Category: Reflections Page 2 of 3

International Women’s Day

On Mar 08 2010

Last week, I read an op-ed in the New York Times promoting a gender-neutral Oscar – author Kim Elsesser noted there is no need for segregating awards between men and women and that women should be treated as full equals. Though I agree with the latter statement, we live in a world of gender inequality. Look at the provocative cover of the Economist this week: “Gendercide:What happened to 100 million baby girls?” It goes over what has been in the news before – China’s one-baby per family policy encourages families to use ultrasounds to determine a baby’s sex and abort females, now there is a disproportionate male-female ratio in the country. Same for places in India and South Korea. The lead anecdote from rural China about a midwife throwing a girl baby in a slop-pile to die broke my heart.

So for me International Women’s Day is important. It is ironic that International Women’s Day is actually a national holiday in China. That’s based on the day’s roots in a socialist solidarity movement for women. The long history of promoting women’s rights needs to continue around the world.

Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wunn have written a wonderful book, Half the Sky, which sets out a 21st century agenda for the women around the world. Check out the section on How to Get Involved.

In a world where women hold up half the sky, and make up 40% of the worforce, so much more needs to be done to achieve equality. Catalyst, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting women in business, recently published, Pipeline’s Broken Promise, which looked at thousands of women and men MBA alumni in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, and determined that even after taking into account experience, industry, and region, women start at lower levels than men, make on average $4,600 less in their initial jobs, and continue to be outpaced by men in rank and salary growth. Men are twice as likely as women to hold CEO or senior executive positions and less likely to be at lower levels, where women are overrepresented.

I know I need to do more so that my daughter has a better future. To International Women’s Day!

Anne Rice and New Media

By admin

On Mar 04 2010

In Reflections

I love paper. I love the feel of the New York Times in the morning as it crackles in my hands; I love to sit with a book under the blanket my grandmother knit for me; and I love stationary, Kate’s Paperie is my dream store.

But I was intrigued by a new concept and a new media company, Vook, that may change how I read. Will you “vook” one day like you google? Maybe. The company launched last October; their concept – produce a digital book type that combines video, links to the internet and text into one application.

The only reason I even looked at Vook is because one of my favorite fiction authors, Anne Rice, has decided to “vook”. I have an entire shelf filled with Rice’s work – The Witching Hour is my favorite. She recently launched a multimedia edition of “The Master of Rampling Gate,” a previously published vampire story set in an England mansion in the 19th century. I checked it out – Vook is having a promo for the piece at 99 cents (don’t know how they are making money) – and I found it interesting. Though I still don’t like reading online (nope, don’t have a Kindle), I liked the videos attached to the story. The internet links were a little bit too obvious I thought and didn’t add much. But I loved seeing Anne Rice talk about her work and the story. I have never had the chance to see her at a reading, it but was a close second. (though going to her store in New Orleans when it existed was awesome). And she is definitely a fun woman to celebrate this month.

To vook or not to vook – that is the question.

Museum Mojo

By admin

On Feb 23 2010

In Reflections

My first visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art was magic. I was an impressionable 13 year old awed by its history and beauty, including those majestic outdoor steps that make you feel like a princess entering your castle. I believe museums and galleries large and small teach you about life, and are community treasures. Watching Anna run around the Temple of Dendur at the Met or at our local Pierogi art gallery, I hope she is learning to appreciate art.

Guest speaker Silvia Karman Cubina recently appointed to lead Miami’s Bass Museum believes museums should be more in tune to communities and has made this her mandate. When I am in Miami next, I will be sure to visit the Bass Museum to see her efforts there.

I have made it my goal to encourage art institutions to create programs for 2 to 4 year olds. I used to take my daughter to the Whitney Museum‘s stroller tours but they stop at 18 months; most art programs for kids pick up again at 4. Huge undeserved market – with a flexible price point I may add!

Jewels of Venice

By admin

On Feb 16 2010

In Reflections

Venice is one of my five favorite cities in the world. I first went to Venice as a teenager, on a school trip with the Dominican nuns. I was entranced by the canals and beauty of meandering through the streets and waterways. When I returned years later, I once again lost myself in the twists and surprises of the floating city. As I walked, looking at shops full of masks, costumes, art, I went past an enchanting shorefront filled with a different kind of jewelry – modern, light, romantic. I lunched with friends in the nearby piazza of Santa Margherita (happily devoid of tourists) and came back to browse. My boyfriend (now husband) struck up a conversation with Gualti who created all the fabulous jewelry. I left with my first piece, a necklace, and every time we went back for the Venice Biennale, I added to my collection. Gualti even made me my own special headpiece for my wedding. I asked Gualti to write about his passion for this month’s art theme. If ever you find yourself in Venice, meander over to see him!

February is Arts Month at Global Markets

By admin

On Feb 08 2010

In Reflections

It is cold and snowy and sniffly. To reconnect with the world’s beauty, I have invited several guest writers to discuss art in its many shapes and its many businesses. Perfumer Mandy Aftel leads us with her intoxicating description of scent and an essay on the art of perfumery. I met Mandy when I was at a dinner at the American Museum of Natural History. As part of its Silk Road exhibit, the museum arranged a wonderful dinner infused with aromatics provided by Mandy. I was particulary taken with the antique sandalwood which took me back through time; the next day, I contacted Mandy who agreed to share her beautiful story.

The rest of the month will have similar tales. Tune in to be transported from the cold!

A quick note on the upcoming editorial calendar:

March – women in global affairs
April – the business of green
May – energy
June – the business of soccer
To be continued…

Venezuela

By admin

On Jan 28 2010

In Reflections

My mother-in-law spent much of her youth in Venezuela where her father went to run a business after leaving Italy post WWII. She learned to hunt in the rich forests, she swam in pristine rivers – it is like hearing of Eden. It is difficult to marry this magical vision to the tragedy that has befallen Venezuela today.

Several years ago, my colleague and friend Susan Kitchens travelled to Venezuela to tell the tale of Chavez and his Cuba connection. She saw a Venezuela of squalor and danger run by a megalomaniac who was squandering his country’s resources.

Today, my mother-in-law knows she cannot travel to a place she calls home. In Speakers Corner, clinical psychologist, Felicitas Kort, writes about the fear that pervades Venezuela’s psyche and its standstill. It reminds me of the fiction story, Trailhead, in the January 23 issue of the New Yorker. The last sentence of the story: “Finally, all that the Trailheaders knew was terror, ad the existance of a choice-they could fight or run from the horror.” Felicitas for the time being has moved out of Venezuela as has her family, but she remains attached to her home. Will change ever come? I would love to one day take my daughter to see where her Nonna grew up. Hopefully that day will come.

Tale of Two Indias; outsourcing investing

By admin

On Jan 18 2010

In Investing Ideas, Reflections

I have not yet been to India, but am greatly looking forward to perhaps a wedding invitation from one of my friends there that will finally get me on the plane. Til then I marvel at the country’s growth and soak up the culture reading and listening to my friends’ stories.

I invited Rahul Sahgal, CEO of outsourcing firm, Annik Technology Services to comment on his views of the opportunities for India in the outsourcing space. His optimism for a turnaround in 2010 is heartening coming on the heels of the past year’s malaise. I am especially interested in his expectations for M&A activity as I have been hearing from the Street that there is cash/funding available for deals. So investors: watch India and the outsourcing space. Another outsourcing investment idea: Teletech. I am very impressed by the management of the company and the dedication of its founder, Kenneth Tuchman, whom I previously profiled for Forbes. He made an early bet on the Philippines and on technology and I believe is ahead of the competition; the company’s stock has rebounded nicely and is up near $20. I expect it to go higher.

I am also intrigued by another view into India provided by my friend and former Forbes colleague, Megha Bahree, in her travels. See Megha’s blog at: http://desigeek.com/blog/megha/. Her reports of traditional tribal culture in remote India clashes with tales of booming India. I believe the two Indias will have to be reconciled before the country can successfully move forward.

Honoring Haiti

By admin

On Jan 14 2010

In Reflections

I digress from this month’s forecasting theme because I am devastated by the large-scale destruction in Haiti. I would like to share a different vision of Haiti and to send my best to all those I met over the years. I learned to love Haiti from one of my first best friends in high school. She showed me a vibrant and proud culture of music and mysticism. I grew up seeing the strengths of the Haitian community in New York – indeed, Haitians rank among the more successful immigrant groups in the U.S. Later on, when I was studying for my graduate degree at NYU, my friend helped me to navigate New York’s Haitian community for my International Reporting class.

New York City’s Haitian community is clustered in three main neighborhoods: in Manhattan on 103^rd and Amsterdam, in Queens’ Jamaica and Cambria Heights and in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush and Crown Heights areas. In my travels, I met Jack who co-owned, Les Delices, a restuarant in Cambria Heights, and Vioela Caze who worked at Haitian music store, Antilles Mizik Ltd. Vioela was here to study but wanted to return to Haiti where she loved the club scene in Port-au-Prince. She introduced me to traditional Haitian troubadour music and kompa, the music of the new generation. I spent several evenings with the regular attendees of the Haitian American Student Association at NYU, most of whom were studying medicine, and all of whom were mixing Haitian culture into their American lives.

I also met strong advocates for Haiti including Gina Cheron-Merlin, at the time director of National Coalition for Haitian Rights; Kim Ives, who edited and wrote for Haiti Progres for over twenty years; Gary Pierre-Pierre, founder of the Haitian Times; Farah Tanis who launched Dwa Fanm, a service provider for Haitian victims of domestic and sexual abuse in New York City; and Steeve Coupeau who founded Haiti Advocacy to give a voice to the Haitian community in New York and he told me to show, “We are not just boat people.”

I hope they are all well, and I reach out to them to help get Haiti through a seemingly neverending crisis which escalated in 2008 when hurricanes and tropical storms killed hundreds of people, wiped out Haiti’s food crops and caused nearly a billion dollars in damage. Last year, rising food prices further hurt families. And now the unspeakable losses.

A former colleague of mine at Forbes, William Barrett put together a guide for how to help Haiti: http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/13/haiti-earthquake-charities-personal-finance-spotting-scams.html. All the organizations listed above with links are also excellent resources.

Reflections/Predictions

By admin

On Jan 03 2010

In Reflections

I am excited by the connections made in the fledgling days of this website. A colleague at the consultancy I used to work for, Kaiser Associates, forwarded my email to another colleague who now has his own firm, Peer Insight; he was moved by my first guest writer, author Ellen Sabin, and her books that teach children about the world around them. Community activist, Hayley Teague, whom I met when I lived in London, and who shared her insights about volunteering at a local level, has been invited to speak about her experience at a parish in the north of England. One small connection at a time is how ideas grow.

This month, I will be highlighting global leaders and their ideas for 2010. Will this be a year of recovery or another roller-coaster? I keep hearing a great deal of uncertainty in the voices of those with whom I speak, but also some notes of experimentation, adventurism that may be the start of some great new concepts.

Looking forward to the new decade!

Afghanistan

By admin

On Dec 14 2009

In giving, Reflections

The American Museum of Natural History currently has an exhibit about the Silk Road , an impressive review of land links from China to Europe that began sometime in the second century BC to around 1500 when boats took over as trade conduits. My daughter loved the camels and the live silkworms, I marveled at the rich history of the many peoples and cultures along the route. I am reading Freya Stark’s beautiful reflections on her travels in Arabia and what once was has captured my imagination.

Afghanistan for example was part of a southern Silk Road route that snaked to India. On the map, cities like Herat, Kabul and Bamyan, the last which we today associate with the terrible Taliban destruction of the giant Buddhas. Chaos and mayhem are probably the only visuals we get from Afghanistan today. But once upon a time, as my daughter would say, Alexander the Great walked these lands, Indian ivories and Chinese lacquers were collected, and rug-making transcended centuries.

Connie Duckworth who is our second featured writer in Speakers’ Corner recognized the skill and entrepreneurship shown by Afghan women in creating beautiful hand-made rugs and started Arzu, an organization which provides a marketplace for the rugs made by Afghan women and in turn invests in their education and well-being. It is a unique endeavor, and Connie has built it step by step by relying on contacts and associates and their donation of skills and expertise. I profiled Connie several years ago, and have reconnected to see the organization become an even bigger success. It also shows a different side of Afghanistan – one where the traditions and heritage of the past are very much alive and celebrated, and one where women have a chance at empowerment.

Six years ago, I met two striking and strong-willed women from Afghanistan when I was taking an International Reporting class at NYU. They had tremendous pride and hope in their country, and wherever they are today, I know they are trying bring Afghanistan back to its prosperous Silk Road past.