Outperformance is the key to success in alternative investments, according to the 2006 survey by Global Alternative Investments Managers. More than 60% of respondents said “producing products that really outperform” was vital for building a successful alternatives business. In other results, the survey found that 49% were most interested in investing in and developing “activist strategies” – namely shareholder activism, private equity convergence and active distressed debt in the next year. The second choice was commodities (22%). Respondents voted Stanley Fink of Man Group as the one to admire most for his vision in broad asset management including alternatives, and Warren Buffett got the nod for his “ability to go against current opinion – and be right. Buffet also received the most votes for “ethical approach.” Nearly half (48%) said they will be looking at developing new structured product vehicles in the next year. When asked what they would rather do if not in the alternatives business, 19% responded to become a mountaineer, followed by charity fund raiser (16%) and pop singer (13%).
