The Customer: An Overlooked Component of the Innovation Process
Where would YouTube be today if not for its millions of users? What good would Wikipedia be without all of those contributors? And how successful could IKEA possibly be if its customers weren't willing to assemble their own furniture?
Stephen Brown says the answer is simple: If not for the contributions of their customers, all three of those remarkable business successes would be anything but successful.
And there's a lesson in that, says Brown, for companies of all kinds.
"Our view is that the customer has been a truly forgotten component of innovation," says Brown, a professor of marketing and executive director of the W. P. Carey School's Center for Services Leadership. "We're not necessarily saying that customers are completely ignored. But we are advocating a much more substantive effort on the part of companies to get their customers involved in the innovation process."
In a new paper that challenges some long-standing theories about both what innovation is and how it's achieved, Brown and co-authors Stefan Michel, an assistant professor of marketing at the Thunderbird School of Global Management and Andrew Gallan, an ASU doctoral candidate, argue that the time has come for companies to rethink the ways they approach the innovation process.
Rethinking the process
Innovation, according to Brown, Michel and Gallan, is no longer solely the domain of techies or engineers working in isolation in a lab. Innovation now includes the collaboration of creative customers, who find ways to address their own wants and needs in the product or service.
In other words, Brown and Michel say, just as users were responsible for making YouTube a global sensation, customers have power to create value for any number of other products and services.
"The premise for this research is that when people typically think about innovation they tend to only think about products," Brown said. "They think of something tangible, and imagine a process that the company undergoes that is somehow completely independent of their customers. … But now, we are seeing that innovations will not be successful unless customers co-create value for it. YouTube is a dramatic example, because YouTube would be nothing if not for what its customers did with it."
Added Michel: "The major question we asked was this: Are there some things out there that are truly innovative, but cannot be explained by the traditional innovation literature -- things that were, for example, not developed by R&D labs but nonetheless changed the lives of millions of people?"
The answer to that question is yes.
The researchers say customer-based innovation has played a role in the development of any number of products, goods and services that, today, people may take for granted.
IKEA, for example, leveraged the power of its customers to create an innovative, completely new and remarkably successful furniture retailing experience. The Swedish company provides hip, exciting and inexpensive furniture, presents those pieces in their all-inclusive destination stores, but then relies on their customers to both transport the furniture home and put it together.
In Switzerland, the newspaper 20 Minuten has changed the newspaper business by crafting something specific to their customer's daily lives. The short, easily digestible newspaper takes just 20 minutes to read -- about as long as the average train commute.
According to Michel, 20 Minuten harnessed customer co-creation of value in a much broader way than co-producing content (YouTube) or assembling chairs (Ikea). 20 Minuten changed the role of the user. Firtst, it altered the anatomy of the transaction; payers became non-payers, because 20 Minuten is free. And obtaining the paper no longer depended on customers making a decision to pick it up. Instead, it is handed to them (a push) when they are boarding the trains. As a result, many non-readers became readers -- the ultimate role transformation.
Another example is the medical technology sector, which has developed revolutionary glucose monitoring systems that employ customers -- in this case, diabetes patients -- to improve diabetes self-care and create long-term value for a useful product.
"In the past, these patients would rely totally on their physicians to measure glucose levels," Brown says. "Now, using this system, patients are self-monitoring. The whole system, the value of it, was co-produced and co-developed by engaging the customers."
All of these products, services and ideas, Michel, Brown and Gallan argue, have enjoyed success -- and have derived much of their value -- because of the way customers used them. All of them are also clearly innovative.
An expanded perspective
According to traditional models of innovation theory, however, they wouldn't be recognized as such.
The old innovation theories, the researchers say, are flawed because they have focused almost solely on products and have ignored service offerings. They've also recognized firm-level innovation -- the work of R&D departments, for example -- while ignoring the value-added contributions of customers.
Brown, Michel and Gallan’s approach breaks down that long-standing wall separating product innovation from service innovation, counting the contributions of customers as every bit as important as those of a company's R&D experts.
"We are basically asking companies to focus a lot more on how customers are actually going to use what they're offering," Brown said. "The tendency of many companies has long been transactional -- 'How can we get the customer to buy this?' -- but we're saying what you want to know is how the customer is going to use the product. It's very powerful for a software vendor to know, for example, how their customers are going to use their products."
The researchers say their new approach to innovation challenges firms "to take a broader view of innovation," looking at customers not just as "payers," as traditional models do, but rather as "payers, buyers and users."
"This expanded perspective," Brown, Michel and Gallan write, "enables managers to see more … innovation opportunities that are not related to the discoveries made in R&D laboratories."
The idea is not all that complicated, nor is it anything new. Customers have been adding value to products for years -- it's just that companies haven't always recognized those contributions as important to their bottom line.
But that may be changing.
"Think about the way you use your PC," Brown says. "Everyone has their own unique way of using their PC, and a PC is basically as innovative as the way a customer uses it. There are millions of customers all over the world using PCs, and they're all using those PCs somewhat differently. … I guess the key idea that we want to get across is that, increasingly today, customers are the ones co-creating the value in what companies and firms offer."
Adds Michel: "The thing that is important is that the customer is not just the receiver of value. But rather, the customer is always co-creating value. The customer is not a passive recipient of value."
Bottom Line:
A new paper from W.P. Carey's Stephen Brown and Andrew Gallan and Thunderbird's Stefan Michel, to be published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, proposes a new theoretical model for looking at innovation -- a model that takes into account the contributions of customers in the development of innovative products and services.
This new approach also eliminates the distinction between innovative products and innovative services. That distinction, the researchers say, is artificial and outdated.
Among the products that have benefited from customer contributions are YouTube, Wikipedia and the Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten.
The researchers say forward looking companies would be smart to stop thinking about innovation as something that happens only in their R&D labs. Customers, they say, can add value to a product long after they've purchased it.
Companies should not just focus on innovating products; they need to focus on innovating customers.
måndag 8 oktober 2007
Definition web 2.0
Web 2.0 refers to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitate collaboration and sharing between users. The term became popular following the first O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004.[1][2] Although the term suggests a new version of the World Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical specifications, but to changes in the ways software developers and end-users use the web. According to Tim O'Reilly, "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."[3]
Some technology experts, notably Tim Berners-Lee, have questioned whether one can use the term in a meaningful way, since many of the technology components of "Web 2.0" have existed since the early days of the Web.[4] [5]
Some technology experts, notably Tim Berners-Lee, have questioned whether one can use the term in a meaningful way, since many of the technology components of "Web 2.0" have existed since the early days of the Web.[4] [5]
fredag 28 september 2007
Veronica from Prag, 15 years old
100 Euro she would buy alcohol
On a free day she riding her horse
In 10 years she will have a family
She doesn´t know what she is scared about...
She would like to go to Mallorca
On a free day she riding her horse
In 10 years she will have a family
She doesn´t know what she is scared about...
She would like to go to Mallorca
Jacob from Prag, 16 years old
100 Euro he would buy cigarettes
On a free day he plays football
In 10 years he will work in a restaurant
Family makes him happy
He is scared of spiders
He would like to go to USA
On a free day he plays football
In 10 years he will work in a restaurant
Family makes him happy
He is scared of spiders
He would like to go to USA
Jacob from Prag, 16 years old
100 Euro he would buy cigaretts
On a free day he plays football
In 10 years he will work in a restaurant
Family makes him happy
He is scared of spiders...
He would like to go to USA
On a free day he plays football
In 10 years he will work in a restaurant
Family makes him happy
He is scared of spiders...
He would like to go to USA
Lukas from Prag, 15 years old
100 Euro he would buy clothes
On a free day he plays football
In 10 years he will work as a bartender
Friends makes him happy
He is scared that his mother will die
He would like to go to London
On a free day he plays football
In 10 years he will work as a bartender
Friends makes him happy
He is scared that his mother will die
He would like to go to London
Last Minute Sales - in the NON digital way!
In Prague they also have travel shops.
Simple, no light, lamps nor flashy signs and digital media to attract customers. Simple A4 peaces of paper in black/white on a large board - filling the whole display in the window!
Online internet penetration amongst the population is at most around 50% - online booking of holidays much smaller.
Oriflame – successful distribution & retention strategy
Why is it interesting to visit Oriflame?- because cosmetics is the fastest growing private consumer goods in the Eastern part of Europe.
- Personal apperance and looks is definetely part of the experience economy
We are in the ”smiling products” business. Likewise selling holidays. The first words coming from managing director Magnus Holm who received us in the headquarter in Prague.
Immediately we “feel” the difference. The dynamic of the company and personalization of staff and customers (who are also somehow considered intermediaries selling Oriflame products).
Observations highlights:
* Multilevel marketing – experiences and people is the key
* Pyramide-model (normal consumers also the main salesforce – paid 30% commission)
* Emotions and closeness to local community are the driving forces for selling
* 80.000 mainly women are both customers and sales force
* Oriflame strongest in the country side (more difficult in big city Prague)
* Online orders are 57% - rest is directly face to face sales. (in Finland 99% online)
* More “homecomsumers” in Tjeck Republic than any other country in the World
* Local famous Tjeck model used as the “face” in all marketing & charity woork. Swedish faces do not work well in marketing – too natural looking….
* High potential for growth amingst the new generation
* Language skills the main barrier in most consumer markets in Tjeck republic. Has to be local language
* Population is withdrawn, unsecure and lacks self confidence (history of the country heavy influence still)
* Younger generation >20 years have a more positive view on the future – potential for Oriflame
* Mass media advertising necessary in the future – to meet the competition from international brands
* Emotions – the key USP for Oriflame (smiling products)
* Multilevel marketing – experiences and people is the key
* Pyramide-model (normal consumers also the main salesforce – paid 30% commission)
* Emotions and closeness to local community are the driving forces for selling
* 80.000 mainly women are both customers and sales force
* Oriflame strongest in the country side (more difficult in big city Prague)
* Online orders are 57% - rest is directly face to face sales. (in Finland 99% online)
* More “homecomsumers” in Tjeck Republic than any other country in the World
* Local famous Tjeck model used as the “face” in all marketing & charity woork. Swedish faces do not work well in marketing – too natural looking….
* High potential for growth amingst the new generation
* Language skills the main barrier in most consumer markets in Tjeck republic. Has to be local language
* Population is withdrawn, unsecure and lacks self confidence (history of the country heavy influence still)
* Younger generation >20 years have a more positive view on the future – potential for Oriflame
* Mass media advertising necessary in the future – to meet the competition from international brands
* Emotions – the key USP for Oriflame (smiling products)
Interview highlights
The three most important trends long termed
1. Cosmetic business infrastructure development (international brands entering the market place)
2. The community driver: Both web 2.0 and local fysical environment (mouth to mouth)
3. Expected growht in “skin care products” – 12% pa
Consumer behavior change
1. New generation more open & selfconfident
2. A hidden “force” within the population waiting to break out…Huge effect on consumption
3. The influence of mass marketing will put the current distribution model under pressure – but it will remain.
1. Cosmetic business infrastructure development (international brands entering the market place)
2. The community driver: Both web 2.0 and local fysical environment (mouth to mouth)
3. Expected growht in “skin care products” – 12% pa
Consumer behavior change
1. New generation more open & selfconfident
2. A hidden “force” within the population waiting to break out…Huge effect on consumption
3. The influence of mass marketing will put the current distribution model under pressure – but it will remain.
Industrial framework changes
1. Advertising change – foreign brands coming in investing in mass media.
2. The salary development I Tjeck Republic is high (10% pa) puts the Oriflame distribution model and margins) under pressure
Innovation in Oriflame
1. 80.000 creators around the country! Free to invent all sorts of happenings themselves
2. Fysical meeeting amongst people the most important thing
3. Innovation brainstorming book used every day: “Six thinking Hats”.
4. Many meetings with the consulents ca. 100 people. Round tables discussions, It council, Crystal Ball, Top Club etc.
The importance of corporate culture & values?
1. Culture & Values THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
2. Ethical values made by the founders (still valid)
3. Charity important
4. Incentive trips & happenings (4000 people have just spend 5 days in TFS)
5. Successstories with personal faces!
Our visit to oriflame raises the question:
Is Oriflame a symbol of the ANTI trends towards the e-com based society & community?
Is the fysical enteraction and meeting amongst people becoming increasing important in a digitalized society?
1. Advertising change – foreign brands coming in investing in mass media.
2. The salary development I Tjeck Republic is high (10% pa) puts the Oriflame distribution model and margins) under pressure
Innovation in Oriflame
1. 80.000 creators around the country! Free to invent all sorts of happenings themselves
2. Fysical meeeting amongst people the most important thing
3. Innovation brainstorming book used every day: “Six thinking Hats”.
4. Many meetings with the consulents ca. 100 people. Round tables discussions, It council, Crystal Ball, Top Club etc.
The importance of corporate culture & values?
1. Culture & Values THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
2. Ethical values made by the founders (still valid)
3. Charity important
4. Incentive trips & happenings (4000 people have just spend 5 days in TFS)
5. Successstories with personal faces!
Our visit to oriflame raises the question:
Is Oriflame a symbol of the ANTI trends towards the e-com based society & community?
Is the fysical enteraction and meeting amongst people becoming increasing important in a digitalized society?
In the States they have Starbuck - in Germany they have Balzac Coffee
The story of a selfconfident German woman who decided to copy paste the most successfull coffee-bar concept in the World: StarBuck. She formed her own chain of coffee bars in Berlin, Hannover, Hamburg and Lübeck called Balzac Coffee.
She did it well. Exepct for the branding colours being brown and golden – this is a true copy of a Starbuck shop. From interior design to the uniforms and service concept. The product portfolio has a few differentiated specialities like different milk products (Soya milk, lactosefreie milk etc.)
An example of an American and worldwide superbrand being transformed into a German national brand. Even the staff talked perfect "american"...
She did it well. Exepct for the branding colours being brown and golden – this is a true copy of a Starbuck shop. From interior design to the uniforms and service concept. The product portfolio has a few differentiated specialities like different milk products (Soya milk, lactosefreie milk etc.)
An example of an American and worldwide superbrand being transformed into a German national brand. Even the staff talked perfect "american"...
Zlata from Prague, 22 years old
100 Euro she would buy school books for. 1000 Euro she would give to someone who really meeds them
A free day she studies or does some sports. She would NOT watch TV.
In 10 years she want to work within law (which she studies) and have a family.
Nice weather makes her happy.
She is scared of negative people.
She would like to travel to India and other places with interesting culture.
torsdag 27 september 2007
German youths in Prague
They are both 16 and touristing in Prague.
For 100 Euro they would shop and eat if getting 1000 Euro they would save half of it and shop for the rest. A scoter says the guy.
A free day they party
In 10 years they want a job and a carriere, the guy would like to have a family when he is 26.
Being with friends makes them happy.
She is scared to die and he is scared for people he is in trouble with.
They want to travel to USA and Russia.
onsdag 26 september 2007
Observation - Behaviour of Check people
We find the Check people very direct in their manners. They are rather closed up and we are sorry to say that we find their service poor. To some extent we believe this has to do with their English language skills as the Check people fluent in English tend to be more open minded.
måndag 24 september 2007
Hotel Josef
This is a a award winning hotel. We are most satisfied with our berakfast which has everything you ever could wish for in the first meal of the day. What catches our attention the most though is the little jogging map we find in our rooms showing 3 different jogging routes, from short to a really long one, in Prague.
Using Beyoncé
A German newspaper writes about the success Sony has earnd using Beyoncé in their campaigns. But it is also stated that companies (record lables) use to little of these stars.
Brand packaging company Cocoon
We meet with Petr Baca, MD and founder of Cocoon.
Most important trends in his business is: 1, The importance of design is growing. 2, Fads change faster. 3, Better selection of well qualified people is needed (need of foreigner competence.
The consumer will become more selective and demanding, he says that companies will have to learn to react faster. His company constanly work with innovation in relation to design.
According to Petr company culture is no. 1 priority for a service company (as he sees them selves) as this is what you "bring".
We start to discuss the Check people and he consider them conservative, he thinks that they will evolve and there is an ongoing internationalization but that they will stay conservative.
Worth to notice is that he says that the country could be called "The island with no religion" and that they have a 50% divorce rate.
Environment exhibition
Down town Prague with it’s stage like houses and milieu we stumble on an exhibition about ecology. Among tourist restaurants and a shopping mall we get thrown back into reality again.
Sport / bech resort in the middle of Prague
We find a beach in the city centre. Available for young people. We take a taxi and from no where a “beach resort” pop ups. This is an area for the whole family to relax and spend a day. You have play ground areas, splash pools for small children, beach volley ball field, area for soccer and Boule and loads of bars and restaurants. The “resort” is called a sports club and an entrance fee is charged. We come here to observe youths but we find people in all ages. What strikes us as amazing is that we find a beach in town.
Länkar från "Digital Boheme Marcus"
http://WeAreWhiteLabel.com
http://kosmar.de/
http://www.openbc.com/go/invite/64461.79bde6
http://www.linkedin.com/in/markusangermeier
http://twitter.com/kosmar
http://kosmar.ipernity.com/
http://kosmar.de/
http://www.openbc.com/go/invite/64461.79bde6
http://www.linkedin.com/in/markusangermeier
http://twitter.com/kosmar
http://kosmar.ipernity.com/
lördag 22 september 2007
Mix of old values & international dreams
German girls age 15 & 16.
Extra money will be spent on material things like hopping clothes & make up. A day without school is about sleeping (!) meeting freinds and hang out in shoppingcentres, discos and chatting on Myspace.com. Getting older they value the old traditional core family stuff like getting hildren, a nice house and a good job, they like. (observation: they do not express prestigious jobs, big carreer nor earning lots of money as the main thing about a "good job" - more a job I like...). Happiness is about being with family at Christmas and birthdays - and hanging out with friends (obersvation: the socialising with close family and friends are core values for them). They fear loosing their parents (observation; war, terrorism, illness, natural disasters etc are NOT their first obsion here - they simply do not worry about these things - similar reaction amongst the other teenagers we met). Travelling is about going to "far away places" where America is top of the list.
They look like the youth lifestyle group: the Emos (black clothes etc)
fredag 21 september 2007
Pubcrawl
Finally, the time we all have been waiting for, time to explore the infamous typical czeck pubs.
We started at our hotellobby at 23.00. Anna came with the suggestion to explore them lunchtime tomorrow instead, but we all agreed that it might be a more suitable time at night compared to midday.
We took a AAA for threehundred metres to a bar we had been recommended.
The bill finished at 50 czeck crownes, and the taxi driver thought it was such a ridicusly amount, so he just mumbled something to us and took off without taking any money.
Birthe was happy.
The first pub we walked in to a big, longhaired man with dirty clothes walked up to me and just stared.
"Hello" I tried
No answer
"Are you open?"
"Closed"
The ladys started to walk around inside the pub to take some pictures. A lot of people, tired of life, was sitting around in different corners drinking staropramen.
Birthe walks up to the man to check if it's not possible to get a drink.
"Closed!" he answers, turns around walks away and adds "bye bye".
We didn't feel welcome so we continued down the street to a "Live music bar"
We walked down some some stairs and in to the "Live music bar"
I don't know the definition of live music i Prague, but this was very loud arabian music from a stereo that a hippie girl played bongo's to.
We walked out. Better luck the third time. We stopped at "Norton's bar club" to get a cola light. It was so packed inside that we had to take the drinks outside.
We observed the bar for a while. No specific music playing, a bright establishment. Packed with a very variated crowd. This bar didn't have any "nisch" at all. I wonered how that much people could end up here.
The people became more and more drunk, and we decided to call it a night when a fat czeck guy walked up and grabbed Christians halsduk.
We started at our hotellobby at 23.00. Anna came with the suggestion to explore them lunchtime tomorrow instead, but we all agreed that it might be a more suitable time at night compared to midday.
We took a AAA for threehundred metres to a bar we had been recommended.
The bill finished at 50 czeck crownes, and the taxi driver thought it was such a ridicusly amount, so he just mumbled something to us and took off without taking any money.
Birthe was happy.
The first pub we walked in to a big, longhaired man with dirty clothes walked up to me and just stared.
"Hello" I tried
No answer
"Are you open?"
"Closed"
The ladys started to walk around inside the pub to take some pictures. A lot of people, tired of life, was sitting around in different corners drinking staropramen.
Birthe walks up to the man to check if it's not possible to get a drink.
"Closed!" he answers, turns around walks away and adds "bye bye".
We didn't feel welcome so we continued down the street to a "Live music bar"
We walked down some some stairs and in to the "Live music bar"
I don't know the definition of live music i Prague, but this was very loud arabian music from a stereo that a hippie girl played bongo's to.
We walked out. Better luck the third time. We stopped at "Norton's bar club" to get a cola light. It was so packed inside that we had to take the drinks outside.
We observed the bar for a while. No specific music playing, a bright establishment. Packed with a very variated crowd. This bar didn't have any "nisch" at all. I wonered how that much people could end up here.
The people became more and more drunk, and we decided to call it a night when a fat czeck guy walked up and grabbed Christians halsduk.
Hollywood of Europe - Barrandow Film Studios - Prague
We all have a secret dream: to become rich and famous. So we went to the place in Tjeck republic where those dreams come true. The 160.000 m2 Barrandow Film Studios on top of the hill overlooking Prague is an impressing sight!
General opservations:
Anyway we are expected and the marketing director Jan Susta
The very first impression looking at the main building and entering the reception : "is this it?"
Words like: Humble, plain, boring, grey comes into mind.
Where are all the flashy posters, colours, filmstars and glamourous visual effects that you would expect from "Hollywood"?
Anyway we are expected and the marketing director Jan Susta meets us in a likewise boring and plain conference room.
He - on the other hand - is very good looking...
A trendy "mediaguy" withe the right shues (as Anna noticed).
During the interview we begin to understand what the first impression is really about: Proudness, respect for the artwork, Tjeck (and Barrandow) tradition and culture.
Interview highlights
Three most important trends for the future
1. Globalisering:
1. Globalisering:
70% of all movies are produced in other countries (in Europe London, Berlin and barrandow in Prague). Drivers are price, localtion facilities & surroundings – important for the actors etc.
2. Digitalisering.
2. Digitalisering.
DVDformat shooting. Distribution of the films to cinemas etc. will be purely digital
3. Internet.
3. Internet.
Mainly in terms of distribution & marketing strategies the web media is essential. Including communities.
Customer behavior changes in the future
1. Customer behavior do not change that much! And the film industry is also rather conservative.
2. We will see more “slade films” to keep the sudience retention over a longer period.(eg. Lord of the Rings).
3. Movies in cinemas will become longer. Today average 2.5 hours (few years ago a movie only lasted 1.5 hours).
4. More demand for local films – Of non americal films Tjeck films are nrb 3 in Europe (most seen is french films).
5. Local film content is more and more about daily life amongst the population (ie not histopricqal, international etc). Pushing Tjeck people to the cinemas using popular local actores & directors.
1. Customer behavior do not change that much! And the film industry is also rather conservative.
2. We will see more “slade films” to keep the sudience retention over a longer period.(eg. Lord of the Rings).
3. Movies in cinemas will become longer. Today average 2.5 hours (few years ago a movie only lasted 1.5 hours).
4. More demand for local films – Of non americal films Tjeck films are nrb 3 in Europe (most seen is french films).
5. Local film content is more and more about daily life amongst the population (ie not histopricqal, international etc). Pushing Tjeck people to the cinemas using popular local actores & directors.
Industrial framework that will influence yout business
Legal & economic.
Legal & economic.
Tax incentives (subsidy of foreign production). Increasing threat.
This will move the production to even chaeper locations in Hungary, UK and germany. Tjeck government does not offer this subsidy yet.
Innnovation at Barrandow?
1. Barrondow support the development og young talents via student film festivals in the country.
2. The FAMU (film university) in Prague is the place where all coming film directors are “cultivated”. Focus on the creativity handicraft – films are all about creative minds.
This will move the production to even chaeper locations in Hungary, UK and germany. Tjeck government does not offer this subsidy yet.
Innnovation at Barrandow?
1. Barrondow support the development og young talents via student film festivals in the country.
2. The FAMU (film university) in Prague is the place where all coming film directors are “cultivated”. Focus on the creativity handicraft – films are all about creative minds.
3. How to direct “storytelling” is also a focus ara.
4. At barrandow they are creating a mediapark – to support the creativity.
5. A balance between commerciality vs. creativity of the artist/director.
4. At barrandow they are creating a mediapark – to support the creativity.
5. A balance between commerciality vs. creativity of the artist/director.
Corporate culture & values
* Culture very important at Barrandow. Humble, non fancy style is a deliberate choice.
* In the spirit of the founders. The original building from 1931 is still the same on top
of the hill overlooking Prague. Lots of studios etc. has been added to the premises –
but the main building is filled with pride and the company story.
* Confidence & pride internally sells the product externally
* Tradition and real people…. Roland Polandski said when he produced Oliver Twist:
“I feel better here”.
We got to see the costumes & props localities (some 2-3 giant buildings). Costumes from the Gothic period were dominant. We tried on nice hats... The costumes are really handled with care and respect!
* In the spirit of the founders. The original building from 1931 is still the same on top
of the hill overlooking Prague. Lots of studios etc. has been added to the premises –
but the main building is filled with pride and the company story.
* Confidence & pride internally sells the product externally
* Tradition and real people…. Roland Polandski said when he produced Oliver Twist:
“I feel better here”.
We got to see the costumes & props localities (some 2-3 giant buildings). Costumes from the Gothic period were dominant. We tried on nice hats... The costumes are really handled with care and respect!A tour on foot around the set construction area, stages, and Europes largest soundproof stage (4000 m2) really gave the impresion of big movies beeing made here.
They do the whole scale here. Films like; Mission Impossible, Amadeus, Oliwer Tvist, Brothers Grimm, Casino Royale etc.
Observing people we notice a hetic environment - they are all very busy almost running around. They talk enthuiastic about Barrandow and the commitment of their colleges working there.
Some 350 people are on permanent employment - the rest is hired in for specific talks/films.
They do the whole scale here. Films like; Mission Impossible, Amadeus, Oliwer Tvist, Brothers Grimm, Casino Royale etc.
Observing people we notice a hetic environment - they are all very busy almost running around. They talk enthuiastic about Barrandow and the commitment of their colleges working there.
Some 350 people are on permanent employment - the rest is hired in for specific talks/films.
Biodynamic dinner
We have previously read about the bio trend in Germany with big supermarket chains.
Now the turn has come to Prague, when Thorslund and Madsen got in a room together and after a lot of researching found Albio - A Bio dynamic restaurant.
We entered an entrance which Madsen didn't see, continued walking and almost got lost.
It was wooden sticks hanging in the roof in a bright former shop, easy furniture and five hippies sourrounding us.
We ordered Biodynamic grilled goatcheese, biodynamic toast with hummos, biodynamic apple cider and biodynamic red wine.
The goat cheese, wine and cider was OK and the hummos wans't.
It was a fun experience and it resulted in a lot of laughs, but also some questions were brought up.
Why not make this a nice and cosy dining experience instead of a bright room that reminds you of a biology classroom? Why not make it more visible from outside the street? And why does the hummos taste like sandpaper?
Now the turn has come to Prague, when Thorslund and Madsen got in a room together and after a lot of researching found Albio - A Bio dynamic restaurant.
We entered an entrance which Madsen didn't see, continued walking and almost got lost.
It was wooden sticks hanging in the roof in a bright former shop, easy furniture and five hippies sourrounding us.
We ordered Biodynamic grilled goatcheese, biodynamic toast with hummos, biodynamic apple cider and biodynamic red wine.
The goat cheese, wine and cider was OK and the hummos wans't.
It was a fun experience and it resulted in a lot of laughs, but also some questions were brought up.
Why not make this a nice and cosy dining experience instead of a bright room that reminds you of a biology classroom? Why not make it more visible from outside the street? And why does the hummos taste like sandpaper?
Conservative Checks regarding media mogul
Responsible for B2B magazines in publishing house and he lecture in “theory of publishing” at the university. Examples on magazine; marketing, retail, hotel & spa business.
Trend in publishing is that people want to read less and less or rather that they want only the mot important content to be summed up in up to 30 lines. Not more! This due to more and more information, faster paste I life. They want to get the feeling of being informed in “the information ghetto” as he calls it. Magazine has the same stile as always though, there might be more of them in the market but they have not developed. When creating magazines and being innovative he says he looks at the west way of doing it. Most important influences for the Check are Germany (he even calls the Check people as small Germans). Everything from cars, clothes and cheap food. The Check are just as price concerned as Germans. Sweden, Holland and Belgium are the other origin of strong influences. The UK magazines do not work. Most popular magazine “themes” are; cooking, science (high tech things) and lifestyle.
When starting to talk about the Check people he describes them as very conservative and anti capitalism. They where thrilled when entering the “west way” but are now rather disappointed and want to draw back into the old ways. “We live in the past” he says. He describes them as active. Going out in the nature or into a bar to meet with friends and family is a popular way of spending spare time. He clames that they take more and more time from work to spare time. General attitude is: why should I work so much? Until 5 is enough and then I want to have my time off. People have more money to spend and they spend it. Mainly on bars and restaurant visits, cinema and theatre. The spending on magazines is decreasing.
He thinks that approx. 50 % of the Check people are online. Young people use for email, chat and shopping he does not talk about the social communities as a big thing though.
We enter the Academic subject he says that he consider the quality of education to be in level with German.
Food culture
In Prague they haven't really come as far as Berlin in branding food...
But it as a local touch!
Transportation in Prague
When we jumped off the train in the smelly, dirty and old Prague trainstation, we thought we were well prepared on what to come.
We've read in beforehand that you can only trust one taxi company in Prague, the AAA taxi's.
Of course there was no AAA taxi's available, so we took the only cab there was, a red one. He wanted 700 czeck crownes for it. Birthe took up the biggest calculator ever seen in Prague and kept saying "Dette stemmer da slet ikk".
Everyone was to tired and the taxidriver had already packed the luggage in so we went for it.
After a very bumpy ride we were dropped off by the hotel and Birthe was about to pay when she got 100 crownes less back.
"You had luggage" the driver explained.
"No f*cking way" Birthe replied and grabbed 100 crownes more straight out of his wallet.
The journey was supposed to cost 300 crownes, so after that we always went with triple A.
We've read in beforehand that you can only trust one taxi company in Prague, the AAA taxi's.
Of course there was no AAA taxi's available, so we took the only cab there was, a red one. He wanted 700 czeck crownes for it. Birthe took up the biggest calculator ever seen in Prague and kept saying "Dette stemmer da slet ikk".
Everyone was to tired and the taxidriver had already packed the luggage in so we went for it.
After a very bumpy ride we were dropped off by the hotel and Birthe was about to pay when she got 100 crownes less back.
"You had luggage" the driver explained.
"No f*cking way" Birthe replied and grabbed 100 crownes more straight out of his wallet.
The journey was supposed to cost 300 crownes, so after that we always went with triple A.
torsdag 20 september 2007
Arraving in Prague
At once everything looks more as our assumptions about "East".
Everything is old, worn down and dirty. It smells rather bad, sweat and cigarette smoke and alcohol. We keep an extra eye on our luggage.
When getting down town however the whole city looks lke a scenary from a movie.
Everything is old, worn down and dirty. It smells rather bad, sweat and cigarette smoke and alcohol. We keep an extra eye on our luggage.
When getting down town however the whole city looks lke a scenary from a movie.
Hotel Metamorphis
The hotel was described as a genuine Tcheck one. To be honest we are not impressed in any way. We notice that the personnel get rather when we want to order food or ask for help.
From trendy Berlin to Prague futher east by TRAIN
Schibo - a famous German concept. Very innovative. Combine a coffeebar with a retail shop. And the change the retail offers each week. "Jedes woche eine neue welt".
Afternoon - on our way to a new country and city. The proud beautiful city of Prague in Tjeck republic. Traveling "slow" and environmental friendly we take the train. A 5 hour ride on 2. class. No wireless internet... However preparing for the blogging, discussion the observations from Berlin, reading German trendy youth magazines like NEON, Blond, as well as the German version of our weekly gossip magazines. Observations: Youth magazines are quite "deep" in their articles. Lots of content about travelling, studying, fashion and music. Less about technology (new mobile phones, web communities etc).
Travelling by train is an experince. 3 times passpots had to be presented. Boarderpolice sat in a specific coach drinking alcohol...
Defenitely not a luxury train. Dining coach was available - we did not try it. Had brought local snacks.
Arriving late in the evening the surch for a place to withdraw Tjeck krones begin!...
Travelling by train is an experince. 3 times passpots had to be presented. Boarderpolice sat in a specific coach drinking alcohol...
Defenitely not a luxury train. Dining coach was available - we did not try it. Had brought local snacks.
Arriving late in the evening the surch for a place to withdraw Tjeck krones begin!...
Sony center
Sony has build up a center ot rather a shopping mall/ square. This is where our german youths takes us. They say that they come here to vist the cinema and to hang out. It's a high tech milleu, everthing is build in "glas" with huge TV screens on the walls that show commercials, suround system you feel like you've come to the States.
Ghetto or multicultural trendy community?
Oranienstrasse – Kreutzberg. Multi cultural community or a turkish ghetto?
The multi etnic area of Berlin Mitte.
Restaurants from all parts of the world, from Sushi to Mexican
Shops with all sorts of products from around the world.
Mostly Turkish inhabitants
Turkish mafia…
Colourful street
Messy and confusing impression.
Noisy
Biological supermarkets
The bars are very anonymous – and hidden behind wooden doors. You must know where they are…
Local and national delicacies in lots of the small shops
Turlish delight (baklava) best shop in town lies here.
Unemployment high
Crime level high (one of the highest in Berlin)
The multi etnic area of Berlin Mitte.
Restaurants from all parts of the world, from Sushi to Mexican
Shops with all sorts of products from around the world.
Mostly Turkish inhabitants
Turkish mafia…
Colourful street
Messy and confusing impression.
Noisy
Biological supermarkets
The bars are very anonymous – and hidden behind wooden doors. You must know where they are…
Local and national delicacies in lots of the small shops
Turlish delight (baklava) best shop in town lies here.
Unemployment high
Crime level high (one of the highest in Berlin)
2 major opinions amongst the public. Either they love the place or they hate the place!
"Dont go there after 20.00 in the evening!" is a comment...
BERLIN YOUNG GUNS
Lula 15 years, Sara and Julia 20, Marcel 23, Tomas 19.
Lifestyles for young Berliners
Lula, who is 15 years old explains that it is a lot of different groups in her school who are influenced by various styles. The “Emo’s” are listening to a lot of modern punk rock, like My Chemical Romance, that are just a little bit revolutionary and don’t want to grow up to an establishment. They wear black clothes and can be considered as a “nice and pretty” type of punk’s. They are the new trendy gothics.
The “macho’s” wear a lot of pink and white clothes. They are influenced by the gangster culture from USA and often think that life is tough in Berlin. They listen a lot to Hip hop. This group also continues being like this
There is also a group of skaters who of course skates in baggy trousers and a group of reggae people, who smokes weed and listens to reggae and dancehall music.
Our teenagers don’t consider themselves to be a part of any specific groups and they mostly like alternative electronic and rock music.
How does your future look like?
In common for all our teenagers except from Lula is that everyone wants to go abroad and live there, if not for their whole lifetime, at least for the experience. They would like to go to countries far away. They don’t think it’s anything wrong with Germany, nut as one of the newly moved youth to Berlin put’s it; “I’ve made it to Berlin already, why stop here?”
They mention how easy it is to go abroad now compared to when their parents was younger. A lot of stipendiums is easily accessible and the youngsters feel like they are a part of a global community. Marcel says “ Life is to short to only live in one country.”
Tomas wants to move to California, have a lot of money and constantly be exposed to sunshine.
Mostly our teenagers wants to wait until after their thirties to get family and children. Travelling, studying and building a career is far more appealing between 20-30. Lula don’t totally agree, she would like to study, but in Berlin and she would like to have a family in her early 20’s.
Here are the answers to our questions asked to our young people
1000 Euro (Travel, mobile phone, shopping)
- Really special travelling far far away. Back packer way. Overseas travelling; Japan, New Zealand, Australien, USA.
- Newest mobile phone nice and different from others.
- Saving some money – to feel safe.
- Clothes.
A day off (friends, experinces, make the most of it, live online)
- Experiences. As much as possible. Waiste no time. Bigger event in the evening
- Relax (sleeping). “I work 9 hours a day 5 days a week. On my day off I will sleep long.”
- Hang out with friends (bars, café, shopping)
- Absolutely not visiting internet cafés. “what should we do there?”. We chat and are online ALL DAY LONG”.
- Hang out online ;Lokalisten.de (PRO 7). Tv channel behind a big social network. Schuelervz.de – they all use it.Youtube.com, Facebook.com
- “I was without internet for 1 week when I moved to
- Observation: Web is for free.
- Poker
- Chatting with friends about: last week, apartments, funny news, latest event
- Music: Dance Hall, Electro, Indipop, Reagge, Country
- Motto: “I google it”, I live online
Worst case scenario in 10 years (no changes)
- Stay in the same city, same job, same rutines
- No personal development
- Stay home and take care of others (haus frau)
- Waiste their time
Greatest fear (the close things vs. war & terrorism)
1. Loose contact with friends (be alone no friends)
2. Loose your job
3. Become very ill
4. Loosing what you have built up (what you have)
Observation: No fear or worry on a daily basis regarding war, terrorism nor natural disasters etc. We even needed to ask directly! No interest in politics nor the world around them (is there to explore in a positive way.)
What makes you happy (Live in the present)
- Successful in what I do
- Accomblish and implement what is planned
- Really LIVE & DO things
- Spend time with friends (and family second)
- Professional success
- Graduation from school
- Do your own things (what is interesting for me)
- Job & girlfriend
- Observation: They do not care about carrer as in high level jobs nor prestige. It is more important that what they do is right for them!
Live in the present as much as possible is crucial for them.
Which countries to visit/live in (move TO vs. not AWAY from)
- Everywhere – “we are international!”
Observation: They want to move TO a new place. NOT away from
Gift shop in kiosk out fit
On Kastanien Alle we saw a gift shop with most products displayed in he window. Like a kiosk we could buy the gifts over the counter in the displaying window. The products where change every second week hence there were always new gifts to be found.
Interview with a 25 year old skater, “this guy is too cool for school”
On all our questions he answeres that he wants to drink.
100 Euro – drink
Day off – drink
What makes happy – drink
Greatest fear – to skate and hurt him self
In 10 years he will – drink
100 Euro – drink
Day off – drink
What makes happy – drink
Greatest fear – to skate and hurt him self
In 10 years he will – drink
IT nerd observation
In the Digital Boheme café they play Britt pop music, dress like the hip and trendy – IT technical freak meets art world. The old fashion IT nerd has become hot.
Prof. Drüner on web 2.0, communities and the online World
Prof. Dr. Marc Drüner, Innovation & Media management Steinbeis University Berlin (private)
Observations:
A goodlooking, smiling, sun tanned, fit and VERY trendy professor meet us for ½ hour interview. Luckily we got 2 hours.
4 major areas of observations and statements.
1. Analysis /Attention management
- “Arena thinking”, i.e. in the fight for attention, don’t forget the surrounding world; not only the closest competitors fight for your customers attention and in the long run money
- Topic specific sites and communities may be “cut” differently, look at the users interest, not own business limits
- digg.com
2. Web 2.0 is definetely here to stay.
- Content driven communities where the users create the content via their own experiences. Eg. Programmableweb.com
- Massups (user generated content) services for different target groups
- Facebooks is an industry in itself
- Community in Germany was 2% in 2000. Today 16% of germans are part of a community on the web.
- Innovation is created by new content built by the users themselves! Brilliant.
- Communities belong to all ages. Generation 45+ is just as active as the unger generation.
- Internal communities within the company
3. Behavior & media
- The big new thing is the shift between offline and online marketing
- The “old” industry (media agencies) holds on to their old business model.
- Consumer behavior has NOT changed! But the channel has changed
- The tipical consumer behavior both online and offline
- Local, personal and regional experiences are of interest to the individual
- Retention and involvement management is the KEY in the future (via communities).
- In 5-10 years all industries will have a mix of online and offline channels.
4. Vertical travel industry
- Holiday and travel is a highly emotional product – perfect for the web 2.0
- Experiences are the most important thing for people – and to share them with others is even better.
- Using communities, user driven content and start with a selected areas of interest to the customers is the way to move forward
- Nice brand and big companies are commercial – users know that. As long as the site facilitates the content creation this is fine with the consumers
- LET GO OF THE CONTROL…Let the users built the site…But before launching, be aware that considerable internal resources are needed!
- Infiltrations of communities is possible – but not recommendable.
- Travel shops will remain. New form (conceptstores, megastores) with focus on experiences with all senses (not a salesperson and a catalogue).
- Less but bigger travel shops
- Blue concepts community
A session worth thinking about!
Cookies club one of the hottest places in town.
Completely anonymys entrance – we understand that this is cool. ;) We enter in through a heavy door. You walk down a concrete hall way and after checking in we go through this shabby tiny room (Lottie and Birthe looks around with confused eyes – Is this it?!) We have to enter yet another doorway and then Voila! A huge room, electro music and a lot of trendy people (imagine the classical “art director look”). What surprises us is that you see ages from 18 to 40. We feel to mainstream and have a hard time finding our party mood.
Luxury fast food
Once again we arrive at a place that cook the food in front of you – honest – we are starting to really appreciate to really see what the chef does! I can ask as they prepare my food and they tell me what they do – kind of like a TV cooking show although I get to decide what’s to be and can interview the professional. Everything looks delicious. It’s beautifully fronted, herbs, bread, oils. Everything is echologic and you have the possibility to choose the more healthy Dinkel pasta. We use a card that we got in the entrance to pay with. You can as you eat and want more beverage or a dessert afterwards just add on this to your card, when leaving you give the card to the cashiers and pay your “end bill”. Very smart business as your add on purchases are so easy to make! A really nice real time experience!
Taxi drive in the east
When going back to the DDR hostel by taxi after a night down town Christian and Anna gets to taste a bit of hard core German music. A dramatic, hard rock/ heavy electro/ violins when driving through blocks of concrete houses. When looking up to the very top of ob´ne we see a big sign - Das Neue Deutschland – we find it anything but neu.
White Trasch - cool bar
The it place in Berlin. A large bar with interior like a classical Chinese bar with the difference that it is stuck filled with all kind off junk from all over the world. Open every night of the week and always a ove band. Every day of the week with it’s particulat kind of music e.g. Monday= country night. The staff have as a job description to be rude – it’s true!
Cassiopeia: New talents or the "outcasts" of society
Cassiopeia – Bottom of society or emerging talents?
The German version of Cristiania in Denmark. Cassiopeia is a company owned by a coorporation (non profit). Originally built to offer a place to hang out for the youth and alternative artists community. Is free to use for all.
Concert, exibitions, sportsarena (wall climbing, skateboard track etc) café. Bicycle reparation, cheramic fabrication and lots of other activities. Summertime full of people. Open air music.
The German version of Cristiania in Denmark. Cassiopeia is a company owned by a coorporation (non profit). Originally built to offer a place to hang out for the youth and alternative artists community. Is free to use for all.
Concert, exibitions, sportsarena (wall climbing, skateboard track etc) café. Bicycle reparation, cheramic fabrication and lots of other activities. Summertime full of people. Open air music.
Lots of street-art (grafitti) all over the place.
Lots of beer consumption took place. Few people around. Anna was threatned to erase her fotos of local people (big negro).We were offered to buy haches and stuff…People lived in old, miserable buildings. Most of them were stoned or drunk. Young skaters in the arena. We asked them:“what would you do if you got a 100 Euro”: Drink beer…If you got a day off?: Drink more beer etc.
Lots of beer consumption took place. Few people around. Anna was threatned to erase her fotos of local people (big negro).We were offered to buy haches and stuff…People lived in old, miserable buildings. Most of them were stoned or drunk. Young skaters in the arena. We asked them:“what would you do if you got a 100 Euro”: Drink beer…If you got a day off?: Drink more beer etc.
A local girl (29 years) showed us around and consumed 3 bottles of beer during the walk.
We wonder if this community creates new talents (artists, sport, music) or if the place is more a gathering place for those lost by the “normal society”.
Cheap, honest and good quality food at Japaneese restaurant
Dinner at Japanese restaurant (Monday). Very minimalist interior and food being prepared in the open – your food is prepared and cooked live in front of you – Delicious, simple, cheap ( 6,5 Euro /main course) and honest. Business idea: high volume but still with a good quality.
Politzei
In Berlin it’s illegal to cross the street when it’s red light and the police is making a lot of money on this certain days when they decide to have officers standing by every red light fining people.
On three different locations the same day we saw policeofficers just stopping all people who crossed the street when it’s red and fining them 15 euros.
Since we have been experiencing problems withdrawing money and couldn’t afford to pay any fines, Marie decided to better be safe than sorry; “We should just cross the street where it’s no lights at all!”
Spindler und Klatt – eine uber trendich restaurang
Our dear guides from Sholtz and friends booked this restaurant for us and we didn’t know anythin about it when we jumped in to the taxi. It took us to the outer part of Berlins Kreutzberg area and dropped us outside an old warehouse building by the water. It took us a while to find the entrance and spontaunous we felt a bit insecure of where we are and what we were supposed to do here.
Our guides Christian, Tzveta and Ingmar showed us to the entrance which was a big closed warehouse door without any sign of being anything else than a door to a warehouse.
We entered and a huge space with tables and beds opened up to us inside this old industry building. Large white sheets was hanging from the roof, some discolamps lid up the sheets with different patterns and everything was accompanied with hip music.
We lied down in two beds and ordered classy drinks and nice food.
During weekdays Spinkler and Klatt is in first hand a restaurant but during the weekends the tables are wiped off the floor and it transforms in to a club.
A very hip and trendy spot with well dressed young people, where also they stuffed icecubes in to the mens urinoar.
“We don’t know the exact purpose of this, but it is a very soathing feeling to melt away the icecubes” Ingmar and Christian explained.
DDR Hostel
We have trouble finding it and when arriving we find the hotel more an interesting than agreeable experience. EVERYTHING in interior design is from the old DDR times. Marie and Anna decides to share room due to the unsafe feeling the hostel gives us. In the morning we get sent out around the building to get to our breakfast restaurant. This is however more of an truck driver hill billy place. Wall to wall carpets, cigarette smoke like a fog, and people looking like your DDR expectations. We get to Brötchen, a sweety piece of chees and some sausage. Next to us in the window there is an over filled ash tray.
Design Hotel Propeller Island, Berlin
Small, hidden, very odd hotel on the 1. floor near Kursfürstendam.
From the lightening and sign outside the hotel looks more like a brothell.
42 rooms all different in size, shape and interioral design. Decorated and built by different artists. Guests can leave a sign on the doorhandle – “inviting other guests to see their room”. '
From the lightening and sign outside the hotel looks more like a brothell.
42 rooms all different in size, shape and interioral design. Decorated and built by different artists. Guests can leave a sign on the doorhandle – “inviting other guests to see their room”. '
We stayed in 5 different rooms;
“Up side down”: Lottie
“Coffins”: Marie & Anna
“Therapie”. Birthe
“Blue Room”: Christian
“Nightlight”: Marie & Anna
Staff was young and to the “bohëme side”. Barefeet, organge socks, confused and smiling.
Customers were a mix of ages, musicians, nationalities and even a business looking couple. Price average 90 Euro/room pr. Night.
A visit to remember!
“Up side down”: Lottie
“Coffins”: Marie & Anna
“Therapie”. Birthe
“Blue Room”: Christian
“Nightlight”: Marie & Anna
Staff was young and to the “bohëme side”. Barefeet, organge socks, confused and smiling.
Customers were a mix of ages, musicians, nationalities and even a business looking couple. Price average 90 Euro/room pr. Night.
A visit to remember!
tisdag 18 september 2007
Mote med den digatala bohemen Markus
Markus var val den kompletta motsatsen mot Oliver. Han ar en frilansande, inbiten IT bohem, som ej vill styras for mycket av foretag och chefer, utan uppskattar friheten att sjalv valja vad man vill jobba med.
Han berattar att han tillbringar runt 20 timmar framfor skarmen per dag, varpa Marie utbrister "Do you actually have a life?!"
Markus svarar att han faktiskt har en familj och vanner, men tillagger ocksa att IT livet ocksa ar ett liv i samma bemarkelse som det "fysiska".
Vi traffar Markus pa Obenholtz, ett internet kafe inriktat till IT bohemer. Markus tillbringar bara runt 5 timmar i veckan har, medans manga andra sitter har hela dagar.
ALLA som sitter pa Obenholtz har en laptop med sig och ar fullstandigt fokuserade pa sina skarmar.
Markus njuter av sitt te med ingefara, bara ett av manga halsote'er som Obenholtz erbjuder till sina annars standigt rokande IT narkomaner.
Markus ar helt overtygad om att framtiden ligger i mobilt interner via telefoner, att man var som helst, kan fa tips pa restauranger, adresser till hotell etc.
Han berattar att han tillbringar runt 20 timmar framfor skarmen per dag, varpa Marie utbrister "Do you actually have a life?!"
Markus svarar att han faktiskt har en familj och vanner, men tillagger ocksa att IT livet ocksa ar ett liv i samma bemarkelse som det "fysiska".
Vi traffar Markus pa Obenholtz, ett internet kafe inriktat till IT bohemer. Markus tillbringar bara runt 5 timmar i veckan har, medans manga andra sitter har hela dagar.
ALLA som sitter pa Obenholtz har en laptop med sig och ar fullstandigt fokuserade pa sina skarmar.
Markus njuter av sitt te med ingefara, bara ett av manga halsote'er som Obenholtz erbjuder till sina annars standigt rokande IT narkomaner.
Markus ar helt overtygad om att framtiden ligger i mobilt interner via telefoner, att man var som helst, kan fa tips pa restauranger, adresser till hotell etc.
Social community - SchuelerVZ
Från 3 till 300 anställda på mindre än 3 år.
SchuelerVZ och StudiVZ är egentligen en "rip off" av Facebook. En tysk kille var i USA för tre år sedan och blev inspirerad, åkte hem till Tyskland och startade upp det hela. Till en början gick han själv runt och rekryterade men efter det har det vuxit explosionsartat.
Vi möts av en ung kille som måste varit i 23-24 årsåldern och VD för Schueler VZ (delen av nätverket som är för high school ungdommar). Oliver. HAn är superivrig och berättar med hela hjärtat om nätverket. När vi går runt i deras lokaler slås vi av den låga medelåldern hos e anställda ca 23 år. Ljudnivån i det öppna kontorslandskapet är mkt låg och då vi frågar om varför så svarar Oliver att de lärt sig att de behöver en lägre volym för att kunna vara effektivt kreativa.
Funktioner på SchuelerVZ är mkt lika orginalet Facebook
-Grupper
-Foton som du taggar till
-och Pokefunktion... det här är spännande - de har lyckats mynta ett nytt ord via Schueler: Gruschel (en blandning av knuscheln=mysa, hångla och grüssen=hälsa) Fantastiskt att skap ett eget ord!
Det som får soc. communities att växa så lavinartat enl. Oliver är "self expression" vi vill tala om vilka vi är och synas på nätet.
De utvecklas i symbios med sina användare; medlemmarna talar om vad de vill ha annorlunda eller om nya grejer som de vill ha.
Det är en spegel av verkligenheten. Så här finns såklart även mindre bra bitar som drug dealing och brottslighet. De har därfö en 50-60 anställda som kontrollerar att innehållet är legalt.
Ftg. kan köra annonskampanjer och skapa grupper för kampanjer. " månaders-kampanj kostar 15-20 000 Euro.
Framtiden beskriver han som mobilen, PC och TV helt sammankopplat och att användaren också skapar content.
SchuelerVZ och StudiVZ är egentligen en "rip off" av Facebook. En tysk kille var i USA för tre år sedan och blev inspirerad, åkte hem till Tyskland och startade upp det hela. Till en början gick han själv runt och rekryterade men efter det har det vuxit explosionsartat.
Vi möts av en ung kille som måste varit i 23-24 årsåldern och VD för Schueler VZ (delen av nätverket som är för high school ungdommar). Oliver. HAn är superivrig och berättar med hela hjärtat om nätverket. När vi går runt i deras lokaler slås vi av den låga medelåldern hos e anställda ca 23 år. Ljudnivån i det öppna kontorslandskapet är mkt låg och då vi frågar om varför så svarar Oliver att de lärt sig att de behöver en lägre volym för att kunna vara effektivt kreativa.
Funktioner på SchuelerVZ är mkt lika orginalet Facebook
-Grupper
-Foton som du taggar till
-och Pokefunktion... det här är spännande - de har lyckats mynta ett nytt ord via Schueler: Gruschel (en blandning av knuscheln=mysa, hångla och grüssen=hälsa) Fantastiskt att skap ett eget ord!
Det som får soc. communities att växa så lavinartat enl. Oliver är "self expression" vi vill tala om vilka vi är och synas på nätet.
De utvecklas i symbios med sina användare; medlemmarna talar om vad de vill ha annorlunda eller om nya grejer som de vill ha.
Det är en spegel av verkligenheten. Så här finns såklart även mindre bra bitar som drug dealing och brottslighet. De har därfö en 50-60 anställda som kontrollerar att innehållet är legalt.
Ftg. kan köra annonskampanjer och skapa grupper för kampanjer. " månaders-kampanj kostar 15-20 000 Euro.
Framtiden beskriver han som mobilen, PC och TV helt sammankopplat och att användaren också skapar content.
Biologisk supermarket
Vi besökte Tysklands största ekologiska supermarket. Det vi hittar i små bodar hemma var här i storskaligt format. Två våningsplan med rulltrappa emellan. Priserna låg mellan 30 och 100 % över priser i vanliga tyska supermarkets (lidl, Aldi).
Det är en fräsch affär! Färgerna går i mer naturfärgat. Du kan hitta allt; blöjer, kött, kläder, vin, mejeri... allt. Här finns lekhörna för barnen (utan TV!!), kaffehörna för de vuxna, vi får också provsmaka av varorna på små smakstationer.Vid entern säljs färsk nybakat ekologiskt bröd och en uteservering utanför. Det är härlig atmosfär där du blir shoppingsugen. MArie ropar på vägen ut att det här vill hon ha hemma i Sverige!
The creative mile
"The creative mile" bestar av "Die kastanje all'e", en gata vars ena ande borjar dar vi at varan tyska currywurst och slutar dar det gigantiska omradet med 80.000 invanare, Mitte, tar vid.
Langs med denna gata och i detta omrade bor oerhort manga ungdomar och studenter, det ar billiga boenden och manga likasinnade.
Christian, varan "guide" fran Scholtz and friends berattade att denna gata kallas ocksa "The casting all'e" eftersom alla dessa ungdomar gillar att visa upp sig langs gatan, den senaste second hand koftan eller varfor inte sina slitna converse skor.
Husen i detta omrade ar nymalade for bara nagra ar sedan och tack vare det sa har gatorna fatt sig en rejal ansiktslyftning.
Nagra hus som det bor "revolutionare" ungdomar eller kollektiv i har helt sonika vagrat att mala om sina hus och man kunde se uppslag pa graa hus om hur kapitalismen forstor!
I detta omrade ar det ocksa valdigt vanligt att folk skaffar barn och bildar familj, nagot som i ovrigt ar valdigt svart i Tyskland. Manga valjer karriaren fore familjebildande.
Efter murens fall flyttade manga unga hit eftersom det var valdigt billigt, nu har dessa vaxt till sig och ar i familjestadiet.
Omradet kandes valdigt fritt och manniskorna var valdigt open minded, en harlig kreativ atmosfar, inte alls tillrattalagt.
Har ar det vanligt att stora kladesmarken och designers hyr in sig under en kort period i butikslokaler.
Det ar mycket kafe'er dar inredningen ar barnslig och lekfull, mycket pastell och plast, och kunderna verkar hellre vilja ata glass an dricka kaffe.
Pa ett kaf'e kunde man kopa "lycka". Alla mobler, smasaker gick att kopa.
Det fanns aven en trendig frisor dit partymanniskorna gick pa lordagar och borjade festen redan dar pa eftermiddagen. Man tog en kolapp och satte sig med en ol bland sina vanner och vantade pa sin tur.
Personerna som bor i Berlin - Mitte omradet ror sig valdigt sallan utanfor detta omrade, de verkar vara valdigt trendiga och alskar manniskorna som bor dar.
Nar till exempel folk fran "landet" (snarare fororterna) kommer in pa lordagar haller sig Mitte borna sig undan och valjer istallet att ga ut pa onsdagar-torsdagar.
Langs med denna gata och i detta omrade bor oerhort manga ungdomar och studenter, det ar billiga boenden och manga likasinnade.
Christian, varan "guide" fran Scholtz and friends berattade att denna gata kallas ocksa "The casting all'e" eftersom alla dessa ungdomar gillar att visa upp sig langs gatan, den senaste second hand koftan eller varfor inte sina slitna converse skor.
Husen i detta omrade ar nymalade for bara nagra ar sedan och tack vare det sa har gatorna fatt sig en rejal ansiktslyftning.
Nagra hus som det bor "revolutionare" ungdomar eller kollektiv i har helt sonika vagrat att mala om sina hus och man kunde se uppslag pa graa hus om hur kapitalismen forstor!
I detta omrade ar det ocksa valdigt vanligt att folk skaffar barn och bildar familj, nagot som i ovrigt ar valdigt svart i Tyskland. Manga valjer karriaren fore familjebildande.
Efter murens fall flyttade manga unga hit eftersom det var valdigt billigt, nu har dessa vaxt till sig och ar i familjestadiet.
Omradet kandes valdigt fritt och manniskorna var valdigt open minded, en harlig kreativ atmosfar, inte alls tillrattalagt.
Har ar det vanligt att stora kladesmarken och designers hyr in sig under en kort period i butikslokaler.
Det ar mycket kafe'er dar inredningen ar barnslig och lekfull, mycket pastell och plast, och kunderna verkar hellre vilja ata glass an dricka kaffe.
Pa ett kaf'e kunde man kopa "lycka". Alla mobler, smasaker gick att kopa.
Det fanns aven en trendig frisor dit partymanniskorna gick pa lordagar och borjade festen redan dar pa eftermiddagen. Man tog en kolapp och satte sig med en ol bland sina vanner och vantade pa sin tur.
Personerna som bor i Berlin - Mitte omradet ror sig valdigt sallan utanfor detta omrade, de verkar vara valdigt trendiga och alskar manniskorna som bor dar.
Nar till exempel folk fran "landet" (snarare fororterna) kommer in pa lordagar haller sig Mitte borna sig undan och valjer istallet att ga ut pa onsdagar-torsdagar.
Curry Wurst - friterad korv badandes i ketchup och så lite Curry över
Gårdagens lunch var av typiskt Berlinskt slag. Korv som inte är kokt och inte grillad men fritterad. Mkt ketchup, Curry över och pommer frittes till med majonäs. Korvmojen, vilken är en av Berlins mest kända, låg under en tågviadukt så där imundigade vi hälsomaten med tågrälsen som tak.
Det smakade riktigt gott och vi blev mätta och belåtna!
måndag 17 september 2007
Eftermiddagskaffe på Adlon
VI blir kaffesugna och befinner oss på Unter Den LInden. Någon föreslår Starbucks, men känslan av att vi faktiskt är i Tyskland och Berlin tar över. Vi vill helt enkelt göra någonting som är unikt just för stunden och platsen. Alltså letar vi oss fram till det mest klassiska och kända Berlinhotellet: Adlon, med Brandenburger Tour precis intill. Vi väntar tålmodigt tills ett bord i kvällssolen blir ledigt, och så sitter vi och dricker kaffe i fältspatsporslin med silverkannor och skål för mjölk och socker. Brandenburgertours siluett brer ut sig framför oss imotsljuset.
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