Top biz journalist Zuckerman talks persistence and success

Gregory Zuckerman, reporter and columnist at The Wall Street Journal, is a three-time winner of the Gerald Loeb award, the highest honor in business journalism.

“I can write about Wall Street all day? How cool!” added Zuckerman.

On Feb. 28, he visited Brandeis International Business School to discuss his latest book, “The Man Who Solved the Market: How Jim Simons Launched the Quant Revolution.” Even for Zuckerman, this was a tough job.

First, he collected data via extensive research, letting Simons know he was serious about profiling him.

And then there was what Zuckerman called the Haircut Argument: “I’m going to cut your hair. You can sit still or you can move around. But you’re getting a haircut.” Zuckerman said he planned to write about Simons — with or without his cooperation.

Looking back on his time as an undergraduate, Zuckerman said he never expected to become a journalist. But he added that his studies at Brandeis prepared him for success.

“Being a critical thinker, thinking on your feet, that’s what Brandeis prepares you for,” he said.

Zuckerman received an economics degree from Brandeis University, graduating magna cum laude.