tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47661018053565481632012-02-09T08:16:52.089+01:00A personal take, from IMIM on the global and international business issues that impact on our lives and our business management practices.Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.comBlogger1081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-71492530012974725702010-10-19T10:30:00.008+02:002010-10-19T11:21:46.284+02:00

It's a busy and challenging week for governments in Europe as unpopular reforms are pushed through and cutting deficit becomes the new European Mantra. In France, what started as anger towards a disruptive, but arguably necessary pensions reform has quickly moved into a multi layered crisis. The reform will be voted through the Senate on thursday, however, around 3 million are expected to

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-5579387332239037922010-09-11T16:03:00.001+02:002010-09-11T16:05:10.720+02:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-53125964362677283212010-05-19T11:31:00.012+02:002010-05-20T07:48:38.302+02:00

Monday saw the return of British parliament to the House of Commons for the first time since the General election. It's a ceremonial affair, steeped in tradition and theatre. Black Rod summons politicians to follow him from the chamber to the House of Lords in order to hear the Royal Commission open parliament and demand the election of a new Speaker for the House of Commons. Tradition demands

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-37224830707116598532010-05-12T09:46:00.001+02:002010-05-12T09:49:36.683+02:00

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-63834444408248346722010-05-11T11:54:00.016+02:002010-05-11T12:55:07.346+02:00

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the polling booth. The UK is facing a hung parliament, not for the first time in its political history but surely the most intriguing. The conservative party with 306 seats are 20 seats short of a majority, the Labour party with 258 seats, much further behind but as former labour politician and prime minister Sir Harold Wilson once said, 'A week is

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-50205372731566877802010-04-17T08:46:00.013+02:002010-04-17T09:37:17.355+02:00

Poor old Major Tom...... He's got a lot of free time on his hands at the moment and ground control is keeping him on terra firma for the foreseeable future. As a trail of volcanic cloud continues to drift across nothern europe, the skies are closed to air traffic. The ash - a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles, drifting from 5,000ft (1,500 metres) - could be catastrophic to aircraft, hence

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-87210326062106703392010-04-01T14:46:00.016+02:002010-04-01T15:36:48.922+02:00

April 1st in many cultures is the day where pranks are played joyfully across the media. The UK is no exception and somewhere, someone in a public relations department has had a lot of fun. UK car breakdown service, the AA has announced the launch of a 'rapid response' service aimed at reaching stranded motorists no matter how bad the traffic. Rescue service members are being fitted with

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-33426434901524323132010-03-24T08:10:00.009+01:002010-03-29T10:59:22.909+02:00

It was the weekend of grand slams. First Saturday evening when France beat England, the last obstacle between them and the Six Nations trophy, then Sunday when the UMP party received a similar hammering at the hands of the Socialist party who drove home a decisive victory of 23 out of 26 regoinal councils in the run off elections. Whilst rugby supporters nurse their happy hangovers, pundits mull

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-45477015952752095762010-01-28T15:52:00.009+01:002010-01-28T16:09:24.852+01:00

In what was more a speech about the state of the President than the Nation, President Obama's first State of the Nation speech saw him rallying Democrats to stay with his ambitious legislative agenda and trying to maintain public confidence in his administration. Using a tone that was both relaxed but defensive, he fired salvos against both Republicans , lobbyists, banks - "as popular as root

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-73062591417003731712010-01-18T10:53:00.010+01:002010-01-18T11:19:11.210+01:00

There's a lot of talk about the use of social media, in particular the creation of a professional profile via your digital identity, leveraging business opportunities through the online brand communities and networks, viral marketing, customer empowerment etc. etc. However, we're also familiar with the downside; that same digital identity being hijacked, abuse of copyright protection and amongst

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-77559602150604486812010-01-04T15:12:00.006+01:002010-01-04T15:38:15.923+01:00

Hello to one and all, near and far. As we see in the New Year, there’ll be some taking trains and planes to return to the alma mater, here in Lille and others on their way to pastures new be it for an overseas internship or a partner institution to study. As for me, I’m wading through learning agreements and it occurs to me that far from being something administratively mind-numbing, these

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-30117172659606619912009-12-24T10:01:00.007+01:002009-12-24T10:18:37.178+01:00

As we approach Christmas at the speed of sleighbells, I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas both to those within the walls of the Alma Mater and to those far and wide. Out of sight but never out of mind. Semper Imim. In the interests of broadening our business horizons, I'd like to recommend you the corporate website of a rather distinguished international business traveller, see below.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-11893410397731444492009-12-06T08:34:00.020+01:002009-12-06T14:53:00.036+01:00

Stand up environmental specialists......., thought so. For those looking for some background to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, starting tomorrow in Copenhagen, look no further than the UN's official site or the UK's Daily Telegraph for its FAQ. Eleven days to save the world? No, more realisically, eleven days during which 192 nations and 100 visiting heads of state will try and

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-23532238215010124882009-11-30T16:20:00.014+01:002009-11-30T16:50:13.551+01:00

The expression, you'd think they'd have learnt by now springs to mind as we read that City watchdog, The Financial Services Authority is said to be looking at exposure losses for UK Banks that have invested in Dubai World, the holding investment company wholly owned by the Dubai Government. Many were surprised as they thought that the structure of the islamic bonds or Sukuks implied state backing

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-70771221569181737872009-11-18T10:04:00.006+01:002009-11-18T10:36:39.564+01:00

So after weeks of second guessing, ESC Lille and Ceram finally announced their new name: Skema Business School. An acronym for School of Knowledge Economy and Management, the name is designed to underline the group's DNA of knowledge economy, internationalisation, sustainable performance, innovation and entrepreneurship based on the values of humanity, diversity, pride and multi culturalism.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-64770637828328997622009-11-11T22:35:00.010+01:002009-11-11T23:06:41.630+01:00

A city cut in two by a huge wall; people listening in to your every conversation, no matter where, no matter what time; the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie...... it's the stuff of legends and black n' white movies. Yet it was neither long ago nor in a far distant land and it was a stark reality for many for nearly 30 years. As this week's 20th anniversary celebrations for the fall of the

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-57508125447647655542009-10-11T15:47:00.007+02:002009-10-11T18:36:35.478+02:00

It's always a pleasure to read the Financial Times but even more so this week with the publication of its annual European Master in Management Survey 2009. It gave me real pleasure and great pride to see that Esc Lille and Imim are once more amongst the top twenty european business management programmes. Without wishing to plagiarise Mr Obama's Nobel Peace Prize speech, this is also a team effort

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-16347708122079431572009-08-09T07:55:00.016+02:002009-08-09T08:51:06.419+02:00

Ah, summer, a time of Pims,  strawberries and no news. Better known as the 'silly season' by the media, this is usually the period where 'hard' news goes into hibernation. You're more likely to find some form of sponsored entertainment; think viral video,  sponsor led survey, or photo opportunity (who's holidaying where and with whom)  than an item of major business or consumer news. A time for

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-8752697276201257442009-07-13T15:42:00.013+02:002009-08-09T07:55:33.376+02:00

Within the International Marketing Major, we have a module called New Media Technologies. I am lucky to be able to count on communications professional, Marjorie Van Halteren here. With over 20 years experience in radio mainly in NYC but also in mainland Europe with the BBC, Marjorie is finely tuned into the dynamics of sound, vision and pulling them together to get your message across ..... and

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-38787781861052439212009-07-07T07:27:00.032+02:002009-07-09T17:32:55.498+02:00

The nature of international business is ever changing, business education as well. In what's been a pretty busy time at the ranch, ESC Lille and Ceram announced their merger. Though weeks in the making, this unprecedented venture took many by surprise and it's reassuring to see that in this Big Brother age of news transparency, instant messaging and 24/7, communications streaming, confidentiality

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-68969950614312671642009-07-01T21:32:00.005+02:002009-07-01T23:03:58.299+02:00

"a comic written and poorly drawn by john campbell."thanks to Marjorie for the cartoon.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-24660029099218205992009-06-25T19:16:00.017+02:002009-06-25T19:52:01.521+02:00

Arguably, it's not a great time to be a British politician. You cannot fail to have noticed the press coverage surrounding the publishing of politician's expenses and in particular the misuse - abuse of the second homes allowance. David Cameron announced today that some of the more excessive conservative claims will be paid back, totalling £250,000. It's a sorry tale of vibrating leather chairs,

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-74559523149159897742009-05-16T09:09:00.013+02:002009-05-16T09:28:46.655+02:00

Girl in tutu groped by green sequinned Spiderman; stripper in oversized hamster wheel, towed by sequinned Roman centurions; woodland nymphs, cruise entertainers, the odd howling banshee, celebrity lookalikes, an over enthusiastic wind machine, lots of dry ice, masses of hair and oh did I mention the sequins? Yes it's that time of the year again.... Moscow will explode onto our tv screens tonight

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-49445784457232804752009-05-03T09:35:00.027+02:002009-05-03T10:08:50.422+02:00

Given the current media frenzy on swine flu, you'd be forgiven for thinking that nothing else is happening in the world. However, there are important elections going on at the moment. India has launched a month long election for the Lok Sabha (lower house) and is using a plethora of digital marketing techniques to inform and encourage Indians to vote. Tata was probably the first, back in 2007

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-40960079541787808052009-04-28T13:17:00.029+02:002009-04-28T14:54:19.701+02:00

Interesting article about social media in today's Telegraph. Having always wondered what the definition of Barcamp was, I'm delighted to be henceforth a bit more geeky. Volunteer driven, open sourced and user generated, what makes it interesting however is how ungeeky a barcamp actually is. We have had two now at the ESC Lille campus , both based round social media, new technologies and lately,

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-509612946955689772009-04-27T21:24:00.017+02:002009-04-27T21:48:00.900+02:00

It's not really the Mexican wave we're used to. For those looking for a few basic facts concerning the current outbreak of Swine Flu, the BBC has a good FAQ page. The World Health Organisation too has its own guidelines for surveillance of the influenza epidemic. I have a special though for our own finance specialist, Dr Roberto Santillan who mailed me yesterday from Monterrey as well as Imim

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-62418365049218075232009-04-13T16:56:00.006+02:002009-04-13T17:07:09.676+02:00

Here's another comment on the G20 summit from Imim finance professor, Dr Roberto Santillan. Based in Mexico, Roberto was over early April and alongside Marjorie Van Halteren, he provided us with a clear insight into the challenges facing Obama and his administration. This is his view on the summit and the likeliness of a global economic recovery.On April 2, 2009, at the end of a three day meeting

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-57446980037130166352009-04-12T09:16:00.021+02:002009-04-13T20:51:21.845+02:00

"...What are those blue remembered hills, what spires, what farms are those? That is the Land of Lost Content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went, And cannot come again...." As a financial crisis digs in, we tend to head for that very comfort zone of blue remembered hills, with a growing desire for all things past; a nostalgic, and halcyon bygone era where things were simple

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-52147164799909575072009-04-08T20:51:00.028+02:002009-04-08T21:36:04.454+02:00

They say there's no such thing as an original idea, but this is stretching it somewhat. A new literary genre is springing up or rather rising from the dead with the arrival of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Produced by Seth Grahame Smith, this new take on Jane Austen's classic is being spun as the first mainstream literary 'mash up', a term used to describe the trend of pulling together

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-73138100434858779012009-04-02T22:40:00.014+02:002009-04-02T23:07:19.000+02:00

As the back slapping subsides, the official photos end and the Fluffies (first ladies who understand fashion) close the wardrobe door, here's a "hot off the press" take on what's coming out of the G20 summit and who are the main winners, from Cyrille Lachèvre of France's Le Figaro.One of the main winners has been the internet for its use as a communications tool ... and weapon. Protestors have

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-32200440237062299742009-04-01T08:53:00.008+02:002009-04-01T14:28:07.182+02:00

In the Uk it's a fool, in France it's a fish, but whichever you choose, April 1st is open season for playing pranks - only up to midday in the UK, otherwise the prankster becomes the fool. Noone really knows why we celebrate April 1st this way, some believe it dates back to roman origins, a ritualistic renewal ceremony. Others believe it centers round the change in calendar to the 'modern'

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-91365386287445069322009-03-22T08:22:00.011+01:002009-03-22T08:33:13.641+01:00

It is early Sunday morning, I'm sitting in my kitchen with  a cup  of tea enjoying the Sunday newspapers  online, while listening to BBC Radio 4, what else?  The Daily Telegraph has a magnificent piece about Welsh farmers. I'll spare you the speech on viral marketing and big brands getting in on sponsored entertainment, just enjoy this example of what hours on a welsh hillside can do to someone's

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-70341868602956490592009-03-18T08:30:00.009+01:002009-03-18T08:36:45.983+01:00

When does a string vest become a SIV ? That's structured investment vehicle for the unitiated. This is an excellent parody on the mindset of the financial community as well as being an edifying portrait of the ethical pitfalls of the subprime market. Thanks to The South Bank Show in which both John Bird and John Fortune appeared as well Vincent Merk for bringing this one into the Imim fold.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-59379786553154232632009-02-25T21:17:00.019+01:002009-03-02T11:15:28.604+01:00

Do you have a short attention span, are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights and need instant gratification?  Do you live for the moment and find it hard to communicate off-line? If so you may well be in the process of rewiring your brain thanks to social networking sites. Certain neuroscientists interviewed for the UK Daily Mail believe that the digital technology that surrounds us:

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-34337640302409861632009-02-24T14:24:00.019+01:002009-02-24T15:26:45.524+01:00

What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon. Lille School of Management welcomed Raymond Redding, Directeur Général délegué from La Poste to sponsor this year's first year business management programme students. A natural orator with a sunny accent, he regaled students with his experience and vision of business today. It was amusing to hear him say that his main rival is Bill Gates, except that

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-67360243781275660752009-02-12T18:21:00.022+01:002009-02-12T20:53:15.769+01:00

So what is Twitter, that little icon we see alongside Facebook, Digg and all the others? Why is the world going Twitter crazy and do you know how to conjugate this world? Perhaps you have tweeted recently or are twooshing as I write this? Maybe you twitpic your images and tweet up regularly. If so, you're part of the twitterhood, this 'service to communicate and stay connected via short answers

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-18384536655897707822009-01-26T10:27:00.008+01:002009-02-04T08:30:28.615+01:00

At last, some good news amongst all the doom and gloom. Chinese around the world are celebrating the arrival of the year of the OX. According to those who know these things, the OX symbolises prosperity through fortitude and hard work (plenty of that around at the moment). Those born in an OX year bear are seemingly hardworking, reliable, stable characters with a strong code of values and work

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-90893499865533240182009-01-23T17:07:00.013+01:002009-01-23T17:25:13.815+01:00

Tomorrow's see the 25th birthday of Apple . The first Apple Mac and its tv ad, shown below, appeared during the commercial break of the US Super Bowl. Ridley Scott's brilliant 1984 ad is not only iconic but a reference for ads of the 80s both in terms of visual creativity and cinematic reference. Apple Mac's revolutionary design and then cutting edge technology shook the world of computing and

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-7929127330149553022009-01-20T12:24:00.006+01:002009-01-20T15:11:15.855+01:00

Investiture day is finally here and whilst final preparations are in hand, this is what President Elect, Barack Obama will see in a few hours time, once he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. For those of you who want to follow the parade, the NY Times has a good run down on the day's activity.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-13741685464323247362009-01-15T13:36:00.007+01:002009-01-15T14:04:06.557+01:00

An interesting video which could easily qualify as viral as I've received this from Imim students, Safeer in Lille and Fanny in Canada. It highlights the challenges facing marketeers to connect and engage with customers in today's environment. In this digital age of information overload and multitude of choice, there are those who will relish this challenge whilst others will surely hanker after

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-67258213877207216882009-01-08T12:07:00.012+01:002009-01-08T12:37:51.841+01:00

We've had the Blackberry Prayer, some of us have the Blackberry Squint (why is that text so small?), now come January 20th we'll see the Blackberry Cold Turkey. Often the only link between him and the outside world, Barack Obama is being advised to cut the umbilical cord and give up his Blackberry once he becomes President. On that day he becomes subject to the Presidential Records Act which puts

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-11069730746928142932009-01-07T15:36:00.003+01:002009-01-07T15:39:29.775+01:00

Creditorium compressium, even in Latin it doesn't sound any less painful. An audio visual presentation on the Credit Crunch and why the banks won't lend us money any more.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-15755453635848502592009-01-04T10:15:00.006+01:002009-01-04T10:32:43.933+01:00

The credit card payment for the pudding, foie gras, champagne has hardly been debited and yet we're already into this year's jargon and how to stay in the groove in 2009. For those who adopt the blackberry prayer on a regular basis or avoid co-ruminating with a vengeance (count me in on the latter), then this article from the UK Independent is for not for you. However, for the rest of us who may

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-66925417819452757642009-01-01T11:10:00.004+01:002009-01-01T11:12:43.080+01:00

Light touch paper and retirehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7806554.stm

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-13401096742125903092008-12-31T13:49:00.016+01:002008-12-31T14:21:36.913+01:00

This has been a particularly difficult year for many. That financial crisis is now kicking in with a vengeance and here in the north of France, home to many a large retailer and in particular the mail order business, a cold wind is definitey blowing. Both La Redoute and Les 3 Suisses have announced massive redundancies. Womenswear retailer Morgan has just announced that it has gone into

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-4780054356499912132008-12-20T10:20:00.012+01:002008-12-24T07:32:15.920+01:00

Is nothing sacred? In this modern world monitored 24/7 by cctv, even Santa Claus now comes under close scrutiny. Twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD, a bi-national US/Canadian military organisation responsible for aerospace defense of North America tracks airplanes, missiles, space launches and anything else that flies in or around the North American continent. But on Christmas Eve,

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-58682141577876423832008-12-19T15:34:00.019+01:002008-12-19T16:02:03.323+01:00

What do you do with your brand when you find yourself on the wrong end of political correctness and macro environmental trends? The brand Tango, a popular fizzy orange drink from the eighties is now suffering from our current obsession with healthy eating, detoxing, 'manger moins bouger plus' and other such mantras. Its sales are dropping but Tango's response was not to shift the brand into some

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-82656363941614445532008-12-17T08:54:00.006+01:002008-12-17T09:02:46.896+01:00

My friend and colleague, Marjorie has just started up her own blog: Shadowblogger. It's an excellent blog and this latest post underlines her talent as a writer as well as someone who can see beyond the headline or soundbite. Thomas Friedman's article in the NY Times, to which she refers in her post, is an invitation to think not just globally but outside the box when it comes to business

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-25771000663044088872008-12-17T08:24:00.005+01:002008-12-17T08:51:28.739+01:00

To be considered a true Parmesan , the cheese needs to be hand made by one of 430 artisans based round the town of Parma. Now it would appear that the financial crisis has hit even one of Italy's most revered institutions. The rising price of parmesan means that consumption is drying up and a third of these producers now face seeing their business crumble. The government has had to step in to

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-89963690131881139942008-12-01T15:53:00.004+01:002008-12-01T16:10:28.275+01:00

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-1086042999461366532008-11-22T08:30:00.009+01:002008-11-22T08:43:35.673+01:00

As someone who has worked in the communications and Public Relations industry in particular, I need no convincing as to the benefits of good media training. Having something to say, the importance of staying on-message, coming across as human, reassuring, calm and knowledgeable without seeming arrogant; one's body language, dressing appropriately and finding the right 'location' are not

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-55507933802663878142008-11-13T21:30:00.007+01:002008-11-13T21:41:32.632+01:00

There's seems to be no end in sight for the belgian conflict between the Wallons and the Flemish. The problem is not new, in fact it's been going on for the last forty years but seems to have heated up more recently with the francophone Wallons no closer to getting the Flemish to sign up for a united Belgium and so this crisis of national identity seems to have reached  stalemate.   Luckily, they

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-48621402511082744162008-11-11T20:53:00.026+01:002008-11-11T22:10:50.040+01:00

The expression 'it's such a small world' tends to become hackneyed after a while, but to banalise the significance of this expression is to forget the sacrifices many gave, ninety years ago,  in order for us to become blasé about being able to work or study in Europe,  blasé about the existence of programmes such as Imim and its ability to welcome many nationalities into its programme via Erasmus

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-37391577845229146012008-11-09T16:16:00.012+01:002008-11-09T16:32:20.757+01:00

"..This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box..."  We tend to think that the tensions between shareholders and journalists are new, that the battle to protect serious journalism and its noble ideals from commercial dumbing down

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-6967888210379374482008-11-06T15:53:00.004+01:002008-11-06T15:59:49.534+01:00

As President elect, Barack Obama, considers his future cabinet, here's an interesting analysis of the marketing lessons to be learned from this election by Seth Godin and in particular the use of tribal marketing in politics. Thanks to Stefane for the photograph.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-28420209612641229682008-11-05T08:17:00.021+01:002008-11-09T15:18:58.673+01:00

I'll leave the political analysis to the experts, of which there are many this morning, however the images that have struck me over this momentous night are the following:  PRIDE, an immense pride on the faces of americans of all colours, ages and social levels in what has happened, pride in the mails I have been receiving from north american students both from the US and Canada; a MASSIVE

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-22084847169952042982008-11-04T20:38:00.013+01:002008-11-04T21:16:31.116+01:00

Talk about taking it to the wire. Whilst the presidential candidates criss crossed the States, our very own American, Marjorie, criss crossed Lille to be with us for today's presidential vote.   In true off the cuff, 'Go for it' Imim style, the idea for today's meeting was born out of a midnight discussion, Sunday, with Imim's  Marjorie van Halteren.  How to mark what promised to be a historic

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-38731397409900835972008-11-02T21:32:00.019+01:002008-11-03T18:28:54.943+01:00

Oh dear, where to start.  The trouble with humour is that's it's a tricky one to play. Like sailing, get too close up to the wind and you broach. This latest offering from Saturday Night Live is a real gem  but a Norwegian parrot at the same time.  Great strategic thinking from the advertisers; QVC must be slapping themselves on the back for this one and at Starbucks the corporate feel good

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-58700168632497764432008-11-01T08:54:00.004+01:002008-11-01T08:59:56.660+01:00

A revealing article from Rupert Cornwell at the UK Independent newspaper. It offers an insight into the questions facing americans and in particular pollsters, at the polls next Tuesday as they try to gauge the outcome. It also sheds light on the american psyche when it comes to Presidential elections and what makes a nation tick.  

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-32321011614655061172008-10-20T15:43:00.012+02:002008-10-20T16:10:47.359+02:00

There's a great line in the tv series, Star Trek where Bones says to Captain Kirk,  "It's life Jim, but not as we know it."  Some could say the same about life forms either sides of the Atlantic, others might just say it's the joys of intercultural management.   Political figures here in mainland Europe are not known for their ability to laugh at themselves, even less so for their ability to send

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-2875920345999422022008-10-16T18:34:00.015+02:002008-10-16T19:05:58.696+02:00

It would appear that the gloves have finally come off, at least on the Republican side. The final presidential debate 2008 saw Senator McCain winning the best line of the evening with, '..Senator Obama I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush you should have run four years ago'.  Somehow it doesn't have the intensity or sting of former presidential one liners and  is

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-32767484779466095892008-10-16T17:32:00.013+02:002008-10-16T18:29:53.433+02:00

Anyone tapping into Google today back in good 'ol blighty would have seen this bannerhead instead of the more usual one. HRH may not be a member of generation Y but Her Royal Highness is certainly a silver surfer with her own video channel on You Tube and her annual Christmas broadcast is available online and as a podcast. The reason behind the banner head is Queen Elisabeth's visit to the Google

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-40927032857776580292008-10-15T22:08:00.004+02:002008-10-15T22:22:29.909+02:00

For those wishing to bone up for tonight's final US presidential debate, Le Figaro has prepared a fairly succinct crammer detailing both side's policies, although 'detail' is a slight exageration. For those who prefer something ligther, check out the unofficial vice presidential debate, below. Queen Latifia guest stars as debate chairwoman whilst Tina Fey and Saturday Night Live take some beating

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-8181623235092374732008-10-15T08:37:00.003+02:002008-10-15T08:42:15.462+02:00

As Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy are being accoladed for their bold actions, here is the BBC New's take on key moments in the global financial crisis.  All this in less than a month. 

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-63101409042038598022008-10-08T22:24:00.014+02:002008-10-11T21:55:23.821+02:00

The gloves may have been finally off but it was hardly the clash of titans everyone was looking for. The second presidential debate held in Nashville had both McCain and Obama keeping their noses clean, although John McCain found it difficult to say the O word and simply called Barack Obama 'That One' on several occasions.   The closing comments by both were heartfelt and patriotic, but also well

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-91116453879119710622008-10-08T08:47:00.007+02:002008-10-08T08:57:05.177+02:00

For those looking to make some sense out of what is happening at the moment and where this financial fracas will takes us, this is a thoughtful article from Hamish McCrae who writes for the Independent. He consistently manages to stand back from the extaordinary financial fray and see the key issues at stake. He wrote this article before the British Government announced its rescue package.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-19458331591092454502008-10-05T08:11:00.016+02:002008-10-06T15:29:46.695+02:00

Nobody should underestimate Sarah Palin. Whilst commentators like to criticise her for her lack of experience and knowledge on the political stage, this is to dismiss the time she has spent on the 'ground' in Alaska. She has a potent cocktail of coming across as Mrs Everyman, able to connect with the voter on a human level, justifying her ignorance on certain issues and at the same time deliver

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-76945897865702877942008-09-29T21:19:00.005+02:002008-09-29T21:32:31.348+02:00

Well what can I say without resorting to footballesque clichés 'over the moon' 'team effort' etc or misquoting the old FT ad. "No FT No Comment" with, well actually, lots of comments...   The Financial Times European Master In Management Survey 2008 comes out today and shows ESC Lille well placed in the overall rankings.  Apart from walking around school with a huge smile on my face and immense

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-32441449960189608742008-09-23T10:25:00.011+02:002008-09-23T10:42:35.991+02:00

In France, the annual political party beanfest is called   'université d'été' or Campus if you're the UMP. They're usually held in hot and sunny holiday resorts where the sound of the cigale still rings in the ears They herald the end of the summer holidays and the arrival of the 'Rentrée'. In the UK the party political conferences start up mid-September and are usually held in seaside resorts

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-90229409171920023092008-09-18T22:11:00.018+02:002008-09-18T22:45:19.782+02:00

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" so opens the Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities.  A champion of  social injustice, Dickens sought, through the novel, to warn against revolution,  using the metaphor of sowing and reaping.  This is arguably  a fairly accurate description of what's going on across the world's financial centres.  Seen from the outside the lure of the

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-40473007595595217772008-09-18T22:11:00.004+02:002008-09-18T22:17:27.320+02:00

The recent 'misinterpretation' by the republicans of Obama saying that a pig with lipstick remains a pig shows that the presidential election has now stepped up a gear. Whether it be through soundbites or paid for advertising, political communications strategy is about to get nasty. An interesting article in the Observer highlights this tonal change. They say contrast ads, you and I may say,

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-14748740050821720622008-09-07T21:59:00.007+02:002008-09-07T22:15:38.829+02:00

This is a fun, viral campaign from Tiger Woods and EA Sports.  It's their response to Levinator 25 who, having bought the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 found the 'Jesus shot' feature in options and placed it on  You Tube. . 

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-78993644021612939652008-09-07T20:44:00.025+02:002008-09-07T22:37:05.818+02:00

In theatrical circles, it is considered extremely dangerous to mention the name of Macbeth within the  theatre.  Such is the level of superstition that it is often referred to as the Scottish play or the Scottish King amongst other pseudonyms and should one dare to mention the 'M' word, elaborate, ritualistic steps are taken to dispel the curse and protect oneself against imminent misfortune or

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-42427714581027393352008-09-04T22:11:00.023+02:002008-09-04T23:04:05.836+02:00

Sarah 'just your average hockey mom' Palin went from hunting down moose to hunting down Obama and the Democrat jugular during her speech to Republican delegates last night (GMT).   She revved up her audience with what was fairly standard 'they're the bad guys, we're the good guys' rhetoric suggesting a good cop / bad cop  deal between her and McCain.  Governor Palin's speech started with an

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-81987587179754241582008-09-01T16:34:00.006+02:002008-09-01T19:42:42.287+02:00

It's back to school tomorrow in France. For all those preparing their rentrée, Top Tips provides some sound advice. Point 8 could also apply to faculty.More commonly known as La Rentrée, this is a period where people 'bounce' back from their holidays, glowing with health and a sun tan, full of good intentions for the coming year usually focussed around the work-life balance, health and general

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-10960076663459331632008-09-01T10:20:00.012+02:002008-09-01T14:23:56.739+02:00

September 1st, Summer is now symbolically over and Autumn is here in most minds. No Indian Summer this time, however. A cold economic wind is blowing in from the west; 2 million people are currently leaving New Orleans to avoid Hurricane Gustav and its potentially disastrous aftermath, whilst 2,000 jobs are likely to be blown away in the announced 9bn euros takeover of Dresdner by Commerzbank ,

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-83112906039556721842008-08-30T09:56:00.017+02:002008-09-01T14:25:52.066+02:00

John McCain has finally announced his running mate, Sarah Palin. - Sarah who?The hottest search on Google yesterday revealed a young, mid forties, mother of five and governor of Alaska. An interesting choice, 'Super Mom' or 'Hockey Mom' as some media have already named her, she ostensibly ticks all the right boxes; female (targets the Hilary vote), young (counters Obama's youth USP), dynamic (

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-41867758923030242232008-08-29T10:38:00.011+02:002008-08-30T10:15:28.187+02:00

45 years ago to the very day, a man had a dream. Yesterday that dream was far surpassed when the first African American presidential nominee, Barack Obama took to the stage and officially accepted his nomination as Democrat candidate for President of the United States.Before 84,000 spectators, many of whom had queued for hours to get in, his speech took head on the criticisms both domestic and

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-86129610437935313522008-08-28T20:37:00.015+02:002008-08-28T21:47:46.360+02:00

This has been a spectacular week in Denver. Back this side of the Atlantic, we're not used to so much broadway emotion for what is a political rally.   The US Democrat convention is in town and from Senator Edward Kennedy, recovering from recent surgery for a brain tumour,  to Mr and Mrs Clinton's appearances, there is not a dry eye in the house and standing ovations are commonplace.  It's not

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-77124883139397692092008-08-23T10:30:00.013+02:002008-08-29T11:04:04.233+02:00

This is a link to the opening graphics for the BBC's coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing and is based on the ancient classical tale of the Monkey King. Journey to the West or 'Monkey' as it is more often called, dates back to the Ming Dynasty and relates the tale of a monkey king who having become too powerful and proud is punished by the Gods. He atones for his past sins by accompanying a

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-87241708505392879752008-07-25T08:54:00.009+02:002008-12-12T09:26:38.144+01:00

593 - not a bad score if it was TOEFL, unfortunately this is the final score for the English cricket team in their current Test series and it is not enough to win over a strong and motivated South Africa. Lets hope we put on a better show tomorrow. Ah cricket, the sound of leather on willow. Mention the word here in mainland Europe and most people, other than myself, David Milton or Ron Basu at

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-6744944204917128832008-07-25T08:36:00.005+02:002008-08-06T12:24:25.177+02:00

With the Olympics now only hours away the question of information access and its impartiality is a hot topic. However, before we get too righteous here in the west, lets not forget that the media lies in the hands of a few. The term press barons is still pertinent today and it's a difficult relationship keeping the poacher and gamekeeper happy in a world driven by commercial sales and viewing

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-49590431279091823752008-07-25T08:12:00.009+02:002008-12-12T09:26:38.339+01:00

He wanted the Brandenburg Gate, he got Tiergarten park, but last night, Barack Obama spoke to over 200,000 of his view of the future for transatlantic relations in a post Bush era. It was an uplifting speech that was high on rhetoric and low on detail but arguably he doesn't and shouldn't go into too much detail. He is, after all preaching to the converted and he knows it. Europe is not his

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-56779104313355826532008-07-19T18:28:00.012+02:002008-07-20T18:37:32.092+02:00

Renegade: this is the secret service's name for Barack Obama. It's an odd choice of codename. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines renegade as someone who deserts a party or his principles; a rebel; a person who changes alliances. Given his image as a staunch democrat regardless of his claims to build a bridge between the two parties, this is either a shrewd smokescreen from Obama's secret

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-80280128748818008072008-07-10T21:13:00.012+02:002008-07-10T21:57:11.333+02:00

If you haven't received this mail already, then it's only a matter of time.  This is a wonderfully joyful video and a great example of viral marketing. Where the hell is Matt? is 4 minutes 29 seconds of pure happiness that is spreading, thanks to the Internet.    From Amsterdam to Zambia, from Papua New Guinea to the west bank, Nellis Airspace in Nevada to the depths of the ocean off Tonga, Matt

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-6208497281854923742008-07-07T11:51:00.010+02:002008-12-12T09:26:38.584+01:00

The three day G8 Summit kicks off today on Lake Toya on the island of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Doubtless there will be endless media coverage over what Kazuo Kodama, press secretary to Japan's foreign ministry euphemistically called the 'nexus of related issues'. For issues read, rising oil and food prices, financial crisis, climate change and nuclear proliferation. Monday will be dominated by

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-72566635434676819532008-06-27T12:20:00.005+02:002008-06-29T15:14:07.820+02:00

This is a thought provoking article from Andrew Sullivan of the UK Times as it hits on a real nerve - how we absorb and digest information in this digital age.  A hot topic for business schools everywhere,  from teaching to learning, there's a real paradigm shift going on and the key issue now is how to adapt. So much information at the end of a right click, it's almost mind blowing and our

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-90389541857823285002008-06-27T09:57:00.005+02:002008-06-29T15:15:56.076+02:00

When talking of marketing and in particular communications, one often hears the expression, targetting the consumer. Personally I prefer the expression "connecting with". It's more respectful and underlines the nature of a two way relationship based on mutual understanding. Below is a link which sums this up beautifully. How to connect with an audience in a language and framework that they

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-2211460421363269242008-06-24T13:55:00.003+02:002008-12-12T09:26:38.797+01:00

This weekend saw the annual IMiM Faculty meeting. It's the one time of the year when we try to bring together as many as possible to discuss programme strategy, course delivery and its content as well as discuss the issues surrounding business management today. It's a rich two days. It was fascinating to observe how different cultures view and tackle the same issues. Different cultures, different

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-12774384079753386662008-06-13T18:41:00.009+02:002008-12-12T09:26:38.940+01:00

Ireland has voted no to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. With a higher than expected turnout, over 54% voted NO. This now prompts the question WHY? Seen from the outside, to many, Ireland or the Celtic Tiger as it is often called, has benefitted enormously from its membership of the European Union. As little as 20 years ago, Ireland was experiencing a massive 'brain drain' as bright

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-68266802902181882192008-06-05T13:27:00.003+02:002008-12-12T09:26:39.144+01:00

As Hillary Clinton starts to play out her farewell, here is a link to an interesting video analysis of what went wrong for the Clinton campaign. It's a good example of compare and contrast and if anything shows the difference between hope and experience and how it's not necessarily there where you think. What comes through is that Hillary loss was somehow inherent in her programme, her campaign

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-38710486137463885942008-06-03T10:40:00.007+02:002008-12-12T09:26:39.277+01:00

There are particular signs to indicate the official start of the summer season. For some, it's the end of exams, the first open air pop concert, for others it's Chelsea Flower Show, theatre in the park or the end of year shows at the London design schools. For Esc Lille, summer officially started yesterday with the kick off of the 'Admissibles' . Over the next few weeks, students from around the

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-10868466125661810412008-05-26T11:03:00.014+02:002008-12-12T09:26:39.670+01:00

Never was geopolitics so much fun as this weekend and the Eurovision Song Contest. This weekend's music contest was a lesson in balkan state politics....The event was commented on by Jean Paul Gaultier this side of the Channel and Sir Terry Wogan for the BBC. The talk was more teasing playfulness than critical analysis. It started well with the usual flurry of hackneyed expressions, dry ice, hair

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-24958888430696008842008-05-19T18:06:00.009+02:002008-05-19T19:49:52.017+02:00

The UK prime minister goes digital today bringing the well known parliamentary question time onto a much more personal and contemporary level. From today, just like MPs in parliament,  the British voter can lodge his or her very own question directly with the PM, on whatever subject he likes via the ubiquitous webhost, YouTube. The concept is not new, another venerable British institution, the

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-91891227639291515632008-05-16T13:10:00.008+02:002008-12-12T09:26:39.839+01:00

We had the visit of Luca Paderni from Google yesterday to take us through digital communications as applied to academic institutions: Google Apps. He gave us a short, simple presentation of the uses of bringing under one house your communications needs; centralised, simplified and unified calendars, shared work documents, chat facilities, message alerts etc. All of this in the language you choose

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-55817998010294038172008-05-13T20:58:00.016+02:002008-05-16T14:10:21.358+02:00

I cannot help thinking of Beckett's work, Endgame, when following the democratic nomination tussle between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. Within Endgame, we find two characters, both mutually dependent on each other. Parallel opposites; one can't stand, the other one can't sit down, they have been fighting for years and one of them seems unable to leave. The play suggests that they live in a

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-53965666351785553602008-05-05T13:27:00.009+02:002008-12-12T09:26:40.110+01:00

They used to say that you could measure the depth of an economic recession by the length of a lady's skirt; the deeper, the shorter... As economic theory goes, it's hardly scientific but it's a visually attractive concept. Now there would appear to be a new theory on the block. Estée Lauder noticed an increase in lipstick sales following 9/11. Compared to an 'IT' designer handbag that can cost as

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-83768081008181058662008-05-05T12:39:00.005+02:002008-12-12T09:26:40.299+01:00

So London has a new major, the first conservative mayor in 30 years, Boris Johnson or BoJo as some have called him, stormed to a stunning victory late Friday evening and released weeks of pent up ebullience and repressed one liners. From a gaffe prone, affable character to a disciplined formidable opponent, there will be endless analyses on how and why he stormed to victory but ultimately he had

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-92180221070851448782008-05-01T10:24:00.006+02:002008-05-01T10:40:36.003+02:00

Wanted: senior executive with keen problem solving and critical analysis skills, used to working under pressure and within a broad, multi-cultural environment. Six figure salary.  I hesitate to suggest an Imim candidate although the skills base training is evident.....London votes today for its mayor. Will Londoners retain the current mayor, Ken Livingstone, renowned for his beligerent attitude

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4766101805356548163.post-68871047238419024312008-04-30T09:38:00.009+02:002008-04-30T10:52:53.662+02:00

UK and  international retailer Tesco has recently announced a partnership with market research specialist Dunnhumby to monitor shopping habits and preferences of more than 60 million customers across the UK, Thailand, South Korea and China.   Dunhumby claims that it can generate a like for like sales increase of around 3-4% in the first year with new partners and this can then stretch up to 10%.

Katrina PANCHOUT IMiM Programme Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03235801086268716124noreply@blogger.com