Osborne Radloff Berlin

Berlin to the Cotswolds and home again...

2010-07-19T03:23:00.001-07:00

The news, well some of it, here in Berlin focuses on the aftermath of the World Cup; Germany’s young team and the weather. While Angel Merkel hot foots it across to China to enquire of the Great Wall whether it will allow German companies in through the front door – which she hopes if successful, will boost her flagging popularity at home...

She still tries, however in vain, to take inspiration from her team’s performance in South Africa the picture of her cheering at Germany’s performance against England – while all the local dignitaries looked on with blank smiles was one of many memorable images...but in the end her boys, team manager Oliver Bierhoff and Germany's head coach Joachim Loew lost to Spain.

We were told tired legs, but most agree they were a wee bit frightened of their opponents – but they can hold their heads up high – unlike our pathetic performance.

This image is doing the rounds when it can break the spam filters...

A much more positive note last month was the arrival of my Youngest son Jonathan...

He was here to spend two weeks working at our company as part of his school’s work experience programme.
He confided in me later that he had found it fascinating – seeing the development of client relationships at first hand, as well as learning about accounting, online content management systems and web communications.

He said he also learnt about the value of communication – not just good and bad communication – but the intrinsic value of communication.

PS - above is one of his great photos...well done Jono!!

He also spent time in this grand city of ours...

...and as the sun poked through the cloudes it became very obvious what a spectacularly it was to be.

Temperatures over the last couple of weeks have ranged from anything from 24 to 38 degrees c.

Good for the beer gardens and coffee shops...alas not for the wildlife...unless you have a special swimming teacher - flown in directly from Enlgand...

Sitting on the beach (yes the beach) by the See (River) near to where we live, Jonathan remarked on how those people back home in England would never believe he was on a beach in the heart of a city 100’s of KM from the actual sea front.

And there it was – it struck me like a street car...

It was a dream come true! We had all worked so hard to get Jonathan across to Berlin...

To a city where he is keen to learn about both the language and the culture too...

And then after we had ‘won’ everyone over to the idea...both Jonathan and I were to discover that was just the first step!

To celebrate a successful (AKA survival) of the last 6 months four of us flew to Newbury last weekend – and at the races I waved goodbye to £120 to charity, but took home the biggest box of chocolates I have ever seen. We Shopped in Newbury and then took a trip to the Cotswolds and visited the very beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water...it certainly does deserve its name of The Venice of the Cotswolds. I discovered later that it is also my mother’s best friends “most beautiful place in the whole world”. Delightful stone cottages, thatched roof houses and the Beautiful River Windrush; a real babbling brook!.
Ice cream parlours selling delicious English fresh Devon creamed flavours of Raspberry Ripple, Butterscotch and English Toffee Fudge. All amid, traditional sweetshops and charmingly served Tea rooms all with views of the river – it is a picture postcard of England at its most glorious.

We met some wonderful people. On the flight we met a personal shopper who had set up home and business in Brighten...and despite my pushy conversation – he lifted his impressive sunglasses and told me that Berlin was OK for a small town, from then on we didn’t stop laughing...go Igor go – what a great start to our weekend...

At the races we were invited by GT; a group of wounderfully inspiring people – and was truly welcomed by those of us just starting out with our own business...as well as an inspiration to the lovers of life and adventure.

Back in Berlin, as our friends’ jet off to Canada, New York and the Bahamas – we have storm warnings...should clear the air...giving us all time to reflect on the previous 6 months and plan for the next 6...

World Cup fever grips Berlin...

2010-06-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

World Cup 1 - Social Media Marketing 3

The last 6 months have beeb very interesting to say the least and only now am now able to sit and write my first post since December last year...even though I have written and recorded numerous others I just haven’t had the time or the motivation to sit down and finish one. So to those who have been following our escapades in Berlin I do sincerely apologise...

Our winter was wonderful – deep crisp white snow – followed by 6 weeks of typical English weather; rain, rain and more rain. Spring came and went like forked lightening – all to be replaced with the heat of an archetypal Berlin summer and after the last few weeks of rain the 26c degree warmth was hailed by the majority and bemoaned at by others – although the 30c degrees we are expecting this week should separate the men from the boys!

Talking of boys...in January we celebrated a number of birthdays...for Uncle Kuckucks we gathered at Berlin's famous Russian Tea Hous...Utz was thrilled!!

...and on Father's day we all joined Ulf and the Apple Crumble...

And last week Ute was on holiday in Fuerteventura with her best mate Jacqua...

And last Thursday morning in the cool of the early dawn taking our dog 'Boots' for our morning stroll I was greeted by an ensemble of nature – the Nighting Gale, the Black Bird, the Song Thrush, the Cuckoo and his neighbour in the far of distance the Spotted Woodpecker...all with glorious song bringing that something special to our not so little forest by the river Havel...

Boots and I sat on a bench high up on the hill side, watching the sun’s rays move slowly across the forest’s canopy inch by inch - cm by cm; blanketing her rays upon the leaves who’s colours broke into life and changed as though brushed by some magical child’s game transforming the once dark bleak leaves into exquisite fresh colours of apple and lime-greens and golden and bright yellows; colours which one could imagine would be cool to the touch, and the forest clean and fresh; making all around you feel energised and happy, giving all who were there that morning a true sense of renewal.

The vantage spot where we sat looked out through a break in the tree line across to the Berlin river Havel, which looks from where I was sitting as though it has been lifted from England’s lake district and brought across especially for that morning’s enjoyment...the Cuckoo called again and in the distance I could hear the church bells toll calling out to its local congregation.

It was a time to ponder, a time to a moment to reflect on past months and a time to plan for the next 6. These have certainly been interesting times – times of the financial crisis – of government change - of oil disasters and here locally of the slow diminishing value of our Euro...

We are working through these challenges – and upon reflection these are very exciting times. Our business here in Berlin has grown and is moving forward, slowly and gradually, but forward nevertheless.

A number of our contracts are coming to an end and we have grown a few ‘organically’ – however, but more encouragingly our company has been invited to sit down with some interesting organisations hailing from many sectors of industry & commerce – from International airlines to exclusive adventure clubs touring the likes of Africa and South America – from the motor industry to logistics and service providers, and to those within the FTSE 250!

Here in Germany’s capital things are taking shape too – Berlin’s International Airport ("Willy Brandt International") and the typical German efficient international infrastructure that surrounds the billion euro development means those of us here in Berlin have a fabulous opportunity for the future.

Yes the Euro is weak and the financial crisis is hitting very hard those whom have been caught unaware, but there are many sectors which are flourishing and many European’s who are benefiting from this crisis.

Like Google President, Nikesh Arora, who said “we believe Crisis's are wonderful times in a way, because they create scarcity and scarcity is phenomenal because it breeds clarity. When you have scarcity you start worrying about how best to optimise your resources. Interestingly many successful companies were created in the moments of economic crisis”.

Looking towards the clarity, trends and the enormous opportunity facing us all for a few minutes I have put together a few interesting observations; there are 1.2 Billion people on the web today, 250 million on Broadband – European market online represented in 2008, €130 billion in e-commerce – this has tripled in the last 3 years and will double again in the next 4 years. How many companies have their product ‘available’ for consumption on the web? Today 85% of consumers buying goods valued at over €500 will do their research on the product online.

What is very clear is that the recovery - from whatever sector and whatever size organisations – will be marketing lead. And it is with this philosophy we focus all our efforts on building teams of experienced individual who deliver revenue.

These past 6 months here in Berlin have been adventurous and challenging...sitting here gazing upon the undergrowth – taking time to identify the intricate details of the numerous types of plants and trees etc – interspaced with wild boar and deer tracks! I am astounded by the beauty that surrounds our capital city in the heart of Europe. A capital city that is like our forest – bring life, energy and fresh ideas to world.

We have many great opportunities ahead of us – Social media marketing (SMM) is playing a fascinating role in the commercial activities now facing organisations – although still I am flabbergasted by how poor many of those organisations deploy their online communications strategies; there are many leaders in the pack but there are thousands of organisations who are so far off in the desert.

Another exciting date in our calendar is, with a fair wind, my youngest (AKA - tallest) son Jonathan, will be joining us at the end of the month for two weeks as part of his work experience activities.

One of our clients’ who is heavily involved in SMM has asked for a “raw” street orientated video to be deployed for the likes of YouTube etc. We have agreed the theme and .Jonathan will be tasked with managing, producing and recording “this is my Berlin”.

Jonathan is currently producing the sound track, the scrip, content and shoot locations – so we shall wait and see – and see we will too – because once it is completed it will be posted on Youtube. I am sure he is looking forward to a fun couple of weeks. It will be the first time that Jonathan will be here on his own and for a young 15 year old boy in an extremely exciting time of his life...I am sure he will enjoy his time here.

Living here you become instantly aware that Berlin is accessible from all four corners of the globe and it is for this reason we have set up our central location and office here. We commute regularly to and from London and Frankfurt – and in the past Berlin and Singapore...Berlin and Dubai...and if England do well maybe Berlin and Johannesburg!

For short trips the low cost carriers have been a blessing, German Wings and Air Berlin are the local low cost brands and with the likes of internationally renowned Ryan Air and EasyJet connecting into London Luton and London Stanstead. One of my last trips on Ryan Air cost me €16! Excellent stuff for our young company!

On Wednesday last, one of our clients was amazed to hear that I had left our apartment here in Berlin at 8am that morning and sat down with him to discuss his European online marketing strategy at 12noon of the same...I do remember the time (years ago) driving from Birmingham and getting into the city some 3 hours later too...and that was on a good day.

The only issue that irritates me; which is not in any way a criticism of my own mother country (far too many expats do that); is when I travel from my home here in Berlin to Flughafen Schönefeld, it takes approximately 50 minutes and I can use either the S-Bahn (Stadt Bahn) train line which runs every 10mins and the Schönefeld express train which runs every 30. A return trip will cost me €5.80 and I can use the same ticket on the trams, the buses and the underground (U-Bahn) if I so wish. For a similar journey in the UK and same travel time period, connecting London Stanstead with London Liverpool Street or London Luton to London St. Pancras the average fare is £30 to £35 and then you have to pay for the underground!

“Public Viewing” is the buzz word back here in Berlin and it has enthralled the city once again...no this is not some illegal S & M – but football! In key locations all over the city (and throughout Germany) football fans can watch the World Cup on enormous outdoor screens and they have been a massive hit with thousands upon thousands of fans.

Berlin is once again in the grip of football fever – national flags are everywhere – Italian, Greek, Brazilian, Dutch, French, English and German. And the atmosphere is electric; last night at the Olympic stadium over 35,000 passionate football fans watched their national team tear into the Australian defence...although the 1^st goal was a blatant offside – the Olympic stadium was a throng of cheering supporters – celebrating the win and the display of fabulous football that was in my mind simply breathtaking. Germany has stamped their mark on this tournament – the only question I have is, “can our team do the same?” Come on England! Come on England!

This morning’s news is filled with editorial pressure on Angela Merkel to display the same kind of passion, commitment and leadership demonstrated by her national team in far flung Durban.

World cup fever has gripped Berlin like many other cities, towns and villages throughout our world...it is one of the many reasons why we are here – watching over the water, the stunning views, the bird song, the cheap travel, the passion of the people - and of course the beer and the stunning sunsets too...

Good luck to all the teams in South Africa - l do certainly hope (wish - ney PREY) that England can become the team they are crying out to be...

Take care

Duncan

2009

2009-12-31T10:41:00.000-08:00

Mums' Birthday...
Boys on holiday...

Mum in Berlin...

Berlin in the Snow...

Happy New Year to you all

Duncan and Ute xx

Boots arrives in Berlin

2009-12-07T01:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody – I would like to tell you how lovely it is living here in Berlin.

I only arrived the other day and I get up to all kinds of mischief already - please read about me and see me enjoying my first few days in my new home...

I like it here it’s nice and warm and I’m loved by both Ute and Duncan. On Friday evening they came to visit me and liked me so much they took me home with them....I had my first ride on the S-Bahn that day too and that was a bit scary but I was tightly snuggled up in Duncan’s jacket with just my little paws and noise peaking out. It was nice and warm in there and I was safe and protected and I was able to watch everyone go by.

On Saturday I found out about my new home and all the exciting things I could do...there’s a giant forest across the road...although I’m not allowed to go there yet until the doctor has given me all my injections. Until then my white Rabit will protect me!

Also on Saturday Duncan and I baked a walnut and date loaf for our tea party that afternoon – we didn’t have any dates so we used apples and sultanas soaked in Duncan’s best brandy. We both missed Ute she was studying with her friend Alex in the City. I tried to help Duncan but all I managed to do was to run in between his legs and nibbled on his little short toes! He laughed and laughed and laughed and said what a good boy I was. I had never been to a party before and I was sooooo excited I just wagged my tail all day.

Then we met up with Ute on the train and travelled to Falkensee to Gabie’s tea party. I really do love travelling by train. I met some new friends at the tea party too, one is called Glen and the other is called Miss Grace. The three of us chased each other around all these big feet and caused absolute pandemonium – we had such fun! Then Miss Grace and Glen had to go home but I was allowed to stay a little longer and I played with Jan and Tim.

When it was dark it was time to go home and go to sleep; Ulf and Gabie said I could come and visit anytime I liked. Ulf had to fly to England across the big water – it sounds such an exciting place to visit too. When I got home do you know what, I didn’t go to sleep...no I played all night long and I think Duncan and Ute only had two hours sleep...it was so much fun jumping up and down and weeing and pooing everywhere...it was just wonderful.

On Sunday I went to see Ute’s Mama and she gave me a nice stroke on my tummy which was very lovely. Ute and Duncan had cake and I have a very lovely time saying hello.

Then that evening Uncle Kuckuck and Aunty Marion came to visit me...they brought Duncan and Ute a huge Christmas cake and didn’t even give me a single crumb. But they did play with me...we played and played until I feel fast asleep and dreamed of soft white snow falling and landing on my little white nose.

I’ve heard lots and lots about all the lovely people I am hopefully going to meet very soon. I’m going to meet Lilly and Jacque; I’m going to meet Jana, Alina, Oli and Tim. They sound very exciting. I’ve also heard about Jonathan and Michael, but they live across the other side of the big lake in that place called England and that’s a long long way away but I might go on an aeroplane and that sounds lots and lots of fun...I’m looking forward to seeing the boys too! I’ve also heard about Mike, Lorraine, Shania and Naomi...I hope they will also come and visit me soon.

I think I will have lots of adventures here ...would you like to come and visit and play with me...? I like to have visitors, and Duncan and Ute have said that I’m allowed to have visitors any time I like so you can all come round and play with me when you wish.

Before I go I’d like to wish you all a happy Monday.

Bye bye for now.

Boots

We Celebrate 20 years of Freedom

2009-11-15T06:57:00.000-08:00

The snow arrived today, there was a small flourish of pure white and then it was gone.

Here in Berlin we are in the depths of autumn now with all its vibrant colour and drama; changing the trees opposite our apartment and across in the Berlin´s famous Grunewald from brilliant bright greens to vibrant reds, pale browns and dramatic golden yellows covering the ground with a shower of autumn leaves...and in the evening sun the paths glint as if covered by gold leaf.

Last week I travelled on the train to one of our international airports, Schönefeld, to pick up my son and his two companions who were here to assist him in his 18th birthday celebrations. He had no trouble convincing them both to travel with him to Berlin; his stories of avenues of hot steaming real potato chips laced with mayonnaise and tomato ketchup and the famous Berliner Curry Wurst as well as other delights encouraged them to come for a visit.

They stayed for four days...had a wonderful time exploring the city, the sights of old Berlin, listening to the street musicians and street theatre...they sampled some of Germany´s finest beers...that had to be done to keep up their hunger for new excitements.

On Friday we ventured out into the dark of Berlin´s Grunewald and after two hours of strolling around and deep discussions on internet strategy we came upon the state Autobahn and thus had to make our way to the forest restaurant...hunger was calling from tired feet and empty tummies. It was during those final few steps that we came across approximately 8 to 10 wild boar running through the undergrowth...they were making their escape; we had apparently startled them!

The look on the boy’s faces was a dream...a wonderful day too. Although I think they enjoyed the Schnitzel and fried potatoes more.

The boys left on Saturday and we met up with a friend at one of Berlin´s famous Singaporean restaurants...the food was not as I remember while we were in Singapore but then neither was the weather. We ate and drank the delicately prepared dishes and were amazed at the preparation and presentation. The food was simply delicious.

The boys will certainly be irritated when I tell them that they missed the first weekends Christmas market. Potsdamer Platz was a beacon of exhilaration and enjoyment on that Friday, music spilling from the Alpine ski hut, the scent of apple and cinnamon, the famous sizzling Thuringian Bratwurst – all purely mouth watering.

The centre piece of the Christmas market is 30 metre toboggan ride on rubber tyres on would you believe real snow.

Once you have taken one or two rides and your lower legs are soaked to the skin it’s time to warm off in the Après´ Ski lodge for a class or two of wonderfully warming Glühwein.

It is another world than that of 20 years ago. Germany then was not only divided by a wall but was divided by both a disfigured landscape and a nation separated by trepidation.

It now seems almost incomprehensible that 20 years ago there was a million strong rally here protesting at the injustice of the wall and of the DDR regime.

Now you have to watch the Michael Caine film, Funeral in Berlin, to get any kind of sense of how the city looked then...

...how the border troops of the DDR patrolled day and night around the 155km concrete barrier, watching, listening...waiting; with the command to shoot; Schießbefehl. In 1974, Erich Honecker, as Chairman of the GDR's National Defence Council, ordered: "Firearms are to be ruthlessly used in the event of attempts to break through the border, and the comrades who have successfully used their firearms are to be commended”.

The Berlin wall today gives viewers, tourists and residence no real concept of how it was only 20 years ago...

...and certainly Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Centre bares very few scars of those times; then a grey bleak desolate corridor, intrusive watch towers, razor sharp barbed wire, machine guns, ferocious guard dogs and trigger happy border guards. No, Potsdamer Platz bears no resemblance at all to former times.

At the age of 12 my mother and father took me to a see the East West German border close to the beautiful mountains of the Harz – then sliced in two by a dreadful tarnish on the landscape.

That memory of an old shattered stone bridge, its two sides like child´s building bricks; like hands reaching, painfully across to one another still haunts me. The ancient village, its windows bricked and boarded up, cut in half by the mine field; the concrete barrier walls standing around 3–4 metres high, electric fences, anti personal mines. The forest stretching far out to the north and south melting into the horizon, scarred with an almighty trench of fences, dog runs, mine fields, patrol roads...it was as though a huge giant had scraped his garden spade across the landscape turning the bright green and yellow valley into a grey brown slug that slowly crept through the beautiful rural countryside.

No birds sang that day, I just remember hearing the sharp crake of bolt as the border guard across the river loaded his weapon. I think he thought me and my 11 year old little sister were going to attempt to leap bridge and wade across the slowly flowing deep dark river to get across to his side of the border; never in a million years.

The border was not just a fence and wire with towers, but an almost 500 metre deep man-trap. Know locally as "The Death Strip"; then the most heavily fortified border in the world.

Yet this month / this week / this Day - here in Berlin, like many other cities across Germany, we are celebrating. It is a populous celebration; they are again a people; Wir sind das Volk, heralds the cry.

Curiously it is not just those who reside here in this great city who are celebrating; tourist and visitors from all over the world, Chinese, Americans, Italians, Spanish, Russians, the Brits, the French, the Japanese and Australians et al. They are all here. They are hungry and want to sample this - this feeling of freedom; to celebrate that delicious but delicate of flavours.

Freedom; too hot and it burns to cold and it freezes. It must be nourished or it is tasteless.

This is a month of global significance; the country likes its capital is slowly returning to become once again a global icon; a city standing proudly amongst its pears.

Angela Merkel, herself caged behind the East German iron curtain, walked through the Brandenburger Tor and across the Bornholmer Straß bridge to repeat the walk of twenty years ago, full of emotions, full of anticipation, like so many who had done the same and risked all on that day in 1989.

With her was ex Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev , Lech Walesa former Polish revolutionary and Prime Minister and along with many other international leaders they quietly chatted with those who were there 20 years ago and who had return to join the celebrations.

Surprisingly this was not one of those Olympic style events with huge bands, hundreds and thousands of Euros of fireworks, boring speeches and backdrops costing 10s of thousands. This was carried out with remarkable informality. Speaking easily and informally with eyewitness Ms Merkel made an unscheduled speech and in the rain the world was hushed as she said thank you to all those who had carried the flag of freedom that day.

A day when the whole world reached out to Germany to say thank you and to remind us of how delicate the fragrance of freedom is.

The Boys in Berlin

2009-11-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

September was a momentous month for us here in Berlin.

Michael, my eldest son arrived with his friends. He is commenced his 18th birthday celebrations with us in Berlin...he had planned it to be a long run in!

We prepared the locals, warned the neighbours, placed a few kegs of Germany´s finest on the balcony (its cooler now and it doubles as our second fridge...until the ice comes that is), alerted both the national and international media...had I forgotten anything I wondered?

Along with many of our friends - the boys have been here many times before...

On their first visit, Jonathan (my other son) entertained us all with his Malteser blowing skills...

...and his guitar playing

...their comradeship

And their table tennis skills...

Mike arrived onto this planet weighing in at just under 2lBs 8oz. He spent a comfortable first evening afterwards spent the next 3 years in and out of hospital...his duodenum was not correctly attached to his pancreas...that was a liberating few years.

Three major surgeries later and a full 17 years exposure to his world Mike is now one of thousands of young aspiring young adults gazing at the world at their feet...

Mike has no clue what a 12inch vinyl in-port is, nor why when we had to use a phone to call an overseas number we had to book the call at the telephone exchange. Telephone exchange...are there any left?

Like many of his generation he sees no issue with owning and utilizing the software on his laptop.

The thrill I felt from sending my first international text and it arriving at its designated destination (that was only 6 years ago) is simply lost on him. Text messaging, it is now as common as sliced bread.

His generation uses Face Book, Twitter, MySpace, MSN, YouTube etc. Some of his friends have a staggering 500 plus friends listed on their sites...Mike’s brother Jonathan has well over 200 on his various lists. He writes to them about his skating, films, his music...YouTube postings, games for his play station; he has a healthy relationship with most of those listed...he has never met 75% of them.

I think there was only 160 kids in my school form when I was 14...and I certainly didn´t talk to all of them...I definitely didn´t know all their names and their ´status´...interesting.

My generation was brought up with the toaster and the microwave...his generation are the first to know a world with the internet...like generations before him, those that were the first to know the light bulb, the steam engine...the machine gun.

How will they shape their world?

They have the scope to change the world...how will they manage this dramatic of revolutions?

Happy Birthday Mike xx

Berlin in the Autumn

2009-10-05T02:32:00.000-07:00

This morning we are sat having breakfast with friends in one of Berlin’s many fashionable cafe’s which is exotically deck out with every kind of cheese, meets, breads and fruits you could wish for.

My enthused German friend has just returned from a successful three week business trip to Hong Kong and we are discussing his next trip to Dubai from where he will then travel on to Osaka to review one of his business opportunities for 2011...it seems to me that the crisis doesn’t seem to have affected him.

Berlin, of which much has been written, is one of those places that either instantly captures your attention or it doesn’t....I came here with a group of likeminded souls in 1994 and I’ve been coming back ever since...in fact I have made the place my home.

It seems to me that Berlin still carries with it a sense of the exotic and a charm that has remained here within its soul ever since the early twenties.

The city has witnessed much anger and distress...although now it is learning to once again be proud of its of history, heritage and to take its place in today’s markets: in September this year Berlin announced a 12% increase in visitor numbers compared with the same period last year... the city seems to me to be crisis friendly too.

Today my group is marking the demise of another wonderful summer of beer gardens, street cafe’s, theatres, song and music – but, we are also celebrating the anniversary of the wall coming down and the reunification of this great city: within such a short space of time the city has grown from one of division and distrust to one of future partnerships and healthy growth: it still however has to decided if it wants a new international airport...they appear to be still arguing.

I am constantly being reminded that there are more bridges here than in Vienna and the wild boar make a fortnightly appearance in the forest over the road from our apartment.

It is a city which is friendly to the car driver, with wide avenues populated with hundreds upon hundreds of Lime and Basswood trees that line the many famous grassed pedestrian Malls and boulevards – but Berlin also has one of the best public transport systems I have come into contact with...it ranks, I believe higher than the famous MRT in Singapore.

Everyone here lives in an apartment; it is part of the Bohemia culture and one for investors to remember...much more of that later; I will let you know about the literally hundreds of assortment of beer wine and the varied festivals the city hosts.

During the past 18 months the world has seen a remarkable change to the global economy which has presented a number of challenges to business across many disciplines. Germany, I am pleased to report, has reacted positively with a number of programmes and incentives; including a firm belief in being able to manage their own destinies; created new opportunities’ for business leaders willing to invest in this very positive of peoples.

When Angela Merkel took over the country in 2005 it was still unsure of how it was to work with one another (East & West Germany). Now they believe in her dream, particularly since she has been given a mandate to take them forward again over the next four years. Last week’s election success has been a remarkable vote of confidence in her abilities: even Ernst & Young’s European Attractiveness Survey (not my first thought of a name) put Germany as Europe's most attractive business locations – they even had Germany top the rankings of all European countries based on its ability to overcome the economic downturn too...last year’s outgoing disastrous Bush regime must now only dream of her success.

Berlin is a city of many faces...you are just as likely to hear Italian and Russian as you are German and English. Apartment prices are half they are in Munich – and Banks are positively assisting foreign business leaders.

We are looking forward to this Autumn, as we are 2010 and the World Cup...who knows maybe we will all meet in the finals and repeat 66...

We can but dream.

Duncan Osborne

Duncan is Director at Osborne Radloff Associates. In 2006 decided to base his operations in Berlin.

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http://www.osborneradloff.com/