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Warren Buffet & Berkshire Hathaway boost NetJets investment... in Ohio

It seems that luxury really is immune to a slowing economy, despite all the debates for and against this notion. If not, you would never know it if you read about NetJets. This is a fractional ownership plan operation of private jets that owned by none other than Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) The fractional private jet owner has announced an expansion plan.

While fractional ownership may be a luxury to the "nth degree," it often does actually make sense for many. When millions (or billions) of dollars are on the line, it gets pretty simple to justify the expense. Private equity executives and employees

Not only is NetJets expanding, it's expanding in Ohio where it has 2,022 employees along with Flight Safety International. It has decided to not only keep its NetJets campus in Columbus, Ohio, it has decided to invest more than $200 million to build a campus there that will create an additional 810 jobs there.

Isn't Ohio one of the top foreclosure states? It sounds like there might at least be 810 more houses that won't get foreclosed on around Columbus, Ohio.

Warren Buffett leave millions on the table with NetJets

If you had the good fortune to invest with Warren Buffett in 1965, your return would be about 305,134%. That compares to about 5,583% for the S&P.

However, Buffett may be missing out on some easy money. This is according to Rafi Mohammed, who is the author of The Art of Pricing: How to Find the Hidden Profits to Grow Your Business and runs Pricingforprofit.com.

True, he thinks Buffett made a good deal when he purchased NetJets in 1998. The model – of fractional ownership – allows more people to use the service.

But, what happens during peak times, such as during on the Super Bowl or certain holidays? NetJets fills the increased demand by chartering jets – which is awfully expensive.

In other words, the company could increase profitability by adopting a simple strategy of peak/off-peak pricing. For example, if you have a non-peak option, there are black-out periods. A peak owner, however, will get to fly at all times.

According to Rafi: "A pretty straightforward and profitable fix to an expensive challenge, wouldn't you agree? The upside of better pricing is not limited to NetJets. I believe that every business can uncover their hidden profits through simple pricing changes."

Yes, even Warren Buffett can learn some lessons.

You can get a full analysis at Rafi's blog.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and operates DealProfiles.com.

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