A Tale of Two Websites

In my career advising pharma companies, the usual request is about cramming more into their websites. You know, because in the tightly regulated world of pharma, website real estate is as precious as a parking spot in downtown Manhattan. The general vibe is, "Let's not fall behind in the digital design arms race!" But perhaps, we could learn a thing or two from an unlikely source: Berkshire Hathaway's website.

Picture this: a website that screams 1990s nostalgia, possibly crafted on MS Word (and if it wasn’t, it sure has the MS Word vibe). And this is not your cousin's blog, this is the face of a $800 billion juggernaut. The design? What design? We're talking basic text, zero interactive features, zilch, nada. A digital time capsule. It's so fast, it probably loads before Quick Draw McGraw makes a draw. The best part? You could probably view it on your old Nokia phone or, why not, your Tamagotchi where your digital pet dog died the year the OG Barbie song came out.

But here’s the kicker: the website is a masterclass in efficiency – it does its job without the frills. Need to update it? A few minutes and you’re done, no tech team required. No crashing, no fuss. It’s like the digital equivalent of Buffett’s investment strategy: all substance, no style.

And then there’s the humor in its unapologetic honesty. The website basically says, “Got feedback? Great, write to us. But don’t hold your breath for a reply.” And they mean snail mail, folks. There’s no email address, but hey, the postal address is proudly displayed. Makes you wonder if Buffett himself moonlights as a web designer.

Let’s not forget another financial giant, Aswath Damodaran , whose website is a gem in itself (https://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/). The only design evolution over the years? Adding Xitter and YouTube links. Like Buffett, he knows the charm of simplicity. At the bottom of his page, he says, “I’ve been told my website is ugly, and I apologize for its clunky look and feel...” Well, Professor, no need to apologize; you're in good company!

Both sites remind us of something critical: in the race to dazzle with digital design, we often forget the power of simplicity. In pharma, where we juggle regulations and information overload, maybe it’s time we take a page from these websites. Less can indeed be more, even if it's not winning any beauty contests.

So, next time you think about website design, maybe ask yourself: What Would Warren Do?