Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Entrepreneurship in flight


Its amazing what a little bit of free time can bring.  On my travels to a UNESCO conference in Thessaloniki, I had to go from Zagreb via Frankfurt.  I tried to track the entrepreneurship ideas I came across in the variety of free media sources available to me.  Several inflight magazines, USA Today and the International Herald Tribune supplied me with enough to inspire a mindmap of sorts.  On the fly, and wherever you are their are inspiring ideas that can take you in new directions if you are simply open to them.  

EN ROUTE
Being inspired by beauty and traditions found in Croatia Airlines’ inflight mag
Croatian island hopping recommendations from Award-Winning CBS Producer, Pete Radovich
1. Well Known: Korcula, Hvar, Brac
2. Lesser Known: Lastovo, Rab, Vis
3. Hidden Treasures: Kaprije, Pasman, Zverniac
Every wonder where your salt comes from….well they describe the heritage of salt harvesting around the town of Nin that has been in place since the 6th century.  The Nin Salt Pans Park produces salt with all natural methods using sun and wind which expose the salt ready for the taking.
Note to self
I have been experimenting with playing music during exams….to calm the savage beast that seem to show up at exam time instead of my average student.  While this raised some eyebrows it was a great classroom management tool and even the initially resistant students asked for the calming tunes to remain on.  Then the USA Today I was given Weintraub (2011) reported that in America, there are more than 5,000 musical therapists in an industry that should experience growth.  The results of music therapy in treating everything from physical problems to mental stress and even aging has been promising. This gave me hope that musical applications for learning also need to researched and could make for interesting pedagogical studies worth pursuing.
New regime and new rules have enterprising individuals filling niches
New found freedom over daily life has citizens of Tripoli flocking to get items they were not previously allowed to consume in places they were not previously permitted to buy.  Now windows can be tinted, decorative jewelry can be worn and an abundance of fruits and vegetables are now available through many channels.  The rule of law is free as well and it will take a while to get crime, violence and traffic in order as well.  Freedom to choose also makes people have to understand the rights and responsibilities that come along side of this new reality.
ON THE GROUND
Thessaloniki tour of shops when out and about
Fine Chocalatier, Papillion Colore, was just opened on the day we arrived.  The shop was jammed with eager buyers and the chocolates were encased in dreamy glass and wood displays befitting fine jewelry.  They tasted just as good and the nut lover in me got a hand packed and hand picked items directly from the owner.  They have been manufacturing and wholesaling their products but chose to launch their own high end retail space to attract the next generation of entrepreneurs, their daughter and the next generation of customers as well.
Kids clothing, independent retailer, Angela.  The owner of the shop gave us conversation, handmade Christmas decorations, angels (ofcourse) and hugs!  The neighborhood and welcoming feel of this authentically decorated shop comforts you with clothing advice that only a real Grandma would know.
Chain excellence, JUMBO.  Upon landing in the airport and waiting for luggage, I ran into a woman just like me…an expat married to a local.  In her case, a Greek and found herself married with children.  I knew she would have the answers to my time constrained search….Where can I buy toys?  Her immediate answer was Jumbo, www.jumbo.gr.  This is one giant space that is beyond toys into the realm of everything at a value oriented price. Sold on the her recommendations, went to store, made purchases in less than an hour.  Got something for everyone on the family Christmas list.
RETURN TRIP
Athens’ innovation trends…as found in Aegean Airlines in Flight Magazine, Blue
Troofoodliberation.com is described as “gastronomy activists, raw-food enthusiasts and sworn vegetarians, this group is trying to emphasize the benefits of healthy eating” (Valatos, 2011).  Their website tagline lists…Fighting Food Crime Since 2009.
The Meet Market is a trendy mix of gently used clothing, art bargains and eco-food wrapped up into festive gathering point for hipsters.  You can find them online at www.themeetmarket.gr and also on their Facebook page where you can join their 4834 friends and counting.
Blogger extraordinaire Costas Voyatzis offers insights into his unique design sense and provides pictorials and commentary on categories ranging from architecture to V.O. W.  The latter which can only be fully appreciated by visiting his site: www.yatzer.com. He offers inspiration to those at a creative roadblock.
References:
Krauss, C. (2011, November 30). Elation and trepidation in Libya's capital. International Herald Tribune, p. 4.
Petricusic, T. (2011, Autumn). Nin's flower of salt. Croatia Inflight Magazine, 96-102.
Valatos, F. (2011, Autumn). Athens: The modern identity of an historic city. Blue Magazine, (38), 142-151.

Weintraub, K. (2011, November 30). Music can heal mind, body soul: The therapy lifts spirits while helping retrain an injured brain. USA Today, p. 10b.


Zlof, K. (2011, Autumn). Passion as a driving force: Interview with Pete Radovich. Croatia Inflight Magazine, 6-11.


3 comments:

  1. Since I travel very often and of course read In-flight Magazines.

    My last trip was in Lisbon two weeks ago. Usually when I travel to further destinations, stay a day longer and combine business with pleasure…

    From Zagreb to Portugal, we fly via Bologna, with Tap airline, where we waited one hour in the plane. So, I had plenty of time to read. I looked at the in-flight magazine and saw some sights of Lisbon, Portugal…

    It is interesting that some of these interesting places I visited few days later.

    For me the most beautiful place is the westermost part on the continent of Europe called Cabo da Roca, Sintra.

    And, the food is very, very delicious and colorful

    My trip to Lisbon was very interesting and inspiring…


    Here below is link where you can see more details:

     http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/index.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear,
    As a professional tennis player I was on travel maybe 200 days per year so I travel all round the world. And see a lot and learn a lot.

    So one of things I remember is Luxemburg, first whit plane from Split to Munich first tournament there and than by train to Luxemburg it was really amazing.
    For me Luxemburg is one of the most beautiful parts of Europe.
    Here is link : http://www.lcto.lu/en/index

    Also I learned a lot in plains always some exacting magazines, I can remember that in our flight for Dubai. Zagreb-Frankfurt-Dubai, they was serving on boarding some scented wipes their original they were very nice...
    On each of my traveling one thing is sure I learned a lot about the country, people and culture...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very good points you wrote here..Great stuff...I think you've made some truly interesting points.Keep up the good work. cheap round trip flights

    ReplyDelete

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