global citizen experiment

Continuing with the food theme, I was having dinner with some classmates the other night. Sitting down to order sushi, the conversation turned towards discussions of our future plans.

What can you say in times like this? Recession? Increased competition domestically and internationally? Doom, Gloom, Sadness and Strife?

No way! I refuse to believe that.

I did NOT come over here, make this kind of a commitment of time and money to just lay down and let this negative attitude prevail. Then again, I can’t exactly ignore these things either.

So what to do?

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January 24th, 2010 | Tags: business school, career, career search, INSEAD, MBA, Singapore | Category: INSEAD | Comments (1)

You might know this line from the now infamous video starring T-Pain and cast members from Saturday Night Live.

However, this is my reality.

Many of you have been avid readers of this blog, and I appreciate that. I had initially started this blog to document my travels (many of you remember my 7 continents, 5 years, 1 message mission). This space then evolved to a house for my Notion to Motion project, where I talked about building a business based on passion.

48 episodes later, we are up and running and have come to the end of that chapter in the journey.

So where have I been? What have I been up to?

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January 19th, 2010 | Tags: business school, INSEAD, MBA, Singapore | Category: INSEAD | Comments (9)

What is green, steamy, and chalked full of nuts?

Well, if you’re a decendent of the Hakkas ethnic group, this riddle is not much of a challenge for you. But for the rest of you, let me introduce you to Thunder Tea Rice.

What is it? Check it out.. I’m paraphrasing from various sources… but the story goes something like this…

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there were these people (known as the Hakkas). War and strife was rampant in Northern China and the Hakkas were not having ANY of it. So they packed up their stuff, and hit the road. (Author’s note: I wonder if any of them were named Jack, because then they could sing “hit the road, jack.. and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more…” – but sadly that song wasn’t written yet)

Anyway, so the legend goes, these people got hungry. And, you know, when you’re an entire ethnic group on the road, you’re not exactly pulling the bus into McDonalds. They INVENTED food. Can you believe that? I mean, they opened up the ancient pantry, and INVENTED SOMETHING!

Here’s pretty much an exact recount of how that whole thing went down…

Tribal guy #1: I’m starving. Do we have anything to eat around here?
Tribal guy #2: Umm… well, we got some grains here.
Tribal guy #3: Yeah, I see some soybeans and nuts here too.
Tribal guy #4: Ooo ooo, I think I see some lentils here.
Tribal guy #1: Well, mash it up, and let’s go already!

And thus was born Lei Cha.

Since the people found it impossible to heat water, Lei Cha became a tailor-made product for the tribe-on-the-go. These guys ended up loving this stuff so much, that when they finally got to where they were going, they heated up water, made green tea, and poured it into a bowl with the mashed up contents and yumminess found it’s roots.

FAST FORWARD TO A FEW DAYS AGO

I have had this dish, and it is yummy.

January 17th, 2010 | Tags: business school, food, INSEAD, MBA, Singapore | Category: INSEAD, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Global Citizen here — LONG TIME NO POST huh?

Well, exciting stuff has been going on, and it means exciting stuff for the SHOW! (more on that later and SOON)

So I hope you all remember SM4SC, and the LIVE taping of Notion to Motion directly from The Roger Smith Hotel. Well, I donated one guest appearance on Notion to Motion towards the AWESOME AWESOME cause, and you will NOT believe who won. Well, you can guess it from the title of this post, but Karen Glidden (@blissspa) won.

This episode needs no more words… check it out…

So I promised some happy linkage…

1. Karen is an SEO person, you should contact here. Here is her info: http://twitter.com/vanillabean45
2. The new company she is working for is: www.venda.com
3. Bliss Spa is at: www.blissspaworld.com

Global Citizen… OUT!

Do you notice that there are no more google ads at the bottom of this post? DO YOU? probably not, because you didn’t click on them ANYWAY

June 1st, 2009 | Tags: business, cannon, citizen, education, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, finance, global, globalcitizen, nikon, passion, photo, photography, startup, twitter | Category: Notion To Motion | Comments (2)

Global Citizen here…

And the latest contest is OVER! That’s right. Yet another gift from the Global Citizen, this one was just because I love spring. So who won?

Youtube user: MeetMojo won (@themaria) on twitter! 

YouTube makes it so easy for me to run contests! 

What should I do next? What to do, what to do… if you have suggestions, LET ME KNOW, because you know what is more fun that giving stuff away? Giving stuff away that people actually WANT. Last thing I want to do is give you a fruit cake during the holidays.

Happy Spring to MeetMojo, from the Global Citizen….

PS. If you entered this contest, and you didn’t win, stay tuned, I _might_ have a surprise for you guys as well.. because we are ALL winners really.

Global Citizen… OUT!

April 10th, 2009 | Tags: business, cannon, citizen, education, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, finance, global, globalcitizen, nikon, passion, photo, photography, startup, twitter | Category: Notion To Motion, Social Responsiblity | Leave a comment

Global Citizen here…

I woke up this morning, feeling the spring weather. I had a great night’s sleep. Everything was going well. So I thought to myself, how can I spread this lovely feeling around? 

Then it hit me! I want to pass this feeling on, why not give something away! I have had so much fun in the last few weeks giving stuff away, first the pass to web 2.0 expo in San Francisco, then the ticket to SM4SC. But what next? WHAT DO PEOPLE WHAT?

Why not ASK them! So I posted the question on twitter. Got some GREAT suggestions back, and then I synthesized and went to work! So here is it… the lastest GIVEAWAY!!! It’s spring, it’s fun, it’s time to explore, get out there, do something you haven’t done before… so HERE IT IS.. ENOUGH BUILD UP!!!

I, the Global Citizen, hereby have TWO tickets for THIS FRIDAY NIGHT SHOWING of STREB at S.L.A.M: CATAPULT… what is it, you ask? 

Oh man, it’s the goodness. it’s the loveliness. Some of you might know of the hashtag that I use on Twitter #bringiton … well, in this show, it has been B-ROUGH-TEN… You and a friend will each get tickets to the show, and thereby having an excuse to get to Brooklyn, and hang out with some of the coolest most limber, entertaining people I have ever seen… 

Just check out the write-up:

“Elizabeth Streb and her Action Faction take a closer look at the ordinary, inanimate things around us in STREB at SLAM: CATAPULT, their spring home season show at S.L.A.M. (Streb Lab for Action Mechanics) STREB’s spacious playground and launching pad for new ideas and new moves. David Van Tieghem’s sinuous, evocative soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to STREB’s ongoing romantic adventure with gravity.”

I’m sorry, was that word evocative? Yes it was. When was the last time you ever saw something that could be described as e-v-o-c-a-t-i-v-e? FOR FREE? Here is your chance.. .

How do you enter?

Same as always… just subscribe to my youTube channel by clicking on the yellow button!, and if you already have, leave a comment, I will get an e-mail, and you will be entered to win. Easy, Peazy, GET IT DONE, DO IT NOW.

Expand your mind, try something new.

Happy Spring everybody!

Global Citizen… OUT!

April 8th, 2009 | Tags: business, cannon, citizen, education, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, finance, global, globalcitizen, nikon, passion, photo, photography, startup, twitter | Category: Notion To Motion, Social Responsiblity | Comments (3)

Global Citizen here…. and let me tell you, I followed your advice:

1. I tweeted
2. I created my facebook account
3. I added friends
4. I notified my mother that I’m on all these networks
5. I sold my soul to the SEO devils

And how do you repay me? you all decide to break on the SAME day! INTERMITTENTLY. Twitter is having problems. Facebook is having problems… HELP ME! I’m going through withdrawal? 

I’m hooked! I am so addicted to social media, that I just can’t take it, not knowing what all my friends are doing, if there are any parties that I’m missing out on! I _need_ to know!

I’m sure I’m not the only one, I just looked out my window, and THIS is what I saw.

no joke!

Ok maybe. 

You know what site didn’t go down? Empressr. Thank you Empressr for not failing me. Thank you Empressr for not telling me I’m more popular than I am. Thank you for being so reliable in a time when all of my other social media tools are failing me.

Global Citizen… OUT!

April 7th, 2009 | Tags: business, cannon, citizen, education, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, finance, global, globalcitizen, nikon, passion, photo, photography, startup, twitter | Category: Social Responsiblity | Leave a comment

Global Citizen here…

Have you ever wondered how companies establish an international presence? Who do they call? Ghostbusters? No. Try Berlin Partner. With amazing incentives to help you with your transition to this international city, Berlin Partner can help walk you through the process!

Who are they? What are they all about?

Berlin Partner (BP), the business development agency for the city of Berlin, partners with companies, providing one-stop service and support for companies considering Berlin as a business location.  Through its five service offerings, companies can receive ‘soup to nuts’ assistance in all aspects of establishing an office there.  The five no-cost-for-you (read.. FREE!!) offerings include:

1. The Business Location Center: a high technology, multimedia information portal that provides abundant information related to resettlement including sector-specific, regional data; real estate and labor market info, etc.
2. The Welcome Package: ‘test’ Berlin for 3 months.  BP will provide an office, an apartment, mobility, and consulting services re: legal matters, tax, business, PR, insurance, etc.
3. The Business Financing Package: BP will assist in developing a financial concept in conjunction with the Berlin State Investment Bank to secure: investment support; labor cost and innovation incentives; loan and refinancing guarantees; and public equity capital.
4. The Business Locating Package: BP will provide tools and resources to support your own real estate research, or the Business Development Team will conduct the research for you, based on your company’s criteria, and provide suitable possible options.  BP will also arrange tours and meetings with contract partners.
5. The Business Recruiting Package: BP will provide extensive services surrounding all aspects of recruiting employees and employee training, including receiving special incentives and financing.

Alex (who is also on twitter at @alex_koelpin) takes time out of his day at Web 2.0 Expo to walk me through the offering and the process. Check out the Empressr and the video!

Global Citizen… OUT!

April 7th, 2009 | Tags: business, cannon, citizen, education, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, finance, global, globalcitizen, nikon, passion, photo, photography, startup, twitter | Category: Notion To Motion | Leave a comment

Global Citizen here…

What a blast it was on Friday, being involved with SM4SC in New York City! Just an amazing group of people coming together for an amazing cause, City Harvest!

As many of you might know, I have a video series called Notion to Motion, where I talk about starting a business based on something you’re passionate about. And rather than write article after article about it, I have actually DONE it… ON THE SHOW! I created a photography business, and as part of the donations to SM4SC, I donated photography and videography services for the event that SM4SC NYC hosted at the Roger Smith Hotel.

Here are the photos. Please let me know if you are interested in having a copy of the original of any of the photos, and I will make sure that we work it out!

Global Citizen… OUT!

April 6th, 2009 | Tags: business, cannon, citizen, education, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, finance, global, globalcitizen, nikon, passion, photo, photography, startup, twitter | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment