180 entrepreneurs in Basel
January 29, 2009
Yeeea-yuppi-hoo, we’re all thrilled that Amazee’s going to be part of Switzerland’s first startup camp that will take place in Basel this Saturday! Click here to read and watch the interview that our wonderful COO (and co-president of the event) gave to Basel’s number one newspaper.
Learnings from the Amazee Bucket
January 29, 2009
Last week our second Amazee Bucket ended after a really incredible final spurt – and the action and tension lasted until the last second of the race! The three top runners and winners were "Developing an IT learning center", "Water for Dixie" and "Christmas at Dixie". Don’t miss to visit these wonderful projects! All of them feature nice project mags and have goals that are really worth supporting.
After the contest we had the pleasure to interview the two internet leaders and admins of the winning projects, Gowrezan Kirubananthan and Graham Wallington, and ask them some questions about their success strategies. It has become quite obvious that the key to success not only is a common goal and a an informative and attractive project magazine, but also a lot of – really a lot of – structured promotion efforts.
While Gowrezan used all available channels like telephone marketing, chats, personal contact with student groups and tutors at universities to spread the word about his project and his goal, Graham could rely on a lively community of WildEarth.tv fans – the WEangels – which he and his friends managed to mobilize to join the Dixie projects. Talking about project promotion by building bridges to other platforms: Don’t miss our brand new facebook app!
Switzerland is Europe’s Innovation Champion!
January 26, 2009
If you work in Zurich’s Technopark and watch all the Tech giants move into the greater Zurich area (Google, IBM, Microsoft, Sun…) you’re at chronic risk to start believing that the world’s one big Tech enterprise, Switzerland a burning center of innovation and Zurich Europe’s rising web hub! This morning I just crossed over a fresh study of the federal bureau of statistics that confirms that my feeling is no fata morgana: Switzerland is Europe’s Innovation Champion! Without wanting to brag, I feel a good portion of pride.
“Barack & Curtis”
January 19, 2009
On the eve of the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States let me present you this very interesting short documentary by African-American film maker Byron Hurt, „Barack & Curtis“. Clocking in at only ten minutes it is a very powerful piece of film in which Hurt compares Obama to rap icon 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson). Take your time, it is well worth watching and triggering some provocative thoughts.
(Via Achtmilliarden.)
Leaders go first
January 16, 2009
If you ever had the chance to spend some time in the Arab culture, you will have realized that the state mostly claims a minor role compared to the importance of the family, clan or tribe. With the globalization and the rise of social media, the West is moving into a similar direction. More and more citizens use the web and its multitude of social media (like Amazee) to unite in supra-national tribes to tackle global issues. I’m talking about tribes that share the same goals and beliefs – irrespective of religion, national or genetic origin; a hopefully healing development towards a collaborative world beyond the almost unbearable load of ignorance, racism and religious obstinacy.
Now, five months after our Beta launch, one thing has struck me clearly: There is no tribe, no project, and no movement without a leader. I have learnt that every successful project on Amazee has been started and run by a passionate leader who could tell her/his story about the future she/he wanted to build and beyond that motivate people to join and support her/his cause. There has been nothing like an unguided, horizontal form of social collaboration – so far.
With this insight I recently came across Seth Godin’s book “Tribes” that confirmed this view. It’s a motivating book in which he argues that “everyone has an opportunity to start a movement – to bring together a tribe of like-minded people and do amazing things”. Thumbs up from my side, a good read and a short and sweet motivator for everyone who doesn’t want to sheepwalk but work to make change happen. We need you to lead us!
Caption uncompetition
January 16, 2009
The Amazee team recently held a photo shooting in their office where this hilarious set of pictures was taken.
Now it’s your turn. Feel free to leave your comment.
Amazee is going to rock Facebook with a new cool app
January 15, 2009
Woweeeee, we are so excited! There are a lot of things happening right now at the secret underground Amazee headquarters lodged deeply in the Swiss alps, but what got us all woweeeing like a pack of wolves on a bright moonlit night is the brand new, hot and shiny Amazee Facebook application. Yes, that’s right. We are bringing real social collaboration to Facebook. If you are using Amazee already, it means that you can now add your projects to your Facebook profile and wear your commitment like a virtual badge. Everybody who visits you on Facebook will be able to see (and, hopefully, support) your cause on Amazee. Cool, huh? And if you are not using Amazee already, you can still see into other people’s projects. And then start using Amazee!
This is how it looks if you are on your project page.
And this is how it looks when you put a box into your profile.
Yes, I once got a virtual cowbell as a gift. Because the only cure is more cowbell.
Are you ready to be down with the new Amazee Facebook app (or apricot, as we lovingly dubbed it)? You’ll find it here: http://apps.facebook.com/amazee-fb/ There currently is a project being set up on http://www.amazee.com which helps you set things up, if you know as little about Facebook as you do about quantum physics. I’ll post the link as soon as it is ready to be outside the stable. But generally it is very easy, with just a couple of clicks you’ll be ready to social collaborate on Facebook. So, spread the word and use the force!
Any plans for Jan., 20th?
January 9, 2009
Right, January 20th is the day that Change guy is going to be sworn in as 44th president of the US of A. And since Barack Obama represents so much hope for so many people, everybody wants to be in Washington, D.C., to witness it. As if you had to see it to believe it.
The US capital is prepared to host a record visitor number on the 20th, after all, this is a historic date – but not everybody will be able to attend. So, if you don’t have a ticket to the inauguration ceremony, do you stay at home? No way, go to D.C. anyway – and crash the inauguration!
The makers of the hospitality site Airbed&Breakfast give you the ultimate guide of "how to be at the Woodstock of Washington", including suggestions for inauguration parties. After all, it is just a way to market their own homepage, but is still a very funny one!
