Simply Toni..

We need a CHANGE!

2010-08-22T20:17:00.006+03:00

Hello people,

It has been a while since I wrote, I was getting connected with Mother Nature and became passionate environmentalist meanwhile :) 2010 has been an incredible journey so far and I will share my experiences some other time.
In this post I want to reflect on our "human" behavior and the need of change that is evolving, as we continue to exercise our lifestyle. This post is inspired from an excellent book I read during my holidays in Croatia. "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" is an international bestseller written from Thomas Friedman, providing a holistic overview to the world issues focusing on achieving environmental sustainability.

Women love shopping! Men want "big" stuff!
We live in a consumption-based society where growth is driven by demand. The Government always pushes "economic growth" agenda, the companies are trying to convince us that we need their products, the media is constantly showing the fabulous lives of people that own a lot and have everything - from big houses, fast expensive cars, latest fashion brand clothes to exotic yacht parties. And what happens with us, the ordinary people? All this society forces create a mental picture of a lifestyle where we desire more and more of all kinds of "things" that we believe will make us happy.
The demand is here alright and with the over-population trend will definitely stay, but what happens with the supply side? Can Mother Earth provide all the natural resources needed for production of all those "things" we need? Are we are aware of the price we pay with our current demand-supply mindset?

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, first produced by the United Nations in 2005 with scientific analysis by 1,300 experts assessed the consequences of ecosystem-change for human well-being. The report concluded that the ability of the earth’s ecosystem to absorb human impacts is rapidly diminishing. Human activity is putting such strains on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet’s Ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted.
The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet 2008 report concluded that we were already operating 25 percent above the planet’s biological capacity to support life.
The Australian Paul Gilding, a former head of Greenpeace put it this way: We have been taking “a system operating past its capacity and driving it faster and harder. No matter how wonderful the system is, the laws of physics and biology still apply. And those laws are telling us that we, as a species, cannot continue on the growth path we are on. We need a new normal – one that is much more sustainable and healthy for the Market and Mother Nature."

Indeed, our "normal" has become too excessive and unsustainable. We have undermined the environment and its capacity to support the demanded economic growth. We have underpriced the true costs and the risk of what we were doing, we got used on "I'll be gone" behavior (when the bill comes due) and we have socialized the losses for private individuals to gain profits - argues Thomas Friedman in his book.
We definitely need to adopt a different, more sustainable mindset, if we want to survive as human species on Planet Earth. We owe this to the future generations. I like the quote: “Real wealth is something you can pass on in a way that others can enjoy”.

We all need to make money and afford all the things we believe will makes us happy, and we need to do that according the laws and structures of the society, but we should all become aware that the ENVIRONMENT is inevitable part of this growth circle. We all need to adopt the mindset of sustainable development because it provides a framework for humans to live and prosper in harmony with nature rather than... at nature's expense.

Ultimately, it comes down to the values that are shaping our behaviors, and when it comes to developing sustainable values it comes down to: integrity, transparency, honesty and shared responsibility.
"Sustainability" as a value is the opposite of "I'll be gone" mindset. Instead it says that I will behave as if I will always be here and always be held accountable for what took place when I was there.

I have clearly understood that finding personal meaning in life is finding an area that is connected to something larger then just yourself. What can be larger then devoting your life into making sure that your children and future generations have the same right of freedom and pursue of happiness as we have in our time?

Change is needed and it starts with the individual. I will finish this post with one of my favorite African quotes: "If you want to go quickly go alone, if you want to go far go together".

Let's go together...

as 2009 is passing by...

2009-12-31T22:27:00.002+02:00

Hello there world!

Few hours left from 2009.. It has been a turbulent year definitely!
Important changes in my life that brought me back to Skopje! :) I feel truly happy that I am back home cause I can see the dots connecting and that makes me excited!

Sometimes you feel that you are not making the right choices (by taking the easier way) but in the end of the day all ends well.. Just believe that everything happens for a reason and just find another way, different way to get to your dream..

2010 will definitely be very exciting and I'll be back with my posts in a new style and a different layout! ;) Sharing is caring (sometimes scary!:) but I will do my best to share my reflections and experiences because every story is a beautiful story! And I believe it is becoming even more beautiful when everyone is involved in it!

Receive my best wishes from Skopje, don't drink too much and be safe! ;)
Talk to you next year!

Toni

2009-09-03T17:03:00.006+03:00

I haven't posted for 3 months now, I guess I just didn't feel like it..

In my last post I asked myself "am I scared from the world"? Is MY WORLD CLOSING UP?
Well, yeah, I felt kinda scared and insecure in the past period and I can not say that my feeling is gone now.. And when you feel like that, you usually don't wanna share much.. I think that's common.

Well, what hapenned? Well, 2 things mainly:
1. Got sick and injured my knee (again!)
2. Had to take a decision for my future
Whole month of June I was sick. I got the "mumps", bad virus to get when you are 25 :P This made me realize how much I miss home. As I got better, my weak knee twisted! I was asking myself, "why is this hapenning to me"? Keeping a positive mindset was difficult cause I haven't even recovered from the mumps and I can not walk. Sounds kinda funny :)
Second, my future was uncertain about staying in Groningen. I had to take a decision if I continue to work with the company for minimum one more year or leave on October. My job is cool, but my heart is somehow not there! And missing a month from work in a crucial period affected many personal deadlines. So, work was tough also.

On the bright side, I was very happy that my parents came to visit me for 10 days on July, bringing Martina here (with her mom:). Oh, that experience was intense! :D Eventually, the parents left and me and Martina spent the whole summer together. We travelled a lot, visited friends and went through many difficult, but somehow comical situations together (like, missing our flight Lisbon-Prague:). Again, meaningful experience for both us that brought us even closer.

So, after a lot of reflection, I decided not to continue my contract here in NL and go back to Macedonia! :)
The plan is to stay 1-2 years, gain professional experience, learn the market on the Balkan region and look for investment opportunities, while preparing for my MBA.
Of course, my favorite part comes that I can enjoy the presence of my family and friends and finally be with Martina in Skopje after 2 years of long distance relationship! (sigh..:)

As you can see, digesting CHANGE is not easy. but I am looking forward to it now! even I changed the template of my blog for a change :)

My world was indeed closing up, I didn't feel the inspiration to write on my blog. I probably felt insecure about many things. And it takes courage to speak out! Well, this post was also not easy for me.
But I guess this is the voice of a simple human going through journey of life. Ups and downs, joy and sorrow, doubts and determination.
I feel scared and excited in the same time.

And what about you? How have you been lately?
Friends, beside family is one of the most important thing that keep your world open. I would love to hear from you.

Warm regards,
Toni

ps. I am also happy that I released "PimpYourBeanBag" promo campaign, the project I was working on in the past 4 months. You can see more on: www.pimpyourbeanbag.blogspot.com and the website is coming very soon!

Loud thinking

2009-05-26T00:04:00.003+03:00

Hey people,

How have you been lately?
How do you feel?

I find the last question very interesting and honestly, sometime intense question to answer if you seriously give it a thought.
Today, I am grateful to be asked "how do I feel" from Cisco, my portugese friend and that made think deeper and write this post.

Hmm.. How do I feel? Well, lets see.

I am starting to realize that when you start thinking about money your worldview changes. The world is becoming a jungle where you need to survive, people just see other people out of interest and they do not truly mean the question "How are you?" when they ask. And the worst part is that you also get used to saying, "yeah, I feel great, thanks. Whay about you?!" but your answer comes automatically and you are also used to that answer. But, the truth is that we don't really feel like sharing and we are just closing and suppressing our deep feelings inside.

I started thinking about this, when I noticed that I haven't posted on my blog since March. Not having the NEED to share with the world, made me ask myself the question, am I scared from the world? Is MY WORLD CLOSING UP? and why is that?
I can find some reasons in the above paragraph..

Another thing which I realized how important it is, is to "enjoy the journey to the destination and not only reaching the destination, itself". I remember Dey's final speech on IC in Turkey 2007, talking about enjoying the beauty of the road while reaching the final destination.. I would add to that: "while working on your long term goals". Balancing between "momentary pleasures" and "gratification" is very important.

Well, all that is nice, but how am I?
Despite of fighting in the jungle and trying to survive in the cruel world, I can say I am doing fine.. I can always do better..

I am grateful for having a job that gives me a lot of "responsible freedom" as I call it. I am experiencing "intrapreneurship" and it's really cool. Learning by doing and observing a small company grows is amazing experience to have. All my gratitude to my boss, Halbe, who is true entrepreneur and gave me this opportunity.
Apart from that, I watch the NBA playoffs and read "Dreams from my father-Barrack Obama" in my free time. Not to forget that I spend most of my social time with Jirka and Mehmet, my Czech and Turkish friend :)
The future looks very exciting as well. Spending the summer with Martina while working on getting her internship somewhere around, so we can be together all the time..

Anyways, I wish you a good night and I'd be glad to hear from you soon.
What's up with your reflection lately?

T.

Meeting at the "G spot" :D

2009-03-01T01:01:00.002+02:00

Hey what's up world? :)

Well, I haven't posted in some time now, but it was really intense and exciting past period.. I feel so excited to go to Skopje and spend almost a month in Macedonia with my dearests.

Since I came back in Groningen (on 5th Jan) many cool things hapenned. I executed the Strategic Meeting for my company, I developed my sales and strategy plan and I started attending business meetings with possible purchasers of our new line of products.
And of course in meanwhile going for weekends in Amsterdam for fun with friends or with collegues for business :)

Talking about friends, I feel that I met really cool people that are becoming good friends of mine. They are becoming one of the most important part of my experience here in the Netherlands. After work dinners, going on the Monday LC meeting, saying "good night" before a tough working day the next day.. and sharing all that experience in a humoruous and caring way :)
We usually meet in the student flat building on our 6th floor, which is also called the "G" floor. Because of alphabetic naming as well :)
All in all enjoying life and dreaming about the future with my love in late night Skype conversations. I am soooo looking forward to my coming back in Macedonia, I just can't wait to cuddle with Martina, chill with my brother and have nice food with my parents :D

This is what has been hapenning with me lately, I hope to see you or hear from you soon, what's up with your lifes? :)

Enjoy your Saturday evening.

Warm greeting from Groningen,
Toni

Value Driven Organizations!

2009-01-18T14:28:00.005+02:00

One of my main work responsibility in the previous 3 months was preparing and facilitating the Strategic Meeting of my company, here in the Netherlands. As I described in one of my previous posts (post: "Strategic Planning Process"), it was a pleasure for me to read and learn about different Strategic Organizational Tools and to customize their approach in order to get the most out of our "SM". In the end, the approaches I chose to use, were: "Appreciative Inquiry" and "Value Driven Organizations".

You have probably heard about "Appreciative Inqiry" - organizational tool that is about search for the BEST in people, their organizations, and the relevant world around them. It affirms and builds on what is positive and strong about an organizational culture – what it gives LIFE. In its basic form, Appreciative Inquiry is a guided process for creating meaningful and transformational conversations; But in this post I want to write more about the approach of "Building a Value Driven Organizations". The author of the book, Richard Barret gave me this book on the "EBBF Annual Conference" on September 2007. He is also the author of the well known book "Liberating the Corporate Soul".
His approach is based on "whole system change" where he connects the development of an individual with the development of organizations.
"Whole-system change begins with a shift in the personal cosciousness of individuals and ends with a shift in the groups actions and behaviours. Organizations don't transform. People do!"
He starts with describing the 7 levels of Personal Consciousness (an extension of "Maslov hierarchy of needs") and goes into 7 level of Organizational Consciousness. Each level focuses on particular excistential need that is natural to the human condition. Indivudual and Organizations grow in consciousness by learning to master the satisfaction of these needs.
The 7 levels are the following:
Level 1: "Survival" - satisfying our physicial needs
Level 2: "Relationship" - feeling safe, respected and loved
Level 3: "Self-esteem" - feeling a sense of personal worth
Level 4: "Transformation" - finding freedom by letting go of our fears about survival, feeling loved and being respected by our peers.
Level 5: "Internal Cohesion" - finding personal meaning in existence
Level 6: "Making a difference" - making a positive difference in the world
Level 7: "Service" - leading a life of selfless service.

The "basic" needs (levels 1 to 3) focus on our personal self-interest or meeting the needs of the EGO. The "higher" needs (levels 5 to 7) focus on our spiritual needs or meeting the needs of the SOUL. The focus on "level 4" is transformation - a shift from self-interest to common good. This is where the ego learns to let go of its fears so that it can become ONE with the soul.
The fears of the EGO lead us to believe that we do not have enough of what we need. Consequently, we are never fully happy because we do not have enough money, love or respect. Individuals who focus exclusively on the satisfaction of the lower needs, tend to live self-centered, shallow lives. On the other hand, individuals that focus on satisfying exclusively on the satisfaction of the higher needs tend to lack the necessary skills to operate effectively in the physical world. Or with other words, "they are not grounded".
To be successful in the world we need to learn how to master the satisfaction of all our neefs so we can operate from full-spectrum consciousness. The successful mastery of each stage involves two steps: first, becoming AWARE of the emergent need and second, developing the skills that are necessary to satisfy the need. And this personal approach is translated into 7 levels of Organizational Consciousness.

One of my main goals of my company's Strategic Meeting was to bring "awareness" about "where are we now?", where do we want to go? (Appreciative Inquiry) and "what do we need to get there" (strategy).
The first 2 days were a great success, where we answered the first 2 questions and now this week comes the time for the third question, which will also determine my near future.. Well, let's see what will happen, I'll keep you updated in some of my next posts! :)
By the way, reading this book made me reflect about the level of personal consciousness I operate and made me aware about where should I improve..

From which levels of consciousness do you mostly operate?

anTONIo

Life..

2009-01-10T19:51:00.003+02:00

Keeping you updated with my life story..

In the past month many exciting things happened. My brother came in Groningen, Martina finished her semestar in Bruges and I went back to Macedonia for a week and spent my New Year's Eve with my dearests..

I haven't seen my brother for about 4 months and I was very excited to welcome him in Groningen and have a great time together. I love my brother. Me and him are very different in character and we used to fight a lot when we were younger, but he has always been one of the most important people in my life.. and our connection grows stronger each day..
We had really exciting road trip to Belgium. We rented a car and went in Bruges to spend a weekend with Martina and after we took her to the Brussels airport.
We spent Christmas (Catholic) with my collegues at work where we played volleyball and had a dinner together. The last days (26 Dec) we went to visit Amsterdam and Hague and met with a Iva, a macedonian friend that lives and works in Eindhoven.
We were both back in Macedonia on the 28th December.

Ah.. Coming back to Skopje, spending time with my family, seeing my friends, spending time with Martina in her house.. Going back to my country for a defined period of time always awakes mixed feelings. Happiness, excitement, confusion, sadness when I have to leave.. I love Skopje! It is my favorite city! I always experience an irreplaceable warm feeling of safety and love when I am there..
I spent New Year's Eve at Martina's house with Frane (my brother) and his girlfriend and Marko (one of my best friends) and his girlfriend. For me it was amazing! I had tears in my eyes holding Martina tightly in my arms during the countdown of the NY. We had such an amazing 4 months together in Belgium and NL and we did everything to be together for NY's Eve.
Last days of my stay in Skopje were in family atmosphere watching movies and cuddling with Martina :)
I had to go back in the Netherlands on the 5th Jan and I couldn't spend Christmas with my family, but that's ok.. It is always hard to leave Skopje, but I had to be stron! I had an exciting week in front of me! Execution of the "Strategic Meeting" for which I was preparing for more then 3 months.

In the midst of all this happenings, I reflected on my life in 2008 and thought of my priorities in 2009. I defined 3 main areas where I want to focus this year:
HEALTH; MONEY; LOVE

Well, now I am back in Groningen and this month is very important for me from Career/Money aspect, so I'll keep you updated what will happen ;)

By the way, which areas you want to spend your time in this 2009?

Warm hugs from Groninen,
anTONIo

Society and OUR Life!

2008-12-14T17:42:00.003+02:00

We are born.. Our parents take care of us, they teach us what is right, what is wrong, we go to school, teachers reward us for studying hard, they punish us for not doing our home work. The society influences us by its voice of telling us what should and shouldn't we do. And for that we get certain rewards (it doesn't have to be in material form) or get punished.
The essence of socialization is to make people dependent on social controls, to have them respond predictably to rewards and punishments. And the most effective form of socialization is achieved when people identify so thoroughly with the social order that they no longer can imagine themselves breaking any of its rules.
Our experience as humans becomes externalized while we are being dragged from one corner of the street to another longing to become something that the "outside" world expects from us!
In a complex society, many powerful groups are involved in socializing, often pulling us to contradictory goals. On the one hand, official institutions like schools, banks, try to turn is into responsible citizens willing to work hard and save. On the other hand, we are constantly called from advertisers and manufacturers to spend our earnings on products that will produce most profit for them. Finally, the undergroung system of forbidden pleasures, run by drug dillers, gamblers, pimps (which is (in)directly linked with the official institutions) promises its own rewards - provided that we pay. The messages are very different, but their outcome is essentially the same: they make us dependent on a social system that exploits our energies for its own purposes.

IS THIS ALL THERE IS?

There is no question that to survive it is necessary to work for external goals and to postpone immediate gratifications. But a person does not have to be turned into a puppet dragged through life by social controls. My believe is that we should gradually become free of societal rewards and learn how to substitute with rewards that are under OUR powers, by developing set of our own goals. If a person learns to enjoy and find meaning in the ongoing stream of experiences, in the process of living itsels, the burden of social controls falls from our shoulders. Before all else, achieveing control over experience requires a drastic change in attitude in WHAT IS IMPORTANT and what is NOT?
When is the last time we have reflected on WHAT WE VALUE in life? Are the things that I am doing now connected with WHAT TRULY MATTERS to me?
Understanding "what we truly want" makes our lives much simpler and focused in our pursue of happiness and fulfillment.
As I had in my first post on September "So far..", I focus my attention into putting my efforts 3 areas: Career, Family (+Martina) and Friends. I believe, being successful in each area will get me closer to self-fullfilment and happiness..

Which are the area's you want to spend "your hours" of life?

anTONIo

Life..

2008-11-26T23:34:00.002+02:00

It has been an intense period for me in the past 20 days..

Lots of travelling, meeting people, listening lectures, enjoyinga with Martina.. :)

Since the last month I attended the TBLI Europe Sustainable Development Conference in Amsterdam (tbli.org), been to Bruges, Zagreb, Brussels and back to Groningen..

The TBLI Conference was really interesting. 600 people from more then 20 countries were talking about Socially Responsable Investments and implementing Environmental Social and Governance policies within the financial institutions. Many Rating Agencies and Stock Exchange representatives were there :)
I enjoyed the interesting discussions about the: "The role of the Financial sector in addressing the climate change?" and "How will the Credit Crisis affect the investments in the Sustainable Development initiatives?"
The funny moment was when me and Martina attended the Grand Dinner of the conference :) Big round table with candels, me and Martina accompanied, with US Austrian couple talking about combining family and business.. :))

Afterwards, I met my parents in Zagreb, Croatia and I had incredible time with them :) Talking about different topics while being very excited to see each other.. :)
I haven't seen them for more then 2 months and I kinda started missing them..

My favorite part came when I met Martina in Brussels! <3
We were about to attend workshop about "Value Driven Leadership" and meet with good friends from Paris and Brussels.
This workshop was special for both of us because we got to know each other on a different way, discussing about what is important for us and enabled us to reconnect stronger.. I enjoy every moment with her <3

Now, I am back to Groningen and about to go to Zagreb tomorrow! :)
Several events that made me think about different things and I am packed to go! :)

I am looking forward to Frane and Martina coming in Groningen and have a great time together! And also to designing the content of the Strategic Planning Process that starts on beg of January..

It's exciting it's interesting it's great!

anTONIo

Strategic Planning Process of my company!

2008-11-03T14:40:00.003+02:00

I am excited to be part of a very interesting and critical moment of the development of my company.
We are launching a new product on the market (joepiedepoepie.nl) and we are doing very well with our current product (canvascompany.nl) Demand is getting higher for both products and it will increase even more in the upcoming months (Christmas period) Employees stay in same number, but more resources are needed.
CanvasCompany.nl is becoming the "CashCow" for our Star product "JoepiedePoepie.nl.
We are facing some internal challenges with our efficiency because of switch in priorities within the company. We need to standardize and improve our internal efficiency processes in alignment with our objectives! There is a need to create a strategic plan and understand what do we want to do and how are we going to do it!

I took the responsibility of creating the Strategic Planning Framework and facilitate the entire Strategic Process with the top management of the company.
We are going to start from "personal" assessment and building the team and continue with "organizational" assessment and creation of the Strategic Plan.
Before going into the whole process I involved two people to support us by performing an External Research and Structuring the Internal Processes. The Strategic Planning Process will most probably start on 5th January and will continue with 3 more meetings along the month.

All this is gonna be a lot of fun as I am interested in SME's development, seeing the challenges and supporting them in achieving their goals.
I wanna start reading a book on "Strategic Planning for SMEs", I still don't have anything concrete book in mind, so feel free to recommend me some and to share your opinion on this..

Thanks,
Toni

Riding bikes and life! :)

2008-10-27T23:34:00.002+02:00

"Life is like riding a bike. To keep the balance you must keep moving!"

Just a thought..

2008-10-23T00:00:00.004+03:00

"Being able to see an opportunity means being able to visualize a picture of the future, from the things you see in the present.."

"Generation Y"

2008-10-21T14:23:00.004+03:00

The first time I heard more about "Generation Y" was on IC '07 in Turkey. It was one my favorite panel discussions on the Congress that got my complete attention. Since then, I read and learn more about this "generation" of people that are shaping global life styles, becoming future customers, employees and leaders of organizations.

What is Generation Y actually?
These are the people born between 1982 and 2001.
Research shows the biggest divide facing our society is not a gender or racial
divide, income or technology divide, but it is the generational divide. Those different generations are:
• Lost Generation (1883–1900)
• Greatest Generation (1901–1924)
• Silent Generation (1925–1942)
• Baby Boomer (1943–1960)
• Generation X (1961–1981)
• Generation Y (1982–2001)
• Generation Z (2001–)
Obviously the age or life-stage of each generation makes them unique. Generation Y are young and with that they have different priorities and different needs from older generations, obviously because they go through a different experiences. These different experiences create the paradigms through which the world is viewed and decisions are made.
Baby Boomers were influenced by the advent of the TV, Rock and Roll, the Cold War, Vietnam War and the threat of nuclear war. Xers saw in the Personal Computer, AIDS, single parent families, the growth in multiculturalism, and the downsizing of companies. Generation Y’s have lived through the age of the internet, cable television, globalization, September 11, and environmentalism.

What most influences Generation Y?
While the Boomers make decisions based on data and facts, post-modern youth are more likely to make a decision based on the influence of their own peers. Rather than making independent decisions based on core values, they live in a culture encouraging them to embrace community values, and to reach consensus.
Young people today are less idealistic than generations past due in part to the media and pop culture that fills their life. Movie, TV and internet are the most influential shapers of Generation Y.
Generation Y people require more flexibility at work and they search for meaning in their lives. They are not looking only for friendships, but they want to feel part of a bigger community.

Companies that are ignoring these evolving values and different needs in young people are doomed to wasting a lot of money on meaningless marketing campaigns. As generational marketing experts say: “Marketers who don't bother to learn the interests and obsessions of Gen Y are apt to run up against a brick wall of distrust and cynicism. Most marketers perceive them as kids. When you do that, you fail to take in what they are telling you about the consumers they're becoming.”

That is why I believe people interested in Marketing and Entrepreneurship should explore and learn more about this topic in order to define the right strategies and be successful in their businesses. I usually read by googling "Generation Y", but if anyone has a more extensive and reliable sources for learning, feel free to share it.. And also to share your opinion on this ;)

Kind regards,
Toni

See what you CAN do and not what you CAN NOT!

2008-10-16T22:39:00.004+03:00

Circle of influence!

It is simply one of the strong elements that the book from Stephen Covey "7 habits of highly effective people" influenced me.

Focusing on things that you have power to change and stop bothering with things that you can not influence creates a sustainable change!
and everything starts with YourSelF! As you move into a certain direction by working on the things you CAN change, your power of influence increases and you are able to DO a larger-scale CHANGE!

It is one of the things I strongly believe! It makes me push harder and go into a certain direction!
That is why I mainly don't bother with politics! Especially in Macedonia! (and on the Balkas in general). I think that many, non-political studying, young people on the Balkans, bother too much with politics and that makes them stuck in a "not-moving" BOX! And they actually don't do anything about it!
I mean if you really want to do some change, don't just talk about it, but involve yourself into! See what are you doing in your everyday life in order for that CHANGE to be created! And create the CHANGE in what you believe in!
Do you know in what do you believe? What do you want to succeed in? Do you work hard to achieve that? Do you Walk your talK?

My current chosen fields of development are Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development. I bother about things connected with these areas and I am working hard to achieve my objectives!
And I am grateful that my current working environment is also supporting me in that direction and makes me successful!

Look around you! Maybe not the people around you need to change!
What could YOU have done better in order for you to have more positive output in each situation?

Stephen Covey is one of my favorite writers and I would suggest you to read some of his books when you have time..

Well, I am going to finish this post with one of the most influencial quote from Gandhi:
"Become the CHANGE that YOU want to see in the world!!"

Have a good evening,
Toni

My colorful life through pictures! :)

2008-10-16T15:54:00.002+03:00

Education in Macedonia vs Netherlands!

2008-10-15T23:27:00.002+03:00

I am currently working closely with the International Business School in Groningen as part of my JD in CanvasCompany.

I can immediately recognize the difference in quality between the Educational Systems in Macedonia and Netherlands. The students that "exit" the Faculties and Business Schools are more prepared to enter their professional lifes and start their careers more prepared.
The Educational System in the Netherlands (and Western Europe in general) are providing many different experiences to their students, from academic, professional and cultural aspect. The students follow their theoretical lectures, work closely with the private sector, have internships in good companies and going for studying semestar abroad for 6 months.

As a graduated student from Macedonia, I must say that the Educational System in Macedonia (and on the Balkans in general) is only 1/3 from the whole experience mentioned above.

I believe that many of our faculties and ministries are putting a lot effort in improving the Educational System, but it is going with a slower pace.

I might be interested in involving myself in improving the Educational System on the Balkans and I believe there are many ways to provide full development experiences to the young people in Macedonia!

I enjoy myself working wiht IBS Groningen. I learn a lot and I meet really cool people. And I am thinking about the future.. ;)

Toni

Toni vs Antonio! What do you think?

2008-10-15T16:28:00.004+03:00

Hey all!
My real name: Antonio. My nickname: Toni
When I call myself Toni, I identify more with my childhood, close friends and Macedonia, because this is the name I grew up with.
Antonio is my "official name" that teachers, collegues and new people I meet, call me. I like them both and I took this test just for fun. What Toni/Antonio means? I believe both names descripions reflect me in certain way.
What do you think? Which parts describe me? Toni or Antonio? :)

What Toni Means

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.

You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.

You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.

At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Antonio Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic “Type A” personality.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.

You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.

You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.

At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Post your comments! ;)
Thanks,
Toni

Fullfillment at work!

2008-10-06T15:53:00.002+03:00

I have received several comments that my post was not readible because of the font, so here I copy-paste the post with "Ariel" font. Hope it's ok now..

I believe that having a fullfilling job is one of the most important things in life, we all have to achieve..
I sometimes hear the concept "work-life" balance and I wonder:

Isn't work part of your life? Do you become a different person when you go to work?

Work consumes more then 60% of our time and I believe we all have to strive to be truly happy and enjoy that time with all the people that surrounds us. We can not park our personality in front of the building and enter with our fake smile and pretend to be happy.. And then at 17h be happy that you are going home, so you can be yourself again.. I believe that by doing so, the frustrations are pilling up, we are becoming more inpatient and one day we just explode at our dear ones! At the people that we expect them to understand..

I believe for having a fullfilling job, that makes us truly happy, there are 4 human needs that it needs to be satisfied
1. Phisycal. The money we receive should satisfy our basic and material needs. It should allow us to enjoy the sweet pleasures of life..
2. Intelectual. Our job needs to be challenging and responsible enough that will make us LEARN each day.
3. Emotional. Working within a TEAM and meeting new PEOPLE makes our ability to connect with people, even stronger! Your emotional intellegence is getting stronger and you are able to understand, respect and CONNECT with different people from different social groups.
4. Spiritual. One of our deepest needs is having the feeling that we are doing the RIGHT thing.. I believe our job should have MEANING.. We have to have a feeling that we are MAKING A DIFFERENCE in this world, that our "work" is not for nothing..

It is definitely difficult to always find fullfilling job, but that is why I like entrepreneurship. You are the creator of your dream job! Being an Entrepreneur is not an easy job to succeed, but it pays off.. Many people are satisfied with the feeling of receiving the salary in the end of the month, that gets the bills paid and lets us to enjoy the momentary pleasures in life.. But then again, we are deciding our own limits..
What is your limit? How far will you go?!

I want to be an entrepreneur.. I am striving for a fullfilling job that will make me truly happy..
And I am sure we are all doing the same..

2 year anniversary with my sweety!

2008-09-30T21:21:00.003+03:00

Today is the 30th September, exactly 2 years from our first kiss..

On a sunny Saturday noon we were enjoying our walk in the small, but beautiful park in Skopje..
We sat on a bench in front of the lake and it felt like we were the only people in the park..
What will you do if I kiss you? - I asked
Nothing - she said
And our lips came together..
Since then we grow our love more and more every day and envision a shared future for each other..

I feel extremely grateful to share my last two years with an amazing person, my girlfriend Martina..
What inspires me the most with Martina is her inner beauty, filled with honesty and kindness..
She is truly able to give.. And by doing so she is always supportive and extremely persistent in our pursuit to happiness. We always believe in each other and this is what makes us overcome many challenges and makes our love even stronger..

I believe she also sees the world as a playground, instead of a battlefield and we are striving to enjoy it to the maximum, being truly happy and fulfilled!

30th September.. Might be one of the most important days in my life..

Thank you my love..

One month on my internship in Groningen!

2008-09-28T19:43:00.003+03:00

On the 28th August I landed on Schiphol airport in Amsterdam together with Martina.

Today is the 28th September and I want to share my experience in the Netherlands so far..
This month has been GREAT for both of us!

We have been going Groningen-Bruges couple of times during this month and enjoying each other different, but same experiences..

I enjoy it so much because of several things:

1. The city-Groningen!
It is a city in Northern Netherlands in the Groningen province, 2 hours drive from Bremen (Germany) and 2 hours train from Amsterdam. The architecture is Dutch-German style and it has many small cannals throughout the city. There are 200.000 inhabitants, out of which 45.000 are students. It is a lively city with many bars, caffe's and musical events. The main transportation tool is a BIKE and you can get everywhere within 20 minutes.
The AIESEC chapter is great and quite successful. There are reception activities organized 2 times a week and you can attend their weekly LC meeting, which is a big fun as well!

2. My job!
I am working in CanvasCompany. We are producing wall pictures from digital photographies which are printed on Canvas (the material). It is a small and dynamic company which is doing great so far! My boss is an entrepreneur that started this business alone 3,5 years ago. Now we are 11 full time employees running the company and around 25 part time interns that support the production process. We have 2 more offices in Belgium and Germany.
I am responsible for ALL international relations of the company, meaning:
1. Sales responsible for Belgium and Germany 2. Developing the Expansion Strategy for entering other foreign markets.
For achieving my objectives I coordinate a "Research Project" with thirty five 4th year students from the International Business School in Groningen. We are working together on developing the Entry Strategy for foreign markets and supporting the German and Belgium office by providing relevant information.

3. My room!
I live in a student building on the 6th floor where I have a room that has the most amazing view on the city! It's great that I have internet in my room and I can stay connected with my family and friends whenever I want.. I enjoy the evenings chatting and relaxing with Martina with candles on the big window that makes the view even nicer..

4. Proximity to Martina!
I am on a 5 hours train ride from Groningen to Bruges. I can't wait the weekend to come and meet Martina in Groningen or Bruges, where we always have an amazing time together..
We feel happy to go through this experience together and always excited to talk about where do we see each other in the future..

Well, one month passed and so far my experience in Groningen has been great!
I feel excited for the month to come and I believe it will go in even better direction..

I look forward to hear your different experience!
I'll keep you posted!

Kind regards from my room in Groningen ;)
Toni

JUMP! My decision of living one year in Paris, France!

2008-09-27T18:40:00.003+03:00

I simply JUMP!

This is where my emotions go when I think about my decision of applying for President of AIESEC in France! After one year as a President of AIESEC in the Republic of Macedonia..

I stand on a 14 meters high rock and I see the raged sea ready to embrace me in its
undiscovered beauty! Blood is pumping in my heart, my adrenalin is reaching its MAX and I feel.. Scared, Excited, READY... me! ... and I JUMP!

Since my 23 I lived in Skopje with my parents. City that has around 650.000 inhabitans in a 2 million small, but beautiful country, Macedonia. At that time I was the national President of AIESEC Macedonia, going through the most intense experience in my life!
I felt I can do more! I felt that everything in what I believed in was denied and everything around me didn't make any sense.. Battle of EGO and my HIGHER need was swallowing my energy! My potential was not reaching its impact..
AIESEC France was an organization that was in a similar state..
Enourmous potential not seen from its local members guided by the lost belief of what the organization is all about!
I reflected on what I truly BELIEVE in, I envisioned the person I want to become and decided to go and just be MYSELF! I saw this OPPORTUNITY and I BELIEVED in me!
I went on the French National Conference and I won..
I became the President of AIESEC in France for the term 2007-2008!
I was about to live for one year in Paris, city with 10 mil people, world's cultural center! and lead a national organization with 14 local offices!

I felt scared, excited, READY! and I JUmPed...

My experience in Paris was wonderful in the end.. I achieved everything I envisioned and now I am walking on the path towards the person I want to become and the impact I believe I CAN have..

Fullfillment at work!

2008-09-24T21:28:00.002+03:00

I believe that having a fullfilling job is one of the most important things in life, we all have to achieve..
I sometimes hear the concept "work-life" balance and I wonder: Isn't work part of your life? Are you a different person when you go to work?
Work consumes more then 60% of our time and I believe we all have to strive to be truly happy and enjoy that time with all the people that surrounds us. We can not park our personality in front of the building and enter with our fake smile and pretend to be happy.. And then at 17h be happy that you are going home, so you can be yourself again.. I believe that by doing so, the frustrations are pilling up, we are becoming more inpatient and one day we just explode at our dear ones! At the people that we expect them to understand..
I believe for having a fullfilling job, that makes us truly happy, there are 4 human needs that it needs to be satisfied
1. Phisycal. The money we receive should satisfy our basic and material needs. It should allow us to enjoy the sweet pleasures of life..
2. Intelectual. Our job needs to be challenging and responsible enough that will make us LEARN each day.
3. Emotional. Working within a TEAM and meeting new PEOPLE makes our ability to connect with people, even stronger! Your emotional intellegence is getting stronger and you are able to understand, respect and CONNECT with different people from different social groups.
4. Spiritual. One of our deepest needs is having the feeling that we are doing the RIGHT thing.. I believe our job should have MEANING.. We have to have a feeling that we are MAKING A DIFFERENCE in this world, that our "work" is not for nothing..

It is definitely difficult to always find fullfilling job, but that is why I like entrepreneurship. You are the creator of your dream job! Being an Entrepreneur is not an easy job to succeed, but it pays off.. Many people are satisfied with the feeling of receiving the salary in the end of the month, that gets the bills paid and lets us to enjoy the momentary pleasures in life.. But then again, we are deciding our own limits..
What is your limit? How far will you go?!

I want to be an entrepreneur.. I am striving for a fullfilling job that will make me truly happy..
And I am sure we are all doing the same..

So far..

2008-09-23T21:39:00.006+03:00

Dear reader,

I would like to start off my blog with sharing couple of words for myself in order to get to know me better and take a look at my way of seeing the world..

1. Family
I have a younger brother (Frane) and we live with our parents Sime and Jadranka.
Me and my brother had an intense childhood going through some challenging experiences, but I believe that made us stronger and more connected as brothers..
I have a lovely family always supportive and together in difficult situations.. I can not be more grateful for them being a BIG part of myself..

2. AIESEC
Amazing organization that made me put different pair of glasses in seeing the world.. More brighter, more promising.. Made me believe that one can make a difference!
I was member for almost 5 years, 3 years in Skopje local office and 2 times president of National Teams (Macedonia and France).
It is an organization that provides you an experience of building a positive vision for yourself and makes you more self-aware if you are going into the right direction.. you can read more about AIESEC on www.aiesec.org

3. Future
The experience of living "alone" in Paris for one year (until July '08) was one of the most intense experiences in my life.. On many aspects.. personally, culturally, proffesionally, spiritually.. But in the end it showed me that I can be even more succesful! I had positive results with the organization, I maintained the relationship with my girlfriend and it increased my awareness of "what is most important for me"!

I spend my life into putting efforts in 3 elements: Career, Family (+Martina) and Friends. I believe, being successful in each area will get me closer to self-fullfilment and happiness..
Currently, I live and work in Groningen, The Netherlands and I feel very happy..
I have a great job in CanvasCompany (www.canvascompany.nl), me and Martina love each other more every day (she is studying in Bruges, Belgium) Frane and my parents are doing good, I keep in touch with my friends..

4. Feel free..
I am not afraid to share who am I and where am I going..
Going through many different experiences I have created my opinion on many different subjects and in this blog I will be writing about my QUESTIONS, my LEARNING and MY DIFFERENCE in this world..
Feel free to share your questions, your learning and how you see this world..

All the best!

Warm regards from my room in Groningen,
Toni