FOOD SECURITY - Innovative Agriculture

Report by World Bank's own evaluators say its investments support logging and do little to help rural poor people

Obama's Inaugural Invitation: Will Renewable Energy Leaders Respond?

"Just last week we saw a leak of Samsung’s newest rugged smartphone, the Galaxy Xcover 2. Aside from a blurry photo and a few details, we didn’t really know much about the new device. However,Samsung has made it official today. The Galaxy Xcover 2 is the company’s latest phone meant for adventurers and outdoorsmen/women of all kinds."

For better or for worse, technology is everywhere in higher education.

"With most people talking about which high-end Android phone to get for the holidays, let’s break the mold for a bit and expand our options. There, in fact, are affordable Android phones also worthy to be scribbled onto our holiday lists, one of which is HTC’s newest in its mid-range line — the HTC Desire X."

Every so often, a traditionally non-business word finds its way into the business world, fueled by an admirable desire to find new ways to think about old challenges. “Storytelling” has become one of those words.

What a nicely written article pointing to several truisms in business storytelling. Some you are familiar with (storytelling is a pull, not a push technology). I like the ones that I don't read much about:
1. Storytelling is a selfless, empowering act
2. Storytelling looks to the future

As the author Bill Baker (from Marketing Profs) says, "Successful storytelling respects the past and appreciates the present, but it also looks boldly into the future, moving people past “what is” to “what if?” Done well, storytelling helps people collectively imagine a vision of the future that is achievable and worth achieving, helping them to understand not only what they’re working on but also what they’re working toward." Yes!

And, "As you consider using storytelling strategically to give meaning to your brand communications or employee-engagement efforts, don’t do so simply because it is “the next big thing.” Do it because, if you truly listen and you are willing to be generous, authentic, emotional, and collectively creative— it works. As one senior client recently said, “This is a bit frightening. I feel vulnerable; but at the same time, because I’m being myself, I feel more confident.” If your organization is ready for that journey, there’s a great story ahead."

Love it. This is a quick post that is rich in insights & examples (ignore its clunky layout). Enjoy!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it ;

The USA and Nigeria have joined forces in a US$3bn agriculture financing deal aimed at boosting lending by commercial banks with an initial guarantee of US$100mn from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) (Nigerian agricultural sector...

By Lars Otto Naess, FAC Climate Change theme convenor, and Peter Newell, Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex.

Where growth is coming in telemedicineAmerican Medical NewsTwo of the most promising telehealth markets are ones that could have a direct impact on the physician-patient relationship.

"Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or the HTC Droid DNA!

Although the definition of a phablet is a bit blurry these days, it goes without saying that both these Android handsets tend to roughly the same consumer base: people who want an Android smartphone with a screen considerably bigger than that of the rest of the Android pack."

"Now that Microsoft is back and in the limelight, it’s time to take a look at the new Windows Phone 8. A smartphone and mobile OS that by all means is excellent and continues to improve, but hasn’t yet reached the levels that Redmond envisioned. With Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, Windows Phone 7.8 and more the overall look and feel hasn’t changed dramatically, but this is an all new and more personal mobile OS."

> Read more..

"Google is dangling a low-priced laptop computer in front of consumers as rivals Microsoft and Apple prepare to release their latest gadgets.

The lightweight computer unveiled Thursday will sell for $249 and is being made in a partnership with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., which also makes smartphones and tablet computers that run on Google’s Android software."

> Read more..