John Heaven - a creative, contemplative communicator with an eye for strategy

Picture of hard copy of The Science of Fate by Hannah Critchlow.

Book recommendation: The Science of Fate by Hannah Critchlow

Developments in neuroscience over recent decades have given unprecedented insights into the way our brains work. But the discovery of neuroplasticity has led to what Dr Hannah Critchlow calls “neurohype”: the suggestion we can change our fate by moulding our brains to our liking well beyond childhood. She leads us on a nuanced investigation into…

Rethinking Europe and Remembering Helmut Schmidt

If there’s one thing Helmut Schmidt wouldn’t have wanted, it would have been people constantly asking what he would have wanted or thought. But he’d have to forgive us, because on many occasions over the two days of #RethinkingEurope, his words and actions shaped the events. And that is the thing about Helmut Schmidt, the…

Birds on the wire

Regulating against network effects: six ideas

Governments are right to be concerned about network effects, in particular the threat to competition. However, network effects often result from a captive user base and sensitive data. These require a new approach to ensure a level playing field.

Some balloons

In praise of overblown promises

If you’re like me, you can’t stand adverts whose promises outstrip their products, sales people whose pitch doesn’t withstand the gentlest prod with a few sharp questions, or politicians who promise the earth but leave the planet when the time comes to deliver. However, for better or for worse, we wouldn’t be where we are…

John Heaven on Tagesthemen

Brits in Hamburg on Tagesthemen – guess the topic …

I had the pleasure of taking a ride in Thomas Cartwright’s “Don’t forget Brexpats” car on Sunday. ARD were filming for the Tagesthemen, a nation-wide programme that takes a different perspective on some of the day’s news. And barely a day goes by when Brexit doesn’t fall into that category – although considerably less time…

A spot-the-difference style photo, i.e. two identical pictures side-by-side, featuring two nuns in white.

Think Different vs. Now For Something Completely Different. What’s the difference?

As conventional wisdom would have it, one of the most legendary advertising campaigns of all time was Apple’s 1997 “Think Different”. Around the same time, as a teenager, I used to binge-watch Monty Python’s Flying Circus (on VHS). Most Python fans will remember the segue, or indeed complete lack thereof, between sketches picturing the announcer…

Tim Jones from the British Embassy

Brexit Q&A with British Embassy for British citizens in Hamburg

What is the meaning of life? Where do we go when we die? Is there a god? These are the questions you might expect to ask in a church. On 22nd January, British citizens in Hamburg will be asking an equally thorny question: “What does a post-Brexit world hold in store for British citizens living…

Picture of home made mince pies with Christmas tree (blurred) in background

Me on TV in DE – baking mince pies for Drehscheibe on ZDF

In early summer, when spicy fruity fillings and crumbly pastry are the last thing on one's mind, I got a call from ZDF – German's national state-funded broadcaster – to ask whether I would like to be part of a documentary they were doing about various cultures present all across Germany. This is the result!

Part of the globe

Britain needs to confront its colonial past at a European level

As Britain fumbles its way towards the exit of the EU, or gives up before being unceremoniously ejected, it is in danger of losing sight of the European perspective precisely at at time, and on a topic, where it matters most. The tea, Victoria sponge, common decency, exotic foods, zoos, museums: all of them are an impossible fiction, unimaginable without a dismal world of inexcusable exploitation just off camera.

Hamburg port at night, photo by John Heaven

Five types of network effect

Whereas in previous times, first-mover advantage was of arguable merit, today, it can be a first class ticket to a land of unicorns. This is due to network effects. Here is a breakdown of them I found in the book "Blitzscaling".