The Happening Marketing delegation of HEC Montréal asked me to give a conference about the latest web trends. You can imagine my nervousness. Facing an obscene amount of new social networks, web tools, blogs that are popping out on a daily basis, multiplied by the fact that they are evolving at a furious speed, the temptation to run was fierce.

Nonetheless, I managed to stay calm enough to open the doors of the wonderful world of web strategy to those bright undergraduate students of HEC Montréal (who will clearly perform at their academic case competition :)

Here is my notepad where I have collected some statistics and figures from numerous references on the web for them.

Because it is always a work in progress, may I ask for your thoughts? Share with us the references you rely upon regarding this industry, what blogs do you read on a regular basis to stay up to date?

Regardless the cauldron mechanical malfunction and the absence of a Jamaican bobsleigh team, let’s focus today on Okanagan poet Shane Koyczan’s work. Do you agree with his definition of Canadians? Are we more? Which part of the poem moved you the most?

We Are More by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we’ve got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines

when defining Canada
it seems the world’s anthem has been
“been there done that”
and maybe that’s where we used to be at
it’s true
we’ve done and we’ve been
we’ve seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks

but when defining Canada
don’t forget to mention that we have set sparks
we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say “eh?”
and yes
we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we’re more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you’re welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be

we can stand here today
filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like “someday”
someday we’ll be great
someday we’ll be this
or that
someday we’ll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday
we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration

because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons

we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through
and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don’t have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don’t all know what it is in life we’re looking for

so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you’ve been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate

we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can’t wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
“keep exploring… we are more”

we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it’s true
Canada is the “what” in “what’s new?”
so don’t say “been there done that”
unless you’ve sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don’t say you’ve been there done that
unless you’ve been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you’ll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn’t pack for the first time
but don’t let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry

we are the true north
strong and free
and what’s more
is that we didn’t just say it
we made it be.

How do I enjoy life?
Simple: I get in the entour✭ge of amazing peeps and live their rich and famous life ^^
Again, thank you all for making me a better person.

Notwithstanding, I would like to dedicate this blog post for two of my favorites who are hanging up their racket this season, Marat Safin and Ai Sugiyama.

No matter how many tantrums this tall, dark and handsome Russian tennis player has thrown on the court, we all find Marat Safin impossible to resist. In 2000, when he pummeled Pete Sampras in the U.S. Open Final, the world believed that the young man could be No. 1 for several years to come. However, Marat Safin spent 13 seasons chasing after that success everyone predicted for him without really reaching it. Instead, we witnessed an athlete with raw talent breaking dozens of rackets, forgetting his equipment before a tournament, getting bored with interviews. As Tom Perrotta said about Marat Safin’s magical misery tour, “Sometimes he was great. Most times he was hilarious. But he always entertained.”

Some observers qualify him as a lazy player, an underachiever. Yet, let’s think about it, how can he underachieve when he is that emotional on court? In 2005, Marat Safin finally got another chance, he eliminated Roger Federer in the Australian Open semifinal to later win the title and become No. 1. Redemption some would say?

I was ecstatic to catch Marat Safin at his last Montreal Masters Series

As for Ai Sugiyama, indefatigable Japanese player, she challenged the boundaries of athletic longevity. She retired at age 34 with the all-time record, for both male and female players, for the most consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances which currently stands at 62 [1]. Not only she is one of the most consistent tour players, she is also the very first Asian to be ranked No.1 in either singles or doubles. I had the chance to watch her train at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. It is inspiring how she never loses for lack of hustle.

Honored I was to meet one of the best doubles player in the WTA tour Ai Sugiyama

Generally speaking, it seems that most self-made millionaires have dealt with important challenges before finding the road to success:

• Born in Germany, M. Jarislowsky emigrated to the United States,
• studied mechanical engineering at Cornell University,
• served the US Army,
• studied Japanese at the University of Chicago before serving in counter-intelligence in Japan after the war,
• got a MBA degree at Harvard Business School,
• worked as an engineer for Alcan Aluminium,
• started Jarislowsky, Fraser & Company Limited.

Today, he is Chairman and CEO and former President of Jarislowsky, Fraser, which he built into one of the largest and most successful investment management firms in Canada, managing assets of over $40 billion. His personal wealth has been estimated at $1.2 billion, making him the 25th richest person in Canada[1].

Not only his achievements impressed me, moreover I find his vision of life quite interesting. Stephen Jarislowsky sees the value in traveling, which gave him opportunities to learn languages, to grow accustomed to new cultures, to meet friends. I couldn’t agree more, body and mind grow closer during travels, when we get to new places where no one knows us, we become ourselves.

Furthermore, I was dumbfound when the billionaire told us he was disappointed by his education at Harvard Business School. He blames the absence of philosophy and history courses in the curriculum. He believes that a cultural background is necessary to “take the cobweb off your eyes.”

When asked about his recipe of success, Stephen Jarislowsky mentioned three fundamental virtues needed to become an outstanding manager: curiosity, knowledge and courage. “Do no not behave like others when you are not convinced by them.”

On a more debatable topic, he opined that emotions lead to nearly nothing. To his eyes, the choice between following love or responding to the call of duty is rather clear. “We need to think to survive,” he says, “I need to put value on myself, and doing so doesn’t allow me to become attached with somebody else.”

What are your thoughts on this? Do we really have to choose between love or career? Is this a quandary we have to face at a certain point of our life? Can’t we have it all?

I’m helping to raise funds to
#beatcancer
by blogging, tweeting and
posting Facebook status

Click here to join me!

Oi! I am declaring at this moment that I have another favorite TV show and it is called ‘glee‘. I just don’t know where to start. It is a quandary to decide whether it is the cheerleading coach’s daunting quotes*, the hottie professor who stars in a boys band, or the tremendous talent of McKinley High School’s glee club that threw me off my chair when I discovered this TV show. I order you to go through this awe-inspiring new comedy series. Get a sneak peak with this extended trailer.

‘Glee’ just started a few episodes ago and is already collecting marvelous critics. I believe that all high school kids should take the time to watch this series. They will initially feel the urge to dance and sing their heart out, and will also eventually accept that it is OK to be different.

Indeed, in addition to the superbly choreographed music acts, the show succeeds to deal with teenage topics like sex, eating disorders, pregnancy, homosexuality, etc. Rest assured, the adults also get their share of mid-life crisis, career’s reevaluation, couple’s drama and secret crushes. Needless to say that this astute series ‘glee’ is due to the blatant talent among the cast.

Oh yeah, speaking of pure talent, I almost forgot to tell you to tune in tonight’s episode, the recently Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth will guest star! Believe me, every episode is a palatable treat to your eyes and ears :)

*Sue Sylvester the cheerleading coach (Jane Lynch) quotes:

• “You think this is hard? I’m living with hepatitis, that’s hard!”
• “Let me be the one to break the silence. That was the most offensive thing I have seen in 20 years of teaching and that includes an elementary school production of “Hair.”
• “This is what we call a total disaster ladies, I’m going to have to ask you to smell your arm pits… That’s the smell of failure. And its stinking up my office!”

Big L ol

Every year, the Emmys not only award the most talented in the industry but also kick-off the new TV season. Have you seen how wonderfully the athletic yet luminous Neil Patrick Harris hosted that night? On his opening act, he convinced me to “Put Down the Remote”

Even Jon Stewart praised him during his acceptance speech right on stage. Let me tell you that Neil Patrick Harris deserves all those kind words. His career did survive both child stardom and coming out. And how many persons agree with me that ‘How I Met Your Mother’ wouldn’t be the same without him as Barney?

Regarding the awards, I am happy to see another successful year for Tina Fey’s brilliant series ‘30 Rock’ which won among others “Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series” (Alec Baldwin) and “Best Comedy Series”. Moreover, I was beyond ecstatic for Kristin Chenoweth’s Emmy for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series”.

If you had the occasion to discuss with me about TV, you might have witnessed how a huge fan I am for her show ‘Pushing Daisies’. If you have perused my blog, you will also remember my admiration for Kristin Chenoweth’s talent since her second episode where she was “Hopelessly Devoted to You“. With tears of joy, she adorably said “I’m unemployed now so I’d like to be on ‘Mad Men,’ I also like ‘The Office’ and ‘24.’” while accepting the award.

*Sigh* I still can’t believe that such a masterpiece has been canceled. Let’s hope that Bryan Fuller will still come up with other genius series as equivalent if not more as ‘Wonderfalls’ and ‘Pushing Daisies’.

And “anything” actually happened. Where to begin? How about upsets were all over the place? Thanks to 17-year-old Melanie Oudin, brackets busters affected the women’s top draw. To our dismay, the two Andy’s didn’t reach the semis. Also, according to Serena Williams’ t-shirt, you can’t spell dynasty without “nasty”. Could we add “You can’t threat a line judge without a tennis racket and a ball”?

Furthermore, what a men’s epic final! Who would have thought that after 22 consecutive Grand Slam semis, Roger Federer would not be able to secure a sixth US Open title? Who would have expect a new King of the Queens?

Incidentally, I wanted your thoughts about the US Open tag line “It must be love”? Do you dig it as much as I do? (FYI: tennis has a relatively complicated system of points where we can say “love” instead of “zero”) However, I must admit that I am a bit disappointed with the “It must be love” videos campaign they launched . I’m not sure they chose the best insights (no offense, but I’m convinced there is more thrilling than Andy Murray’s chin ups or Sam Querrey’s ace face).

Here’s what comes through my mind when I hear “It must be love”:

Family LOVE

After two years of “retirement”, Kim Clijsters managed to be the first unseeded woman to ever win the US Open. She also became the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 at Wimbledon. Guess who’s back!

LOVE for fashion

With mi Adidas, Melanie Oudin personally created this flashy design of her Barricade V. Every time she entered the court, she made a bold statement that she *believes* she can beat all the top players.

LOVE for the environment

Did you know that…

• 60,000 Wilson tennis balls will be reused for National Tennis Center to their community and youth programs
• Hybrid vehicles made up 52% of Lexus’ players transportation fleet
• Daily drawsheets were printed on paper containing 30% post-consumer waste
• They managed to save about 18,102 pounds CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gases

IT MUST BE LOVE FOR TENNIS

I suppose that it must be love for the sport that 721, 059 fans rushed through Billie Jean Stadium to witness all those athletes compete for $26.1 million of total prize money. In addition to that, we counted nearly 14 million activated streams on usopen.org and total viewership of CBS’ US Open broadcasts was 55.8 million.

I hope that one day, I’ll be lucky enough to go to this highest-attended annual sporting event in the world. Who’s with me? :)