John Heaven - a creative, contemplative communicator with an eye for strategy

A spot-the-difference style photo, i.e. two identical pictures side-by-side, featuring two nuns in white.

Think Different vs. Now For Something Completely Different. What’s the difference?

As conventional wisdom would have it, one of the most legendary advertising campaigns of all time was Apple’s 1997 “Think Different”. Around the same time, as a teenager, I used to binge-watch Monty Python’s Flying Circus (on VHS). Most Python fans will remember the segue, or indeed complete lack thereof, between sketches picturing the announcer…

Tim Jones from the British Embassy

Brexit Q&A with British Embassy for British citizens in Hamburg

What is the meaning of life? Where do we go when we die? Is there a god? These are the questions you might expect to ask in a church. On 22nd January, British citizens in Hamburg will be asking an equally thorny question: “What does a post-Brexit world hold in store for British citizens living…

Picture of home made mince pies with Christmas tree (blurred) in background

Me on TV in DE – baking mince pies for Drehscheibe on ZDF

In early summer, when spicy fruity fillings and crumbly pastry are the last thing on one's mind, I got a call from ZDF – German's national state-funded broadcaster – to ask whether I would like to be part of a documentary they were doing about various cultures present all across Germany. This is the result!

Part of the globe

Britain needs to confront its colonial past at a European level

As Britain fumbles its way towards the exit of the EU, or gives up before being unceremoniously ejected, it is in danger of losing sight of the European perspective precisely at at time, and on a topic, where it matters most. The tea, Victoria sponge, common decency, exotic foods, zoos, museums: all of them are an impossible fiction, unimaginable without a dismal world of inexcusable exploitation just off camera.

Hamburg port at night, photo by John Heaven

Five types of network effect

Whereas in previous times, first-mover advantage was of arguable merit, today, it can be a first class ticket to a land of unicorns. This is due to network effects. Here is a breakdown of them I found in the book "Blitzscaling".

John trapped in a phone box

Brexit – wie es mich betrifft, wie es dazu kam und wie es weitergehen wird

Seit dem Brexit-Referendum werde ich öfter auf das Thema Brexit angesprochen. Dies ist nicht verwunderlich: denn Brexit ist ein Dauerthema in den Medien und stößt auch außerhalb Großbritanniens auf großes Interesse.

Sir Christopher Clark at the Körber Forum

“The End of History” – Sir Christopher Clark at the Körber Forum

By the time I arrived at the Körber Forum, the event had already started and the participants were talking about – somewhat appropriately – time. Appropriately, I say, because my plan to arrive half an hour early in order to get a seat was foiled by having misremembered the start time. Instead of getting a…

CIM certificate (Award in Digital Strategy)

CIM Award in Digital Strategy

Two down, one to go. As regular readers (hi, Mum!) will know, I’m working towards a Diploma in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). I recently received my certificate for the Digital Strategy module, which is an independent qualification in its own right. I was dead chuffed with my mark: I got…

Event at Amerika-Zentrum Hamburg e.V.

Belt and braces: have the midterms restored checks and balances?

When the man wearing the trousers is wildly trying to take them off in public and shows no signs of giving up, can the belt and braces withstand the onslaught? I went to an event at the Amerika Zentrum in Hamburg to find out what the US midterm elections mean for the Trump presidency.

Stars at night (photo by John Heaven)

What does big data really mean?

It’s one of those terms that gets bandied around a lot. But do you truly understand what it means? I’m going to suggest various meanings to help you get a handle on what big data is. Understanding the various possible meanings is more helpful than trying to get your head around one very fuzzy definition.