Category: General

Categories
Applications General Marketing Mobile platforms Réseaux sociaux

L’efficacité du Marketing d’Influence

Influenceuse présentant un produit
Une influenceuse présentant un produit, par Warrengoldswain. Getty Images.

Le Boom du marketing d’influence

Depuis quelques années, les marques délaissent les campagnes publicitaires traditionnelles et semblent de plus en plus se tourner vers le marketing d’influence, dont la valeur du marché est passée de 1.7 à 13.8 milliards de dollars entre 2016 et 2021. Mais pourquoi et comment cette nouvelle stratégie de communication est-elle devenue aussi populaire ?

Une porte d’entrée dans le quotidien de l’audience

Durant la dernière décennie, les réseaux sociaux ont pris une place importante dans la vie des populations à tous les niveaux. On compte aujourd’hui près de 4.2 milliards d’utilisateurs de réseaux sociaux dans le monde. Le temps passé sur ces plateformes est d’en moyenne 145 minutes par jour, contre seulement 90 en 2012. Il est ainsi devenu crucial pour les marques le fait de s’installer sur ces plateformes digitales à des fins stratégiques. De cette nouvelle pratique est né le marketing d’influence, c’est-à-dire la sollicitation par les annonceurs d’influenceurs pour promouvoir des produits, services ou des marques au travers. Cela au travers de posts sponsorisés, de placement de produit ou de partenariats sur les réseaux sociaux. La popularité actuelle du marketing d’influence provient en grande partie de sa très grande efficacité.

Une meilleure portée à faible coût

La première chose pouvant expliquant l’explosion de l’utilisation du marketing d’influence par les marques est qu’il permet de toucher une cible très large à un prix assez abordable comparé aux médias traditionnels. En effet, les influenceurs ont une portée importante grâce à une base d’abonnés sur les réseaux sociaux conséquente, qui servira d’audience à l’annonceur. C’est une audience qui peut-être large, mais aussi très précise. En sélectionnant l’influenceur et les plateformes sur lesquelles on souhaite communiquer, on peut cibler son audience selon son âge, ses centres d’intérêts, ses habitudes de consommation etc.

De plus, grâce à la nature des plateformes où sont actives ces campagnes, les messages peuvent être diffusés rapidement avec un effet de viralité. La possibilité de créer un buzz motive grandement les annonceurs, qui comprennent que la portée des messagers ne se limite pas à leur nombre d’abonnés, mais peut toucher au-delà. Cela s’observe notamment sur TikTok, où les annonceurs peuvent créer des challenges qui seront diffusés par des célébrités digitales et repris par leur communauté, créant un écho. La portée potentielle est donc très importante. Forbes estime qu’aujourd’hui, l’influencer marketing offre un retour sur investissement 11 fois supérieur à celui des autres tactiques de marketing plus traditionnelles.

 

 

Des influenceurs crédibles et de confiance

Les personnalités digitales possèdent une crédibilité auprès de leurs abonnés, et ont donc un impact non négligeable sur ces derniers lorsqu’ils transmettent leur message. Beaucoup de ces influenceurs sont associés à un domaine particulier (beauté, jeux vidéo, tech…) dans lequel ils font figure d’autorité, ce qui renforce le pouvoir de persuasion du message. En s’associant à eux, les annonceurs peuvent profiter de leur crédibilité auprès d’une audience déjà loyale au messager.

Cela va aussi améliorer la confiance que peut ressentir l’audience envers l’annonceur, car ces derniers considèrent souvent les influenceurs qu’ils suivent comme des personnalités honnêtes. Cela est notamment renforcé car ces derniers offrent souvent leur propre retour d’expérience lors présentation de contenu sponsorisé. Ils donnent ainsi une impression de transparence et de spontanéité qui accroît la sensibilité de l’audience au message, même si celui-ci est dicté par l’annonceur. Ainsi, Nielsen (une société de recherche sur le marketing) indique que 92% des consommateurs font confiance au marketing d’influence plutôt qu’à la publicité traditionnelle.

Le sentiment de confiance est aussi accentué par la proximité qui existe entre l’influenceur et sa communauté. La théorie des relations parasociales (PSI) introduite par Horton et Wohl en 1956 défini que la relation entre une célébrité et son audience créée souvent l’illusion qu’il existe un lien social réel aux yeux de cette dernière. Cela est encore plus fort pour les influenceurs que pour les célébrités « traditionnelles ». En effet, l’audience est en permanence au cœur de la vie de ces personnalités digitales, qu’elle peut observer sur les réseaux. Le marketing d’influence profite donc de ce sentiment de proximité, qui renforce d’autant plus le sentiment de confiance, comme si le message était transmis par un ami proche.

 

Un moyen de communiquer aux nouvelles générations

Les nouvelles générations semblent délaisser les médias traditionnels, comme la télévision. Aujourd’hui, dans le monde, le temps passé par jour sur internet est plus élevé que le temps passé devant la télévision. C’est d’autant plus vrai chez les jeunes, qui semblent se détourner de ce média. Cela est en partie lié au fait que les consommateurs sont avant tout intéressés par du contenu, et qu’il est de plus en plus facile d’accès. D’autant plus que ces nouvelles générations ont été habituées à ne pas rencontrer de publicité. En 2019, on comptait par exemple plus de 760 millions d’utilisateurs d’Adblock dans le monde. Les influenceurs sont un moyen de contourner ces problèmes. En effet, ils permettent à la fois de s’assurer une présence sur des plateformes ou les nouvelles générations sont plus nombreuses qu’ailleurs. Mais ils créent aussi de la publicité discrète et souvent imbriquée au sein de son contenu habituel. L’audience tend donc à ne plus faire la différence entre du contenu sponsorisé et d’autres contenus, ce qui renforce son impact. Cet effet est d’autant plus fort chez les jeunes, pour qui la notion de publicité est difficile à appréhender.

Plus qu’un nouveau moyen de communication, le marketing d’influence est devenu un indispensable de la communication. Notamment pour toucher des générations de toujours plus réfractaires aux publicités classiques, qui seront de plus en plus difficiles de toucher. Aujourd’hui, de nouvelles pratiques apparaissent au sein même du marketing d’influence pour pallier à ces futures limites. On peut notamment citer le live shopping, déjà très populaire en Chine qui pourrait vite arriver chez nous.

References

De Veirman, M., Cauberghe, V., Hudders, L., 2017. Marketing through Instagram influencers: the impact of number of followers and product divergence on brand attitude. International Journal of Advertising 36, 798–828.

Djafarova, E., Rushworth, C., 2017. Exploring the credibility of online celebrities’ Instagram profiles in influencing the purchase decisions of young female users. Computers in Human Behavior 68, 1–7.

Lou, C., Yuan, S., 2019. Influencer Marketing: How Message Value and Credibility Affect Consumer Trust of Branded Content on Social Media. Journal of Interactive Advertising 19, 58–73.

Lou, C., Kim, H.K., 2019. Fancying the New Rich and Famous? Explicating the Roles of Influencer Content, Credibility, and Parental Mediation in Adolescents’ Parasocial Relationship, Materialism, and Purchase Intentions. Frontiers in Psychology 10, 2567

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1092819/global-influencer-market-size/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/433871/daily-social-media-usage-worldwide/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/435252/adblock-users-worldwide/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/

https://fr.statista.com/infographie/9737/consommation-moyenne-medias-tv-et-internet-en-minutes/

https://www.mageplaza.com/blog/influencer-marketing.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/03/02/the-importance-of-influencer-marketing-in-the-new-normal-digital-sphere/?sh=2181c1431448

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelfertik/2020/07/02/why-is-influencer-marketing-such-a-big-deal-right-now/

https://www.franceculture.fr/numerique/youtubeurs-podcasteurs-nos-relations-parasociales-avec-ces-amis-qui-nous-ignorent

 

Categories
A.I General Newtech

Smart Cities: How tech can benefit to the environment?

Smart Cities : How tech can benefit to the environment?

Cities host more than half of the world’s population and emit more than 70% of greenhouse gases. By 2050, estimations say that two out of three people will live in cities. It let us believe that cities will continue to grow. To deal with the environmental issues, cities of tomorrow will have to be more sustainable, clean, safe, and smart. Fully interconnected cities called “smart cities” can provide a wide variety of solutions to contemporary issues such as climate change, traffic and pollution.

 

What is a smart city?

A smart city is a city that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the quality of urban services. It aims to facilitate the organization of the city. Technology can also improve its functioning, and create new uses for citizens, companies, and public services. A smart city includes data collected from citizens. These datas are processed and analyzed to monitor and manage things such as traffic and transportation systems, power plants, water supply systems or even waste management.

A Smart City uses technology to optimize the efficiency of urban operations and services and connect to citizens. One of the challenges of smart cities is to take advantage of new digital technologies to improve daily life. In this context, sustainable development and nature play a very important role in the quality of life in the city.

 

How can smart cities can help us deal with environmental issues?

Working to improve the quality of life of citizens while protecting the environment is a challenge. Ecology is becoming a real concern, and many cities are moving towards an urban development model where the “smart” meets the sustainable. Cities of tomorrow will combine digital and technology to provide better environmental aspect of life.

 

Technology can help reduce trafic jam

 

Smart to reduce air pollution

Intelligent traffic signal system can help reduce car pollution in the city. It flexibly adjusts to traffic flow in order to prevent from traffic jams on overloaded portions of the road.  Sensors placed on the road surface can also update the lights in real time by transferring traffic data to a centralized management platform.

Another common problem for drivers in the city is parking during peak hours. Searching for a free space is not only annoying, it also causes traffic jams and actively contributes to air pollution. Intelligent parking staking systems can offer a solution to this problem. With sensors installed in the ground vehicles leaving their parking spaces are automaticaly identified. Then and then users are informed of available spaces. Public transit systems can also benefit from this type of data exchange. Connected sensors are able to identify trends in ridership and peak periods, so they can adjust vehicle capacity and frequency accordingly.

 

Smart to manage energy consumption

Smart street lightings are an integral part of the city of tomorrow as well.  These devices can store energy and use it wisely by adjusting the level of brightness based on the number of people and vehicles passing through an area. During the rush hour, for example, light can be increased as people approach crosswalks or bus stops. A signal also can be sent immediately to city services when lights need to be replaced, so that a maintenance technician can be dispatched.

 

Smart to a better waste treatment

Finnaly, another example of what technology can manage in a city is the treatment of municipal waste. In lots of cities, organizing garbage collection is becoming a huge problem. Today, most urban waste collection companies still remove waste according to inflexible, long-term schedules and routes. However, by integrating IoT apps and sensors with the containers, optimized routes can be defined on a daily basis.

 

Liuzhou Forest City : This future is already a reality in China

 

Liuzhou Forest city in China

 

If the reality of a Smart City seems to belong to the future, it already exists in some some parts of the world. In China for instance, one of the most polluted countries in the world, a forest city has been built.

This green city called Liuzhou is located in the province of Guangxi, in southwest China. It was designed by the Italian architect Stefano Boeri.

This city will be able to host 30 000 people. Homes, commercial spaces, schools and hospitals’ facades will be covered with vegetation, so that the city will have more than 1 million plants of a hundred different species and 40 000 trees. The objective is to absorb 10,000 tons of CO2 and 57 tons of pollutants per year and produce 900 tons of oxygen each year. Such a concentration of plants in a single place will also decrease the average air temperature of the city.

In addition to being good for the environment, this concept results in a living environment that is also good for people’s health. Trees, green walls, green roof and plants everywhere create a healthy environment with clean fresh air for the citizens.

 

With such revolutionary concepts being widely adopted, new cities will no longer be a disturbance to regional ecosystems but will integrate with them naturally instead.

 

References :

Categories
General

Digital and Solar

In a context where the energy transition is more than urgent, combining digital and solar seems particularly judicious. We even talk about solar home automation. But what is it exactly? Let’s see it together.

Home automation

The integration of digital, and more particularly of the New Technologies of Information and Communication (NTIC), within the housing saw the appearance of the home automation. It represents all the intelligent electrical systems – the smart grids – which allow to control and automate, locally or remotely, some electrical equipment. It is thus possible to improve the comfort of the home, but also to optimize its energy consumption.

This technology is also based on sensors that allow it to control certain consumption items (the heating system, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, household appliances or monitoring systems), but also to re-inject the electricity not consumed into the public distribution network. In this way, it is possible to improve the energy consumption of the connected home by regulating it.

Solar energy

Solar energy is one of the most environmentally friendly energies, as it comes from sustainable sources, and is produced by means of photovoltaic solar panels.

And the great advantage of this solar electricity is that it can be produced directly by the individual. Indeed, the price of a solar panel is quite affordable, especially thanks to government subsidies, and can be more or less quickly profitable depending on the performance of the device. Moreover, a house equipped with solar panels allows self-consumption, that is to say the fact of consuming the electricity produced thanks to a solar installation.

It can have several forms :

  • the total self-consumption which consists in consuming the totality of the solar energy produced by the photovoltaic panels to feed the electric system of the house. This consumption of electricity is more interesting economically, because the regulated rate of sale (TRV) does not cease increasing each year.
  • Self-consumption with sale of surplus which is the fact of consuming only a part of the electricity production and selling the other part not consumed to the network, made possible thanks to the EDF Solar Purchase Obligation (EDF OAS).

The efficiency of the panels depends on their size, their power, but also on the geographical location of the house.

Solar home automation

Solar home automation allows the integration of renewable energies into the electrical network of the smart home. Being more reactive, it anticipates the variations in production of sustainable sources and facilitates the insertion of green energy in intermittence. It is therefore entirely possible to integrate solar electricity into the operation of the house if it is equipped with solar photovoltaic panels.

It is therefore a good way to improve the energy efficiency of the house, but also to save energy. It is also possible to make more energy savings by optimizing self-consumption thanks to the monitoring of production through connected objects.

Indeed, this digital solution, which is the home automation, allows to activate the household appliances at the moment when the photovoltaic solar panels are the most efficient. In this way, it allows to improve the energy performance of the house.

A solar home automation system can be composed of a control box, smart plugs, current clamps or a connected thermostat. And it can be associated with the Linky smart meter.

Categories
Business Digital Business General Human MBADMB Tips

The impact of digital pollution : Digital Ecology

The Digital Ecology a new battle, for a better world. The Impact of digital pollution.
The Digital Ecology a new battle, for a better world.

 

Ecology is also about digital

Waste sorting is good, but e-mail sorting is even better. Digital ecology exists. However, according to Occurence a research and consulting firm, only 27% of French people know this practice. A very low percentage, while the impact of digital pollution is massive and constantly increasing.

What is Digital Pollution ?

Digital pollution is therefore the pollution generated by the functioning of the internet. It’s responsible for a growing part of the CO2 emission in the world. Yes, it is not only cars that pollute.The global CO2 emission in the world generated by the web was 4% in 2019, a number which continues to rise.

So it is important to do something for our planet. Digital ecology is therefore the study of the impact of digital technology on the environment, in order to avoid its harmful effects. Be careful not to confuse it with numerical ecology, which is something quite different. This concerns the materials used in electronic devices. Hence the rise of reconditioned devices, which are more environmentally friendly.

Did you know that?

If the web were a country, it would be the 6th biggest energy consumer in the world behind China, the USA, Russia, India and Japan. Shocking isn’t it? This is why it is important to raise awareness of digital pollution. Recycling and electric cars are not the only solutions to reduce this pollution.

 

How can you reduce your carbon footprint?

Knowing that writing an email or doing a Google search pollute. How can we do otherwise? Here are some good habits to adopt in order to reduce the impact of digital pollution. Thanks to the advice of specialist Inès Leonarduzzi, CEO of Digital for the Planet.

Ines Leonarduzzi, CEO of Digital for the Planet.

1. Clean your mailbox

“We behave with digital as we did with plastic twenty years ago, without asking questions” – Ines Leonarduzzi

Just like ecology, we sort it out. However, it’s not the glass or plastic bottles but our emails. Because deleting 30 emails means saving 24 hours of light bulb consumption, which is quite a lot, isn’t it? This is a good practice to take quickly to avoid deleting all at once. Removing 3,000 emails is not pleasant at all.  You should also take advantage of the opportunity to unsubscribe from newsletters that have become unwanted. In order to avoid storing unnecessary emails that are of more interest to you. Sending attachments also pollutes heavily. It is therefore advisable to send large files via an FTP server (File Transfer Protocol) such as Dropbox, Ondrive, FileZilla.

2. Close unused tabs

When searching, we sometimes open many tabs. Then we move on to something else and we forget to close them. However, an open tab is constantly being updated and keeps the data centres running. So after having finished with the open tab, you need to close it!

3. Using an ethical search engine

In order to surf on the web while reducing its carbon impact, there are ethical search engines such as Ecosia, Ecogine, Qwant or Lilo. For example, by installing Ecosia, for each search made the user participates in the planting of trees. Actually they use the ad revenue from users searches to plant trees where they are needed the most. It is therefore the perfect compromise to protect his data while financing solidarity and ecological causes.

4. Type the URL in the search bar

The carbon footprint of a research is significant. Indeed, when a user does a search, the process is long. First of all, he will use a search engine, the data center first transmits the home page. Then, the user will enter a keyword query, the data center sends the results found. And finally, the user clicks on what he is interested in, the data center of the host of the selected site transmits the web page. It is therefore necessary to give priority to the search by directly typing the URL of the site in the search bar. This considerably reduces the length of the data center’s journey.

5. Favour responsible smartphones

To help reduce the impact of digital pollution, companies can be more responsible. Indeed, there are now professional telephones that consume less energy and have smaller screens. Thus, companies can equip their employees etc. with more ethical technology. On the mobile market we find Fairphone smartphones which have a double Sim to have only one phone, professional and personal and easily repairable.

6. Unplug your phone as soon as it is charged

After the mobile phone has finished charging, it is important to unplug the electronic device as it continues to consume. It’s a simple and ecological gesture that we should all take.This is a simple and ecological gesture that we all need to do. And don’t forget to also unplug the plug, which will also continue to consume.

7. Deactivate unnecessary notifications

This solution allows you to take a break from your phone and screens. Indeed, many applications solicit users by sending push notifications. Deactivating or configuring them therefore avoids being on the phone too much and generating undesirable requests.

8. Prioritise communication platforms

In order to avoid communication via e-mail in a company with several employees in copies. It is preferable to favour the use of collaborative platforms such as Whatsapp, Workplace, Messenger. Or, in a more professional context, the use of Microsoft Teams for example. This allows for easier collaboration within a team or in a wider ecosystem. With the lockdown, their importance is becoming more and more noticeable. Especially on the way of working when the employee is teleworking for example.

9. Delete unused applications

Even if the application is no longer being used, it is still fully installed and continues to use the phone’s resources. For example, with automatic updates.The user must therefore delete the applications he no longer uses to avoid consuming energy for no reason.

 

Every little action counts, so don’t forget this few tips to reduce the impact of digital pollution on our planet. We still need it.

If you want to know more about digital pollution and Ines Leonarduzzi, you can read this interview that I recommend. And if you haven’t read the latest article it’s here.

Categories
Food General Japan Tokyo Travel

What to eat in Japan?

What to eat in Japan? Itamae Sushi Nishi-ShinjukuItamae Sushi Nishi-Shinjuku
©AllanGrosdemange

After an academic exchange of six months in Japan, I will share with you some tips, in order to have a great culinary experience in Japan. You can also read my tips for the perfect visit of the Land of the Rising Sun capital city in a previous article called “What to do in Tokyo (Japan)?”.

 

Uobei sushi restaurant

What to eat in Japan? Uobei sushi
©AllanGrosdemange

When you think about Japanese food, what is the first dish that comes to your mind? Of course, SUSHI!

The first restaurant that needs to be introduced is the Uobei Sushi restaurant. This restaurant chain is more than just a basic conveyor belt sushi restaurant. It might be the future of sushi restaurants worldwide. After having selected a seat, the client is in front of a tablet, on which all the menu is available in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English. Once you have selected a product, it will be delivered automatically to you in less than a minute on delivery trays. In addition to being amazed by the magic of seeing dishes from others passing in front of your eyes constantly, it will also make you hungrier than ever. After having collected your sushi, you will have to press the “return to kitchen” button. The only products that will not be delivered to you through this process are drinks. Once, you have filled your belly, you can leave your seat and pay at the reception. The overall experience will enlighten your day for sure.

Uobei chain is part of the Genki Sushi company, also owning Senryo and Genki Sushi. If there are many Uobei restaurants throughout Japan, my special recommendation is to eat in the one located at Shibuya, in Tokyo city center. The queue might be long, but the experience worth some patience.

Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−29−11 第六セントラルビル 1F

What to eat in Japan? Uobei sushi
©AllanGrosdemange

 

Membaka Fire Ramen

What to eat in Japan? Membaka Fire Ramen
©AllanGrosdemange

If Tokyo is the modern capital city of Japan, the historic one is Kyoto. It is precisely in Kyoto that you will find the most uncommon ramen experience you should be able to live. Let you tempted by the Membaka Fire Ramen restaurant because, in addition to the taste, the show will stay in your mind for the rest of your life. As for the Uobei restaurant of Tokyo, you might have to be patient in order to get a seat at the Fire Ramen restaurant but once you are finally seated, the show can start! The cooker will make your ramen burn while filming your reaction, a souvenir that will remain on your camera and in your head. The recipe is even available on the restaurant’s website and the owner doesn’t want to open more restaurants, preferring to remain in Kyoto. Do not wait any longer and take a Shinkansen to Kyoto to discover Membaka Fire Ramen!

757-2 Minamiiseyacho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8153, Japan

What to eat in Japan? Membaka Fire Ramen
©AllanGrosdemange

 

Ajinoya Okonomiyaki

What to eat in Japan? Ajinoya Okonomiyaki
©AllanGrosdemange

Another well-known dish from the Land of the Rising Sun country is the Okonomiyaki. A delicious pancake mixed with eggs, shredded cabbage, but also, green onion, octopus, squid, shrimp, and many other ingredients depending on your taste. One of the cities, where it is a specialty, is the magnificent Osaka. If many are competing to be the best of the second largest metropolitan city of Japan, the Ajinoya restaurant stands out, and going there is not optional while visiting Osaka.

1-7-16, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

 

Nanaya Matcha Shop

What to eat in Japan? Nanaya Matcha Shop
©AllanGrosdemange

Have you ever heard of Matcha Tea in Japan? I guess yes. But have you ever heard that the Japanese are also making ice creams out of Matcha? Furthermore, it is delicious. I advise you to go straight to the Nanaya Aoyama Shop, close to Shibuya, in Tokyo city center. You will find a wide variety of Matcha ice creams and derived products.

2-7-12 Shibuya Sato Building 1F, Shibuya 150-0002 Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

What to eat in Japan? Nanaya Matcha Shop
©AllanGrosdemange

 

Shibaraku Onigiri Shop

What to eat in Japan? Shibaraku Onigiri Shop
©AllanGrosdemange

Another unmissable dish is the Onigiri. This rice triangle, wrapped in seaweed and filled with salmon, meat, or your favorite flavor, is a common food for Japanese who are eating these marvelous at any time of the day when hungry. One of the best shops to eat them are the Shibaraku chain. One is located in Tokyo city center, close to Shibuya.

1 Chome-21-3 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan

 

The list is long when it comes to listing the best Japanese dishes, but my recommendations are to try the following ones:

One of my favorite address for Sushi in Japan is Itamae Sushi Nishi-Shinjuku:

What to eat in Japan? Itamae Sushi Nishi-ShinjukuItamae Sushi Nishi-Shinjuku
©AllanGrosdemange

Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−19−11 甲州ビル 1階 2階

 

Taiyaki

What to eat in Japan? Taiyaki
©AllanGrosdemange

You have to taste some Taiyaki, delicious waffles filled with whatever you may like from red beans to chocolate.

 

Soba Noodles & Tempura Vegetables

What to eat in Japan? Soba Noddles Tempura Vegetables
©AllanGrosdemange

 

Kobe Beef (Wanomiya Kobe Beef)

What to eat in Japan? Kobe Beef
©AllanGrosdemange

The worldwide known beef! The tastier and original ones being in Kobe, Osaka or Kyoto. My favorite address is Wanomiya Kobe Beef, located in Osaka at the following address:

1 Chome-5-2 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan

 

Miso Soup

What to eat in Japan? Miso Soup
©AllanGrosdemange

 

Melon Pan

What to eat in Japan? Melon Pan
©AllanGrosdemange

 

Mochi

What to eat in Japan? Mochi
©AllanGrosdemange

But also:

  • Bubble Tea

  • Shabu-Shabu

  • Dorayaki

  • Dango

  • Daifuku

It is already the end of my Japanese food guide. I might have forgotten your favorite Japanese dish, but the Land of the Rising Sun country gastronomy is wide and these dishes are just the ones I enjoyed the most during my stay in this beautiful country. All the pictures from that article were taken by me, I hope they will make you hungry.

Please do feel free to comment and share your experience of Japanese gastronomy in the comments and give me your opinion. I would be delighted to hear about your experience and find out more delicious Japanese dishes to try.

Categories
Applications Apps COVID-19 Digital Business eCommerce Economie collaborative Food Gaming General Marketing Mobile platforms

Digital, an invisible bond that (re)unites

Digital, an invisible bond that reunites
Digital, an invisible bond that reunites

It is in November 2019 that the COVID-19 virus started his journey, in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Since then, this global pandemic has disrupted the world order and caused numerous tragic deaths, forcing governments and people to rethink fundamentally their way of doing things. Professional and personal lives had to be reinvented, taking into consideration these new living conditions and social distancing measures. Thus, some sectors and fields have changed in an unexpected way.

Concerning the digital, the COVID-19 has been a boon. Indeed, following the virus spreading, many applications, platforms and online services have emerged, allowing to some internet users to continue their professional lives, to stay in touch with their beloved ones, or to help the community.

Following the implementation of social distancing measures, digital has emerged as an effective method in order to stay connected with people. We will present some applications, which, during this quarantine period, allow us to continue to live an “almost” normal life.

A platform to help farmers in France

“Des bras pour ton assiette” (Some arms for your plate)

Des bras pour ton assiette - Some arms for your plate
©Gile Michel/SIPA

On March 26th, the French government decided to create an application to help farmers in need of staff. More than 240,000 volunteers have already registered.

Many sectors are struggling because of the quarantine imposed by governments worldwide. Therefore, many people want to help these sectors, including agriculture which is lacking of staff in order to harvest fruits and vegetables and for the plantation season.

The application, called: “Des bras pour ton assiette” (Some arms for your plate) allows people to register in the aim of helping farmers in these tasks and thus make the quarantine a little less harsh for their professional activity. If joining this program is on a voluntary basis, each volunteer can declare this work and contribute to its future pension.

Some French regions also created their own platform in order to help farmers, such as the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Indeed, “Plateforme Solidaire” (Solidarity Platform) enables to connect farmers and consumers so that consumers can order online directly from local producers.

Helping others to keep a social bond

The French app: “Réseau entourage” (Entourage network)

Réseau Entourage - Entourage Network
©Entourage

The association called “Réseau entourage”(Entourage Network in English) has been helping homeless people since 2012, aiming to create more social bond. Since the beginning of the quarantine, the association had to reinvent its activities, especially on three aspects:

  • To inform the homeless who might be disoriented but also all the volunteers involved in the association. To do so, they are publishing a daily testimony from a homeless person explaining his way of living the quarantine.
  • To keep a positive mindset and share activities online, the usual events can be found on the internet (coffee break, board games…)
  • To maintain social bond with the homeless thanks to the association mobile application that allow contact with those who have a mobile phone. Some volunteers also formed small support groups for the others.

The above applications are useful to keep people connected despite the social distancing measures. However, other applications are used more than ever, such as the famous WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Skype, TikTok…But also some slightly more original applications have emerged and became popular in no time.

Applications to keep you entertained

Netflix Party

Netflix Party
©NetflixParty

If the quarantine has made difficult your movie nights with family and friends, do not panic, Netflix Party is here to save you. Google Chrome Netflix Party extension allows several people to watch a movie simultaneously on Netflix. Indeed, the extension allows people to synchronize the movie timing and to open a chat window in order to comment the last elimination of a candidate from The Circle.

Smule

Smule
©Smule

Friday nights were your weekly karaoke moment with friends? Keep calm and download Smule. Smule application was already famous before the quarantine, allowing karaoke fans and enthusiastic singers to stay in touch with their beloved ones (or to make contact with strangers) through music. Do not wait any longer and take your headphones before being able to find back the way to the real karaoke microphones.

Plato: Find Fun

Plato: Find Fun
©Plato

Chess, Uno or Werewolf… Board games have always been precious allies to overcome boredom and could be even more important during this quarantine period in which loneliness can take too much space. Nevertheless, much board games need several players and if you live alone or are sharing a place with people more spectators than gamers, the Plato application is there to save you. Plato is very easy to use and completely free. After having downloaded the application and created a username, you should be able to meet your favorite opponents and play one of the 40 games available on the platform.

Digital, an invisible bond that (re)unites

In crisis time, everyone’s habits are disrupted, innovative solutions and original alternatives are created to allow everyone to live as normally as possible. Out of sight, close to mind: thanks to numerous applications, social bond between people can be maintained. Digital is often accused of building barriers and establishing distance between human beings. Who has never accused a screen for the distant behavior of a teenager more focused on a video game than on a family talk? Who has never complained of a young child already “glued so early to its tablet games”?

During this quarantine period, digital cocks a snook to all these clichés by being the key to maintain social bond.

Categories
Buzz Culture General Marketing MBADMB Outils 2.0

Rémi Gaillard disrupte les municipales

L’homme aux milliards de clics arrivera-t-il à convertir dans les urnes ? Analysons la stratégie du candidat des municipales de Montpellier.

Temps de lecture : 2-3 minutes

L’humoriste activiste de la cause animale se revendique comme étant “juste un clown”. Il a annoncé à la surprise générale sur Twitter, ce 10 décembre, sa participation aux élections municipales de Montpellier. Il s’est déclaré comme sans étiquette politique, justifiant sa candidature par “Puisque chaque élection est un canular, autant élire un vrai clown”.

 

1 – Une campagne à moindre frais unique en France

 

Municipales Rémi

Rémi Gaillard semble avoir déclaré la guerre au système traditionnel des élections municipales. Toutefois, si le candidat s’inscrit au second tour, il s’agira d’un véritable tour de force. En effet, pour atteindre son objectif et livrer son message, le vidéaste a fait le choix d’utiliser son influence comme principal canal d’expression.

Son projet jugé saugrenu et excentrique par ses opposants a pour avantage d’être zéro déchet et gratuit. C’est pourquoi il ne fait aucune annonce sponsorisée sur les réseaux sociaux. En effet, il s’agit d’une révolution dans un système où les élections locales ont longtemps été dominé par le porte-à-porte et la distribution prospectus papier sur les marchés du dimanche.

Une stratégie unique qui est possible mais pas pour n’importe qui ! Effectivement, du fait de son activité passée sur internet, ce dernier a gagné de nombreux fans sur les réseaux. Par conséquent, sa communauté engagée élève sa voix et diffuse ses messages.

Très actif sur Twitter, Rémi Gaillard sait créer le buzz et a défrayé la chronique à de nombreuses reprises au cours de sa carrière. Néanmoins, son expérience longuement acquise lui permettra-t-elle d’atteindre les électeurs montpelliérains ce dimanche 15 Mars ?

Revenons sur sa stratégie qui lui a permis à ce jour d’atteindre, selon l’IFOP, la quatrième place des sondages. Le candidat a obtenu 9% des intentions de votes.

 

2 – Le précurseur de la disruption politique aux municipales

 

La question de fond posée par cette actualité est si une stratégie digitale poussée par l’influence peut remporter une élection municipale en France en 2020.

Aujourd’hui, la disruption désigne les « ruptures » qui sont causées par le digital dans tous les secteurs de l’économie. Si Rémi Gallaird ne s’inscrit pas au second tour de sa ville, ce dernier aura démontré que la disruption peut s’inscrire dans d’autres domaines, notamment le monde politique.

Municiaples Trends
Tendance “Rémi Gaillard” Google

Selon Google Trends, ces derniers mois le top 5 recherches associés au terme Rémi Gaillard sont en rapport non pas à ses vidéos mais à sa candidature. Le prétendu a réussi à susciter l’intérêt des internautes français qui cherche des informations relatives à son programme.

Municipales carte
Tendance “Rémi Gaillard” – Recherches par région

De plus, nous pouvons remarquer que les recherches sont en majorité issue de l’ancienne région administrative du Languedoc-Roussillon, dont Montpellier était la capitale. Ce sont donc des potentiels électeurs des municipales de Montpellier qui effectuent les recherches.

#YesWeClown sur Twitter

Enfin, selon Union Metrics, ce mercredi 11 Mars à 9h les 100 derniers tweets avec le #YesWeClown de Rémi Gaillard avaient atteint plus de 100 000 utilisateurs. Pour obtenir une échelle de comparaison le #Coronavirus au même moment avait atteint 500 000 utilisateurs. Ce «Hashtag» local repris sur les réseaux sociaux témoigne de la puissance de diffusion des nouveaux canaux d’informations.

 

3 – Ce qu’il faut retenir 

 

Il semblerait que la force de persuasion d’internet ne soit perçue uniquement à l’échelle globale. Or, tous les aspects de notre société sont impactés par le digital. Rémi Gaillard nous prouve que le niveau municipal peut aussi être impacté. Alors que vous soyez une TPE/PME dans la menuiserie dans le Val-d’Oise ou un candidat municipal comme Remy Gallaird, prenez en compte et utilisez au mieux les outils digitaux à votre service pour atteindre vos objectifs.

Finalement, cette actualité nous aura offert l’une des meilleures versions récentes du célèbre mème « El Resitas » que je vous invite à visionner !

N’hésitez pas à partager sur vos réseaux si l’article vous a plu !

Pour aller plus loin dans la disruption !

Découvrez les dernières évolutions de TikTok !

Charles Fruh

Categories
China Chinese new year General Life in China MBADMB Medecine News Shanghai

Mon expérience d’expat face au Coronavirus

Mon expérience d'expat face au coronavirus
Mon expérience d'expat face au coronavirus

L’apparition du coronavirus

Tout commença le Lundi 20 Janvier vers 10h du matin heure Shanghaienne. Après une bonne nuit de sommeil et comme tous les matins, je regarde les dernières informations sur Twitter et réponds à mes messages WeChat. Un article France Info partagé par Alexandre annonce qu’un virus qui ressemblerait au Sras (syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère) et qui avait tué près de 800 personnes dans le monde entre 2002 et 2003, a fait son apparition dans la ville de Wuhan et inquiète les autorités. Les syndromes sont clairs : fortes toux, douleurs respiratoires et fièvre soudaine.

Je vous invite d’ailleurs à lire l’article d’Alexandre, New Year, new Coronavirus, qui explique l’apparition du Sras et du coronavirus et son développement en Chine.

Le lendemain, Ondine nous partage des vidéos de plusieurs chinois, habillés de la tête aux pieds avec des tenues de protection, masques et gants, prenant la température des voyageurs dans un avion en provenance de Chine. On apprend que un premier patient atteint du coronavirus est détecté aux Etats-Unis.


 

Le Jeudi 23 Janvier, je tombe sur une vidéo d’un homme mis en quarantaine à l’aéroport de Shanghai. Plus tard dans la journée, on apprendra la mise en quarantaine de la ville de Wuhan, aucuns trains ni avions seront autorisés à quitter la ville et il sera désormais impossible de trouver des masques en pharmacie ou sur internet. Finalement, la ville de Pékin annule les festivités du Nouvel An chinois.

Le Vendredi suivant, on comptabilisait déjà 26 morts en Chine. Disneyland Shanghai ferme ses portes et 9 villes sont mises sous quarantaine. A Wuhan, un hôpital va être construit en seulement 10 jours pour faire face au coronavirus et traiter les patients de plus en plus nombreux. Nos parents commencent quelque peu à s’inquiéter.

 

Coronavirus : l'hôpital de Wuhan en construction
L’hôpital de Wuhan en construction

 

On voit le nombre de morts augmenter chaque jours un peu plus, mais on reste dans l’attente de voir comment le virus évolue. Même si mon coeur me dit de rester, ma raison, mes amis et parents me poussent à rentrer en France. Toujours pas de rapatriement mis en place malgré les 100 morts au compteur.

Le 26 Janvier on apprend que les campus ne risquent pas de réouvrir de si tôt et que la rentrée est bel et bien décalée, que Pékin ferme ses routes et que la plupart des vols depuis et vers la Chine sont en train d’être annulés. C’est la que tout s’accélère. Même si on attends une confirmation de l’école avant de prendre nos billets de retour définitif, on se doute déjà que le séjour touche à sa fin. Le soir même, quelques uns d’entre nous restés à Shanghai se réunissent, histoire de debriefer un peu la situation et de savoir ce qu’il en est pour chacun. Ce soir la, on se réunit chez Capucine, Clémence et Cécile, on débarque tous avec nos masques. Dehors il fait froid, les rues sont complètement vides et il pleut beaucoup. On dirait un film apocalyptique.

 

Coronavirus : Shanghai, ville fantôme
Shanghai, ville fantôme

 

Vers 20h, on apprend que les premières copines, Anne et Marina, ont pris leur vol retour pour… demain 11h. Du coup, c’est un peu l’effet domino. Mon téléphone vibre toutes les deux minutes, mes amies de Chine rentrent en France et elles ne seront pas les seules.

De mon côté, j’essaie déjà d’échanger mon billet de retour prévu à la base pour le 2 Mai sur le site d’Air France. Malheureusement le site est en maintenance tellement le traffic y est important. Vague de panique, j’appelle mes parents qui appèlent à leur tour Air France pour modifier le billet. Entre temps, on se coordonne pour être plusieurs à prendre le même vol de retour. Après quelques appels sans succès, mes parents arrivent à modifier mon billet de retour au Mercredi 29 Janvier, soit dans 3 jours. Au téléphone, on leur dit qu’ils ont bien fait d’appeler et que les vols de la semaine sont quasiment pleins. Tout est allé si vite.

On apprend qu’on aura surement des cours en ligne ou qu’on sera recasés dans d’autres classes en France, que l’école ne peut pas nous forcer à rentrer en France mais qu’il est fortement conseillé de rentrer. On découvre aussi également que de nombreux expatriés rentrent avec leur famille et que les entreprises françaises rapatrient leurs employés.

Quelques heures plus tard (il était 1h du matin), ma coloc Clara partie dans la campagne chinoise m’annonce qu’elle écourte son séjour et rentre plus tôt que prévu à Shanghai car tous les lieux touristiques ferment. On est désormais une dizaine à avoir nos billets de retour. Certains partent dans l’espoir de revenir, d’autres ne reviendrons plus. Tout s’est vite propagé ce soir là, comme le virus…

 

Les derniers jours en Chine

Maintenant il faut penser à faire ses valises, vider son compte en banque chinois et dire au revoir aux copains autour d’un dernier verre. Cette dernière semaine a été anxiogène.

C’est triste, mais on se dit qu’on évite la tempête, que l’aéroport de Shanghai et la ville entière risquent d’être mis en quarantaine dans les jours à venir et que les vols seront annulés.

Et ça n’a pas manqué ! Quelques jours plus tard, la compagnie Air France annonce qu’elle annule tous ses vols vers la Chine (faute de personnel naviguant). La France annonce que toutes les personnes ayant été en Chine ces dernières semaines devront rester en quarantaine 15 jours à leur retour en France histoire de voir si elles n’ont pas ramené le coronavirus.

Quant à moi, je prépare mes valises, dans l’idée de peut être revenir si tout s’arrange, mais sans rien laisser derrière moi au cas où. C’est marrant, depuis début Janvier, on avait l’habitude de chanter « Non ne reviens pas, prends tes affaires rentre chez toi… », je crois qu’on s’est porté malheur…

J’ai beaucoup de mal à dormir ces derniers jours. Je m’endors vers 6h du matin avec le bilan des morts en Chine et dans les autres pays où le coronavirus se propage et me réveille généralement vers 15h, avec d’autres nouvelles du même type. Je vois des vidéos de l’hôpital de Wuhan, des chinois toujours plus ingénieux (ou stupides) qui créent des masques et portent des combinaisons de protection toujours plus folles.

 

 

Coronavirus : Les chinois, ce peuple parfois incompris (Source : ShanghaiObserved)
Les chinois, ce peuple parfois incompris (Source : ShanghaiObserved)

 

Mardi c’est le dernier jour dans la ville fantôme qu’est devenue Shanghai. Ville qui grouillait ces derniers mois. Je discute avec ma coloc Marie arrivée depuis même pas un mois qui rentre également en France. Elle fera son stage en télétravail. Clara rentre en fin d’après midi de la campagne chinoise, on va pouvoir profiter de notre dernière soirée avec les copains. On se retrouve au Bar Centrale pour manger italien puis on bouge plus tard au Barbarian (le QG). Nous sommes nostalgiques mais contents de passer ces derniers moments ensembles.

 

Toujours les copains
Les copains

 

Les copains

 

Retour en France

Mercredi 29 Janvier, 5h30, je me réveille difficilement : j’ai dormi deux heures. C’était cool hier soir. Je dois m’habiller, fermer les valises et dire au revoir aux colocs. On a rendez-vous avec Constance (ma voisine du MBA Luxe) en bas de chez nous pour prendre un taxi pour nous déposer à l’aéroport. J’ai deux énormes valises ainsi qu’une petite. On a jamais aussi bien roulé à Shanghai, le trajet nous a prit 45 minutes. Il est 6h40, notre vol est à 11h. Capucine et Clémence nous rejoignent. On porte toutes nos masques. Tous les voyageurs aussi. On attend une heure, on dépose les bagages, on passe les contrôles. Personne ne nous prends la température. On doit juste remplir un petit papier avec nom, prénom, numéro de passeport, ville de départ et d’arrivée.

Après une heure de contrôle, on se pose enfin près de la porte d’embarquement. Quelques minutes s’écoulent et déjà on embarque. J’ai hâte de rentrer chez moi. Les 12h de vol passent lentement, on porte tous nos masques dans l’avion, même l’équipage en sous effectif.

Arrivées à Roissy Charles de Gaulle, aucune prise de température. Seulement deux personnes de la Croix Rouge nous distribuant un prospectus avec les consignes en cas de symptômes et masques. Première surprise, aucunes mesures prises en France.

 

Coronavirus : on rentre à la maison
On rentre à la maison

 

Je dis au revoir aux copines et me dirige vers l’embarquement de ma correspondance pour Nice. Dans l’aéroport, je porte toujours mon masque. On me regarde de travers. Encore une heure et demi de vol et je serai chez moi.

Quel plaisir de retrouver le sud, ma famille et mes amis ! Jeudi soir, je retrouve une amie qui bosse dans une entreprise de matériel médical pour boire un verre. Elle me ramène un masque de type N95 que ses responsables lui ont demandé de me donner. Ca me fait beaucoup rire. Elle m’explique que depuis l’apparition du coronavirus, son entreprise est en rupture de stock de masques et de thermomètres. Il paraît même que les chinois commandent des masques en France pour les envoyer à leurs familles restées en Chine.

 

Coronavirus : masque qui fait 3 fois ma tête
Masque qui fait 3 fois ma tête

 

Les journées passent et ça fait vraiment du bien de retrouver ses habitudes et la nourriture française. Je suis désormais sûre de finir mon année à Paris, pas de retour prévu en Chine pour moi. Shanghai aura été une expérience courte mais enrichissante, tant sur le plan culturel que sur le plan émotionnel. J’ai pu y rencontrer des personnes formidables que je peux maintenant appeler mes amis. On en aura vécu des choses là bas et qui sait, peut être qu’un jour on y retournera.

 

MBADMB Shanghai

Categories
General MBADMB Tips Tokyo Tourism Tourisme Travel Travelling

What to do in Tokyo (Japan)?

After an academic exchange of six months in Tokyo, I share with you my tips for the perfect visit of the Land of the Rising Sun capital city.

Three major buildings

First and foremost, you must know that there are three major buildings open to tourists and offering you a breathtaking view of the city. My advice is to select only one building if you are busy or to visit two of them if you are more relaxed. Starting from that statement, my recommendation would be to visit the SkyTree by day to observe Tokyo from above and Tokyo Tower by night to be surrounded by skyscrapers lights.

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower captioned from the Mori Tower
©AllanGrosdemange – Tokyo Tower captioned from the Mori Tower

Inspired by the Paris Eiffel Tower but higher than more than 7 meters (332,6 m in total), the Tokyo Tower is less windy than its cousin thanks to protective windows and offers a unique experience in the heart of Tokyo with a light show every evening.

SkyTree

Tokyo Sky Tree
©AllanGrosdemange – Tokyo Sky Tree

From its 634 meters high, SkyTree is one of the highest buildings in the world (almost two times the Eiffel Tower). It offers a truly spectacular view and eventually a little dizziness if you have vertigo. If you chose to go there, my recommendation is to take a drink at its top to fully enjoy the view. Located close to Asakusa, you can visit both the district and this tower at the same time.

Roppongi Hills, Mori Tower

Located in the Roppongi district, a landmark of expatriates, this skyscraper is less exotic than the two others, at least at first sight. However, its strength is the open roof from which you have a perfect view of the Tokyo Tower and other buildings located in Tokyo city center. The Mori Museum is also offering a nice experience at the top of the Mori Tower.

The districts you must see!

Asakusa district

Asakusa
©AllanGrosdemange – Asakusa

Asakusa district is one of the most touristic districts of Tokyo, nevertheless, it is not a reason to miss it. It is the right place to buy souvenirs, take pictures and observe Japanese women and men wearing traditional kimonos. Located close to SkyTree, you can visit both this district and the tower at the same time.

Rent a Kimono

As many Japanese rent a kimono to visit Asakusa, tourists can live this experience as well. My recommendation is to take advantage of this unique opportunity to live the Japanese kimono experience even when being a “gaijin” (foreigner). Do not be ashamed, you won’t be alone as more and more people are convinced by the experience. The price is around 5980¥ for a woman and 5680¥ for a man. For this price you will be hair-styled and have the possibility to chose your kimono. More information on the following page.

Shibuya

Shibuya Crossing on a Halloween night
©AllanGrosdemange – Shibuya Crossing on a Halloween night

If there is one place to visit in Tokyo, it is Shibuya and its well-known crossing, Shibuya Crossing. Often compared to Times Square in New York City or Piccadilly Circus in London, you will be blown away by the atmosphere, the lights, the crowd and the overall energy coming out of Shibuya. Lose yourself in this district, you might taste the most memorable ramen’s of your life, buy a souvenir in one of the many shops disseminated along the streets or sing in a karaoke until you lose your voice. You may have already seen the crossing in a movie or a commercial but seeing the lights turning green for pedestrians and everyone crossing in all directions will still be a surprising experience.

Hachiko statue
©AllanGrosdemange – Hachiko statue

You should also observe the statue of Hachiko, the dog who waited 10 years for his master’s return from office outside of Shibuya station before finally dying. This story is well-known in Japan and represents the love between a dog and its master, it even helped to save the Akita race who were on the brink of extinction. Read more about this story if you have some time or watch the American movie based on it and called “Hatchi” with Richard Gere.

Enter in a Pachinko

A Pachinko is the name of a typical Japanese slot machine, often located in a very noisy and crowded place. To find one, you may go to Shinjuku, Shibuya but there is plenty all over the country. If you are brave enough, you might even try to play.

Shop in Mega Don Quijote

Mega Don Quijote
©AllanGrosdemange – Mega Don Quijote

While strolling in Shibuya, make a stop at Mega Don Quijote (28-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 154-0042, Japan), it is the biggest of Japan. A huge shopping mall divided by floors where you will be able to find all you ever dreamed about, and even more, from toothpaste to Halloween costumes. It is open 24/7 so do not forget to go back to real life afterward.

Other districts to visit :

Shinjuku

©AllanGrosdemange

If Shinjuku is known as a business district, it is also a nice place to go for Game Centers (as well as Shibuya). It is composed of a huge building with several floors, a different atmosphere on each floor and a different craziness at every corner.  A must-see in Tokyo!

Akihabara

Akihabara
©AllanGrosdemange – Akihabara

If you are interested in video games, make a stop in Akihabara, the gaming place of Tokyo. Enter in one of the many buildings along the way and rediscover your favorites games, discover new ones or buy figurines of your favorite manga character.

Odaiba

Odaiba Statue of Liberty
©AllanGrosdemange – Odaiba Statue of Liberty

The « romantic » district of Tokyo with its big wheel, its shops, its ferries, and its Liberty Statue.

Kabuki-za Theatre of Ginza

Kabuki-za Theatre
©AllanGrosdemange – Kabuki-za Theatre

If you walk by the rich district of Ginza, have a stop in front of the Kabuzi-za Theatre, observe it from outside or even let you tempted by a play.

A bit further from Tokyo city center:

Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama Chinatown
©AllanGrosdemange – Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohoma in its whole is a place to visit if you have some time but if you want to have a taste of China in Japan, have a look to Yokohama Chinatown and lose yourself in the Middle Kingdom for a while before going back to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Gotoku-ji Temple (Maneki-Neko)

Gotoku-ji Temple
©AllanGrosdemange – Gotoku-ji Temple

Last but not least, the Gotoku-ji Temple. In Asia and even more in Japan, you will see these Maneki-Neko (literaly “beckoning cat”) statues and goodies all around the shops. You may guess that it is a lucky charm supposed to bring fortune to its owner but do you know that a temple is specifically dedicated to it? If the story of these little cats does get your attention, have a look to the thousands of statues disseminated by people from Japan and all over the globe for years in that unique place.

 

It is already the end of my Tokyo guide, other Tokyo places such as the Edo castle, Meiji-Jingu or Tokyo Dome could have been included but I think you could already have a glance to Tokyo’s atmosphere with these recommendations. All the pictures from that article were taken by me, I hope it will help you to fully enjoy Tokyo.

Please do feel free to comment and share your experience of Tokyo in the comments and give me your opinion. I would be delighted to hear about your experience and find out more interesting places in this shining capital.

Categories
alipay China General Life in China Lifestyle Marketing Mobile Shanghai

Shanghai : 5 Months After – A Personal Growth

Pearl Tower Unfinished
Pearl Tower Unfinished

When I first landed in China, for the first time in my life in Asia, I was curious about everything before even being scared to be on my own this far from home. Even though I traveled a lot in my whole life, this has been the most challenging experience in my life. And for some reasons the most beautiful thing I have ever done. It was a personal growth that I never could have thought of.

Pearl Tower Unfinished
Pearl Tower Unfinished

I went many times West (Los Angeles, San Diego or even Mexico) but never East.

Why you would ask ? Simply because I have never been attracted by it. And I never could say or explain why I was not attracted by it.

It has been beautiful thanks to things you never thought you would discover. Being this far from your basis and daily life, you reconsider everything : what is really important to you and what you truly want from life.

Personally I have never been farthest East in my life than Marseille, in France.

Even though I did all the paperwork, I first realized that I was going to China when the plane took off. I was like « Alright, I guess I am going to China then ! ». I flew with a particular feeling of not being anxious at all, maybe because that’s how I am, I deal with things once I cannot bypass them. That sounds like a suicidal thing. Fly out there without even being able to speak a single word of Chinese and don’t know where I’ll step foot.  But let’s try ! Who knows what’s there for me ?

As I landed, after 12 hours of flight, I was hungry, I arrived in downtown Shanghai, I let my eyes scan what was around. Needless to say that I only saw Chinese characters that I couldn’t understand. The only thing that I did recognize was the world famous M of Mc Donald’s. I was relieved, finally something I know. That was before I had to pay, three choices were proposed to me : credit card, AliPay and Face Recognition. I let you picture my crazy European face when I read this. I was the only one surprised by it. Some guy took out his phone and waved it to me, like « What are you waiting for ? Are you retarded or what ? »

My first thoughts were : “Why am I here ? What have you done Mathieu ? I am such a pro at putting me into troubles ! Why am I like this ?! I just want my BigMac, how can it be that hard ?!”

That was my first experience with the Digital Revolution. A huge leap ahead. I thought this was a movie, or even a 10 years ahead livid dream. I went to sleep and only when I woke up, the next morning, I understood that, yes, I am in China for 8 months. So let’s go outside and face your fears young boy ! I took a walk and observed everything and everyone around me. SO MANY SCREENS !

People from 7 to 77 years old, they are all on their smartphones. Scrolling on an application that I only knew the name, WeChat. I a blink of an eye I understood why this guy at the McDonald’s looked at me like a was a fool. China is digitalized on so many levels. I am really into technology and what can be done on mobile but I am not using it 24/7. So as I was stepping out of my confort zone by going to China I thought, why not change your habit and try the lifestyle they, Chinese people, have.

 

Queuing In China
Queuing In China : Never Loose Your Phone

Hence, I took out my phone and went on WeChat, like they do. I sent a text to one of my friend back home, he went to Shanghai a year before, as an exchange student. He told me to reach to this guy at the YOGA Agency if I want to rent an apartment. I sent that text describing what I was looking for, he instantly replied to me, one hour later I was visiting places, three hours later that first visit, I was in the apartment with my luggages. 

Yoga Agency Website and add on WeChat Yoan who goes by the username : yoyo060890 

This is the fastest way to find a place that suits your needs in Shanghai. They are reliable and bilingual. An added value is that Yoan speaks French.

That sounds crazy in Europe, but yes, I found a place to stay for 8 months in less than a day.

This crazy speed of doing things became really common. Everything is done by QR Code and by WeChat. You add friends on this app and even pay with this app, which is linked to your bank Chinese bank account. I was more than happy to go to McDonald’s and pay with my phone. I was SO proud, first huge achievement in China, act like a Chinese.

This made me want to discover more because you achieve things so fast that you want to keep doing things this fast.

Even though I understood way less than half of things, let’s be real, nothing because it’s written in Chinese, I still wanted to experience things with my phone. It never left my hand for 8 months. I always had battery, something that was really optional for me in Paris. I even bought an external battery to keep using it when I forgot to charge it at home or at school. Because if you don’t have battery you can’t pay. Not having battery in China is like forgetting your wallet at home, you can’t do anything. Also, you don’t want to be lost in Shanghai, so keep some battery young fellow. 

As time went by, I became more and more friendly with Chinese applications, thirst of knowledge I guess. I tried things that I didn’t even try in 20 years in Paris. For exemple I never used a Velib’ in Paris but I used a HelloBike almost everyday. This is because of the digitalization of every product.

Everything became fast and simple. I managed to create an account even though it was written in Chinese. You scan the QR Code that it’s on the bike and as it is linked to your AliPay account, which has all your informations, you unlock the bike. Renting a bike was something that I never did when it was written in French. With one AliPay account you can unlock 7 different types of bike, just with your phone. Imagine doing with those things in Paris that are called electronic scooters.

How to unlock 7 different types of bikes in China

Fast forward to 6 months later. I had more than 100 contacts in my WeChat and stainless steel thighs.

It meant that I met more than 100 people that I could speak and learn with. Mainly in English though. But more than this, my phone became my wallet. I left my wallet at home for 7 months like it was a new habit. As a guy, we all do the same move while going out, tap on every pocket of our pants or our jacket. But in China, you only check the pocket that olds your keys, because your phone is already in your hand. 

When I got back home, in Paris, I felt like a stranger.

I went to the bakery and bought a baguette, a thing that I was dreaming of. I showed my QR Code at the cashier. She looked at me, like the Chinese guy at the McDonald’s back in Shanghai. Like I was a fool. I felt like I was Steve Jobs. 10 years ahead of everyone. I felt like everything was going slow. Paying became a true act of purchase, if you thought about bringing your wallet… Meaning that you have time to think twice if you really need that thing, if you are really hungry or if you really want to spend your money on this.

More than the digital aspect of things, once I got back, I realized that I did learn so many things that I could never have thought of. On the professional aspect of things, digitalization soaked me in. I was absorbed by screens, thought about everything that can be improved in Europe. And then I realized that the country of France is not ready at all for all these changes, yet.

You realize it once you try to explain it to your parents and their friends. They look at you with those wide open eyes. They want to understand how it’s possible. And this is pretty much how I look at myself when I think about everything that I have done, alone, in a foreign country where I couldn’t understand a single word. You rely on your personality. You find new things about yourself. I never thought I could overpass that much problems.

I went to the police station to find my lost phone, they didn’t understand what I was saying but kept my calm. Thing I wasn’t even capable of. Like a true Parisian I would go nuts when the car in front of me when didn’t see the red light turn green right away. I realized that I was helping lost tourists in Paris, a thing that I never did in 20 years. One thing that you don’t loose is being angry and walk fast in the metro, that’s in my blood I guess…

Going to China is the most intense thing I ever experienced.

I’ve done crazy things in my young life. But challenging myself to go somewhere I didn’t know anything about, of course I knew that it was a complete different way of life. But experience it went way beyond my beliefs. It’s not like a became a new person, just an upgraded version of myself. More aware of what is going on around me, more conscious about a big scale of an improvement in technology. And what became funny about it is picturing my grandparents using their phone to pay. I bet they would go insane. 

 

Oriental_Pearl_Tower_in_Shanghai
Oriental_Pearl_Tower_in_Shanghai

 

But most of all, as I evolved day by day and found what I truly want in life, in my deeper self, I met people that are now part of my life. We experienced things together and we grew together. We faced difficulties together. You really become a different person. You find your true strengths, not which thought you had but what you can tell you truly have. What stroked me is that I wanted to overcome my weaknesses as fast as I found an apartment. And this is the same now, I can’t stand making mistakes, I want to make things perfect. I want to correct everything that I was doing wrong before. 

This is pretty much how China works, either you evolve at this speed, either you stay in your confort zone and you will only have your eyes to cry.

This is what I learned in China about myself and about life itself.

Never take something for granted. Give everything you can. Be proud of what you have done today in order to reach for more the day after. Never go to bed without knowing what you have learned today for you to keep in mind to learn more tomorrow.