January 28, 2007 by Chris | permalink
The WEF at Davos was everything that i had imagined that it would be. A week of being amoungst the world's most powerful people. i was privileged to dine with those who make decisions that effect millions, if not billions, of the world's citizenry. the week was so full of working sessions that by saturday i was simply exhausted.
the highlights?
1. watching the US senator from Georgia getting cut down to size as he steadfastly refused to acknowldge human induced climate change.
2. having dinner with the chairman of the US FTC and seeing that there are some in Washington who really do passionatly care more about doing the right thing than party politics
3. sharing our Drivers of Change 2006 publication story with Stuart Butterfield, the creator of Flickr
4. meeting Joe Golden, of ACCEL, in the plane from london who became my Davos mentor
5. seeing how the reality of Climate Change has finally hit home
6. realizing that there is so much that ech of us can really can do to make a difference
7. meeting the Kapors.
January 19, 2007 by Chris | permalink
National Retail Federation's annual 'Big Show' was held at the Javits in New York City.
talk to 2000 plus in one big room.
January 16, 2007 by Chris | permalink
The gray mist that schrouded the city made me wonder why the tall buildings around Manhatten are not called Cloudscrapers. the pinnacles seemed to glow in the mist.....
to the hotel. i checked in after a long flight from London. long because i was tired and had to work the entire way over. came to the pleasant face at the desk and we chatted. he gave me my room. as i took it in hand i said......now, if this is near the elevator, or a noisy room, or a room without a decent space to work....i will be back until we can find that room. he looked at me and took the room key back.....we continued to chat and he then handed me a new key. the room was fine. 1201. interior with a view into the lightwell with the ubiquitous air handler fans instead of the wind or waterfall providing the ambient white noise. the windows are useless as far as keeping any sound out. good clean bed with a tiny tiny shower-room. it cant be called a bathroom. but again, fine for my needs. a nice chair with mismatched cushions and a carpet that seemed clear of those wonderful coffee stains.
The hotel lies in a more or less quietish residentialish district, so there are not many alternatives near by for finding food, but that really does not matter. it is new york, so you just wak three blocks and enything can be found.
nice stay. not sure about returning here.
12.13.14/1
January 10, 2007 by Chris | permalink
i rarely write to a hotel to critique them. The Atlanta W [see earlier entry] passed my tolerance threshold. After a few meek email exchanges I got a call from the General Manager. We had a GREAT talk - and I am convinced that she really did care and meant what she said. up to that point the customer service was 'point and click'.
we all have to make an effort to make an difference. she did. and it has! Instead of avoiding the W group, I now look forward to the W redemtion! it does not take much to make the difference that matters..... for the big stuff.
what small effort can each of us make that would stop climate change? end poverty? end child abuse? create gender equity? what would happen if we noted that small thing EVERY DAY?
maybe we should all just try.
