ISRAEL’S GROWING WEALTH AND PUBLIC RELATIONS ADVICE
It’s been over a year since I have been in Israel (Way too long), and as always simply been a fascinating trip on so many fronts – From business development and relationship building to simply intellectual development and personal fascination.
1: Israel continues to develop in so many different manners and wealth continues to spread here and throughout the world that makes me convinced that America will no longer be the world’s overwhelming leading economic force in years to come. Not just this current economic crisis in the U.S., but the continued changes in the world (and WOW is the dollar low,), but as one who spends a lot of time in Israel, people here are looking East and to Europe and the former Soviet Union like never before.
I believe America’s unique financial position in the world has forever changed and American businesses need to adapt accordingly. We certainly have and will.
2: The amount of money in Israel is simply amazing. The number of Range Rovers, BMW’s and high end cars that didn’t exist here even 5 years ago is simply amazing – the high end cars, the amount of men wearing Audemars Piguet Watches (which I am obsessed with). Simply amazing… and frankly the result of very successful technology companies and tons of Russian money, which has come into this country and will continue to drive Israel’s financial development.
3: Last night – A fascinating evening which would never have occurred in the U.S. A friend invited me to a group which gathers at an outdoor café starting at 10 PM on a Sunday where 20 or so tremendously successful and well connected young business leaders (in their 30’s and early 40’s) to talk about politics, business and the economy in a open discussion. With dozens of on-lookers, the owners of one of Israel’s largest advertising agencies, one of the largest political consultants, journalists, an adviser to an oligarch, a major pop star and others from different walks of life but all very successful sat and debated and discussed, and yelled for hours about issues (Can a black guy win the U.S. election – Will Microsoft win in its Yahoo bid ?).
I tremendously enjoyed, and learned – I’d love to organize something similar (and my monthly invite only networking meetings are very very successful… and somewhat similar), but definitely something I was fascinated with and will leave a mark on me.
During a speech I made to a MBA class during this trip, I spoke as a PR firm owner, and as someone involved in marketing (and as an entrepreneur), I spoke about the need to always open one’s eyes and broaden one’s development.
I learned a tremendous amount here as I always do when I find the time to venture away from my desk… but as I always learn it’s easier said than done.
Ronn Torossian
