Pride kills

"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you." -- C.S. Lewis

Every day I meet proud and arogant people . They show their pride by their looks, words, actions, gestures. In everything they do they care only about themselves, about personal "ego". I dislike them. I disrespect them. I avoid them.

Such people are cheap and dirty. They are interested only in their advantage and you can't rely on them. Most interesting is that they will never admit that they are proud and their feelings may get hurt if you make them aware of the pride that stinks.

I love what C.S. Lewis said: " They can't see what's above them...".

Probably when we all will discover what's above us, we'll look at pride from a different perspective...

Pride kills.

Elections in Romania

" I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit." John F. Kennedy

Tomorrow, May 19th, 23 million Romanians go to vote for or against their actual President, Mr. Traian Basescu. Few weeks ago the Government accused Mr.Basescu of breaking the constitution and suspended him with 322 votes against.

Tomorrow the Nation will decide if we want the same President or we should go for another one.

Personally, I believe that Mr.Basescu should remain the President of Romania. Here are my reasons:

1. Starting with the assumption that all politicians are dirty, I think Mr.Basescu is cleaner then others;

2. Even if he would of been guilty in any ways, the Government people should not do what they have done. If we, Romanians will not respect our President, nobody else will.

3. President Basescu was chosen by the Nation and it should be replaced only if the Nation decides, not a bunch of fat politicians.

4. The arguments that opposition uses to blame the actual President are the arguments that opposition is guilty of.

5. I believe that President Basescu was inconvenient for the experienced, old school politicians. Why? He is not one of them and they want to get rid of him.

It's not gonna work. The President Basescu will get rid of all the dirt bags from Romanian political stage.

Go BOSSesCOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps. If you wanted to make some money, You could bet on Mr.Basescu's re-election on www.betathome.ro If you play about 200 Euros and Mr.Basescu wins, You make extra 30 Euros. Then You can tranfer those money into my account. Ha! Just kidding. Go vote!

About nothing

"I used to believe that anything was better than nothing. Now I know that sometimes nothing is better" Glenda Jackson

There were so many things going on in the last couple weeks that I could hardly keep up with my blog. There were so many things I was going to share with you about but I wrote about...nothing.

So, today I'll write not about 9th of May, Europe's Day, when I went to some business conferences, visited Tuborg factory, saw military parade. I'll not write about amazing people I met this past several days, friends, businessmen and successful people. I'll not write about playing the Settlers of Catan on Sunday evening. I'll not write about my plans on some business ventures...

Today, I'll just write about nothing. It is only because sometimes nothing is better then anything.

Are you still with me? :)

ASE, Business School 2007

“There is only one way to make a great deal of money and that is in a business of your own.” J. Paul Getty, Former oil tycoon and once the richest man in America.

This past Friday I spoke to a group of maybe 20 young people (probably a little younger then myself :) on Entrepreneurship. They were part of Business School project 2007, a project organized by VIP student association of ASE Bucharest. It was a joy and honor to share a little about my entrepreneurial experience.

Because Friday was the last day of a 2 week training session, I felt that my audience was a little tired but it was fun.

The key note that I communicated was : Go for it! Do it! Don't waist your time!

Often I took too much time before taking an action and I lost. I have learned the lesson and I wanted to make sure they the young entrepreneurs I spoke to will not make the same mistake.

Now, they have over 1 week to come up with a business plan. The best one will get the money!

Good luck to everyone and ...go for it!!! You are the best!

Western biz ethic in Eastern Europe

" There are two levers to set a man in motion: fear and self-interest"

Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769-1821, French general and emperor

I love photography and all things related to this art. Few days ago I bought several picture frames but had a problem with one of them. Despite the warnings which are posted in most Romanian stores "No returns. No refunds" I went back to the "Kodak" store located downtown Bucharest, in Unirea store.

Initially I told my problem in a nice manner to one of the employees. He was trying to find any possbile way in order to make me understand he is not planning to change the broken picture frame.

He told me that his boss is in charge of this but will be here in couple days.

So, couple days later I went back. The boss was not there but I asked for his phone number and called him. Surprisingly, as I explained the problem I had with brand new frame I bought from his store, in a very friendly way he told me that his "employees will be more then happy to change the broken frame with a new one". It was hard to believe that he was so nice. After the convesation, the employees gave me a new picture frame :)

Apparently the new business environment is changing business ethic of business owners. Hopefully it will change the business ethic of the more employees too.

So, if you need picture stuff, go to "Kodak" Unirii. If you had any problems talk to the owner- Mr. Marinica- nice guy, great businessman.

PS. Today I am going there to buy 2 photo albums ;)