Top Gear in Romania

{ noiembrie 16, 2009 @ 12:27 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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I know you might say what’s the connection between me and cars. Well I like Top Gear- and I think it’s by far the best show about cars. I usually get bored when it comes to technical stuff but this show managed to capture my attention because it combines in a brilliant manner the humour of the presenters and the amazing cars.

Here it’s the Top Gear show filmed in Romania this fall. The show was aired on 15th November. So it’s quite fresh. Enjoy!

And part 2:

Part 3:

And of course the 4th and final part where Clarkson admits that the Transfagarasean is the best road in the world and discovers our national drink plumb brandy (I hate it):

And because I am talking about shows filmed in Romania and here is a great documentary: The Real Romania (it’s about an hour long, but if you have time it’s worth it) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrKpXQNK16A&NR=1

Innovation

{ noiembrie 15, 2009 @ 12:33 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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While reading the material for one of my projects I’ve discovered some sources of innovation that can be applied both in businesses/entrepreneurship and the overall economy.

Peter Drucker suggested seven areas where companies should look for opportunities to be innovative. The first four are internal to the company; the last three are external:

1 The unexpected success that is rarely dissected to see how it has occurred.

2 Any incongruity between what actually happens and what was expected to happen.

3 Any inadequacy in a business process that is taken for granted.

4 A change in industry or market structure that takes everybody by surprise.

5 Demographic changes caused by things like wars, migrations or medical developments (such as the birth-control pill).

6 Changes in perception and fashion brought about by changes in the economy.

7 Changes in awareness caused by new knowledge.

Drucker maintained that creativity was rarely a limiting factor: “There are more ideas in any organisation, including business, than can possibly be put to use,” he wrote. The issue is how to manage innovation so that it creates economic value.

These sources of innovation can become a safety net now- during the economic crisis. 

 But it is possible to get some idea of the sorts of companies that are doing well and the kinds of strategies they are pursuing… The most obvious winners are established giants: market leaders that entered the recession with cash in their pockets and sound management systems under their belts. These companies are reaping rewards from investors who are skittish about shakier rivals. They are also using their corporate muscle to squeeze their costs (for example, by negotiating cheap rates for advertising) and so win market share from their competitors. BCG, another consultancy, notes that 58% of companies that were among the top three in their industry had rising profits in 2008 and only 30% saw their profits decline. In contrast, only 21% of companies outside the top three had rising profits, and 61% had falling profits.

A second group of winners is made up of companies with a record of innovation. A third group consists of companies which are using the recession to reposition themselves.

If you want to read more about this topic: http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14540023 

Gripa porcina

{ noiembrie 11, 2009 @ 5:57 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Incep sa cred ca traim in niste timpuri in care nu stim cum sa ne mai facem griji suplimentare, ca nu am avea noi destule si asa. Si din pacate din cauza unei comunicari alarmiste din partea mass-media care sadeste panica in omul de rand situatia nu se schimba. Ce ma bucur ca nu ma uit la tv… Ultima oara cand l-am deschis subiectele fierbinti erau campanii electorale si gripa porcina… a fost deschis 30 de secunde. Nu am putut rezista unei asemenea parade a prostiei.

Acum e problema cu gripa porcina. A fost si gripa aviara, a fost si boala vacii nebune, omenirea a trecut si prin perioade mult mai zbuciumate cu ciuma bubonica si tot ne-am revenit… Daca istoria a dovedit ceva – e ca umanitatea a rezistat diverselor boli care au tot aparut de-a lungul timpului si va trece si peste viitoarele epidemii si pandemii, care or sa fie tot mai nasoale (limbaj plastic) si mai dificil de tratat. Oamenii se adapteaza (sau cel putin ar trebui) !

Sunt multe teorii ale conspiratiei care afirma ca bolile astea noi care apar sunt produse in laborator de niste Mojo Jojo malefici (fac referire la desene animate) care vor sa domine lumea- si comploturi ale marilor companii farmaceutice. Aici o sa va las pe voi sa aberati daca simtiti nevoia. Pe mine ma depaseste subiectul…

 Nu inteleg isteria cu gripa porcina. Daca un singur om dintr-o universitate are gripa asta nu inseamna ca toata lumea trebuie sa se inchida in casa si sa nu mai faca nimic de teama gripei… Bucurestiul ar trebui sa fie golit daca toti ne-am inchide in casa de teama gripei, Metrorexul ar face degeaba greva joi (intre orele 4-6 a.m. ) pentru ca nu ar fi nimeni caruia sa-i pese de modificarile lor salariale, iar RATB-ul ar fi mult mai gol si lipsit de o parte din fauna si mirosurile specifice.

Hai ca inteleg ca e bine sa stim cum sa prevenim gripa, sa ne luam masti cand stam in locuri aglomerate, dar pana la a te izola complet de teama ca vei lua gripa mi se pare absurd. E mai probabil sa te calce o masina (pe trecerea de pietoni) decat sa iei gripa porcina…

Oameni buni, hai sa o lasam mai usor cu panica si sa gandim rational.

Aveti grija de voi!

P.S. Vad ca si echipa de la Metropotam are un articol legat de tema asta:

‘Cum ne vaccinam impotriva panicii?! Panica de gripa…. porcina, bineinteles :) ‘   http://discovery.metropotam.ro/Povestiri-urbane/2009/11/art9690165757-Tehnici-esentiale-de-supravietuire-gripa-porcina/  Enjoy!

Dealing with problems

{ noiembrie 9, 2009 @ 6:02 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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A few years ago I heard a funny saying about being sad, and from time to time it keeps poping in my mind – we don’t have to think our problems are singular because everyone is facing them: ‘Don’t feel sad, don’t feel blue, Frankenstein was ugly too’ .

But the way you handle your problems is the one that makes the difference. I can give you some tips, but bear in mind the fact that I’m not an expert and these are the result of my personal experiences:

  • Blaming others for your failure is not an option, you have to learn from your mistakes and move on more smart and  more experienced.
  •  Sitting and complaining for yourself is not a smart solution – because you are just prolonging your problem by procrastinating… I can give you a quote for this : ‘I was going to procrastinate, but I’ll do it later. ‘  :))
  • You have to reassess your priorities and figure out what is really important for you and what is consuming your energy in a unproductive way; eliminate if you can the things that are bad for you.
  • If you don’t feel well with your current status do something! Leaving your comfort zone behind can be scary- but rewarding if you choose the right path.
  • No matter how tired you are think twice before doing/saying something. Others might not care you have problems and will only criticise your mistakes, and point out your errors. This is life… unfortunately, and we have to deal with it.
  • You have to take care of yourself- and do not neglect your health – even though you are really passionate about your job/studies/ hobbies. There is nothing more important than your health!
  • You have to remember that you have to make time for yourself- you cannot be working 24/7 like a robot without cracking at a certain moment. Take an hour off and look at the sky, read a book/magazine, listen to your favourite music, sleep, go out with your friends, cook, do whatever makes you happy, and you will be more relaxed and prepared to face your problems with more clarity.

I found a really interesting article about surpassing difficulties and getting your optimism back and perhaps even get your life on track. Hope this will be useful to provide you some  advice. Here is the link : http://www.rockyourday.com/how-to-train-yourself-to-be-in-the-mood-you-want/

Enjoy!

Tae Bo – Cardio

{ octombrie 28, 2009 @ 6:48 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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My first encounter with this sport was in my fist year of university and I must tell you I find it addictive. The best part of Tae Bo is that it combines martial arts with box, aerobic and the results are truly amazing. After an hour of exercise you feel like a new person. And the best part is that it’s not exclusively addressed to women and you can workout from the privacy of your own home if you aren’t a big fan of gyms…

Billy Blanks is one of the best Tae Bo instructors and through out the exercise really knows how to motivate you in order to stay focused and don’t give up the workout. Our heart is an essential organ and you must keep it active- and usually cardio exercises are the best way to do it. Even though you are a sedentary you can try this- but expect some muscles pains the next day :) .

Here is the Cardio exercise in 5 parts. Work out! It feels great and you will feel energised.

The first part:

The second part:

The third part:

The fourth part:

And the fifth and final part:

Take care of yourself. Hope you liked the workout.

Have a nice day!

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