Sony Ericsson- Recession Roadkill?
When is the last time you heard someone brag about their new Sony Ericsson phone? Maybe 2 years ago, (right Emmy)? Have you spotted anyone on the train or in a cafe lately trying really hard to make sure you notice their new iPhone Sony Ericsson? Didn’t think so!
The FT Weekend’s article, “Sony Ericsson expects losses to widen,” went on and on, taking pity on Sony Ericsson as a victim of the recession. Impatiently, I made my way through the article, which finally stated the obvious only at the very end!
It is no surprise that Sony Ericsson stock tanked with their profit warning of Q1 losses nearing EUR 400m, but too bad they brought the rest of the sector down with them. While it is true that mobile phone sales are expected to drop this year for the first time since 2001, and the drop could be in the double digits, Sony Ericsson is failing because they don’t make the phones that people want. The economy is not to blame! This recession is turning out to be the “Big Reveal”. There is simply no place for Sony Ericsson to hide from the bad decisions they made about market research and product development. Najmi Jarwala, president of Sony Ericsson’s US operations resigned this week. He won’t be the last technology chief revealed as an innovation failure! Ultimately, the current economy will force all companies to focus more on what customers want!
Filed under Corporate, Customer Delight, Entrepreneurship, In the news, Tech | Comments (2)
Spring it On!
Have you ever been more ready for Sring? Has a season ever been more highly anticipated?
Finally! Spring! Bring it on!
Spring is the season of renewal and the promise of hope. If Obama were a season, he would be Spring. (Not necessarily according to ColorMeBeautiful color analysis, strangely there are no black people pictured in their What season are you? test.)
Putting color aside and getting back to business, Spring is also the season of hard work, preparation and growth. Entrepreneurship is all about Spring. It is the start of something…
Do you believe Spring can save us all from our current misery? I’m counting on it! Continue reading »
Filed under Entrepreneurship, In the news, Just Life | Comment (0)
Despair and Love
My friend is enduring the worst day of her life; an inexplicable and tragic loss. She is suffering; I am helpless.
I say to my husband, “I wish I was the big guy,”, he surprises me by finishing my sentence and says, “from The Green Mile, I know,”. I love him for that. (In The Green Mile, John Coffey has super powers and can suck the pain right out of people, absorbing it all himself).
Super powers elude me and there is only sadness. On this day of despair, when life is unjust and hope is gone, I realize that love remains. The abundance of love in her life reassures me that she will get through this somehow.
It is so easy to see what truly matters in life in times like these. Why can’t we stop and remind ourselves what’s important more often and without provocation? I don’t have the answer, but today I ask you to try and I know you will squeeze the ones you love a little tighter.
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Inspired Speechless – International Women’s Day
By all accounts, the WBII pulled off a truly inspirational event for International Women’s Day! After long days and sleepless nights of organizational details, the evening came together magically! I only expected to collapse in exhaustion at the end of the evening, instead I was completely energized.
The focus of our planning was always on the audience. The primary goal was to not be boring! The rule was no long speeches (strongly recommended for all occasions) and each speaker used their 5-10 minutes to reveal themselves and their aspirations through their own personal story. These ladies did not disappoint!
Our second goal was to appeal to the broad range of interests of our diverse audience. Attendees included Men and Women; students, entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Each speaker presented their unique perspective on the topic of Women and Opportunity.
Jaws dropped as 30 year old Marietje Schaake, confirmed as an official D66 European Parliament Candidate just the day before, wowed us all with her views on leadership, the generation gap and her personal commitment to initiating change through the political process. She will be one to watch!
Annick Nazambimana, of Oxfam- Novib related her recent experience working with a very committed group of women in South Sudan, to secure funding and realize an educational project for girls in remote villages. Annick shared their secrets for success; total ownership of their own project, attention to detail, and the tenacity to basically kidnap her until their idea was transformed into a fundable proposal.
New in 2009, the WBII introduced the Entrepreneurial Initiative Awards to recognize three core values; ambition, social innovation and networking.
Corina Waaijers, owner of the new Hotel Mozaic in The Hague received the Ambition Award and shared some of her adventures in buying, rebuilding and opening a new boutique hotel. Amusingly, yet sincerely, she said she didn’t think she had done anything special, just exactly what anyone would do who dreamed of opening a hotel since she was a teenager and did so at the age of 31. The students of New Business School Amsterdam were particularly charmed by Corina’s account of her initiation into entrepreneurship.
Debritu Lusteau of Meleya Coffee was recognized for Social Innovation. In addition to her lofty goal of branding Ethiopia, she collaborates with students of the New Business School Amsterdam, (a few joined her onstage) and students in Ethiopia, where she had flown back from earlier that day after a week of working with students from both countries.
Deborah Valentine, a hand in the Hague, was awarded Networker of the Year 2009. Although her business is still in the early stages, she is thoughtful and generous in connecting people in a meaningful and authentic way and will succeed because networking is a way of life for her, not an event or transaction. Deborah was so surprised by the award, that she was left speechless and that never happens!
These women are all awe inspiring examples of Women and Opportunity in action. The crowd’s response to their stories and the overwhelming gratitude shown to us for marking International Women’s Day in such a unique and positive way, was unexpected and truly inspiring!
Filed under Entrepreneurship, Inspiring, Women | Comment (0)
