Its been a busy week back in Holland after last week's Swiss trip. (Peek these recaps by John & Elena) And I'm still playing catch up as today is Amsterdam's biggest Tech Conference: The Next Web
As I scramble to ship this (late, I know) issue, wrap up my inbox & head to the conference, I'm using my regular quiver of tools to set reminders of emails to followup with, schedule social media posts & my colleagues are using automation software to ship pitches & outreach emails for clients. Increasingly, automation, AI & bots 🤖 help our small team make an ever bigger impact.
With meetings this morning + this afternoon I'll only be at The Next Web for a few hours today & hopefully more tomorrow. Like I do with many shows, I use tools like Twitfox to autofave tweets & Statusbrew to invite new followers to subscribe to this newsletter. Often when I hand someone a Twotone Amsterdam sticker, they recognize the logo from social media & maybe already subscribe. But do I have to be there to have that face-to-face exchange.
My point? All these tools are great but the rise of AI makes human intelligence more valuable than ever. I'm a big proponent of clever tools and apps to help you do more but remember: you can't use droids to fill all the voids. {•̃_•̃}
As always, thank you for reading!
with appreciation,
Jon
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Cycling
Rapha | Amsterdam
We're working with Rapha this month to promote their Rapha Rides events in a few weeks. Learn more & sign up via the links below. Press info here.
• June 1: RCC Dinner with Benny Blisto
June 2: Henrik Horre cooking workshop
June 2: Mini camping adventure
June 2: Opening party
June 3: Six to Six, a Fleche 12 hour challenge
June 3: Workshops for all level of riders
June 3: Big Thank you Dinner
June 4: Transfer Rides to Amsterdam
June 4: Hidden Secrets of Amsterdam
June 4: Closing party
p.s. that's my family & me in the video shot by Ertzui : )
LDN BOOK LAUNCH: Higher Calling by Max Leonard
Why do road cyclists go to the mountains?
Many books tell you where the mountains are, or how long and how high. None of them ask ‘Why?’
Higher Calling: Road Cycling’s Obsession with the Mountains by Max Leonard is out on Thursday 25th May. Meet Max and help him celebrate his latest book at 49 Old St.!
CREATOR SERIES : SUSANNE HALLER – FINGERSCROSSED – Endurance Stories
Great interview with Susanne Haller, cocreator of the sock company Fingerscrossed. Who, together with Patrick Lay, combined their two passions, design and cycling into a growing company.
Startups
SCHONDSGN – 🖋️ & ⌚ made in 🇺🇸
Through a mutual friend Ad, I had the chance to meet Ian of Schon DSGN & his girlfriend Bridget both visiting Amsterdam for the first time. I loaned them bikes & we had a great dinner dinner talking fabrication, bike racing & entrepreneurship. He's stepping up his watch game as we speak!
Forget Uber, Amsterdam is showing how to use the sharing economy for good
Amsterdam has created dozens of new digital platforms encouraging citizens to participate in the sharing economy - and use it for social good.
Rob Hermans | Helping companies become digital leaders
My bud Rob just got back to Amsterdam from a 4 thousand kilometer tour in South America from a and is available for freelance work. Are you looking to...
If yes, more info here: hermansrob.nl
Sales
7 reasons why you’re better than a sales bot (and don't need AI to close deals)
AI will make salespeople obsolete—or will it? Despite the hype, here are 7 reasons why humans will always sell better than any AI.
Why You Shouldn't Surprise and Delight Your Customers
Surprise confuses customers and puts the onus on individual employees. Focus on delighting them -- whatever that means in the context of your service offering.
The Best Times and Days to Send Your Message and Get It Read” http://buff.ly/2pZulQ6
Literally, dozens of studies have been done and almost all of them offer up slightly different conclusions.
Also relevant: Why do people open emails?
Radness
The Complete Grinduro Scotland Experience on the Isle of Arran
Grinduro is just what it sounds like: Gravel Grinder + Mountain Bike-Style Enduro = one long loop of pavement and dirt, where finishing times aren’t based on overall loop time, but four timed segments (each roughly five-to-ten minutes).
But Grinduro is not just a bike race... See peeks of the route & more to get stoked here.