Congratulations! You're one of the few people

When I went to Paris for the New Year's celebration, I noticed a series of close-up portraitures on outdoor billboards all over the city centre. It intrigued as the bus stops and other stands were decorated with faces of the young and beautiful. Men and women. And no text to explain the idea of the faces. Except for the two lines printed in a tiny font. Awkwardly placed on the models' eyes.

To read the two lines, you had to come up close to the faces. The text in French read: "Congratulations, you're one of the few people who have the courage to come close to HIV-infected people."

I was bewildered - the idea of this social advertising campaign is 100% smart. And it does get the message across. You read the lines once and then you understand what's behind all those faces throughout Paris when you see them again. A series of faces, a variety of looks. The authors of this campaign deserve the highest praise!

Paris, December 2006

Rules of attraction

Finding and recruiting new talent is a great challenge and a hot issue for most companies. Vilnius Conference Centre (VCC) - the company I run - is different, which is very pleasing. It was launched less than 4 weeks ago but there is already a list of candidates who would be interested to work for VCC. We haven't been actively looking for new people but they found us.

I worked at an international firm with a strong corporate brand and culture for quite a few years. Therefore, it seems only natural to build VCC on a similar set of standards.

I have come up with a list of things that should serve as a basis for VCC corporate culture. It is just the initial phase of its development and I would like to present it for your trial (blogging out:).

VCC Values, Rules and Guidelines

1. VCC is a smart company and employs smart people, runs smart projects and works with smart clients.

2. VCC is open, dynamic and flexible.

3. VCC core values are:
- High professonal standards
- Enthusiasm
- Positive attitude
- Effective and efficient teamwork
- Partnership-based relationships with all stakeholders: employees, clients, suppliers, competitors, etc.

4. We never say No or Never, we say We have to think and come back with an answer.


This list is not exhaustive, it is a constant "work-in-progress". Let me have your comments and ideas!

Photo by Gediminas Zilinskas, March 2007, Vilnius

A smart VCC start

The 1st of March was an important date. Not because it was an official start of spring, at least in Lithuania. It was also the launch day of a new company and its project. The venture I've been working on, together with partners, for three full and busy months. Finally, it's up and running!

You probably know smart phones, smart cards, smart cars. Why can't there be a smart company? Vilnius Conference Centre (http://www.vcc.lt/) is built on this concept. It will run smart projects, employ smart people and - hopefully - have smart clients. Is this idea too far-fetched? Well, I don't think so. I would argue that it's a great (smart!:) idea.

Just like the Smart (car) rented for the launch party and the first phase of the marketing campaign, VCC is a dynamic, flexible and open company. It's also based on a team of two, just like the Smart FortTwo (see pictures below). It makes people smile and stay positive and well-disposed. I'm driving this car to get to the VCC office and around town and it feels as if you spread the good vibe around you. It's amazing!

Visit the VCC website and its blog, leave your comment there. It'll be interesting to hear your feedback, opinions and thoughts. Blog it out! :)

A few snapshots of the launch party on 1 March:

Photos by Gediminas Zilinskas

The importance of planning

There are two kinds of people: those who hate plans and those who are fans of plans. I belong to the latter category. I am a strong believer in plans, or rather in the process of planning itself, and enjoy planning immensely! I am not talking about the pretentious plan-based economies back in Soviet times. Planning makes life easier.

My friends sometimes make fun of me as I am a passionate planner. Be it a holiday or a business project, a plan is a must for me. Otherwise, how would you make the most of it? :) Yes, sometimes there needs to be a plan-free holiday. But "no plan" is already a plan!..

It is a wide-spread belief that plans/planning is a limitation. That it puts an end to creativity, flexibility, etc. I totally disagree. The nature of plans is such that they are a constant "work-in-progress", i.e. once you have an initial plan ("a framework") you can work on it further, change it as needed, streamline it and finally have a near-perfect plan for action.

In his book "Screw It, Let's Do It", Richard Branson (the founder of Virgin Group, in case you don't know:) said: "I always tell people that if they want to do anything well, they must plan and prepare." And it's absolutely true. His achievements will only prove this simple statement.

I'm in the process of preparation and planning. In four weeks, a new company and its project will be officially launched. Keep an eye on this blog and you might be among the first to find out!

Outdoor press conference venue of White House, Washington D.C.
Photo by Giedrius CP, July 2006