Springwise has a cool overview of the 'Top 10 life-hacking business ideas in 2006'.
These ideas are here to make customers lives easier!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Springwise: Top 10 life-hacking business ideas in 2006
Springwise has a cool overview of the 'Top 10 life-hacking business ideas in 2006'.
These ideas are here to make customers lives easier!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Ivo travels the world
Saturday, November 18, 2006
busy, busy...
I have been a little busy lately. After our two week vacation to
Next to my brother's wedding we have also been very busy with buying our new home and selling our old one. There are some great insights to be learned from buying and selling a house, which is pretty complicated if you want to do it right. Buying a house entails a great deal of uncertainty. You have no idea how many other people also want the house and what a realistic price is in this rat race. In the rat race you also don't have a lot of time to minimize the risks involved. You basically see the house on average a little more than once, let alone the neighborhood and neighbors.
Furthermore the more risk you take, the more likely you are to win the race for your new House. You quickly forfeit the right to undo the agreement if you cannot come up with the financing (something we already checked before we entered the rat racing). The thing we didn’t forfeit was an enquiry into the structural integrity of the house. All things went well and we got the house. After this you have to arrange the financing (we only checked if we could afford the house beforehand). This is pretty complicated as stories can be pretty confusing and seem to conflict between the different mortgage supplier. Especially after the Dutch AFM (they monitor the Dutch banking system) issued a report that in investment mortgages (mortgages that are paid back by investing in stocks, bonds, etc) a large part of the fee was not invested but was used as an administrative fee. Quite a few consumers are trying to get their money back. Such an announcement is made to provide more clarity and more transparency for the buyers, but in the short run things gets even more confusing. The market has been shaken but the mist hasn’t cleared yet. The proper market adjustments haven’t been made, yet everybody is still trying to do business. Next action points are deciding what to and not to change/upgrade in the house. Something for the coming weeks.
At the same time we have been trying to sell our current house. In selling our house marketing steps in. In The Netherlands we have quite a few real-estate programs on tv, such as ‘tv makelaar’ (tv real estate agent). They tell people what to look at when buying a house, but also how to sell your house. Key tips: try to make it as empty (ie show how much room there is) as possible, remove all personal object, add some warmth by using flowers and focus on your pictures and description when selling. I think we did quite well, because it was online Friday and we had the first people who ‘popped by’ on Saturday. They had surpassed our real estate agent. These two people where looking for a house for their 22 year old daughter with two rooms. After checking the two rooms he asked me what the lowest price for our home was. Seeing as he was the first to come (or pop) by, I told him the asking price was the lowest price. He told me he would call my real estate agent on Monday. We’ll see if he does. I am also very eager to hear how well our house did on the first day(s). Hit it off in the beginning and the price will be highest. So let’s hope it goes well.
Next to marketing stepping into the market, The Rabobank has also stepped into the market by buying the challenger to the (almost monopolized) Dutch online real estate agent Funda.nl , called zoekallehuizen.nl. Zoekallehuizen.nl will give the Rabobank a position in the Dutch real estate market. How they will shake up this market is still to be seen. Another party has also entered into the market called Makelaarsland.nl (real estate agent land). These guys offer a fixed fee for selling your house eur 795, while regulare real estate agents charge 1 – 1,5 % of the selling price. If your house is eur 228.000 (average price in The Netherlands) then the regular real estate agents charge between eur 2280 and eur 3460. Quite a difference! The only thing you have to do yourself is sow the people around. This is seen by many as a drawback, but I see it as something positive. The sellers are emotionally attached and know exactly what the are selling and what they have adjusted in the house. They can give the best explanation. Especially compared to some of the so-called professionals, who sometimes didn’t know anything more that the sellers filled in on their fact sheet.
Both our houses (old and new) will take quite some of our time in the near future. The exploration into this huge market will continue for us and I already know it will change considerably in the near future.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Hoera!
Hoera!
Hugo and Sofieke's fourth kid, Felix has just been born. Instead of a card they sent around t-shirts to all their friends to announce his birth. Check out Felix here on Hugo's hyve.
Hugo and Sofieke's fourth kid, Felix has just been born. Instead of a card they sent around t-shirts to all their friends to announce his birth. Check out Felix here on Hugo's hyve.
My colleagues
Monday, September 11, 2006
only at the beginning...
We are at the beginning of great changes. We can't oversee them all yet, but we know it is/will change our lives.
There will be a lot of growth and opportunity and I know it will be fun to be at the forefront of this change. Lots of fun!
Seth Godin has a nice list of opportunities still waiting to be fully tapped.
There will be a lot of growth and opportunity and I know it will be fun to be at the forefront of this change. Lots of fun!
Seth Godin has a nice list of opportunities still waiting to be fully tapped.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter dies
Steve Irwin the 'Crocodile Hunter' dies in action.A stingray stabbed in his heart. Steve became famous all around the world with his show Crocodile Hunter on the Discovery Channel. Steve was always busy with nature, animals and usually it's most dangerous animals, especially crocodiles.
He was famous for his "OOOOOHHHSSS" and his enthusiasm for his animals. He made great shows.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Moleskine
I am a great fan of moleskine notebooks. I bought my first small pocket moleskine a few years ago as a notebook to record my thoughts where ever I went. It contains all my thoughts and ideas.I have also started using moleskine notebooks (A5) at my work.
Moleskine notebooks have a great story:
"Moleskine is the legendary notebook, used by European artists and thinkers for the past two centuries, from Van Gigh to Picasso, from Ernest Hemingway to Bruce Chatwin.
This trusty, pocket-size travel companion held sketches, notes, stories and ideas before they were turned into famous images or pages of beloved books.
Originally produced by small French bookbinders who supplied the Parisian stationery shops frequented by the international avant-garde, by the end of the twentieth
century the Moleskine notebook was no longer available. In 1986, the last manufacturer of Moleskine, a family operation in Tours, closed its shutters forever."
15 people work at Modo & Modo and they will sell 5,223,000 Moleskine notebooks in 2006 which will travel the world.
Moleskine is now manufactered by Modo & Modo. Great links with more info is Squidoo's Moleskine page and Moleskinerie. Jeremy Wagstaff, a columnist from the Wall Street Journal wrote an article in the WSJ about Moleskine notebooks
The sketchbook of Vincent van Gogh (1888–1890) - Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Monday, August 28, 2006
Support our troops
The Dutch Prime-Minister made a surprise visit to the Dutch troops serving with NATO ISAF in Uruzgan Afganistan. He made his trip to boost morale among the troops and the Dutch people. The Ducth homefront has a website with pics of our boys.
The troops als have daily Dutch radio that they can send requests to. Listen to it at Uruzgan.fm. You can also listen to it as a podcast.
The Dutch military has no objections to helping out the British and Canadian troops in the neighbouring provinces. According to the Dutch newspaper NRC (Dutch link) the politicians aren't so sure yet. The Dutch troops are still relatively early in their Deployment.
Kamp in Uruzgan at morning
Burger King at Kandahar Air Field
pics from http://www.tfa-dtf.nl
The troops als have daily Dutch radio that they can send requests to. Listen to it at Uruzgan.fm. You can also listen to it as a podcast.
The Dutch military has no objections to helping out the British and Canadian troops in the neighbouring provinces. According to the Dutch newspaper NRC (Dutch link) the politicians aren't so sure yet. The Dutch troops are still relatively early in their Deployment.
Kamp in Uruzgan at morning
Burger King at Kandahar Air Field
pics from http://www.tfa-dtf.nl
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Surfs up!
Went surfing today in Scheveningen. Started out great, but strong winds messed up the waves.
Best way to relax and get some distance from daily issues.
Best way to relax and get some distance from daily issues.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Amsterdam at night
We had diner at friends in Amsterdam after which we went for a boat trip on the canals in Amsterdam. They have their own small boat so it was just the four of us. The weather was pretty bad during the day, so it was relatively quiet in the canals. The weather in the evening was great. This was the view we had:
A very relaxing way to start the weekend!
A very relaxing way to start the weekend!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
What poeple want.
Good rant by Seth Godin about what people want.
Customers want to be special and receive special treatment, but not like too special (they're not a celebrity).
Special means different. Different means as a unique person. Not as part of a segment, but as a real customer.
Customer Relationship Marketing is key. Not the technical (Siebel/Oracle) CRM, but really managing the relationship with every individual and unique customer and building the company around that customer.
It's all about being customer centric, building a true and valued relationship and an authentic story.
Customers want to be special and receive special treatment, but not like too special (they're not a celebrity).
Special means different. Different means as a unique person. Not as part of a segment, but as a real customer.
Customer Relationship Marketing is key. Not the technical (Siebel/Oracle) CRM, but really managing the relationship with every individual and unique customer and building the company around that customer.
It's all about being customer centric, building a true and valued relationship and an authentic story.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Americans like fulfillment and helping others in job
A recent Gallup Panel poll finds that Americans most often say like that their jobs offer them a sense of fulfillment, provide opportunities to help people, and give them autonomy in how they accomplish their tasks.
More immediate concerns such as pay, benefits, and job security rank lower down the list.
On the other hand, American workers' top job "dislikes" are their work schedules, pay, and office politics.
Great to see fulfillment, helping and autonomy higher on the list than pay and benefits.
More immediate concerns such as pay, benefits, and job security rank lower down the list.
On the other hand, American workers' top job "dislikes" are their work schedules, pay, and office politics.
Great to see fulfillment, helping and autonomy higher on the list than pay and benefits.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Creativity and friendship
This weekend we were invited to a murder mystery. The murder mystery had a good plot, video's, excellent diner, great location and about 30 guests per show. It was organized by 10 friends of friends. They played the mystery 3 times.
Why?
Because they love being creative and doing things for friends. No other motive. It was great and a truly entertaining evening. Thanks for doing this for friends.
We should all do this more often!
Why?
Because they love being creative and doing things for friends. No other motive. It was great and a truly entertaining evening. Thanks for doing this for friends.
We should all do this more often!
Friday, August 18, 2006
Dilbert quotes at work
I got this from a friend. Not sure if it's real, but too good not to be...
***********
A magazine recently ran a "Dilbert Quotes" contest. They were looking for
people to submit quotes from their real-life Dilbert-type managers.
These were voted the top ten quotes in corporate America:
"As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building
using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday, and
employees will receive their cards in two weeks."
(This was the winning quote from Fred Dales, Microsoft Corp. in Redmond WA)
"What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might
encounter."
(Lykes Lines Shipping)
"E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be
used only for company business."
(Accounting manager, Electric Boat Company)
"This project is so important we can't let things that are more important
interfere with it."
(Advertising/Marketing manager, United Parcel Service)
"Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."
(Plant Manager, Delco Corporation)
"No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been
working on it for months. Now go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you
know when it's time to tell them."
(R&D supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.)
Quote from the Boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."
(Marketing executive, Citrix Corporation)
My sister passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When I
told my Boss, he said she died on purpose so that I would have to miss work
on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial
to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."
(Shipping executive, FTD Florists)
"We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to
discuss it with the employees."
(Switching supervisor, AT&T Long Lines Division)
***********
A magazine recently ran a "Dilbert Quotes" contest. They were looking for
people to submit quotes from their real-life Dilbert-type managers.
These were voted the top ten quotes in corporate America:
"As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building
using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday, and
employees will receive their cards in two weeks."
(This was the winning quote from Fred Dales, Microsoft Corp. in Redmond WA)
"What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might
encounter."
(Lykes Lines Shipping)
"E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be
used only for company business."
(Accounting manager, Electric Boat Company)
"This project is so important we can't let things that are more important
interfere with it."
(Advertising/Marketing manager, United Parcel Service)
"Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."
(Plant Manager, Delco Corporation)
"No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been
working on it for months. Now go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you
know when it's time to tell them."
(R&D supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.)
Quote from the Boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."
(Marketing executive, Citrix Corporation)
My sister passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When I
told my Boss, he said she died on purpose so that I would have to miss work
on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial
to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."
(Shipping executive, FTD Florists)
"We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to
discuss it with the employees."
(Switching supervisor, AT&T Long Lines Division)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Good reading
I just returned from vacation and that's the best time to catch up on some reading. I read three books.
One of them was an adventure by Wilbur Smith set in ancient Egypt: The River God. It is part of a trilogy that is worth reading. Best read them in order, unlike how I did it.
The other two books, I have not completely finished but have already sparked me and are a MUST READ for all. They are A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink and All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin.
A Whole New Mind is about moving from the information age into the conceptual age. Daniel Pink argues that due to Abundance, Asia and Automation we need to start using and excelling in conceptual and left brain aptitudes such as design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Relying on 'right brain only thinking' has had its day.
All Marketers Are Liars shows the power of telling authentic stories. He doesn't argue that marketers are liars, but that they are story tellers who tell stories that consumers choose to believe. Something Nike has been doing for some time. Seth Godin has a blog sepecifcally linked to the book.
One of them was an adventure by Wilbur Smith set in ancient Egypt: The River God. It is part of a trilogy that is worth reading. Best read them in order, unlike how I did it.
The other two books, I have not completely finished but have already sparked me and are a MUST READ for all. They are A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink and All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin.
A Whole New Mind is about moving from the information age into the conceptual age. Daniel Pink argues that due to Abundance, Asia and Automation we need to start using and excelling in conceptual and left brain aptitudes such as design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Relying on 'right brain only thinking' has had its day.
All Marketers Are Liars shows the power of telling authentic stories. He doesn't argue that marketers are liars, but that they are story tellers who tell stories that consumers choose to believe. Something Nike has been doing for some time. Seth Godin has a blog sepecifcally linked to the book.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
In English
I have decided to continue posting my website and blog in English. Dutch is my native language, but the audience and interaction in the blogoshpere/Internet is mostly in English.
I will probably switch back and forth between English and Dutch every so often and I will also post links to local sites, but the main language for now will be English.
I'll also be changing the posts a little. It will be on stuff that interests or intrigues me. It will also contain personal stuff and my own experiences. Basically everything that I find interesting in some way. The stuff I post or link to will not always contain my own point of view, but in some way is interesting.
I sometimes won't post in a while, which means that I am doing something else. It doesn't mean anything else, just that I am intersted in something else at that moment. I think it's very healty to do different things at different times. Anyway my life would get boring without change.
So all in all, what you'll see here is (part of) my life.
Yours,
Rod
Monday, July 31, 2006
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Monday, April 03, 2006
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
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