Driving innovation and lessons in leadership

       "Story of what happens if you throw eight people from Ireland, South Africa, Turkey, France, Poland, Israel and Russia in one small room for ten days."         

When I saw that I was invited to Barcelona to attend a leadership course—I pondered a while. It was almost the busiest quarter of my life; not only I had to be on the road for many weeks straight but we had the ultrabook to launch; had big challenges with the world economy not being in the best of its shape. I would be taken away from the team and my life almost 11 days straight.

Ethiopian journey; how change in Africa is happening now..

I went to Ethiopia for my vacation in November, a dream place for any archeology buff, but also a great eye opener for someone who contends to run Africa for a technology company.

         

Yes, I have seen Lucy, a hundred twenty centimer tall lady in the museum. I went to see Lake Tana, the beginning of the amazing Blue Nile which

gives life to east Africa. And I did see Gonder, its palaces from which Ethiopian empire was run, so sophisticated and ahead of its time when they were built.I went up to Simian Mountains national park, stayed at the highest lodge in Africa at 3650 meters and dined together with the baboons. I shopped in the art galleries of Adis Ababa and got myself two contemporary Ethiopian paintings.

Ayse reporting from Cannes G20!

Folks, I was in Cannes B20 last week; business forum for the biggest 20 economies in the world gathering which is called the G20. It was a fabulous experience to experience something so high level; be there with world CEOs and also get to listen and sit at the same table with world leaders.

Some of my observations are below; but my most inspiring moment was when Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh said ‘Today’s youth is the most powerful generation of humankind. If they wish to change the world they can           sssssssssssssssssssssssssswith technology.’