logo
It's not escaping drudgery, it's all about change: Travel helps connect dots — but muchmore than that, it brings peace of mind

It's not escaping drudgery, it's all about change: Travel helps connect dots — but muchmore than that, it brings peace of mind

Business Mayor24-05-2025

Whenever I hear Air's 1998 song 'All I Need', a memory resurfaces from half a lifetime ago when I was a manager with IBM. It was late evening, and we were trying to get a shipment released. With buses no longer running, a colleague offered to drive me to the train station. As the car came to life, the radio started playing this song.
'All I need is a little time,' Beth Hirsch sings, 'To get behind this sun and cast my weight.' The only illumination came from nearby office buildings where other managers were busy meeting deadlines. In that moment, I knew what the singer meant: I needed to move on. I needed change.
To me, travelling is all about change. I was reminded of this once more when I stepped into a tall, glass-fronted office building in Jakarta's business district to take the elevator up to the 39th floor, where I was supposed to meet EU representatives.
Having turned my back on a corporate career, I became an anthropologist. In this capacity, I was invited to participate in a mission to evaluate the EU's long-term relationship with Asean. I was back in the sort of environment I had left behind long ago. But the experience felt fresh. Travelling had indeed changed me.
From the meeting room's enormous windows, Jakarta unfolded itself, disappearing into the horizon. Now one of the planet's largest urban agglomerations-like Delhi, Manila, and Mexico City-it's hard to establish the Indonesian capital's actual size.
Some four centuries ago, Jakarta was a minor sultanate that paid tribute to its more powerful neighbour, Banten, which had grown rich because of the trade in black pepper. That is what had lured the Dutch to its harbour in 1596. Barely alive, the crew stumbled onshore and made their way into town, not only meeting locals from the islands of Java and Sumatra, but also Portuguese, who had long considered the port town home. Read More Kamala Harris's Pitch to Black Men
Relations with the sultan did not work out, and soon it was decided that the Dutch required their own capital in Asia. On the instruction of governor general Jan Pieterszoon Coen (1587-1629), nearby Jakarta was razed to the ground, and on its ashes the construction of Batavia soon commenced.
Kota Tua, the old heart of the city, corresponds to what the Dutch once referred to as their 'pride and joy'. Stately buildings flank its historical square, and references to the Dutch East Indies Company abound. In the garden of the Wayang Museum, the grave of Coen can still be visited. Otherwise known for the massacre on the Banda Islands committed under his command in 1621, Coen is mainly remembered as the founder of Batavia, around which one of the largest cities in the world would grow one day.
In the Dutch town of Hoorn, the place of my birth, a statue of Coen continues to dominate its historical centre. Although, over the years, removal of the statue has been vociferously advocated by many. Others still cling to a sense of pride when it concerns the colonial period.
Hoorn sits amid fertile land of endless green. This is where my grandfather's cows once grazed lushly. All his life, my father grew cauliflower here. It's the season for tulips now. Drawing visitors from all over the world, the landscape is awash in a riot of colours. I associate it with backbreaking work, though. That is what led me to pursue a career in management, with IBM welcoming me in its byzantine embrace. It took me a while to find the exit, but once I did, I never looked back.
As my colleague dropped me off at the station, the lyrics of the song stayed with me, the singer's quiet desperation continuing: 'All I need is a peace of this mind / Then I can celebrate.' I have been travelling ever since.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

High Growth Tech Stocks In Europe To Watch June 2025
High Growth Tech Stocks In Europe To Watch June 2025

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

High Growth Tech Stocks In Europe To Watch June 2025

As the European market experiences a positive shift, with the pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index climbing 0.90% amid eased monetary policy from the European Central Bank and slowing inflation, investors are keenly observing high-growth tech stocks that could benefit from this favorable economic environment. In such conditions, a good stock often exhibits strong innovation potential and adaptability to market trends, particularly in sectors like technology where advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence can drive significant growth opportunities. Name Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Growth Rating Intellego Technologies 30.80% 45.66% ★★★★★★ Archos 21.07% 36.58% ★★★★★★ KebNi 21.51% 66.96% ★★★★★★ Pharma Mar 29.61% 44.92% ★★★★★★ Bonesupport Holding 29.14% 56.14% ★★★★★★ argenx 21.82% 26.90% ★★★★★★ Skolon 31.51% 99.52% ★★★★★★ Xbrane Biopharma 24.95% 56.77% ★★★★★★ Diamyd Medical 86.29% 93.04% ★★★★★★ Elliptic Laboratories 36.33% 78.99% ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 227 stocks from our European High Growth Tech and AI Stocks screener. Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Grifols, S.A. is a plasma therapeutic company with operations in Spain, the United States, Canada, and internationally, and it has a market cap of approximately €6.44 billion. Operations: Grifols generates revenue primarily from its Biopharma segment, contributing approximately €6.27 billion, followed by the Diagnostic and Bio Supplies segments at €656.74 million and €221.21 million respectively. Grifols, amidst a flurry of corporate activities including leadership changes and strategic alliances, demonstrates a robust commitment to innovation and market expansion. Notably, its partnership with IBL International GmbH leverages Grifols' advanced SMC platform to enhance specialty diagnostics, reflecting its strategic focus on high-value, low-volume tests. Despite earnings growth (3.3%) trailing the biotech industry average (34.2%), Grifols forecasts an impressive annual profit growth rate of 26.8%. Moreover, its revenue growth projection at 5.8% annually outpaces the Spanish market's 4.5%, underlining potential in a competitive landscape. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Grifols stock in this health report. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Grifols''s past performance. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Banijay Group N.V. operates in content production, distribution, online sports betting, and gaming across the United States, Europe, and internationally with a market cap of €4.06 billion. Operations: With revenue streams primarily from Banijay Gaming (€1.51 billion) and Banijay Entertainment & Live (€3.37 billion), the company focuses on content production, distribution, and gaming activities across multiple regions. Banijay Group N.V. has demonstrated a remarkable financial trajectory, with earnings surging by 119.9% over the past year, starkly contrasting the Entertainment industry's decline of 0.9%. This growth is not just a fluke; forecasts predict an annual earnings increase of 22.4%, significantly outpacing the Dutch market's average of 12%. Additionally, Banijay's strategic maneuvers include discussions to acquire ITV plc, potentially expanding its footprint in production and content creation—a move that could redefine its market position amidst evolving media consumption trends and bolster its revenue streams which are already expected to grow at 8.7% annually, faster than the Dutch market's 7.6%. Click here to discover the nuances of Banijay Group with our detailed analytical health report. Examine Banijay Group's past performance report to understand how it has performed in the past. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: ALSO Holding AG operates as a technology services provider for the ICT industry across Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and internationally with a market cap of CHF3.33 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its operations in Central Europe (€4.72 billion) and Northern/Eastern Europe (€5.24 billion). ALSO Holding AG is carving a niche in the rapidly expanding European cybersecurity market, recently launching products from CYE for SMBs—a segment often underserved due to high costs and complexity. This strategic move aligns with the expected growth of the cybersecurity sector to EUR 70 billion by 2030, positioning ALSO to capitalize on emerging IT trends and security needs. Financially, ALSO shows robust potential with revenue and earnings forecasted to grow at 8.9% and 21.1% annually, outpacing the Swiss market averages of 4.2% and 10.7%, respectively. This performance is bolstered by a recent dividend increase to CHF 5.10, reflecting confidence in sustained profitability and shareholder value enhancement amidst challenging technical landscapes. Delve into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of ALSO Holding. Gain insights into ALSO Holding's past trends and performance with our Past report. Explore the 227 names from our European High Growth Tech and AI Stocks screener here. Got skin in the game with these stocks? Elevate how you manage them by using Simply Wall St's portfolio, where intuitive tools await to help optimize your investment outcomes. Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include BME:GRF ENXTAM:BNJ and SWX:ALSN. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Sporting increase price tag for Viktor Gyökeres despite having €65m release clause
Sporting increase price tag for Viktor Gyökeres despite having €65m release clause

Business Upturn

timean hour ago

  • Business Upturn

Sporting increase price tag for Viktor Gyökeres despite having €65m release clause

Sporting Club is not giving away Viktor Gyökeres as it is. The club has decided to increase his price tag despite he is having a release clause of €65 million. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on June 12, 2025, 10:01 IST The summer transfer window is heating up with one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, Viktor Gyökeres, now at the center of a tense standoff between his camp and Sporting CP. Despite earlier expectations of a smooth transfer, the situation has taken a dramatic twist with Sporting's president reportedly demanding a higher fee than previously agreed. Sources close to the matter, including renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, reveal that a previous pact for Gyökeres' departure was set at around €65 million including add-ons. However, Sporting have now moved the goalposts following the departure of football director Hugo Viana. The Portuguese giants are holding out for a fee closer to Gyökeres' €100 million release clause—though not necessarily the full amount—causing major friction with the player's representatives. Gyökeres, who played a vital role in Sporting's recent domestic success, is said to be 'furious' with how the club has shifted its stance. His camp insists that the verbal agreement must be honored, especially after what they describe as two incredible years with the club, winning trophies and performing consistently at the highest level. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store