to be continued...

Hello and thanks for checking out my blog about business school and living in Spain. If these topics brought you here feel free to pursue my posts and learn from my adventure.

If you came here rather to check up on me, well them I am flattered, and I welcome you to visit my new blog:
http://fromthestraits.wordpress.com/

Thanks all and I hope to see each of you soon!

Our lives as ∆X*∆P ≥ h/(4*p)

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Ok, this post is about my MBA classmate. From whom I learned so much.

I will take a few paragraphs to fully develop my point, so I bag for your patience as you read. I promise I will indeed come to a logical conclusion.

In quantum physics there exists a theory called the Uncertainty Principal. This principle was first published by Werner Heisenberg in 1927 and is thus known as the “Heisenberg Principle of Uncertainty” (mathematically, ∆X * ∆P ≥ h / (4*p)). In short - and insufficiently described by yours truly - it details the fact that object (and their component parts of electrons, protons and neutrons) can never be precisely positioned in terms of both location and direction simultaneously. This means that if we manage to measure an object's precise location, equally precise direction or momentum cannot be determined (and vise versa). Thus it is said that energy bares the same relation to time as momentum does to space.

The rational behind this phenomenon is that as we attempt to locate an object – logically by shining light on it - we fundamentally influence it in space and time (we are after all knocking it around with electromagnetic photons). Moving a bit deeper we know our component parts (electrons, protons, and neutrons) sometimes exist as particles (as is predicted by Einstein’s Theory of Relativity) and sometimes as waves. These parts move in-and-out of observability – from particles to waves of energy, and back.

Ok I know, I know, this is super abstract and bordering on the realm of “1960’s-acid-trip-science-professor”, so I will shortly make a more grounded connection to our real lives.

In Spain we were about 300 young people learning new skills from professors and more importantly each other. We were physically located together, improving our futures through education and global connection. We moved from 70+ countries to live and study together in Madrid. We occupied the same physical space and interacted (over a brief period of time) with each other in the hope of positively influencing each others' collective future directions.

To the outside observer, we individually carry roughly the same mass and move day-to-day in roughly the same directions. According to the theory of relativity we were 300 bundles of wave energy occupying roughly the same space, moving in roughly the same direction. Heisenberg-style observes might have attempted to measure my, or any of my classmates’, location and they could achieve a high degree of accuracy. However if they attempted to measure my, or any of my classmates’, direction they would probably not have a clue where we are all headed.

This is OUR uncertainty principle.

This year we occupied roughly the same physical space. Next year we will not. We will move in different directions, be it north, south, east, or west. This cannot be measured accurately at this time. Our directions are infinite and undefined.

But be us waves of energy or physical particles, for one year we occupied the same physical space… and for that I am eternally grateful.

Looking out upon my fellow IE classmates I hope to track your directions over time, however uncertain they may be.

You are all waves of energy… and of that I am quite certain.

Exploring Social Media Marketing Best Practices

In looking at social media as a marketing platform we find the old rules (remember the 4Ps) don't necessarily capture how we should approach new opportunities. Remember after all this is community based marketing. We must focus on connecting people with people and people with information. It must be relevant and value-added. Pushing product can be achieved only after we foster a community.


- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

The newly renovated Palacio Cibeles, Madrid

Unveiled this week, the Banco España renovation reestablishes the building as one of the most beautiful in Madrid.

- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

Location:Calle de María de Molina,Madrid,Spain

Social media marketing with BBVA

Taking a look at marketing within social media networks with the head of BBVA digital marketing.

Interesting discussions in "who" should market on social networks (lots of debate there), how, and which function should represent community managers.

Of course the consumer marketing potential in web 2.0 is huge, but b2b companies have yet to "crack the code" on the effective use of social media.




- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

Location:Calle de José Abascal,Madrid,Spain

Considering new ways we consume our media

In the week that the New York Times begins charging subscription fees for heavy users (+20 articles opened per month), it is interesting to consider the many forms we will consume media, news, and opinion in our near future.


Below is an interesting way to see digital media in terms of community appeal.


- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

Location:Calle de Serrano,Madrid,Spain

Goudi's Masterpiece in Progress - Segrada Familia

Some photos from a recent visit to Barcelona... Pretty unbelievable huh!

























- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

Meet my Digital Marketing professors

This morning was the first session of a new course in digital marketing. So far the course looks like a ton of hands on practicum and great experience coming from the professors.

Check out the professors here:
Manuel Alonso Coto, Head of IE's Masters in Digital Marketing

David Garcia Fabre, Responsible for Internet Innovation BBVA

Stay tuned for more as the class develops.

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- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

Location:Calle de López de Hoyos,Madrid,Spain

Photos from Salamanca (two hours from Madrid)

Recently we took a short train north to visit Salamanca for a day. Salamanca is less famous of course than Madrid, Baracalona, Sevilla, etc, but it is none the less beautiful.

















Protesters in the streets of Salamanca.












The intricate stone carvings which can be seen on the walls of most churches here.
















The cathedral at night... what a sight!


- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

Day of Communications Training In Segovia

Recently we had a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of the Media Lab housed in the IE University campus in Segovia. Together with a communications professor and a full staff of technicians, we had a full day of Media and Communications training with several videotaped sessions.

To watch oneself make mistakes (and too often unnatural gestures) on camera is painful at best, however incredibly useful and insightful.

I'm looking forward to our next session, "Swimming with the Press" during the next term.
































Following the day's exercises we had the pleasure of wondering around this beautiful medieval city of Segovia into the wee hours of the night. We ate cochinillo and marveled at the roman aqueduct which marks the beginning of the old town and a time long since past.

- Please excuse the brevity and typos. Posting from my iPhone

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A New Year

Firstly my apologies to everyone for not posting for quite some time. As the holidays were full of travel for me I am just now getting caught up with my blog. Thanks for your patience!

Secondly, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope this year brings lots of joy and happiest to you all. For me it was a bittersweet New Years Eve in a way this time. Seeing 2010 pass was a bit of a sad affair. With no exaggeration I can say that 2010 was my best year ever; with new and fun business school challenges, leaving my comfort zone in Seattle, and having SO many new people join my life. In a way I didn't want 2010 to ever end. As Farida rightly said it, "I'm sad to see it go."

My challenge now will be to make 2011 even better. And that is a heck of a challenge.



For your viewing pleasure I have posted some picture below of recent travel to Salzburg, Austria. Again, Happy New Years wishes everybody!!