The Art of Conversation [infographic]

We are in a world where the storytelling has never been as important.
Why?
Because, the consumers (or partners) decide, thru their conversations, if your brand / product / service is cool or boring.
If you have a simple and great storytelling (meaning your meet a real need or solve a real issue), the consumers (or partners) will e your best ambassador / fan and will convey your message !

In this context, this is key to first listen to your audience and then to create real engagement and conversation.

Once you’ve listened and understood the real consumer needs, It’s p-to you to build a compelling storytelling.
Go to the link here-below to discover a very cool infographic on how to build storytelling.
http://davidmerzel.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/the-art-of-storytelling/

The infographic here-below, shows the different platforms used by the consumers to have conversation and/or share something (movies, music, pictures, …).

What’s KINECT [slides]

Presentation on Kinect, given in Dutch, to Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven.

#Kinect in #La Libre Entreprise : “#Microsoft Cartonne avec Kinect”

#Kinect in “#De Morgen” : “#Microsoft overtreft ambitieuze verwachtingen: al 8 miljoen Kinects deur uit”

#Kinect in DH : “Microsoft se mobilise”

#Kinect in “Het Laatste Nieuws” : “#Microsoft-Game zonder controller waanzinning succes”

#Kinect in “de Tijd” : “#Microsoft verkoopt meer Kinects dan verwacht”



#Kinect in Metro : “Huit Millions de Kinect vendus en 60 Jours”

The Little Book of Leadership [slides]

I like this small book with food for though. Very short and inspiring reading.

Source : Phil Dourado

Be happy in 2011 !

For 2011

We wish you Health … So you may enjoy each day in comfort.
 
We wish you the Love of friends and family … And Peace within your heart.
 
We wish you Wisdom to choose priorities … For those things that really matter in life.
 
We wish you Generosity so you may share … All good things that come to you.
 
We wish you the best of everything … That you so well deserve. 
 
We wish you to be simply HAPPY !

 

To be Happy, focus on the most important things for YOU

Here-below, things people say they are grateful for having in their lives.

 Source : http://netspaze.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/thankful-infographic.jpg

“The Blog Tree” Infographic : The First Visual Look at Interrelationship Among Marketing Blogs.

“The Blog Tree” Infographic

The Blog Tree Represents the First Visual Look at Interrelationship Among Marketing Blogs

Source : http://blog.eloqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/The-Blog-Tree.jpg (Eloqua)

! Exclusive In Belgium ! Test KINECT during Fiesta Latina in Brussels (from 27th to 29th of August 2010).

As you can read here-below in the press releases (in FR & NL), Kinect can be tested in Brussels during Fiesta Latina, from 27th to 29th of August 2010. When : From 27th to 29th of August 2010. Location : Louise Avenue 196, in front of Natural Café, 1050 Brussels. You are Welcome to join. This is an extraordinary experience.   Kinect will be THE Innovation of the year. Kinect for Xbox 360 (Microsoft) brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways, no controller required.    While everyone else puts more gadgets and gizmos into your hands, Kinect removes the last barrier between you and the experiences you love. Simply step in front of the sensor and Kinect recognizes you and responds to your gestures. See a ball? Kick it. Want to join a friend? Whether they are across the room, across the street or across the globe, connecting in a whole new way is as easy as a wave of your hand. Kinect (formerly known as “Project Natal”) is the next step in the evolution of the gaming and entertainment experience. There is no controller anymore, YOU become the controller of the GAME. Just click on the link here-below, to discover more on KINECT                28th of August : Exclusive contest for the ”Dernières Heures” readers.       Voir ce-dessous également en Français  PRESS RELEASE for Belgium – NL   Kinect voor Xbox 360 doet zijn  intrede tijdens Fiesta Latina   Van 27 tot 29 augustus kan men een van de eersten zijn om Kinect op Xbox 360 te testen voor de lancering in november en er een revolutionnaire manier van gaming ontdekken.

Tijdens het derde weekend van augustus, kunnen de bezoekers van Fiesta Latina Kinect voor Xbox 360 testen, de revolutionnaire camera die bewegings- en stemherkenning naadloos met elkaar verbindt en er een weergaloze totaalervaring van maakt en dit zonder controller ! Zie je een bal op het scherm ? Geef hem een trap ! Wil je leren dansen ? Volg de bewegingen op het scherm. Met Kinect, is de spelervaring volledig intuïtief. Het enige wat u moet doen, is uzelf te zijn– u heeft geen controller nodig.Een eigen plaats voor Kinect op Xbox 360 De bezoekers van Fiesta Latina kunnen de Kinectervaring voor de allereerste keer testen in een ideale omgeving  : een set-up van 120m² die nu Brussel aandoet tijdens zijn Europese tour. Onderga een buitengewone ervaring en deel deze met uw vrienden : elke deelnemer kan zijn eigen foto´s of film bekijken en deze via zijn sociale netwerken met zijn vrienden delen.  Binnen deze Kinectruimte kan u samen met uw familie of vrienden “Kinect Adventures” testen en er een waaier aan avonturen ontdekken. Indien u liever de dansvloer in vuur en vlam zet, kan u ook opteren voor “Dance Central”, het meest onderhoudende dansspel dat ooit werd gemaakt  en voor de eerste keer in België te zien is ! Ben je klaar voor de Kinect experience ? dan zien wij elkaar op de Kinect stand, die u kan vinden op het kruispunt van de Louizalaan en de Lesbroussart straat (rechtsboven op het plannetje).

« Fiesta Latina » is een gezellig, uniek en ludiek festival dat een kwalitatieve muzikale programmatie verbindt met dans en animatie. Dit evenement brengt de bewoners van onze gemeenschap ertoe om elkaar te ontmoeten en andere culturen te ontdekken door sociale, economische, geografische en taal-grenzen te doorbreken. Door middel van muziek, dans en zang, worden de stadsbewoners uitgenodigd elkaar opnieuw te vinden en tijd met elkaar door te brengen tijdens een weekend. Een andere manier om zijn stad te beleven.  

                   

www.kinect.be

PRESS RELEASE for Belgium - FR Kinect pour Xbox 360 fera son entrée en scène sur Fiesta LatinaDu 27 au 29 août pourront faire partie des premiers à essayer Kinect sur Xbox 360 avant sa sortie mondiale et découvrir une expérience de jeu révolutionnaire.

Pendant le dernier week-end d´août, les visiteurs de Fiesta Latina auront la possibilité de venir tester Kinect pour Xbox 360, le capteur révolutionnaire qui allie la reconnaissance de mouvements à la reconnaissance vocale pour offrir une expérience de divertissement inédite et sans manette. Une balle apparaît à l’écran ? Donnez un coup de pied dedans ! Vous voulez apprendre à danser ou faire de l’exercice ? Suivez simplement les mouvements à l’écran. Avec Kinect, l’expérience de jeu est totalement intuitive, tout ce que vous avez à faire, c’est être vous-même – pas besoin de manette.Un espace dédié à Kinect pour Xbox 360 Le public de la Fiesta Latina pourra découvrir l’expérience Kinect pour la toute première fois dans un environnement idéal : une structure de 120m² dédiée à la tournée de Kinect. Vivez une expérience hors du commun et partagez-la avec vos amis : un dispositif permettra à chaque participant de visionner ses photos et partager, via ses réseaux sociaux, la vidéo tournée durant son expérience de jeu.  Au sein de l’espace Kinect vous pourrez essayer le jeu “Kinect Adventures” et découvrir une avalanche d’aventures incroyables à vivre en famille ou entre amis. Si vous préférez mettre le feu à la piste de danse, vous pourrez également tester “Dance Central”, le jeu de danse le plus entraînant jamais réalisé et dévoilé pour la première fois en Belgique! Prêts à vivre l’expérience Kinect ? Alors rendez-vous à l’espace Kinect, situé au croisement de l´avenue Louise et de la rue Lesbroussart (emplacement : à droite sur le plan attaché).

« Fiesta Latina » est un festival unique, convivial et ludique mêlant programmation musicale de  

qualité, danses et animations.  

Cet événement entraîne les habitants notre communauté à se rencontrer pour découvrir  

d’autres cultures en abolissant toutes les barrières sociales, économiques, géographiques et  

linguistiques. Par la musique, la danse, le chant, nous invitons les concitoyens à se retrouver et  

à partager, le temps d’un week-end, une autre façon de vivre sa ville.  

                 

www.kinect.be  

 

Traineeship Jobs @ Microsoft Belgium : We Recruit 2 Traineeship (Stagiaire) JOBS for KINECT Launch (Xbox / Microsoft)

 

  

For the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com/fr-BE/kinect ; more info below), we are looking for 2  Traineeship / STAGIAIRE positions

If you are interested in one of these proposals here below, please send your CV (or any specific questions) to

- Virginie Vandenabeele

v-viva@microsoft.com

and

- Kristien De Wolf

v-kdewol@microsoft.com

WHAT IS KINECT?

• Kinect for Xbox 360 (Microsoft) brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways, no controller required.
• While everyone else puts more gadgets and gizmos into your hands, Kinect removes the last barrier between you and the experiences you love.
• Kinect will work with every Xbox 360 console.
• Simply step in front of the sensor and Kinect recognizes you and responds to your gestures.
• See a ball? Kick it. Want to join a friend? Whether they are across the room, across the street or across the globe, connecting in a whole new way is as easy as a wave of your hand.
• Kinect (formerly known as “Project Natal”) is the next step in the evolution of the gaming and entertainment experience.
• More than 15 games (sports, adventure, cuddly animals) will be available this holiday in Europe.
• Click on the site to know more about Kinect : http://www.xbox.com/fr-BE/kinect

What are we looking for ?

1. One Traineeship / Stagiaire “Kinect Launch Off-Line”

We are looking for a French/Dutch speaking student (M/F) to be the logistic caretaker of an apartment (The Kinect Experience Loft) in Brussels (Forêt/Vorst) for about 2 months, where Kinect can be experienced by Press People,  Key Opinion Leaders and Business Partners (September – Mid-Nov)

• French/Dutch speaking student (M/F)
• Requirements :
  - Dynamic person
  - well groomed/sympathetic/good appearance 
  - enjoys communication with different kinds of people and enjoys making them feel at home like a host
  - eye for detail and order
  - fluent in French and Dutch. Preferably in English as well.
  - be able to work independently and to show initiative
  - have good organizational skills 
  - affinities with the internet (Facebook etc)

 

• Tasks :
  In general : being the logistic caretaker of an apartment in Brussels (Forêt/Vorst) for about two months, where the new service can be experienced.

 

• Specifics : 
  - receive press, key opinion leaders and business partners
  - keeping the agenda and by doing so assuring the visitor flow
  - anticipating the needs of our guests, and, on basis of strict guidelines, taking care of the logistics and service partners (cleaning, florist services, catering,… )
  - Assisting Facebook updatesThe schedule will be flexible according to our specific demands ! (ranges between 7 am and 6 pm)
  He or she will be a super caretaker !With the new period we have, it is better if we can have this person from September 1st to november the 15th.

2.  One Traineeship / Stagiaire “Kinect Launch On-Line”

We are looking for a French/Dutch speaking, social media savvy, student (M/F) to be our online assistant during two months (September-Mid Nov).

Will also need to come at the venue (in The Kinect Experience Loft – see above) when required to make pictures etc.

French/Dutch speaking student (M/F)

 

Requirements

- Basic computer knowledge (for making short videos, downloading videos and pictures, …)
- Creative Person 
- Social Media holds no secret
- Proactive and Dynamic

• Tasks :
  - Create and feed the online platform with videos and photo material, taken from the demos at the Kinect experience loft (see here-above) and other venues.

   – Post the relevant contents on our platform and also be on Facebook, blogs,etc

   - Keep the forums alive with fresh content and competitions

 

On top of these Intership Jobs Opportunities, we are also recruiting Dynamic & Young People to join the Kinect Demo Team

To know more on this, please click on the link here-below

Job Opportunity : We Recruit Dynamic & Young People for Kinect Demo Team (Xbox / Microsoft).

Press Coverage in Metro : Les consoles de Salon au Diapason

Press Coverage in CLICKX : De Nieuwe Xbox 360.

Who is blogging and how much they make doing it ? (infografic)

How to reach the Next Level ?

Simon Vetter has recommended me a great book.

The Next Level
What Insiders Know About Executive Success

By Scott Eblin, www.eblingroup.com

Much as Good to Great described what separates top companies from the rest, The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success shows executives what separates leadership success from failure at the next level.

Every day, high performers are tapped to be executives and then left alone to figure out how to succeed in their new role. When this happens, most executives rely on strengths that served them well earlier in their careers.

As executive coach Scott Eblin explains, this is why 40 percent of them fail. Moving successfully to the executive level requires knowing which behaviors and beliefs to let go, as well as which new ones to pick up. Like having a personal executive coach, this confidence-building book outlines a program for success based on frank advice from accomplished senior executives on what to do and to avoid.

Pick Up / What To Do	Let Go Of / Avoid
Personal Presence
Confidence in your presence Regular renewal of your energy Custom-fit-communications	Doubt in how you contribute Running flat out until you crash One-size-fits-all communications
Team Presence
Team reliance Defining what to do Accountability for many results	Self-reliance Telling how to do it Responsibility for a few results
Organizational Presence
Looking left and right as you lead An outside-in view of the entire organization A big-footprint view of your role	Looking primarily up and down as you lead An inside-out view of your function A small-footprint view of your role

 Source: The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success, by Scott Eblin, page 15.

See below a short video on these concepts.

How to transform your business by being remarkable ? Powered by Purple Cow.

I’ve read a great book from Seth Godin : Purple Cow.

In this book, Godin urges you to emulate companies that are consistently remarkable in everything they do, which drives explosive word of mouth.

Some take-away of this book :

• Every day, consumers ignore a lot of brown cows (if you are on the highway) but you can bet they won’t ignore a purple cow.
• If you were driving down a road and saw a purple cow in a field, would you stop to take a look? Most likely you would, as spotting a purple cow would be pretty rare and unique. In fact, you would probably not notice most of the other cows grazing in the field, as you would be fixated on the purple cow.  
• So how does this apply to the business world ?  To be a purple cow makes you stand out, and if you have a business or service to offer,  potential customers and clients would take notice, and if you are looking for a job, being a purple cow would cause potential employers to take another look. You have to be inherently purple or no one will talk about you.
• In the old days, marketers targeted consumers. Today, the opposite is true. It’s the consumers who choose. They choose whether you are listened to or ignored. So, you need to invest in the Purple Cow. So, you need to develop products, services that the market will actually seek out.
• We have always the choice between distinct and extinct. The only route to healthy grow is a remarkable product.
• It’s not bout being weird. It’s about being irresistible to a tiny group of easily reached people (sneezers  =early adopters) who will communicate on this and will convince larger group to adopt the product. Irresitible isn’t the same as ridiculous. Irresistible (for the right niche) is just remarkable.
• “Being safe is risky, and being risky is safe.” And if you’re out there creating something on the edge, someone’s going to hate it. If someone doesn’t really hate your product, it’s mediocre.” And mediocre is where you SO do not want to go.
• A slogan that accurately conveys the essence of your Purple Cow is a script. A script for a sneezer to use when she / he talks to her/his friends. The script guarantees that the word of mouth is passed on properly.
• The leaning tower of Pisa sees 6 millions of visitors every year. The positioning and message are simple and unique. Put a picture on a T-shirt and the message is easily send a received. The purity of the message makes it even more remarkable.
• The power of storytelling shouldn’t be underestimated! I’ve heard it said that great entrepreneurs are also often great storytellers. Both Seth Godin and Brad Sugars told many great Entrepreneurial stories at their recent talks.  A good story allows the teller to effectively capture the attention of an audience and leaves a memorable underlying message. Of course, storytelling is nothing new. That’s what probably makes it so powerful. But what makes a great  entrepreneurial story?
• Seth Godin believes that  a ‘Wow’ product  and great story is vital for a business to succeed. However real stories can’t simply be made up, they have to be lived. Only then can the storyteller be passionate and real. To have an great story an entrepreneur most embark on a difficult and challenging business adventure.

Here-below, the first video explains this purple cow concept.

Anther video explaining other strong marketing concepts from Seth.

To read more on this, just click here

Is Social Media a DRUG ? Discover Social Media Addicts Association Meeting

Frank, a member of the Social Media Addicts Association explains how his addiction to Facebook and Twitter is causing problems in his life.

Take a look at this Social Media Addicts Association meeting, with members discussing the problems caused by their addiction …

…. at the end of the VIDEO …

…  you will discover this is an advertising for Vaio W Series. Excellent

Who are the top 15 World’s Tech Billionaire ?

Who are the top 15 of the list from Forbes List of World’s Tech Billionaire ?

Forbes has released its annual list of the world’s billionaires.

Bill Gates has once again been displaced as the world’s richest man — this time by Carlos Slim.

Facebook  founder Mark Zuckerberg, has rejoined, at #212 with an estimated net worth of $4 billion.

As you will see, I’m not on this list

Here-below, the TOP 15 of  tech Billionaires :

Larry Ellison: $28 Billion

The Oracle founder and CEO is the sixth richest person in the world this year.

Sergey Brin & Larry Page: $17.5 Billion Each

The two Google co-founders are both place 24th on the list.

Steve Ballmer: $14.5 Billion

Ballmer sits at #33 on the overall list.

Paul Allen and Michael Dell: $13.5 Billion

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allenis still ranked at #37 on the list, tied with Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell.

Jeff Bezos: $12.3 Billion

The Amazon founder and CEO is ranked #43.

Eric Schmidt: $6.3 Billion

Google CEO Eric Schmidt is ranked #117 this year.

Steve Jobs: $5.5 Billion

Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs is ranked #136.

Pierre Omidyar: $5.2 Billion

The eBay founder is ranked #148 on the list.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg: $3 Billion each

 Both directors are tied at #316.

Jerry Yang: $1.3 Billion

source of article : http://mashable.com/2010/03/10/tech-billionaires-2010/