Last week, The Pitch Challenge (The Gruen Transfer, ABC) is to develop an advertisement to sell the unsellable - Convince Aussie to invade it’s close neighbour - New Zealand. Why would anyone want to invade such a beautiful and peaceful country like NZ?
The two agencies tasked with this brief came up with two smart ads, one that would really appeal to the (some) Aussies and the other, a cheeky play with NZ runaway success tourism campaign. Brilliant!
Apparently after the show was broadcasted, a small group of Kiwis took offence with the plot. In response, the producer of the show will give the Kiwis a fair go (Aussie slang) to “take their revenge” on the final episode of the show.
Google is making concerted efforts to attract and publicise its lighthouse Google Apps educatioin sector adoptionwins to proves its readiness to move into the enterprise space. See “Going to School with Google” (Google AU Blog)
IT News sources such as ZDNet will often cover these win-stories. Sometimes, I often wonder what happens after the switch? Switching core IT services like emails systems in a large organisation (like a University) aren’t like switching to a new grocery chain for food.Things often do go wrong.
Often with the introduction of a new operating environment, many legacy and unexpected issues arise. Are the users satisfied with the service level with these hosted services? Were the IT services able to receive adequate support when things falls apart? What are the statistic behind when these problems get resolved?
The complete story after a migration often goes unreported. In all fairness, the points raised can also apply to other companies including Microsoft.
Steve Vamos is making his way back to Australia after a stint as VP, Microsoft International Online Services Group. He was recently interviewed by MIS (a Fairfax publication) about Steve Ballmer’s Google strategy, Vista, his time in Redmond and what he plans to do when he leaves Microsoft. Steve also shared his advice for all Australian graduates out there look for new employment:
1. Find a place where you can learn from the people
2. A place where you can trust the people you work with
Great advice, Steve!
Steve has always been passionate about having the right values in place. During MS AU FY07 kickoff, Steve brought a trainer who elaborated the concept of having a player mentality. Not a political player but someone who takes undertakes responsibility, provides accountability and take pro-active steps to make sure that things happen the right way. I really enjoyed that session and I have a lot of respect for the man and his leadership style.
Live Search is offering cash rebates when people make purchases after using its search engine.
Web shoppers who sign up for an account and buy items found using Microsoft’s Live Search cashback site will receive a percentage of the purchase price deposited into their account.
When the total reaches $5, the shoppers can redeem their “cold, hard cash.” In a statement, Microsoft said the rebates are paid for with advertising.
MSN Money ‘The real threat to Google‘ has an article on the current real threat to Google’s business model in the mobile device space. It’s not Microsoft or Yahoo but the limitation behind your small mobile device screen (where they can sell ads space) and the the current mobile interface. The article finally covers potential avenues how Google may engage to tackle this risk.
Following the 2007 Singapore Day in NYC success, the Overseas Singaporean Unit is organising this year’s Singapore Day in Melbourne (Sidney Myer Music Bowl) on 4 Oct 08.
Based on last year’s news article and this personal blog post narration (Part 1 and 2), it looks like a fun free day all of all Singaporean food, news, Gah-men people, fun and quirks. Check out http://www.singaporeday.sg/ for more information and to register for updates.
I wonder if the Melbourne event would have getai singing too? I bet the ang moh will love it
Opps! The gremlins have burrowed into Google Maps again, seemingly causing a ferry collision and a boat to sink in Circular Quay.
The ferry “collision” appears right beside a giant cruise liner - either the Queen Elizabeth 2 or Queen Mary 2 - which was docked at Sydney Cove when the photographs were taken. The image appears to show a ferry travelling at full speed colliding with a smaller boat. Metres away, another boat appears submerged under water except for the tip of its nose.
As a member of a regional team, conference calls meetings are part and parcel of the daily work schedule. Usually, I would working on my emails before the start the conference call. But over in Nashville, there are some creative ’softies out there with some pretty nifty moves.
Feeling burden with today’s happening? Smile and cheer up, cos tomorrow is a brand new day!
- A Chaser clip filmed last Christmas in Martin Place, Sydney.
There are a few Aussie specifc jokes including references to the end of the Howard-era, the Eagles and their drug problem. Still I hope this clip brings a smile to everyone’s face.
Last week I was in Beijing for a regional team meeting, it was an opportunity to meet my China, Taiwan and Redmond-based counterparts. It was also my first opportunity to experience a real winter environment. During the day, the temperature is around -2C (28F) and -8C (17F) in the evening.
