Don't do it unless all signals are green, or orange at least. That is the lesson learned over the years by studying corporations in entering new opportunities. Andrew Campbell of Ashridge shared at societeit De Witte his viewpoints and theory about venturing. Also Cees van Rijn, CFO of Nutreco shared how his company set out in their business strategy. Afterwards an enjoyable and nice dinner. We should do this more often was the shared view. Thanks again to Kaj and his team.

The Blognomics podcasts and video podcasts are available from iTunes as of today. Another interesting development in the multimedia lab.

Last week's e-democracy conference was captured live on DAT tapes. That material we converted to MP3 today and I added an introduction explaining the different MP3 tracks (we divided the 2:30 session in several individual tracks). It was the first time I used the new radio studios at the 3d floor of the video centre at the Mediapark. Last week I was interviewed at radi0-online, today I made my own timeshifted radio. The audio will become available soon at among others blognomics. Keep your Pods ready!

In Laren I met with an expert in media, one that can distinguish between what will appeal to mass audiences and what won't. A very good skill to have in the current surroundings where more fragmented offerings will compete for consumer attention. Next to the existing TV channels, many new digital channels are being launched and IP tv is only just around the corner in large volume.

I did not go to Eindhoven only to experience the courtesy of Brabant, but I was visiting the High Tech Campus there. A joint project with Philips. Unluckily due to the car trouble I missed the guided tour over the campus, something I would like to catch up with next time.

I was on invitation of Daan Witteveen of Deloitte, who asked me to attend an interesting get-together focusing on innovation in the TMT sector. Naresh Lankhanpal gave a very good perspective on challenges that come along with innovation, one key element he highlighted was that the challenges are more around the business models, then on the technology.

Following Naresh' presentation, Harry Hendriks, CEO Philips NL shared the shift in R&D within Philips over the years, from an internal 'black box' to 'open innovation' with partners.

After the interesting keynotes some workgroups discussed innovation and its challenges further. In all an interesting and worthwhile day, with the key element missing for me, the guided tour over the campus.

Last week the A2 highway had a 90km each way traffic jam from Amsterdam to Eindhoven. When I hit the traffic jam not even 20 km's outside Amsterdam, I hoped it would not be beaten today...luckily it only was a few km's. But a fuse burnt when switching on the AC. Luckily garage Bongers in Eindhoven fixed it immediately and gave me a spare fuse to be sure, at no charge. Brabant's service is phenomenal! I needed the fuse on the way back by the way, even without switching on the AC, need to get that checked.

A nice Sunday with lots of activity. First of all ligthing candles and making an Advent decoration in Church, followed by some shopping and finally we went to Monique's housewarming. A nice happening with interesting and warm people, lot's of kids and good Surinam food. In short to make a little Roderick head spinning. Or as in the picture Astroman.

The visit of Sinterklaas to Cornelus Schuijtstraat attracts many children and parents to the little square. Not only from our own neighbourhood, but also from adjecent ones. That always brings old friends over whom I see on these kind of occaisions.

I also saw a photographer called Urandimi that posts a lot on flickr and who captures daily life and special events in Amsterdam. He is sporting a Leica Digilux 2 as his main camera, I captured him with the D-lux I as I am still awaiting the arrival of the D-lux II.

As we will be visiting Monique van Dusseldorp coming Sunday, buying a gift for Christopher Ishwardat Sandriman was on the 'to do'-list today. Roderick being an expert on children's gifts, found a nice toy for Christopher. Of course he found something for himself too. In this case magnets, which are like magic to him. Great fun to see my little boy being intrigued.

Having a good photographer like Adriaan Verstijnen around makes quite a difference. First of all, I can appear on pictures myself :) on my blog.

On the e-democracy conference we discussed the different aspects of both the digital world and democracy we a wide range of people from government, business and politicians. An interesting day with more follow up to come....

Meus and I were asked to appear in http://www.radio-online.nl tonight as introduction to the e-democracy conference tomorrow. together with Francisco van Jole and Peter de Bie we discussed the challenges of politicians in a digital environment. Tonie van Ringelestijn and Marie-Claire van den Berg were very helpful in preparation of the show, especially it was the first broadcast from the Mediapark and Meus and I were more familiar with the surrounds then they were. The show's podcast can be downloaded at the radio online website and most likely we will put a link up from blognomics. Together with Meus I had great fun, similar to the little film we made last year for the diner pensant.

Celebrating kids anniversaries one day, saying farewell to loved ones the next. Life has both sides to it. We said farewell to Caroline's grandmother today. Through our prayers and thoughts she will remain in our hearts.

The fourth birthday party for Giullia was great fun. Roderick is very close to Giullia and Duarte our God son. They played all afternoon and evening and cannot wait to see each other again.

The World telemedia 2005 exhibition and conference hit Amsterdam this week. I followed the new j-curve discussions at the participation.tv sessions hosted by the always sharp Monique van Dusseldorp. She had programmed a strong programme, bringing the latest in participation tv from all over the world. Frankwatching came and saw and probably writes a good piece on this interesting conference. Well done Monique.

When I got the 12 inch Powerbook (now in Krijn's creative posession), the possibiltiy for connecting to UMTS seems to have gone. I did not sport an UMTS phone ( I prefer the Razor/Blackberry combi) and the KPN UMTS card did not slot into the 12incher. No software to support the modem was available I thought.

Then I got the latest 15incher from Apple, which does sport a PC card slot. My hopes to use the UMTS connectivity through my KPN card went up again, helas, no software support from KPN available.

Up comes one of Holland's digitale helden, Martien Remijn. On www.m10tech.com you can find a niffty script that makes your Powerbook work just great with UMTS. With seconds of installing the software and clicking in the card, the blue light appeared an online I was on UMTS. Snazzy indeed, I am interested to see what Martien will come up with next.

Following for earlier conversations, we made a next step discussing digitale helden. We know that our nation has brought forward some good examples in the digital world, from universities, corporates, arts and entrepreneurs. Giving them the deserved exposure will help.

In The Hague communication is history.

The most important Saints period in the mind of children has started here in The Netherlands. Saint Nicolas is coming to town and before the big party of December 5, lot's of activity is starting for the kids. Roderick and Gina went to see the Saint arriving yesterday, followed by a circus too. What a day.....

Singing for candy.

Setting up an investment fund requires the right perspectives. To have a solid view on what's happening out there it pivotal.

Wind and water are key elements of the Dutch landscape. Those elements and the concept of messages in a bottle are being combined in the 'windvinder' by Wipke Iversen. She's creating a great piece of industrial art. More can be found on www.windvinder.nl.

After the great session with Wipke, we went off to do the regular meeting with lots of laptops and powerbooks.

A little late we thought about inviting Roderick Vonhoegen of catholicinsider for dinner as we were driving into Amersfoort. Unfortunately we got the voicemail...Next time with better preparation it will work out. After having had dinner at the appropriate 'Pastoor' restaurant in the lovely centre of Amersfoort we went to see the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertbuilding, who played a special concert on behalf of SOS kinderdorpen. An interesting and entertaining evening alltogehter.

Roderick is picking up the fine art of judo next to the summer sport cricket. Both sports are conducted in a nice white outfit. But when you are 4.5 years old you do not always appreciate those considerations...

In current times the egocaster has a world to conquer. Millions of new transmitters are casting their content into the online world. Some of them finding a good audience, most of them having a small following at best. All these new channels give the existing media a good opportunity to use their tools to the benefit of all. Tools to disposal are selection capabilities, quality in skills and equipment, journalistic skills and storage and search capabilities. Together new and mainstream media will be able to provide a great mix of content to the citizens and consumers.

Many have asked where the new logo is coming from. The foundation is a picture I took last holiday in Sweden when we were waiting for the ferry to take us back from Gottland to mainland Sweden. I sent the picture to Dan Smith of www.theislandartist.com who has made this Liechtenstein style work of art of it. Not only will it be a digital object as you see here, it will also appear on canvas. As soon as the canvas version arrives, I will ensure a picture of the analog version will arrive here on the blog.