list is a decade old, but I only found out about it just now from author John Birmingham, who continues the discussion.