Global Startups has just released an interesting newsletter containing nothing but a table that I'd like to share with you.
View the full table (click here)
Any observations?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
How to create powerful presentations
I do believe that as simple as the following presentation is, it makes some valid points:
Among the most important points in this presentation is the emphasis on story design. I feel that many presentators don't really think about what their main point as in the one thing they surely want their audience to remember could be. Furthermore many people do not lean back and try to read their presentation without comments and from the point of view of their spectators.
I have received a lot of good feedback for my own presentations in the past and I believe that is was mostly due to my simple and comprehensible structure as well as very target-conscious story design. It just has to be the right mix of meaningful information and laid back story telling.
What do you think? Do you have any experience with designing effective and entertaining presentations?
Among the most important points in this presentation is the emphasis on story design. I feel that many presentators don't really think about what their main point as in the one thing they surely want their audience to remember could be. Furthermore many people do not lean back and try to read their presentation without comments and from the point of view of their spectators.
I have received a lot of good feedback for my own presentations in the past and I believe that is was mostly due to my simple and comprehensible structure as well as very target-conscious story design. It just has to be the right mix of meaningful information and laid back story telling.
What do you think? Do you have any experience with designing effective and entertaining presentations?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
How many things are we missing?
I came over one blog post again, and I felt it had so much to say that I'm writing about it here. In this post the sandbox crew tells the story of a world famous musician who performs in the streets. Nobody really cares and most people simply walk by. Many of them would probably have been amazed to see this guy if only they had known who he was.
Three questions arise:
1.) If we miss such obvious blockbusters, what else are we missing?
2.) What influence does a large marketing machinery have on the perceived competence of artists?
3.) How many talents do we meet every day without recognizing their potential?
Since question 2 cannot be simply answered, I'd like to focus on question 1 and 3.
If we miss such obvious blockbusters, what else are we missing?
I personally think we are missing so many blockbusters in so many fields that we just have to cope with it. We will never be able to take notice of everything special going on in the world but IT will eventually become really useful in helping us to sort this information. A lot of work in the area of the internet of things and in the area of recommendation systems will have to be done, because today's technology is by far not advanced enough. Current communication standards simply do not allow for the recognition of such happenings. Standards for information sharing will have to be implemented (will that ever happen?) and recommendation systems will have to understand human behaviour to some extent (a tough challenge too, regarding the many misunderstandings between peers with strong social ties). What are ways to take notice of important and interesting events? How can we filter them?
How many talents do we meet every day without recognizing their potential?
The answer becomes obvious on such occasions as the frequent sandbox dinners and other networking events (like START Summit, StartupCamp and Synetgies sessions). You just go there, talk to some random stranger and realize his/her intelligence, wealth of ideas and drive to live up to these ideas. There is so much talent out there that we will need some "filter" for it, too. Some companies are making good progress in the area of matchmaking for job searches, but talents are needed in so many other, more dynamic fields than specific jobs. I don't have a clue how to scan my extended network for such hidden talent yet but I will continue thinking about it. Do you have ideas or best practices?
Three questions arise:
1.) If we miss such obvious blockbusters, what else are we missing?
2.) What influence does a large marketing machinery have on the perceived competence of artists?
3.) How many talents do we meet every day without recognizing their potential?
Since question 2 cannot be simply answered, I'd like to focus on question 1 and 3.
If we miss such obvious blockbusters, what else are we missing?
I personally think we are missing so many blockbusters in so many fields that we just have to cope with it. We will never be able to take notice of everything special going on in the world but IT will eventually become really useful in helping us to sort this information. A lot of work in the area of the internet of things and in the area of recommendation systems will have to be done, because today's technology is by far not advanced enough. Current communication standards simply do not allow for the recognition of such happenings. Standards for information sharing will have to be implemented (will that ever happen?) and recommendation systems will have to understand human behaviour to some extent (a tough challenge too, regarding the many misunderstandings between peers with strong social ties). What are ways to take notice of important and interesting events? How can we filter them?
How many talents do we meet every day without recognizing their potential?
The answer becomes obvious on such occasions as the frequent sandbox dinners and other networking events (like START Summit, StartupCamp and Synetgies sessions). You just go there, talk to some random stranger and realize his/her intelligence, wealth of ideas and drive to live up to these ideas. There is so much talent out there that we will need some "filter" for it, too. Some companies are making good progress in the area of matchmaking for job searches, but talents are needed in so many other, more dynamic fields than specific jobs. I don't have a clue how to scan my extended network for such hidden talent yet but I will continue thinking about it. Do you have ideas or best practices?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
StartupCamp Switzerland in Basel
Yesterday I attended the first StartupCamp Switzerland in Basel. Since it was my first Barcamp-Style conference, I was not only looking forward to catch up with many interesting people, I was also curious what the world-famous Barcamp experience would be like.
First of all, I really liked the location (I knew it from past activities) and the excellent food. I also liked how smooth the registration worked for those who were a little bit late :) Furthermore I liked the mix of people that was brought together and I think the StartupCamp Switzerland has laid the best foundations to become a great success in the future. Another plus was Poken's attendance. They made it easier for people to break the ice and connect.
Despite the excellent organization I was disappointed by the contents. My look backwards indicates that I very much prefer well-prepared substantial speeches over spontaneous, general shoot-outs like they were performed in Basel yesterday. It can make sense to spontaneously add one speaker or two to a panel or to hold spontaneous brainstorming sessions with good moderators. Spontaneous speeches seem not to be good for the transportion of a valuable core message or valuable insights. Although I might have made the wrong choice of sessions due to the lack of Barcamp-experience, my conclusion for the first Barcamp attendance is that I might just not be the Barcamp person.
Thanks to the good organization and the great bunch of people, I'm glad I went to Basel yesterday and I'll certainly give Barcamps another chance to see if the overall-experience is better if I attend more interactive sessions.
P.S.: Pictures and presentations are accesible at http://www.wuala.com/StartupCamp
First of all, I really liked the location (I knew it from past activities) and the excellent food. I also liked how smooth the registration worked for those who were a little bit late :) Furthermore I liked the mix of people that was brought together and I think the StartupCamp Switzerland has laid the best foundations to become a great success in the future. Another plus was Poken's attendance. They made it easier for people to break the ice and connect.
Despite the excellent organization I was disappointed by the contents. My look backwards indicates that I very much prefer well-prepared substantial speeches over spontaneous, general shoot-outs like they were performed in Basel yesterday. It can make sense to spontaneously add one speaker or two to a panel or to hold spontaneous brainstorming sessions with good moderators. Spontaneous speeches seem not to be good for the transportion of a valuable core message or valuable insights. Although I might have made the wrong choice of sessions due to the lack of Barcamp-experience, my conclusion for the first Barcamp attendance is that I might just not be the Barcamp person.
Thanks to the good organization and the great bunch of people, I'm glad I went to Basel yesterday and I'll certainly give Barcamps another chance to see if the overall-experience is better if I attend more interactive sessions.
P.S.: Pictures and presentations are accesible at http://www.wuala.com/StartupCamp
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