Born in the USA
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Call my interpretation naive, but I have always taken this quite literally to mean all people, not only those residing in the 48 continuous states, Alaska and Hawaii. Born and raised in the heartland of America, I have always felt extremely fortunate, but never superior based on my birthplace.
A decade ago I burst out of the bubble that is the Midwest of the US and moved abroad. I discovered that waving the dark blue passport with the golden eagle embossed on the front opens many doors and carries significant privilege. With this passport; the choice is yours, you are almost always welcome in foreign lands, no questions asked (even when questions should be asked). Your travel dilema is, “Which destination to book on expedia.com?”, not, “Will I get a visa and will they let me in?
If you are not holding an American or European passport, you are out of luck and may be subject to endless bureaucracy, restrictions and unwarranted suspicion. Many countries are simply off limits for you. (Honestly, I never knew.) Want to guess how many South Africans would be allowed to travel to the US to watch World Cup Football? Continue reading »
Filed under Politics, Social Issues | Comment (1)
How to plan a “can’t miss” event
There are so many business associations, networking events and seminars, competition for attention is fierce. So, how do you plan an event that people won’t want to miss, unless they are out of the country or in the hospital?
The Ireland Netherlands Business Association hosted one of their semi-annual dinner events last night in Amsterdam. Neither Irish or Dutch, I have been attending these dinners regularly for the past few years, and generally only miss if… I am out of the country. Here are a few of their success factors.
First of all, the INBA focus on a few major events each year. The focus on quality over quantity reflects well on the organization and enables them to deliver the quality without a staff or fixed costs. The scarcity also works in their favor and eliminates the, ” I’ll just go next time,” response .
Ambassador Richard Ryan is the Patron of the organization, and his personal commitment and involvement in each event is apparent. (Of course he adds fair amounts of credibility and prestige too.) The attendees are an eclectic mix from business and diplomatic circles. “Who” you are likely to meet at an event and possibly dine with, is of course important.
The keynote speakers are always high profile. Former Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern was the special guest and keynote speaker last night. Recent speakers have included Dutch Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans and my personal favorite,Paul McGuinness, General Manager of the band U2. These special speakers in an intimate setting, make for a unique experience.
Your venue is vital. Last night, it was was the Hotel L’Europe pictured here. The venue sets the tone for the event and this was one was Grande. Your venue doesn’t have to be 5 star, but it should be remarkable. Making guests feel special impacts their overall feeling about being associated with your organization.
How will you make you make your next event remarkable?
Filed under Corporate, Customer Delight, Politics | Comment (0)
President Obama’s Nobel Endorsement
President Obama’s approval ratings have sunk to record breaking lows lately. Even the Obama Action Figure, pictured here, has been marked down to a discounted price.
I own one of these action figures (paid full price), which stands in a place of honor in my office along with my Obama Magnetic paper dolls and a collection of books, magazines, campaign pins and other decorative items that together create a glittery, red, white, and blue Obama Shrine.
Just yesterday, I received a copy of Paris Match featuring the Obamas in Copenhagen on the cover. The note enclosed from a friend mentioned that the edition was sold out all over Paris (not happening lately in the US), but she managed to find one of these special editions for me. I display them, not only because the Uncle Sam hat and pom poms make people smile, but these souvenirs of the campaign, election, and inauguration are reminders of the magic in those moments and the hope he represents.
The Nobel Committee stated,“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,”. President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize is being criticized by some in the U.S., but there is no denying that the world did change overnight when Obama was elected, and for once in a positive way!
I applaud the committee in Oslo for honoring this historic shift. If only the Most Highly Esteemed International Honor would influence Americans to reinstate an appropriate level of respect for their current President, who happens to be revered around the world. It is unlikely, but we are talking about the man who rebranded Hope, so let’s wait and see.
Filed under Politics | Comment (0)
The Cleavage Campaign
- We have more to offer.
What do you think of the German Political Campaign poster making headlines around the world this summer? Scandalous, using sex to sell? Objectifiying women’s bodies to get votes? A sleazy superficial PR stunt in a time of serious political and economic issues to address?
As a modern feminist, personally engaged in the daily pursuit of helping women achieve professional success and equality, I have to ask myself, “Why do I love this campaign poster?”.
My first reaction was shock at the sight of Chancellor Merkel’s Cleavage. Somehow I missed the global coverage (or lack there of) by tabloids like the NY Times, when she revelaed debuted the dress at the Opening of Oslo’s Opera House last year.
It was the reactions of the German voters interviewed on the streets by CNN this week that won we over to Vera Lengsfeld’s camp(aign). Many of those interviewed were not impressed, some amused, but most were uptight and therefore support Vera Lengsfeld’s claim that Germans need to both wake up and lighten up, in general.
Vera Lengsfeld ‘s decision to build a campaign around this photo is to some, offensive, but to me, brilliant. Irony wins. First of all, she is from the Christian Democartic Party. How funny is that? From a Marketing perspective, she knows her target market (not conservatives). Her electoral district is known as alternative and overwhelmingly in support of the more liberal Green Party.
Filed under Politics, Women | Comment (0)
