Archive for category Sunday Column
Sunday Column (153)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on February 5, 2012
Santa's House. "What kind of architect are you?" - "I designed it without taking the pencil off the paper." - a way of drawing a house, very common in Germany.
On the private side of things we are making progress with the house buying/selling process. We went to Hassocks on Saturday and looked at a few properties: four and three bedrooms, newly build and older with character, or just “a house”. Some interesting viewings.
We drove our new car down there, so that was all good. Really enjoy driving the people carrier. You don’t feel as “cool” as in an SUV and hence you seem to drive a bit more relaxed. Not sure if it really matters though.
I suspect you are all curious to hear about the houses we looked at, the offer we received for ours etc. But I decided to only share that with people I would like to. Once things are complete, I am more than happy to share details here too. Just so much information: we will accept an offer on our current place on Monday, and we will make an offer on a 4 bedroom place down in Hassocks on Monday too. Fingers crossed all goes well, we will be moving before the summer. Wow! I didn’t expect things to move that quickly. But, then you never know how things might change, e.g. buyers or sellers pulling out. Happens. It ain’t a deal until you got the keys in your hands….
I guess that is enough excitement for us. All I need at the moment to be honest. Exciting but also draining. Decisions. Decisions. This week looks promisingly quiet. A conference, a day off on Friday for my boy’s 1st birthday.
Good days.
Have a great week,
Volker
Sunday Column (152)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on January 29, 2012
I started writing this column whilst having a Saturday night off. Glass of wine, German music, kids in bed and the wife visiting a friend. These evenings are rare. Time to reflect, time to / for myself.
What am I thinking these days? I am thinking a lot to be honest. There are a few things that I anticipate this year. All and foremost our move to a better life. I am getting quite excited thinking that I finally settle down. A bigger house. A better quality of life. All other factors probably stay the same but that is how it is. You never completely change just because you move or change one bit of your life. There are the same illusions you have that every year at New Year’s Eve you give up smoking. Most people never last. Change is within us and not (necessarily) location dependent.
Then we get our new (used) car on Tuesday. A Seat Alhambra. As you know my wife and I insist on rear facing car seats. The Alhambra was the only choice for a comfortable drive and space in the car, whilst keeping the car seats’ third leg on a solid ground. Most other cars (Sharan, S-Max, Galaxy, 2011+ Alhambra) have under floor storage boxes that don’t support the weight of the leg. Anyway, my wife will write an extensive report as a guest post. So any comments should be waiting until the full review is published. However, I think once the kids are out of rear facing car seats we get an XC90 Volvo again. We just loved that car too much.
This week I have been to Milan. I only went for the day. Despite no sleep the night before (thanks kids!) I had a good day. I really look forward travelling more regularly to Spain, Italy and potentially more countries in the future. This will be my job moving forward. Besides Colin loves ham at the moment, so both of those cities offer me the best “take away” for him 
The perks.
Other than that work is busy. I have found some time to catch up with half the industry about the acquisition. January was a lot busier than anticipated and I look forward to March. Why March? February looks like it will be even busier than January already, so March can only be better, right? Then again there are a few longer trips planned too. Lots of progress to be seen. I like that.
We had a fantastic weekend. We didn’t do much, but given the fact we weren’t house hunting and didn’t have any viewings for our place, we were busy but relaxed. We took some pictures, shopped for some wine and just chilled. Good bonding with Colin and Rohan. Wine: not having a constant stack of wine at home, buying them cheap when on offer, allows me to go and shop different wines. I got some excellent bargains on some French Fitou and Shiraz. So what am I complaining about?!
Guess that is all for this week folks.
Have a good one,
Volker
Sunday Column (151)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on January 22, 2012
Now this week was busy but good busy if that makes sense. Monday started with some really good news. It is good to get confirmation of something really nice. So life is good to us. Thanks.
I had a lot of discussions this week about challenges. As I wrote in several of my Buddhist Thoughts: you come across challenges in life that you need to resolve. If you resolve them you can move on. Sometimes you don’t get new challenges or things overall look like a challenge. Then one needs to decide whether one likes to solve the challenge here and now or somewhere else later. I guess that is just the way it is. I had a few conversations like that this week. For me, I always try to resolve issues first in the here and now. You might not get a chance to resolve them later, so go for it whilst you can. Soaring new heights where you are I suppose.
We humans are the only mammal that drinks milk after we grow out of a child’s age; and we drink milk of other mammals too. I am saying that because we are the only ones that think about the past and the future, and can make relation to each other. And I am saying that based on a discussion with one of my work colleagues this week. We are the only ones that can control our minds. We humans are quite fantastic really. I started listening to “Buddha’s Brain“, a book/audiobook looking at the science of Buddhism and the way we can shape our own thoughts for greater happiness, love, compassion, and wisdom.
Quite fascinating really if you think about it. So challenges as well as us humans controlling our mind shape our future, our thinking and ultimately our actions. And, we are in control. The latter is almost scary. A lot of work on ourselves can result in a lot of power and success. Now we are talking about a perfect state where I would like to be: a balance between the spiritual development, the career development, satisfaction at work and at home, work /life balance and constant challenges to develop. We can do it; let’s just balance it right.
I guess I am drifting a bit. But sometimes it is good to let your mind flow. Some discussions this week showed me that my filters for life are a lot different to other people’s filters of the world. You can agree, disagree and discuss. But sometimes you realise that you are too different. So finding common ground becomes more of a challenge. That is when we start at the beginning of this blog post again. However, I spend two great nights and a good lunch in the company of great minds that think alike….
There is not much I could complain about in life at the moment. Maybe that Colin goes through the phase of “not liking his daddy“. Maybe that we still haven’t sold the house or found a new one. Things take time. It seems we have found a car though. The kids teach me patience each day/night. Almost every day this week I got home at night thinking that I learned something and that things are moving in the right direction. A blessed feeling. A good feeling.
I am happy. Now I need to make more people happy. I am trying. I am trying hard.
Buddha bless, have a great week ahead.
Volker
Sunday Column (150)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on January 15, 2012
150 Sunday Columns – this is a looooong time. Almost 3 years I have been sharing my thoughts here on my blog. My blog has changed since I launched it: both from an URL perspective, platform perspective, and from the content of course.
Change. As you know our company got bought and this was announced this week. I won’t go into detail here, as this is still my private blog. I enjoy working in RTB and with technology, so I am excited about upcoming opportunities. However, don’t expect me to comment on the deal.
Ever since the inspiring book by Steve Jobs I cannot stop listening to Bob Dylan. My “song of the week” is “shelter from the storm”.
With us wrecking our brains now about moving house, selling our current one, buying a new car etc., this song probably makes a lot of sense to my subconscious. I actually remember listening to it full blast (via headphones) on a flight back from Milan last year, chilling out.
Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm
“Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns”
I’ve heard newborn babies wailing like a mourning dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question man is it hopeless and forlorn
Well I’m living in a foreign country but I’m bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor’s edge someday I’ll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
“Come in” she said
“I’ll give you shelter from the storm”.
Maybe I am a bit sentimental today. The weather turned colder. I am exhausted. For the past week I probably slept 4 hours on average. Our boys seem to test us to the limit. On top of all of the above are more things we need to resolve. It seems as we are being constantly challenged. Constantly pushed to our limits.
And, as I tried to explain to many people before, I love it. I am someone who needs these new and constant challenges. I am never happy where I am. I have a very strong drive to succeed and be the best in class. That is just me. Pushing boundaries widens your horizon. Nothing else is more fun.
I am learning. I actually managed to play with my son for an hour without checking my phone when I got home on Friday night. I am engaging with the person opposite, not matter how small, and give him my full attention. They are trainers. They train me to be patient, to be tolerant, to relax.
I couldn’t do it without that balance.
Anyway, I am waffling a bit here, so I better stop.
Have a great week.
Volker
Sunday Column (149)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on January 8, 2012
Happy New Year again. My first proper Sunday Column of 2012. And what should I tell you. The year started a lot busier than anticipated. The break I had seems far away but was very revealing. I think that this year is going to bring a lot of change.
One change is around the corner but I cannot speak about it yet.
However, the other change I can speak about quite openly: we are planning to move. We are quite focused with our search and surprisingly spend all Saturday looking at places (towns that is). And, even more surprisingly, probably already made a decision on the town. Maybe we should look around more but maybe we should just go for this place. First thoughts but we believe it might be the right decision. We are going to sleep about it a few more nights, do some more research and then going to look for some actual properties. Scary thought to decide on a place for the next 18 years or longer 
Anyway. The year started with every take away on the planet and probably close to the amount of booze as we had before and during Christmas. Not sure if it is the lack of light or what it is but we were lazy to say the least.
All that will change as I am determined to go back to the gym – that is when Rohan sleeps through the night. And, I am determined to eat healthy again. I even emptied my wine shelf, so it is a first to go into the 2nd week of the year with an empty wine shelf.
I believe 2012 is all about the balance too – work & family, diet & sports, friends & family. I went out on Thursday with a few mates and I haven’t had such a great laugh for a very long time.
On the other hand you all know how much I enjoy living and working. I also managed to spend one day in the office until 7 pm – things are back to normal and for some reason I have never believed you should change things just because it is a new year. Whatever you want to change, it is in your head. Reading a book about self hypnosis makes you think. That book opens your eyes of what is possible with your mind. Not sure if reading an MBA book at the same time is the best idea
Anyway, before I drift off too much, I hope you all have a great 2nd week of the year.
Mine is going to be busy. Lots to talk about this week.
Best wishes,
Volker
Sunday Column (148)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on January 1, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I hope you started the New Year off well. All the best for 2012.
Let’s continue with my 2011 review rather than trying to predict anything for 2012 and tell you that I want to loose more weight, eat healthier and spend more time with the family….
Half time – July saw our first family holiday to the New Forest. Whilst only for a week it was great to get out. I gave up on my “precious moments” posts. Google+ launched, I went to Germany, and did a whole lot of things in one month. Going through the archive, this has been a busy month with on average 1 blog post a day!
In August I gave up drinking. Also, I was bored and thought a lot about my life and directions. I love those months where you have time for doing that. The thought sticking in my mind is that some people just come into your life for a reason, for a 
limited time or forever. One other highlight of what we did was to join MyDaddyCooks at a show at London Bridge.
September kick started the season of shows. dmexco in Germany and ATS (Ad Trading Summit) in London showed that RTB (real time bidding) is the future of online marketing. A joy to be part of this development and I am grateful to be in the position I am in. The following months have seen publications and thoughts from myself about the industry, RTB and what is there to come. I feel confident and joyful in the field of RTB and see much growth – I am very excited for 2012….at the very latest. When RTB becomes the only measurement and booking technique for media, then things will clearly take off. Onwards and upwards.
October - autumn. We went to Germany. It was a great trip and I enjoyed driving as much as you could enjoy driving. However, it was our last trip with our car as it ended in us needing a new transmission. You can read the ongoing rants about KwikFit who turned out to be quite good in accommodating our costs, and the hiccups we had on the way. However, the car was not to be saved, and maybe should have never been driven to Germany in the first place. But as things happen, they happen. And we have been without a car ever since. I am sure we get a new one next year but I am not sure yet. I don’t miss a car, and I don’t think it is very important to us either. But it would be a lot more convenient. We shall see, I have my eyes on a few models like the Ford Galaxy, the Mercedes Benz R350 or the Chrysler Voyager. And, of course I could imagine getting another Volvo XC90. Why not. I loved that car.
November saw me being promoted to a new job at work. I took on the responsibility for three offices in total: Italy, Spain and the UK. I am really doing a dual role as Managing Director in the UK and VP International Sales. But I enjoy it and help is on its way for 2012. I enjoy the travel and getting away from the family, my day to day job and London for a day or two a week. Of course I don’t like the extra burden I put on my wife and leaving her with the kids. But in all honesty, it is usually one night I am away which doesn’t count for much less time away than being stuck in the office for 2 or 3 evenings a week. It surely made November pass very quickly.
Will 2012 be that bad? I hope not!
December. What should I say? We got fibre optic broadband, a new stereo and a new bed. All well planned for Christmas and in unison with our plans that we potentially have to move next year to get Colin into a better school in 2013. Another year came to an end. I managed to have a few 30 days challenges, lost 3 kg lately and made it under 100kg again. I still want to get into a routine of exercise if Rohan sleeps through the night. I still want to write my book “my life” at some point. My life moved into the clouds and Steve Jobs got me hooked on Apple from his grave – yes this year has changed me and admittedly Steve was a great influence.
We got curtains this year, we cleared the loft, we painted the fence, we lost our car, we had our 2nd son, we didn’t win the lottery but a few quid, and I re-potted the plants. Life was just normal. We got more toys, got rid of old ones and trying to stay on top of the boys, sorting out routines, doing a good job, being a good mum and dad, and we are trying to contribute our bit to society. We are living the dream
In January I wrote about 2011: “I want to do more sports. I know I have to incorporate exercise in my daily routine, lose weight, get fit, get rid of my back pain and get fit again. Not only for me but also for the kids.
I have to stop overeating, stop smoking cigars and stop drinking alcohol altogether. The hang over this morning was the worst this year, so I might as well stop for the next 12 months. I instead will meditate every night, practise Tai Chi, and be a good boy.
And most days, I will just live. Just eat, drink and sh* as normal.”
I guess that is it. 2012. Yes, the Olympics are in town. I will be travelling a lot more with work. We probably buy and move into a new house. God knows where I write my review for the coming year. And if I do. But I didn’t want to get morbid But seriously, does anyone know what life will bring for us? Let’s do the best in order to live as long as possible and necessary for our kids. And, let us enjoy Christmas parties like this year with the whole family getting together. Those are getting rarer. Let’s embrace the single moments. The here and now.
I look forward to this year.
And now, just imagine for a short moment, that we had lived on Mars. Not only would we have to wait over another 300 days before we could celebrate our next year, we also would have only been in the middle of this one. Weird ey?
Whatever comes, let us embrace life.
All the best to you and your family for 2012.
Volker & family
Sunday Column (147)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on December 25, 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Another year. Another 12 months, 365 days or 8,760 hours of life. How lucky are we? Many people didn’t survive the past 12 months for whatever reasons. Steve Jobs of course comes first to my mind as he had a huge impact on me this year. Or Vaclav Havel who died just a week ago. I was lucky, no family member or close friend passed away.
But life is not about the ones that died but about what you experienced and what you learned and of course what you are going to make out of it. Positive outlooks, the now and the future. Let’s not be morbid but full of joy and look at what 2011 brought us…and ultimately what 2012 might have in stock for us.
January saw the last month of Jen’s pregnancy. A time, as everyone could imagine, that is full of emotions, tears, fun, and a toddler that can be annoying at times. Not only did I write my 100th Sunday Column, I also wrote about Cancer and Death in the same month. Are we back to the morbid topics? No, the post about that I may die 
today was a Buddhist thought on that you should live a great live and a compassionate life to the day of your death, reminding you that death could happen any day. And, that you shouldn’t worry about it but embrace the thought that it might be today. A comforting thought I think.
February was all about positive stuff and LIFE. Rohan was born. A few posts about happiness but also focusing on my work. We got a new member of staff and despite me being off I had to spend a lot of time working from home. I felt a lot of pressure at work that time and over the whole year. Lots of changes but overall this year was fantastic. For 2012 I can only see more and better growth. A stronger team. I cannot wait. But back to Rohan – he is now over 10 months and I can hardly imagine how he turned out to be the way he is. I was carrying him in the hospital: a fragile baby with a bony bump – a wee little tiny parcel. And now he has this cheeky smile, crawls around and cannot get enough attention, competing for it with his older brother. Life has been so good to us and seeing them both now, you wouldn’t think that Rohan had a very hard and dangerous time just after he was born. Thank who you need to thank for healthy children.
March was about coffee, no sleep and of course Iceland. I finally made it to Iceland on a trip where I spoke at a conference. Hopefully I go again next year but I haven’t heard, and March will be very busy with other conferences in other exciting countries. As with all “first baby month”, this one just passed. With probably around 7 hours sleep on average – per week
April saw me turning 34. My aim to become Managing Director before I was 35 had been fulfilled. How fantastic. Now I put my next challenge out: to be CEO or at least having one or two non-executive director positions before I am 40. We shall see what the future holds. Anyway, I got my netbook in April. I am still happy with it. A bit slow, and maybe I would prefer a tablet with keyboard now instead of a netbook but I wasn’t ready then. So still a good investment. The iPad is coming when version 3 comes out next year.
May - looking at the history of the blog and my notes: a very normal month. Nothing special happened. I had time to tell the world that it was me who invented Facebook. But I am still to receive Mr. Zuckerberg’s cheque
June came with more changes at work. Personally and privately this month was similar to May. I believe you get to this saturation point, particularly if you live of little sleep, where you just live. You are happy in your routine and you just do as you are told. Life is just normal. A few thoughts about life, some about dreams but nothing that will ever change the world.
Now, these were the first 6 months of 2011. I’ll post the next 6 months next week. I thought a marathon blog post on Christmas day might just be a little too much to read whilst you are sitting under the tree, stuffed with turkey, having a wee zip of wine or whisky.
Have a great Christmas holiday!
Volker & Family
Sunday Column (146)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on December 18, 2011
A week today is Christmas Day. This year certainly passed quickly. But more about that next week.
This week I was thinking of warming up the crap I am hearing from Vodafone’s customer service but then thought that I get truly bored of incompetent companies’ customer service. But you already know that. Waitrose even didn’t reply to all the questions I asked them in an email but instead just focused on the first. What is wrong with those people? Or are my standards too high?
Enough. This week I was ill. I am still not 100% and have a few issues that are delicate to be resolved. I am loving my challenges lately. I enjoy my life. Actually I am happy.
So this week I want to talk about a very happy man: Postman Pat.
If you don’t know who he is, watch this video:
Postman Pat lives with his black and white cat in Greendale. Colin watches it all the time. Pat has a family, a wife that helps in the local community, a son that goes to school. They don’t have a dog, but other than that, they could just live in Beckeham.
They have this little house, maybe a 2 bedroom. Pat loves his job, enjoys going to work and being busy. He likes his breaks, his cup of teas, the banter. He is there to help, develop and jump in for anyone in the community.
Postman Pat, living in the little village seems untouchable from any economic crisis, price inflation, weather or Vodafone’s customer service. They live in their own little world, a small world, in which they are just very very happy with the situation they are. Like living in a bubble.
I am sometimes wondering if 2012 will find us the place were we can live in a bubble? A place to which I can come home to after my busy days and just go into a bubble where I don’t have to worry. Next year we have to make a decision on schools for the kids and where to live for probably the next 16-20 years. A scary and weird thought. But I hope it is going to be this place that is close enough to my work/London but remote enough for me to be happy in my little world where I can just be very very happy.
Have a great last week before Christmas.
Volker
Sunday Column (145)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on December 11, 2011
Another week, this time full of Christmas parties, lies behind me. A good week. Good chats, good progress, good meetings. Overall this week wasn’t stressful but busy. Good busy.
You saw my article about RTB and branding. I love RTB. Really do. I think video RTB will be the next big thing. I had lots of chats about that. But enough about work, it is weekend after all.
Rohan has been sick this week. The vomiting bug finally caught us. I guess it was a matter of time as this bug has been going around for a while. Hence we had to cancel the trip we planned to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park with some friends of ours. Then of course Colin got it at the weekend too. I am feeling queasy but hopefully will be spared.
You remember the times when you didn’t have kids? It sounds terrible, as I wouldn’t want to miss them in the world. However, you remember when you could sleep in until 10 am each weekend day? When you went out for meals, drinks and parties? When you had a nap in the afternoon, went to the gym and just spend time with your partner?
Now you have to fit things in when the kiddies are asleep. I am struggling with the gym, parties and late nights are only occasional events, carefully planned. Kids make you focus solely on them, particularly of course when they are ill and more vulnerable.
But never ever would I want it any different. It just wouldn’t be the same, feeling needed, grown up and being able to pass on knowledge, expertise and fun to a little human being that challenges you new every minute! It couldn’t get better!
—-
Let me make another note on customer service and Ocado. After we quit Ocado due to unreliability and no improvement to their services over a period of almost 6 months, we thought we try another delivery. However, that delivery of course was late. They didn’t contact us as our phone number they had was wrong. Did they not have our email address? I cannot understand how a company like Ocado that clearly tries to be a market leader and has a high standart and expectations on customer service can f* things up that often. On the same account. Over again. Ridiculous, and now definitely off our radar. We have been quite happy with Tescos lately. Maybe because you expect less and you are more forgiven. But as you save about £20-£30 per weekly shopping this works out well.
Anyway, no point of raging. On a very positive note my wife and I got ourselves a new stereo for Christmas. Nothing special but an all in one mini HIFI system that plays off a USB stick, iPod/iPhone, CD and digital radio. It replaces a 20 year old Kenwood stereo system. I like the new system, hooked up my record player and TV, but also our old speakers. Pioneer does a nice little stereo here. Really like it
Then, another positive is that we sold our bed frame on eBay and as you have seen yesterday we now have massive space. Means we soon should be able to order our Futon. We are just waiting for their Christmas sales which should be starting this week.
I guess that is all for now. Two weeks to Christmas. Looking at my diary I should be able to wind down from late this week. I cannot wait for the Christmas break.
Bless you all,
Volker
Sunday Column (144)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on December 4, 2011
As a child I never travelled much. Austria or Denmark with my parents, usually by car and we never flew. That was fine then and I have no regrets. I wasn’t jealous of other kids that did fly. Even when I grew up, I never went anywhere. A short trip to Spain and a motor bike trip to Italy and Denmark. But that was about it. Another bike trip around the UK of course. Only when I got married, our honeymoon took us to Thailand, and boy did I love it.
My hotel was next to one of those towers, never noticed the other
Now the strike action of the public sector. Only in Cameron’s Britain did I ever experience strikes, riots and high unemployment rate. I am might be biased as for the first 8 years of me living in the UK Labour was in power, and maybe they messed a lot of things up. But lately I get increasingly annoyed of what is happening. Anyway, arriving back at Gatwick there weren’t any queues, no problem whatsoever. Fantastic.
But enough about travel. Work is very tiring as it is, but very rewarding too. I even went into work on Friday when I had a day off. This time though to show off the family. It was great to just sit there on Friday afternoon and presenting the kiddies. And the wife of course They enjoyed it and I believe my colleagues enjoyed it too. We then went home and did some Christmas shopping on the way.
We also went Christmas shopping in Bromley on Saturday. I believe we decided on a new hifi system so we can dock in our iPods and iPhone(s) as well as USB sticks. Not an easy decisions but as my wife and I are both half deaf, we don’t need a super duper hifi system, LOL.
We also made food plans for Xmas. I cannot wait. I know that after Christmas I want to change a lot of food and drink habits in order to live a lot healthier. We shall see. I have been saying that for years.
Last but not least I am very happy with our fibre optic broadband. I streamed an online movie on Friday night and it was fantastic. Good quality.
Oh, and a quick word about the kids. Every weekend I start enjoying Colin more. It seem as we get along better, communicate better and get to know each other well. Today we went for a long walk (10 km), of which he slept most of it. But even just being out and about with the boys for a walk gives me great satisfaction.
Enjoy December, I think I am slowly getting into the mood for Christmas.
Cheerio,
Volker
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the Sunday Column category.
Volker Ballueder
RSS Feed
Add me on LinkedIn
Recent Comments