Google Prepares Venture Fund

I read about Google preparing a venture capital fund some time ago, but didn't see news since. Until today. 

"Google Inc. announced more details about its highly anticipated venture-capital fund, in which it plans to commit roughly $100 million over the next year, said people familiar with the matter. 

In a blog post Monday night, the company announced William Maris, a former entrepreneur whom Google hired to start the fund, and Rich Miner, a former executive in its mobile unit, as managing partners with the fund... 

... The fund is seeking to operate less like a traditional corporate venture arm that backs companies related to its product lines, said people familiar with the matter. Instead, the company is going to manage for returns and consider a wide range of investments, they said.

Google has a history of investments, both through its business-development department and Google.org, its nonprofit division. Those units have recently become more aligned as Google's vice president of new business development, Megan Smith, has also become general manager of Google.org.

The fund has already invested in Pixazza Inc., a Mountain View, Calif., start-up that allows Web publishers to earn money off images on Web sites by tagging items, like clothing, with links back to where the items can be purchased."

Source: WSJ.com (To read the complete article, you will need a WSJ subscription)

Your Mom joined Facebook, now what?

You could –--

Scream “OMG! WHY Why why y?”

Ignore her friend request

Grant her limited access with special ‘mom’ privacy settings

Grant her full access but warn her of possible scandalous photos/comments/posts

Have a discussion about what’s OK and what’s off limits

Tell her to use Facebook to stay in touch with her friends, NOT to stalk you

Tell her not to friend all your friends (that is creepy!)

Explain the Facebook generation gap – the information you exchange with your friends is special to you because you share that experience with them

Tell her it does not replace the traditional phone calls meant for catching up

Make a family album and tag her

Lastly, don’t be rude to your mom (whichever option you choose, try to understand her excitement/sentiment)

Business Cards

Traditional business cards are going to be a thing of the past. No one wants to keep piles of accumulated business cards about local businesses or estranged friends. Not only is it a waste of shelf space, but it’s also hard to sort them out or use the search function to find that friend of a friend.

E-business cards come in all sorts of varieties these days. They play music, link directly to your website and services, and even market themselves. Businesses have an array of templates and technologies to choose from. But I am talking about electronic business cards for you and me. Options include SMSing your contact information, twittering your information, emailing it (then and there) from your smart phone, or sending a linkedin invite. I liked this website called mydropcard.com which allows you to send contact information to someone by texting their email address to a particular number. The website instantly sends your information to that person and makes a log in their address book. Obviously, we have many options to keep in touch these days rather than exchange that piece of paper that may get left behind at the corner table once your discussion is over.

Think of the benefits – all contact information can be retrieved at a later time, people can link to your website or blog right from your e-business card, they can map your business location instantly, and address books will automatically pick up all this information!

I’m not saying that traditional business cards will seize to exist. But eventually, 10 years from now, do you really think one would care to carry around those cards in their wallets? Well, for those who still want to invest in hard copy business cards – be creative and eco-friendly. Use business cards made from recycled cereal boxes, photo business cards, differently shaped cards, anything that will bring you the attention you deserve!  Look at some interesting ideas here. 

The question is would you print yourself 500 new business cards or resort to technology to distribute your contact information? 

Web 3.0 and its frills

The wave of Web 2.0 is slowly shrinking. Web 2.0 is the internet revolution that lets users publish and share content. Social networking, bookmarks, blogs, and wikis – every person and corporate is raving about its importance and impact on our lives. While most people are still coming to terms with Web 2.0, the talk of Web 3.0 has exploded over the web.

Corporates are still stuck with Intranet 2.0. I recently interviewed with a company that was reinventing its corporate intranet strategy to integrate social media to allow employees to create and share content. “But the world has jumped ahead,” I tried to explain to the interviewer. (Needless to say, he seemed annoyed with my suggestion.)We have come to the point where we tag and push content to appropriate users, create roll-based virtual collaboration, and promote the Web 3.0 culture and excitement. It’s about blending personalization, social networking, social media, and that ‘wow’ factor.

Web 3.0 is about rich and relevant user experiences on the web (think unique internet identities, customized web services, and everything at your finger tips). Information will be pushed to you instead of you having to search (pull) it.

Imagine the possibilities when Web 3.0 combines with mobile internet devices such as the iPhone, Google Phone and BlackBerry. Google’s ‘My Location’ lets users locate friends using its mobile mapping service. In time, your phone will locate your friends, suggest a convenient place to hang out based on your friend’s location, give you driving directions to get there, and order your favorite food and drink! Now that’s a smart phone for you! 

The concepts of targeted advertising, loyalty programs, and need-based selling have already taken off – combine that with Web 3.0, PDAs and RFIDs – the shopping experience as we know it will cease to exist. Personal shopping assistants will comb the web and make price comparisons and order you the best deal. You won’t need to get involved except for setting the boundaries and telling the phone what you need. 

I could go on about the possibilities of Web 3.0… but I don’t want to seem overly enthusiastic about something that could compromise our identity and privacy. Ultimately, we need to use Web 3.0 cautiously and remind ourselves that information on the web is for everyone to see. 

Oxymorons

Some of the phrases below are used so frequently, we forget that they are a figure of speech. (The use of these verbs/adjectives make it seem like the contrary is always true! As though, if it weren't mentioned, we would assume otherwise.)

Honest politicians A diet that works
Pretty ugly Forward retreat 
Same difference Resident alien
Open secret (or known secret)
Controlled chaos Nondairy creamer
Government organization 
Military intelligence 
Drink responsibly 
Stripper's dressing room 
Fun run 
Happily married 
Honest crook 
Mercy killing
Business ethics 
Postal service 
Expect the unexpected
Meaniful nonsense
War on terrorism 
Jumbo shrimp (courtesy Alena)

CHEERS in different countries

The idea of this post came from the picture alongside. This picture is a year old, from my trip to Russia as part of an International Finance study/report that I was involved in.

“CHEERS” is a sign of goodwill, camaraderie, and a toast to good health. I’ve also read somewhere that it’s a matter of etiquette and a sign of trust in some cultures.

With all the travelling that we do these days, I thought that my friends might be interested in learning to say “CHEERS” in different languages. After all, no better way to socialize and fit-in than yell “CHEERS” in the local dialect!

USA, Canada and England – CHEERS

India – CHEERS (we have a strong British influence, so we are used to saying Cheers too! However, we have about 200 different local vernaculars like Cheersuu in Kannada, Joy in Bengali, Lambi Umar in Hindi...) 

Australia – CHEERIO (aka Cheers!)

Finland – KIPPIS (aka Cheers!)

Denmark, Iceland – SKAAL (aka Cheers!)

Ireland, Scotland - SLAINTE (meaning to health)

Italy – SALUTE (aka Cheers!)

Brazil, Portugal – SAUDE (meaning to health)

Spain, Mexico – SALUD (meaning to health)

Germany, Netherlands – PROST (meaning beer)

China – NEIN NEIN NU E. KONG CHIEN 

Indonesia – PRO (aka Cheers!)

Japan – KAMPAI (aka Cheers!)

Russia – ZA ZDOROVIA (meaning drink to health)

Drunkards – BOTTOMS UP (meaning chug/drink up so we can fall on our faces!)

Word of Advice: If yelled repeatedly under the influence of alcohol, you will EMBARASS yourself (instead of charming the attractive person across the bar)! 

Translations from: http://www.awa.dk/glosary/slainte.htm