So you are an expert on EU foreign policy?

• Shania Twain: So you are a rocket scientist? That don't impress me much.. uh, uh, uhu, oho, yeah, yeah...

• IES Alumnus: no, but I am an expert on European foreign policy...

• Shania Twain: *Speechless*

• IES alumnus: Finally, something that does impress her!

Simplicity is not in the EU dictionary... Too bad it only impresses a US country singer...

Baby boomers beware of the big bang

"(...) until now, adults have always maintained their domination of society on the laurels of the dictum

that knowledge is power. That was a notion that has, until now, translated approximately into age is power, as age paralleled knowledge. But now, in the IT world, that knowledge - the mastery of computing and its peripheral capacities - reverses this dictum (Okpaku & Kerby, 2008, p. 47)." 

Amazon promotes prime competitor on own site

Bummer... If marketers don't have an eye for detail. Look at how Amazon unconsciously promotes the prime competitor (the Nook) of its most important product (the Kindle):

The image can still be found on Amazon's website (just follow the link):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_365798002_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000841001&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1N12Y3K44J3R9T7PRPC5&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=1404805882&pf_rd_i=1000841011%20--%3E

Barnes and Noble would say: thank you for the free advertising!

XBOX One Being revealed

At this very moment, the Xbox one is being revealed. You can follow the event live at the following address:

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/liveblog-microsofts-next-xbox-reveal-at-10-am-pacific-may-21/

Sony will have to keep in mind that Xbox one promises to become a competitor to be reckoned with. The new console will hit the market with a number of big franchises like Battlefield 4, Medal of Honor Ghosts & a number of EA Sports games.

From the previews I can already say this: the degree of graphic detail is amazing.

"Online will be a key experience of the Xbox community feeling."

We have entered a new era of gaming.

15 exclusive games will be released on Xbox of which 8 new franchises.

Power and organizational communication: a link with organizational culture

Finally, some theoretical gold dust!

Michael Pacanowsky & Nick O'Donnell-Trujillo invite us to look at organizational communication as politics. Central to this idea are notions of power and control.

Very interesting quote:

"Any broad discussion of organizational communication must inevitably come to deal with issues of 'power', 'control', and 'influence'. Not surprisingly, however organizational researchers have been unable to agree on what these constructs mean in either a theoretical or empirical sense. By treating organizational communication as politics, we do not attempt to provide any definitive conceptualization of these processes. Rather, our interest is in recognizing that organizational cultures are not monolithic, that there are subcultures or self-interests, and that many organizational performances are aimed at influencing others." (Pacanowsky & O'Donnell-Trujillo, 1983, p. 142)

Very interesting further reading on this topic: PFEFFER (Jeffrey). Power in organizations. Marshfield, Pitman, 1978. (Note to the side: Pfeffer has written books on the topic more recently)

How to annoy your dissertation supervisor and cause yourself problems: five easy steps

Hello there, just a brief back-up of what I'm doing for my PhD research. At the moment, I'm busy reading books on social research methods. Sometimes I need to be reassured by the books that I'm doing my research according to social science rules.

Anyway, what I came across today in Bryman's book "social research methods" (2012) was well suited to put on a blog. Those that have written an academic dissertation will all recognize this. The ease with which you can annoy your supervisor. I hope that you have not broken these rules (now or in the future):

1. Don't turn up to pre-arranged supervision meetings

2. Leave the bulk of the work until the last minute

3. Ignore what your supervisor advises you to do

4. Hand in shoddy drafts as late as possible

5. Forget what you were taught in your research methods module or your research training module

Following the above rules is a recipe for failure. Avoiding them can possibly bring you success. The choice is yours!

The threat of self-destructing marketing techniques

Yesterday, September 12 (2012), Apple launched the Iphone 5. As usual, a true hype engulfed the online world. People were expecting the phone, which explains the drop in sales of the Iphone 4S during previous months. Apple fans had hoped for a phone that would, once again, revolutionize the way we communicate. High expectations are great... if they can be met that is. Although the Iphone 5 comes with some new features and runs on operating system iOS6, not one of these high-tech gadgets convinced me of the truly 'innovative' spirit of this device. Therefore, I predict that Apple will lose ground in the smartphone market. Hopes that the new phone will 'juice the U.S. market' (as some news sites claimed, cf. theweek.com) are - in my opinion - also idle. Samsung's Galaxy S3 easily stands the test of the new competitor. 

Iphone 5 (Front, Side, Rear)

Once upon a time, in a not too distant past, people wondered when a company would start making an 'Iphone killer'. Reading between the lines, one would easily deduct that the Iphone was considered the only 'smartphone' truly worthy of its name. Things have starting to change. These days, one may rightfully ask when somebody will make the 'Galaxy S3 killer'. To cut things short: as an Apple fan - which I am - the Iphone 5 is a disappointment. The only reason why I'm sticking to Iphone is because of its 'eco-system'. I have bought way too many apps and music to switch over to an Android phone. Secondly, I still believe Apple is a beautiful innovating company focused on the future. They must not however forget that it takes both time and ingenuity to present something that may truly be called innovative. 

Investment made by Forrest Gump

I therefore think Apple is becoming the victim of its own success. People expect a ground-breaking (r)evolution every time they predict the company to launch a new product. Maybe customer's expectations are too high, but the hype seems to have created illusory hopes that tech-revolutions are only a 'normal' and 'foreseeable' next step in the future of our beloved 'fruit company' (quote: Forrest Gump).

If the Iphone looks like this Apple may be screwed

Much to my dismay I would recommend people to wait for the next truly innovative phone. The Iphone 5 just does not qualify this time. If you already have invested in Apple products (Apps, Music, Films) I would advise buying/keeping the Iphone 4S. For technology freaks looking for a real innovation I would at least consider the HTC One X or the Samsung Galaxy S3. To Apple I would advise - although this sounds rather arrogant, I'm aware of that - to take enough time to develop something truly original. Because in the end, being innovation centered is what got the company on top to start with. Besides, it's not a nice feeling to admit that Henry Blodget, journalist at Business Insider was right months ago: http://www.businessinsider.com/if-the-iphone-5-really-looks-like-this-apple-may-be-screwed-2012-7

How the Iphone 5 looks like

 To be honest, I have seen Iphone 5 concepts that looked more promising than what the "most valuable company ever" eventually delivered. Whether the Iphone 5 will turn out to be a success commercially remains to be seen. We do however need to keep in mind that many people have postponed their intention of buying a new Iphone. So in any case, I do not expect sales to drop immediately. But in the long run, Apple will almost certainly continue to lose ground.