Archive for November, 2008

Transitions

November 7, 2008 at 9:15 am · Filed under Personal

Since the beginning of the year, I have been going through a big transition in my professional live. For nearly 8 years I helped to built a successful company (ClickandBuy) against all odds. I transitioned out at the end of last year and since then have been repositioning and refocusing on something completely different. This context switch took much longer than I thought. Only now, after working 10 month on my new idea, I realized that I left my old role behind me and feel 100% immersed by this new company, this new idea and this completely different industry.

We started ClickandBuy in March 2000 before the bubble burst and launched right into the decline of Web 1.0 in the summer that same year. In this negative environment we were able to survive because we believed in our product and the value that our company would bring to the market place. But of course there were times of doubt. In fact it was easy to dismiss what we were trying to do, because of the market sentiment, the competition of incumbents (banks & telcos) and because of the complexity of the industry we were in (we probably were not fully aware of that last point). But we believed in us and made each other believe in the company, creating an interesting dynamic of identification between the founding team and the company. This identification was nurtured over nearly 8 years.

So after transitioning out of ClickandBuy, it took me longer than I thought to leave my role behind. Maybe because I did not take a break but jumped right into this new idea. Finally by now the new idea fits like a glove and going back is unthinkable to me right now.

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Yes, America can

November 5, 2008 at 11:30 am · Filed under Uncategorized

I came to the United States in 2002 during George W. Bushs first term. It was difficult to see him win his second term, given his track record. Given the way he represented this country and his internal and international policy choices that left the world wondering in disbelief.

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It was even harder to explain to friends from abroad why I chose to live in this country. Back then it seemed that the United States had lost all those reasons that attracted people around the world to come to the US. It seemed like this country had lost its path.

Yesterday has shown that these United States the world used to admire were not lost during those last 8 years. In fact what happened yesterday could not have happened it most countries on this planet. This is the strongest message that the United States sent out yesterday. Instead of using my own words, I just quote:

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

and

“And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world — our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright: Tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.”

Or, better see for yourself here.

As a legal resident alien, I was not allowed to vote – in fact only few of the guests at our house yesterday night were allowed to vote in this country. Nevertheless this election was important and personal to all of us.

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