This blog is about sharing my daily life. This time I have decided to share some of my professional side as a CEO in EUCIP Norway Ltd. – providing a new European standard for certification of IT-professionals. As a network evangelist, I love to attend seminars and congress to meet others for business and social benefits. My motto is: “no network is weaker than the strongest link” and I’ve gained a lot from sharing knowledge and mingling on different occasions – blogging is one of them!
(please klick on the pics to enlarge!)
Last week I attended IBM’s Strategy and Technology conference in Oslo. It was an interesting guided tour in future aspects of how to use IT in an innovating way. Key note speakers were IBM’s general manager in Norway, The president of Abelia (Business Association of Norwegian knowledge- and technology based enterprises) and the leader of IBM’s Business consulting group (former Norwegian Minister of Modernisation). Some of the subjects were Norway’s strategic opportunities in the global economy, our advantages and disadvantages.
Abelia’s president referred to the Untied Nations ranking of the best places to live in, and Norway has been in the top spot since 1995. I discovered this article on CNN.com International which reads: “It may get down to chilly sub-zero temperatures in mid-winter, but the cold climate country of Norway remains the best place in the world to live, according to the latest research by the United Nations”. I think it is interesting to read how foreigners view my country: “Norway can also be an expensive place to live. A survey late last year by the UBS bank found that once rent and housing is stripped out, the Norwegian capital of Oslo is the costliest city in the world for goods and services, ahead of the perennial front-runner Tokyo.” But my regular blog visitors know that Norway is much more that expensive and cold:-)
at 5PM and at 9PM
The tastiest part of the conference:
After the meeting we had a social gathering with wine tasting on the agenda. I have reported about the Heavenly good wine from South Africa before, this time it was a lovely wine journey to Argentina. Mr. Ketterer from Eurowine Corp., guided us through the appearance, fragrance and the taste of some excellent wines. My favourite was from Bodega y Cavas de Weinert from the Mendoza area. It was a wonderful blend of wine from grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot.
I’m sorry my mobile phone camera doesn’t shoot as well as normal from a dark wine cellar, but you can see Mr. Ketterer was wearing a soccer jacket and as a tribute to Diego Maradona, an on the back of his jacked it said: “The hand of God” :-).
So this was a typical, interesting and educational (at least for me) day in my life. I do hope you enjoyed it as much as I love sharing some of the adventures from the coolest and best place to live. You are welcome to visit any time!
Referral links:
EUCIP Norway (in Norwegian), CNN.com International, Bodega Weinert and Abelia.
My blog makeover:
As a regular visitor, you might have noticed the changes in my blog template. It is made-over by my blog friend, Chas and I am so proud, happy and thrilled about the change. Please visit Chas, comment on his blog and tell him what a great blog designer he is! His blog is in both Norwegian and English now, so there is always something for everyone at Chas’ Bend it like a Banana.
I love your new template renny! It’s so clean & friendly to the eyes :)
i love going to seminars especially if they have free buffets and all. And at the same time you meet some new people as well that can be vital to both business and personal situations. And also thank you very much for my blog’s plug in!
nice template change.. simple and clean.. and hee seminars are best after.. where there is free food (in your case, wine! ) hihi ^_^ hugs
I also like the new look, its easy on the eyes. Thank for posting the pictures. I like to see what other places look like.
oh i DO use FF… 4 evaa!
thank you for stopping by my blog. *grins*
and ur welcome anytime.
This sound like a very interesting day for mind and body ! ;-)
I think it is usefull to certify the IT professionals in Europe.
I looked at the EUCIP website and I was surprised that I understood quite a lot of words. Some words looks like a mix of German/Dutch.
i so like your new template, charles really are good designer =)
hmmm hope someday, somehow i can visit your country it looks awesome =)
luv the new look nice and simple.
thank’s for the visit rennyba :)been busy for almost a week so hopefully by monday I can update my blog.
God bless and more Power :)
cheers :)
yes i would to say that your blogs template is very neat. especially the content, i learning a lot about you and your country. i never knew that it is very expensive to be in Olso, I have been to Japan, I was how expensive to live even just to visit there.
Hey my friend,
What a great new design on your blog. It looks terrific. As usual your posts & pictures are wonderful. I so enjoy reading all thatyou write.
Thank you for stopping by & saying hi. Things are going good. Many hectic things going on right now.
Thinking of you and hoping you are well. Take care,
Tina
I’m loving your new blog template.
Easy.. crisp and clean!
Your seminar went pretty well. Aside from the talks that make me fall asleep ( I have a really short attention span), I also like going to conferences and seminars for all other things. ;)
wow, i had no idea norway was ahead of tokyo! that really surprises me. do norweigians feel the burn of the expense? or do well paid salaries compensate?
Wow, it looks nice here!
Hei Renny!!!!
Your header is really really really Norwegian! LOL. And I like it very much!
(BTW, thanks for recommending Jill.)
As usual, Great pictures… and goodness, I would give anything to have that wine tasting experience. hehe
@Cheh: Thanks for the compliments – I pass it on to Chas.
@Chas (=my blog designer): Yes, people, food and drinks – a splended combination:-)
@Irvine: Thanks! Yes, it ended in a terific way.
@David: Glad you like my new blog too and I am happy to tell about my daily life.
@Chris – never say ever, but yes now it is much better.
@Karen: You’re welcome and thanks – welcome back to you too!
@Sidney: Yes, a great day and a day off to you know:-). I’m glad you catched the idea of EUCIP – clever multi language reader:-)
@Scart: Yes, Chas is the greatest! Welcome any time and give me a hint so that I can guide you:-)
@LWS: Thanks to you too – and thank you for you’re note the other day!
@Cruise: Thanks *blushing*. Yes it is expencive but worth it you know:-)
@YA – Tina: Thanks and you too take care. I am fine and are looking forward to my trip to Sofia you know!
@Suncatcherph: Thanks, yes I can be talkative, but pics can say more than thousend words you know:-)
@April: I’m gald you find something to learn from my blog. Well, salaries compensate for the most of us.
@Ana: Thanks, so welcome back then:-)
@Al: Yes, thanks to Chas – that was what I wanted. How about a family wine gathering one day?