New speed cameras in Dubai

There is a new road tracking system on Dubai Roads. These are not just nicer looking radar cameras - they are a lot more lethal, so be careful. First thing is that these cameras do NOT flash. They can take photos in complete darkness through ultra-light sensors, so even if it does not flash, it could have caught you. They also automatically read your number plate from the picture taken.

Now, comes the thing that catches most people. These cameras are continuous High-resolution digital photo-taking cameras and they will take your photo regardless if you have been speeding or not. Then the next camera in 3-5 kms again does the same. Now, instead of checking your speed through advanced radars, these cameras are very simple and all they do is calculate how fast you traveled between the 2 cameras. If you arrived at the next camera faster than 120 km/h (or whatever the speed limit is) then you get fined.

It means that you can stop speeding up between cameras and slowing down as it does not matter anymore. If you are speeding in between 2 cameras you will get fined. Furthermore, don't be fooled by no flash flashing that the camera is not working. Anyone not knowing this, should check out their fines and see if they got anything lately. You can check it here: www.dubaipolice.gov.ae.

No Title

One more landmark in Dubai

There is a new landmark in Dubai, as you can tell if you drive on Al Ain Road, just before the Outlet Mall.

IBM CIO Conference 2008

Yesterday, I attended the CIO Conference 2008 from IBM at the Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. Key Senior Executives of IBM and other Senior Industry Leaders from Banking, Telecommunications and Public Sector presented on the trends for tomorrow's enterprise. IBM is conducting every two years a CEO Study shedding light on what the future may hold. Through interviews with 1'130 business and public sector leaders worldwide in 45 countries, they provide new and compelling perspectives on strategic issues. The tagline of this conference was "Design for people, Build for change" and the content of it was as great as the venue.

Halloween Horror Nights

Last night, I attended the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida, and I have only one single word to say: WOW! In terms of experience, this ranks very high amongst what I have done in my life. It was tense, scary, spooky, and really fun. Here are my top 5 reasons why:

• It is my first halloween in North-America, and coming from Europe, this event was really taking it to another level
• I have always liked horror movies, and this event's is built around horror movies culture, background and references
• Costumes, make-ups and prostetics are really movie quality, and you can see that actors and employees have as much fun as guests
• The scare zones are absolutely thrilling, all around the Park, and - believe me - actors are litteraly scaring you to death
• In terms of Project Management & Operations approach, having seen it behind the scenes, I am puzzled to see that they deploy everything between 5PM when the Park closes, and 6:30PM when the Horror Nights open. Great job guys!

I have only one thing to add, next time, I'll take Universal Express, and this would be my single advice to you. Queues were absolutely insane to some of the haunted houses (60 to 90 minutes, almost from start to finish of the night). It is said to be the best Halloween event in America, and from what I saw, I have no problem to believe that, I have enjoyed it a lot.

35 years

I turned 35 today, spending 16 hours in the plane and finally landing at Orlando, Florida. I'm staying at the Hard Rock Hotel for one week of meetings and discussions with our Orlando colleagues. I'll be back in Dubai late next Saturday, right before the CIO conference 2008. That will be a busy week...

Eid Mubarak

The Eid ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadaan, and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. Eid Mubarak to all my muslim colleagues and friends.

OPM3

Two weeks ago, I attended a workshop on OPM3 (Organizational Project Management Maturity Model), organized by the PMI Arabian Gulf Chapter ang given by Lotfy Sabry (OPM3 certified consultant #2). This is the only project management maturity model developed with the input of thousands of professionals across 35 countries using a monitored and open consensus building process resulting in an industry standard providing requirements for assessing and improving capabilities in project, program, and portfolio management (source: Wikipedia). I found it quite useful to see something above the discipline I'm currently working in, and to see true organizational benefits coming out of it. I will definitely be pursuing the Assessor/Consultant certifications, once PMI opens the registration again.

The rabbit and the crow

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.

A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?'
The crow answered 'Sure, why not.' So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested.

All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Management Lesson:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Disclaimer: this post is - of course - a joke ;)

Ramadan Kareem

The Holy Month of Ramadan unites all Muslims in fasting, worship and prayer. It is a time for contemplation, spirituality and brotherhood, and I wish all my Muslim colleagues and friends Ramadan Kareem !

414 posts and 504 comments on this blog since 25th of June 2004. Chief Editor: Frédéric Casagrande. Hosted by: Sixapart S.A. 104 Avenue du Président Kennedy 75116 Paris - Tél. : 01 44 14 16 60. coworX ® and the coworX logo are registered trade marks from Frédéric Casagrande. All content published on this weblog is © Frédéric Casagrande, unless stated otherwise.