Wealth & Investing (5)
In the last three weeks I've covered the ground from West to East accross Europe - on the hunt for depressed economic conditions. They seem to be more rare than the sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. From London to Paris to Budapest - Picadilly to the Champs Elysees - and East to Andrássy Avenue in Budapest - the crowds fill shop floors and businss workers I've spoken with say "...business is good..."
What struck me was the numbers of people traveling and buying. The other thing that was apparent is whether you're used to walking down (or shopping - not my favorite pass time - but I do like to walk in and see the business models) New York's 5th Avenue or Robson Street in Vancouver, the main stay stores are all broadly distributed accross these European Cities.
In my estimation, this is the "grass roots" recovery - where consumer confidence is voted by the ringing of cash registers and count of shopping bags.
What's different? US Media reported loosing $10 Billion last year - while online media companies like Google, Bing, Yahoo, Face Book all contemplate how to take on the new role of media and get "content" that is relevant.
There has never been a more clear Connected Market than what we're witnessing today. With online media and content driven by users and giants alike - and distribution channels boasting globalized brands shipping to markets all over the world, the connections are inseperable. The evolution of The Connected Market Space is obvious in the main stream retail and media - the Connected Market Space emergence for entrepreneurs is comming fast for those ready with the recovery here.
Information moves fast - the world is connected. Financing is returning to the scene. From retail to real estate - the market is on the move - I give it 18 - 24 months before the "window of opportunity" closes by the "smart money".
Heading back in a couple of days - with a lot of insight from the world scene.
Tim
I met with a good friend of mine who deals in the financial sector in the UK today. It was great to see Andre - haven't seen him since last August when the markets went to hell!
The last time we met, I was just discovering that our largest health client had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy - it was a distraction during our regular board meeting in Toronto.
I'm walking in Montreal - looking at the buildings around me - all of which are at once historic and modern. The City is vibrant and alive with activity - no signs of a recession here.
There are bikes sponsored by the city that anyone with a credit card can use for 30 min for free. This is a place that has started to connect to a new model from and ancient history. A place where history has been preserved and upgraded to a modern stability - where the cross-communication between French culture and language to those of English is just a way of life - the natural way of connecting in a multi-cultural structure.
NO! Not that “Mile High” club! YES, I'm afraid it's true - I've joined the ranks of business travelers who have accumulated enough frequent flyer miles to take a family of six around the world seventeen times.
Also known as "Road Warriors," we're the ladies and gents who pay homage to the airport bars on Friday afternoons with circles under our eyes, beer or wine glass on the table, using our thumbs to crank out work messages, or seemingly talking to ourselves as our Bluetooth head set invisibly hooks us to someone somewhere. We're the folks who Westin created the "Heavenly" bed for, so we could crash after the hell we've paid, and the endless line ups we've endured while travelling . . . .
After a year of "quiet perseverance and thought" - a period in my personal and professional life that has compelled me to keep my thoughts and opinions to myself - readying for a major launch of our latest innovations - I just received this quote and excerpt today from another forward thinker in a business out to change the world for the better.
In the last year I have decided to just do what my Dad always told me "...Shut up! And get the job done...."