Business has only two basic functions – marketing and innovation.
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Author Archive
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3D pictures & my fantasy world
Posted on January 24, 2010 | View CommentsAs a little girl I always thought of the world comprising elfs and knights, beautiful colors and light surroundings. Going through adultry I was kicked off the pink elephant. The world became darker and flat. Being surrounded by people busy with their worries, fears and... -
Keep on playing to fly up high
Posted on January 18, 2010 | View CommentsIt was in San Francisco that I found myself caught by the view of two crows playing together high up in the air. It looked like they were dancing together, teasing each other now and then. Did you know that crows can fly upside down?... -
Earning social capital
Posted on December 26, 2009 | View CommentsBarter points, cacoa beans, gold, sheep. There have been many units used as currency in trade. Now a new, or renowed one, is brought under attention again: The whuffie. A currency based on reputation. First used in a fiction novel in 2003, in 2009 introduced... -
Christmas wishes
Posted on December 23, 2009 | View CommentsFor many people Christmas is a time of obligations and ‘have to’s’. Stress about fixing exquisite dinners and visiting the right persons at the right time. Expectations rise and freedom drops. But as creative minds, we know that with some flexibility there are always opportunities.... -
Blame the weather
Posted on December 17, 2009 | View CommentsIt was the first day this winter, that snow covered the streets. How beautiful! All white and light, crackling sounds coming from under your shoes and clean fresh air. Until I got on the train this morning and the railway guard made an announcement:... -
Lessons to become a great leader
Posted on December 1, 2009 | View CommentsPicture a horse. Picture its elegant, muscular body and its ability to move perfectly despite its weight of over 400 kilos and realize at the same time that although the horse is much stronger than you it is ready and willing to serve you. I... -
Every Yin has its Yang
Posted on October 28, 2009 | View CommentsAfter publishing an essay on making money and the willpower necessary to accomplish it, it’s time to introduce the other extreme: idleness. I was made aware of the publication The Idler. The latest issue is called ‘Smash the system’. Great magazine founded by Tom Hodgekinson... -
Money has to be made, not earned
Posted on October 26, 2009 | View CommentsIt was only this week that I found out about the DSB debacle. “Where have you lived!” a friend asked me. I hardly ever watch television, and I am reading a great book that withdrew my attention from looking through the newspapers. After a quick... -
Unveil and Innovate
Posted on October 12, 2009 | View CommentsI am not loved. At least, not by a bunch of co-workers and some management team-members at one of the companies I give marketing advise to. Why? Because I don’t tell them what they want to hear. As a marketeer, I believe in a new... -
Added value
Posted on July 14, 2009 | View CommentsIn our market there is a shift going on from production to creation. No longer are expensive, exhaustively branded products desirable. Handcrafted and authentic goods are getting a growing attention. There is no fun in paying large amounts of money for something the whole city... -
Never try
Posted on May 15, 2009 | View CommentsJust recently I developed an allergy for a verb. The thing about this verb is, that it inhibits failure. It is too often used and many people don’t understand the danger of it. They also don’t see that by the existence of this verb, talent... -
Don’t run when chased by a bear
Posted on April 20, 2009 | View CommentsWe are facing a ‘bear’ market. This term is used to describe a downward movement in economics. A ‘bull’ market is the opposite. Often referred to as pessimistic and optimistic viewpoints, respectively. Consider yourself in the woods, facing a bear. You should remember that you... -
Let’s put the fish on the menu
Posted on April 6, 2009 | View CommentsBy: Maureen van Althuis our new contributor. As fish in the ocean, ideas float around us in the open air. Hence, the creation of ideas is not our share. We are not the ones who create ideas, we are the ones who need to catch...