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I come to bury mind-mapping, not to praise it.

December 28, 2012 Leave a comment

Mind Mapping

Mind Mapping (Photo credit: sirwiseowl)

Tim Brown recently wrote the following small article on Linked In updates, which I found by clicking a link telling me to stop using words to describe things:

Make it Visual

Some things are hard to describe in words. In fact, many things are hard to describe in words. Try describing in detail the bedroom you spent your childhood in. My guess is that you will have a hard time describing it well enough for someone else to recreate it. The same is true for new ideas. Words may be a start, but they often lack the precision and clarity required to describe a new idea to someone else. Photos, sketches, and data visualizations can make complex ideas easier to understand and share. That’s why portfolios beat résumés, and young designers are still encouraged to carry a sketchbook.

This week, try recording your observations and ideas visually, even if just as a rough sketch in a notebook or a picture on your camera phone. If you think you can’t draw, too bad. Do it anyway.

Mind mapping can be an excellent way to get visual about abstract ideas. For example, check out the design thinking mind map used in Change By Design, which you also can see in my recent post, “Start Designing Your Life.

There were nearly two hundred likes on this and a discussion had kicked off which seemed fairly one-sided, with 42 people all agreeing with this premise in one form or another. Oddly they had all used words to express this agreement and not one picture could be seen.

I had to add the contrary view, and did so as follows:

I respectfully disagree with some of the premises in this article. We think with language – I defy anyone to frame a conceptual thought without it – and human language, at least the ones I know, bases on words.

I have looked at Mind Mapping and some of the other inventions of Tony Buzan, I have read several of his books and remain skeptical as to the practical use of them. As far as mind mapping is concerned, its main use in my opinion is to give people of an artistic bent an excuse for doodling in meetings, and at least some direction to the doodling they’d probably be doing anyway.

A tabular approach wins out every time – the human brain loves tables and rectangular things. That’s why we live in rectangular rooms in rectangular buildings with rectangular furniture. Placing any problem into a table immediately highlights areas which are uncovered, and ensures deeper and more consistent thinking on any topic. Even “out of the box” thinking is only possible if you’ve defined a box. None of this happens with mind-maps, which ensure a very subjective and random summary of any topic.

I thought it was worth taking a contrary position and maybe getting some thought and discussion going, so please don’t be offended at my detraction from your premise, which is certainly not intended in an agressive spirit.

I thought we could find out whether the mind-mapping is actually popular among the people who follow or at least stumble upon this service, so please take part in the following poll:

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Pdfcasting: ALFA International: European Regional Tele-Seminar – Current Issues in EU Competition Law FREE

September 15, 2011 Leave a comment

This will be of interest to all European businesses for whom competition law may be an issue.

From: Tara Miller [mailto:tmiller]
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 11:53 PM
To: Tara Miller
Subject: ALFA International: European Regional Tele-Seminar – Current Issues in EU Competition Law

 

Presents

Current Issues in EU Competition Law

An ALFA International Tele-Seminar

Sponsored by ALFA International’s European Regional Group

TUESDAY, October 18, 2011 — 17:00 hOURS CESt, 10:00am Central Time (U.S.)

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM — EU Competition Law continues to impose significant demands upon companies doing business in Europe. The cost of violating these laws can be crippling with ever-larger fines being levied. Regulators are becoming more and more aggressive. Among the most important of the competition laws are the recent EU Commission Horizontal Guidelines, published earlier this year. A thorough understanding of the Horizontal Guidelines is crucial for in-house counsel and other lawyers practicing in this area. This seminar will focus on key aspects of the Guidelines.

The Horizontal Guidelines set the regulatory landscape pursuant to Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. They apply to most types of horizontal cooperation agreements between companies active in the same markets, even if not competitors. While such agreements can deliver great economic benefits in sharing risk, combining skills, and sharing other resources, they can also lead to competition issues where increased market power is misused. This seminar will discuss information exchanges, including issues arising from joint production agreements, standardization agreements, and joint purchasing or selling agreements.

THE PANELISTS — This program will feature four lawyers from prominent ALFA International law firms. All are experienced EU Competition Law experts who advise clients on a wide range of competition issues. Our panel will include:

Nicholas Fielding, TGC Corporate Lawyers, Warsaw, Poland

Annemieke van der Beek, Kennedy Van der Laan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Beata Ordowska, TGC Corporate Lawyers, Warsaw, Poland

Paul Stone, Charles Russell LLP, London, England

Please view the attached document for full biographical information.

THE TELE-SEMINAR FORMAT — There is no cost to register and participate. Access to the seminar is via a toll-free 800 number. ALFA International tele-seminars work just like a typical conference call. As an enrollee, you simply dial into a conference call bridge, enter a pass code, and join the program. For technical and presentational simplicity, the tele-seminar will not be interactive. However, the audience may e-mail questions prior to or during the seminar for live response during the program.

ENROLLMENT Registration via our online system is quick and easy.

To enroll for this seminar, please click on the following link

Feel free to contact ALFA International staff member Tara Miller at tmiller if you have questions about registration. A program outline and dialing instructions will be e-mailed to you a few days before the program. A final reminder, including another copy of the program outline and dialing instructions, will be e-mailed to you on the day of the program.

Forwarding This ANNOUNCEMENT Please feel free to forward this message to other in-house counsel you believe would have an interest in the topic. Our conference call provider can accommodate huge traffic volumes for this program.

About ALFA INTERNATIONAL ALFA International is the oldest network of law firms in the United States and remains one of the largest worldwide. Founded in 1980, ALFA is comprised of 85 U.S. law firms and 60 international law firms in 55 nations. ALFA International produces a wide range of educational programs and publications, including a wide array of seminars. The ALFA tele-seminar program, including this offering, is designed for lawyers, clients, and others who may not be able to attend multi-day programs at off-site venues.

I hope you will be able to dial in and join us for this important program on October 18.

Richard Hetke, CEO

ALFA International

Tara Miller

Coordinator of Events & Member Services
ALFA International
980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1180
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Direct: (312) 642-4846

Main: (312) 642-2532
Fax: (312) 642-5346

tmiller

ER 08-18-11 Tele-seminar Speakers.pdf

New FISK website up and running

July 14, 2011 Leave a comment

The Financial Institute of Corporate Treasurers in Poland

The Financial Institute of Corporate Treasurers in Poland or Finansowy Instytut Skarbnikow Korporacyjnych, a public interest organisation promoting education and best practice in the use by businesses of banking products and financial instruments, has now relaunched its website here – and some of the content on this website will be shared over there and vice versa. Subcribers to FISK can access the password protected content on this website, for example, such as the recent article on the use of factoring to achieve the unlocking of otherwise disallowable tax cash flow benefits.

The new FISK website is crammed with information about best Treasury Management practice and on it also you can register for the seminars and courses, a new virtual treasury college leading to FISK’s certification as a Corporate Treasurer, on the way learning techniques which will both save and earn money for your organisation.

Polish training: Edukacyjne Spotkanie Allegro – Warszawa! Zapraszamy na szkolenie!

June 6, 2011 Leave a comment

Masz dostęp do atrakcyjnych towarów i usług?
Chcesz rozkręcić biznes w internecie?Allegro zaprasza wszystkich mieszkańców woj. mazowieckiego do udziału w wykładach i warsztatach o tematyce e-commerce.Zajęcia prowadzą praktycy, osoby, którym udało się zrobić interes w sieci.
BD579494D0F411410741F2BABFDCE81F.gif
Data:
18-19 czerwca 2011r.
Miejsce:
Hotel Novotel Centrum Warszawa
ul. Marszałkowska 94/98,
00-510 Warszawa
Koszt:
100 złotych brutto		 Zapisz się!
Odwiedź Centrum Bezpieczeństwai dowiedz się, jak bezpiecznie kupować i sprzedawać na Allegro oraz jak bez obaw korzystać z Internetu.List został wysłany zgodnie z ustawieniami powiadomień konta Allegro huliganov.
Jeśli nie chcesz więcej otrzymywać tego typu powiadomień, zaloguj się do Allegro i w zakładce Allegro › Moje Allegro › Moje konto › Ustawienia: Powiadomieniai odznacz powiadomienia, których nie chcesz otrzymywać. Realizacja twojego żądania może potrwać do 7 dni.Niniejsza oferta handlowa nie stanowi oferty w rozumieniu przepisów kodeksu cywilnego oraz innych właściwych przepisów prawnych.

Nadawcą listu jest:
Grupa Allegro sp. z o.o. z siedzibą w Poznaniu, 60-324 Poznań, przy ul. Marcelińskiej 90, wpisana do rejestru przedsiębiorców prowadzonego przez Sąd Rejonowy Poznań – Nowe Miasto i Wilda w Poznaniu, Wydział VIII Gospodarczy Krajowego Rejestru Sądowego pod numerem KRS 0000268796, o kapitale zakładowym w wysokości 33 474 500 zł, posiadająca numer identyfikacji podatkowej NIP: 527-25-25-995

“Cyprus: a vehicle for international transactions and investments”

June 2, 2011 Leave a comment

David James, English goalkeeper

Sorry, not quite that David James speaking here...

Conference

“Cyprus: a vehicle for international transactions and investments”

Intercontinental Hotel,  Emilii Platter 49, Warsaw

16 June 2011, 8.00am – 11.00am
(Language:  English)

This event is aimed at introducing Cyprus companies as vehicles for international transactions and investments covering the key requirements applied by the authorities and the banking system in Cyprus and Poland.

The event is addressed to Owners, Chief Executives, Financial Executives and Board Members of companies with international perspectives.

Experienced professionals and speakers of Baker Tilly Poland and Baker Tilly Klitou of Cyprus will be presenting a range of topics, suggesting practical solutions and sharing their experience.  A Q&A session before the close of the event will give participants the opportunity to talk directly with our speakers in order to raise their queries or obtain additional information.

Programme:

8.00 – 8.35 am     -    Business breakfast

8.35 – 8.40 am     -    Welcome address

                                 David James, International Liaison Partner, Baker Tilly Poland

8.40 – 8.55 am     -    “Cyprus transactions: Polish taxation”

                                 Steven Foster, Baker Tilly Poland

8.55 – 9.10 am     -    “Cyprus: an attractive investment and business destination”

Marios Klitou, CEO of Baker Tilly Klitou

9.10 – 9.25 am     -    “IFRS  Regulations in Cyprus”

                                 Christodoulos Loulloupis, Director, Audit Services, Baker Tilly Klitou

9.25 – 9.40 am     -    “Tax in Cyprus and structuring ideas”

                                 Therapon Mafkas, Director, Tax Services, Baker Tilly Klitou

9.40 – 9.55 am     -    “Collective Investment Schemes”

Chris Koutouroushis, General Manager, Bizserve Consultants Ltd

9.55 – 10.10 am   -    Presentation from a Cyprus bank on “International Banking in Cyprus”

10.10 – 10.25 am -    “Polish-Cypriot success stories – Enhancing investment opportunities”

David James, International Liaison Partner, Baker Tilly Poland

10.25 – 10.55 am -    Questions & Answers

11.00 am              -    Close of Conference

In order to obtain your free registration, please contact mjaniga@bakertillypoland.eu  by Wednesday, 8th June 2011. If demand exceeds space available, registration will be first come, first served.

We look forward to seeing you at the Conference!

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Baker Tilly Poland’s Łódź Office address changes

June 2, 2011 Leave a comment

ulica Nawrot w Łodzi

ul Nawrot in Lodz, Baker Tilly Poland's new address

Shortly after Baker Tilly Poland‘s much talked-about Warsaw office move to groundbreaking accommodations at Crown Tower on Hrubieszowska 2, their Łódź office has followed suit, moving from ul Niciarna to ul Nawrot 114, 90-029 Łódź.

Their phone numbers, emails, etc are the same as before.

A spokesperson for Baker Tilly said “we look forward to focussing a stronger presence in Poland’s second city and assisting in the vital and dynamic development of this critical region. With the progress on the Warsaw-Berlin motorway continuing to a gradual conclusion, the axis between Lodz and Warsaw will give rise to additional opportunities for business and prosperity in this part of Poland in the coming years”.

 

 

 

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Event: Poland & CEE Municipal Projects 2011

May 25, 2011 Leave a comment

InterContinental Warsaw seen from from the Pal...

Intercontinental Hotel, Warsaw (via wikipedia)

I’m happy to give some publicity to this event, and if you book please credit us with the link-up.

Dear Quoracy.com subscribers,

I would like to introduce our upcoming – Poland & CEE Municipal Projects event, InterContinental Warsaw 17-19 October 2011 (brochure attached below).

Building on the success of our January event (attendee list attached below), we have developed a unique and targeted format for October, focusing on attracting more banking sector and municipal representatives.

The event will attract up to 50 municipalities and 100 leading international specialists to discuss and promote Municipal Projects in Poland and CEE.

CEE continues to offer investment opportunities and Municipal Projects are integral to sustained growth, with various mechanisms promoting development.

PPPs are an increasingly important financing mechanism, this event will highlight their potential bankability and compare PPPs against alternative public financing methods.

Key topics addressed include Public Debt, Public Fundraising and Financing mechanisms, and projects in Waste Management, Transport Infrastructure, Telecoms Infrastructure, Parking, Civic Buildings and Municipal Accommodation.

The event will have 2 core purposes:

  1. 1-day PPP capacity building workshop for Polish Municipal governments. Municipalities lack the effective capacity to plan, prepare and carry out PPP projects (this lack of capacity is also shown in standard public sector projects) this workshop aims to deal with this issue.
  1. 2 –day international investment conference to promote Poland’s (& CEE) municipal project pipeline (not just potential PPPs but all municipal projects).

So, where do you come in?

You can of course attend to hear about the latest developments in the market and take advantage of the excellent networking opportunities (options on the brochure), however there are a number of unique and specialist sponsorship opportunities available which may be of interest to your organisation.

If you would like to find out more or have any questions please contact jamie.parr@eelevents.co.uk direct.

Poland & CEE Municipal Projects 2011.pdf
Full PPP attendance list Jan 2011.xls

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Polish: Istotne informacje o kontroli i monitoringu pracowników

May 24, 2011 1 comment

專題內文使用的照片_被動式tag_RFID_演唱會脕帶（螢光）

"Just so we can touch base with you during the day, Mrs Li..."

In the same spirit as the preceding post, we decided to give more publicity to this seminar too, this time by Explanator from Poznan, a course in Polish on where the legal red line in the sand is with regards to the control of employees.

More and more Companies are tightening their governance procedures by monitoring the phone calls or emails of employees, chipping them with RFiD chips, putting satellite trackers on their cars, following their activities with close circuit television, sending private detectives round their houses when they are on sick leave to check that they are not malingering, imposing junta-style curfews on company flats, and copyrighting and secretly cloning their DNA. I even heard of one firm which had a person sitting next to the ladies’ toilets taking note of times in and times out of the breaks taken their by different people.

Other firms have begun replacing their employees with robots in order to increase control over them. Sometimes drivers will be faced with a robot taking credit cards and dispensing petrol at petrol stations which previously had real people working on the forecourt, and the robot is unable to say where they have gone and what happened to them.

There seems to be no end to the ways in which companies can use the startling array of new technologies available today in the struggle against international employee idleness.

But which of these activities are justifiable governance activities permitted in law, and which can be seen as an abuse of human rights? The answer, as far as Poland is concerned (we don’t have total harmonisation in the area in the EU – the harmonisation is general because of the Human Rights laws in the Constitution, but their enactment and application in National laws in member states still varies greatly).

TGC is able to help with these questions, when it comes to a practical example. You can contact TGC via us on tgc@quoracy.com . A real person will contact you back and not a robot. Guaranteed.

Otherwise, this training by Explanator may help, too. Again, I haven’t tried them before, but I’m giving the plug in case it’s of interest to those of you with workforces in Poland, whether you speak Polish yourselves or have a Polish speaking HR director.

You don’t want to get this one wrong, by the way. Too little observation and you could appear too soft to some workforces, and some will take advantage. Too much, and you could find yourself in front of an unsympathetic judge. Or robocop.

Find out what you need to do before you embark on monitoring and controlling your people.

Chroniąc majątek firmy przed nieuczciwością pracowników przedsiębiorcy stosują różnorodne metody kontroli i monitoringu. Ale czy na pewno są one dopuszczalne? Czy kontrolując, nie przekraczamy granic prawa?.
Granice prawne kontroli pracowników

Skuteczne i zgodne z prawem metody kontrolowania pracowników i procedury w przypadku stwierdzenia nadużyć

Czas i miejsce szkolenia: WARSZAWA, 8 czerwca 2011 (środa)

Szczególnie polecamy następujące zagadnienia omawiane w trakcie szkolenia:

  • procedury związane z wykrywaniem nadużyć pracowniczych
  • poszanowanie dóbr osobistych i ochrona danych osobowych
  • przeszukanie, monitoring GPS, kontrola korespondencji w praktyce firm… >>> więcej

Zachęcamy do skorzystania z rezerwacji on-line bądź z załączonego formularza zgłoszenia.

Termin przyjmowania zgłoszeń upływa 2 czerwca, a liczba miejsc jest ograniczona.

Z poważaniem

Podpis_ID.jpg [10699 Bytes]

Iwona Dehina

EXPLANATOR, Podchorążych 33, 60-143 Poznań
Tel. (61) 855 01 12, Fax. (61) 855 00 78
www.explanator.pl

A2ri

Granice_kontroli_WAW_190.pdf

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