Archive for May, 2009

The Foush in Spain

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

The ESI (European Software Institute) and BIC Berrilan are hosting Rahaf at two events in San Sebastien and Bilbao on June 2, 2009.

ESI-Tecnalia is a private technological center and a non-profit foundation created in 1993 by the European Commission with the support of the Basque Government. ESI’s mission is to contribute to the development of the Information Society and increase industry competitiveness, by means of knowledge, innovation, continuous improvement and the promotion and dissemination of Information Technology.

The ESI main activity is based on helping the software industry in their objectives of producing better software of a higher quality, on time, in the best way and at a lower cost. ESI also develops a wide range of initiatives directed at promoting the development of the Information Society through the use of ICT for citizens and enterprises, especially SMEs and micro-enterprises. A team of over 105 internationally qualified staff provide high added-value services. The staff’s average age is 33 years!

BIC Berrilan is the Center for Business Innovation (CEI) Gipuzkoa that since 1993, develops a range of activities aimed to provide support to any enterprise challenged to innovate. Its mission is to support the creation of new enterprises, diversification of business and to drive the incorporation of innovation in existing businesses. It also provides technical support and infrastructure to its customers.

Ontario Association of Community Futures Development

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Rahaf will be the breakfast keynote speaker at the 2009 Community Futures National Event being held at Blue Mountain Resorts near Collingwood, ONTARIO from May 28 – 30th. More than 600 community volunteers and professional staff from the 269 Community Futures/Community Business Development Corporations (CFDC/CBDC) across Canada gather at this event to explore ideas and share insights on community development activities.

Yes We Did!

Yes We Did!

Rahaf’s new book “YES WE DID: An Inside Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand” will be released on June 4th . The launch event in the Fleck Atrium of University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, is already sold out. The book is available online from Amazon here.

The Foush at Mount Royal College

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Rahaf will be speaking today at the Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. When Mount Royal first opened its doors nearly 100 years ago — Sept. 8, 1911 — it welcomed 189 students. Today, some 12,000 credit students take a variety of programs and courses including bachelor’s degrees, applied degrees, university transfer courses, diplomas and certificates. With Bill 4, the Post-Secondary Learning Amendment Act, receiving royal assent May 26 when the Lieutenant Governor signed it into law, Mount Royal College has applied to use “university” in its name.

Rahaf’s talk is titled “Yes We Did: Strategic Insights from Barack Obama’s campaign”. It will be followed by a book signing event for her newly released book “YES WE DID: An Inside Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand” .

Yes We Did!

Yes We Did!

The launch event of the new book on June 4th in the Fleck Atrium (ground floor), Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, is already sold out. The book is available online from Amazon here.

Speaking Engagements May 2009

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Canadian Marketing Association – Winnipeg, Manitoba

New Brunswick Securities Fullsail Summit- Fredericton, New Brunswick

BDigital Congress, Barcelona Spain

New Kindle…meh.

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

When I first heard rumors that Amazon was releasing a new Kindle I was annoyed because I had JUST gotten my long awaited Kindle 2 and was appalled to think that Amazon would dare introduce a new version so soon just to spite me! I was tormented with stories of touch screens, color screens, and  pretty much every imaginable feature short of shipping Jeff Bezos to read to you himself. https://www.manara.ca/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/7d934_kindle.jpg

So you can imagine my surprise when I found out the Kindle DX was just…bigger? Meh. I was puzzled. This was the new version? Lame. You can’t even fit it in your purse like my sweet and thin Kindle 2! Thanks, but no thanks.  Apparently I’m not the only one who thought it was a little ridiculous.

For the record, I love, love, LOVE my Kindle. It is one of the best purchases I have ever made. As a frequent travel and rabid reader I cannot imagine going back to physical books ever again. Honestly, the fact that I can load up my Kindle with 1500 books guarantees I am endlessly entertained on plane rides where the only alternative is the horror that is “Inkheart.” It saved my sanity! It does have some drawbacks which I’m currently covering in a review video I am making and will post soon so stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out this trailer for Inkheart. I rest my case.

Innotech Technology Conference- Portland, OR

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

I spoke at the Innotech Conference.

Some feedback from my presentation:

Obama’s Rahaf Harfoush Rocks Keynote Speech at Innotech

InnoTech’s Speaker, Rahaf Harfoush was captivating!

Upcoming Event: Book Launch June 4th, Toronto

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

yes-we-did-cover

If you’re around on June 4th you should definitely swing my the Rotman School of Management and celebrate the launch of Yes We Did, the book that has consumed my life for the past six months!

Not only is this a big milestone for me, but I am really looking forward to seeing my friends and family. I’ve been in Geneva now for about two months and still miss them like crazy!

So what does the evening have in store?

  • The event will be hosted by Alexander Manu (Author of Everything 2.0) and Don Tapscott (Author of Grown Up Digital)
  • I’ll be giving a brief presentation on some of the ideas covered in the book.
  • There will be a book signing
  • Refreshments and mingling (my favorite part!)

Tickets are $30, and include a copy of the book as well as some tasty treats.

You can register for the event HERE.

Facebook event listing can be found here.

WHEN AND WHERE:

June 4, 5:00pm-7:30pm

The Rotman School of Management, Fleck Auditorium

105 St. George Street

More info about the book

Single Sheet Creativity

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

A contest in Washington DC had only one condition: you are allowed to use a single sheet of white paper as your material. So how much creativity can be displayed around one sheet of white paper? Take a look at these amazing 26 pictures and judge for yourself what can be achieved with vision, knowledge and imagination!