Kobina Aidoo
in context
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So you Googled me. In the words of the bad guys from the old James Bond movies, "I've been expecting you." Frankly, I've probably Googled you too. I think it’s irresponsible not to. So I always assume myself Googled. I hope you too do. Professionally, I am a communications consultant with a specialty in oil, gas and mining (extractive) industries. I am also a serious documentary filmmaker. More accurately, a public policy analyst with a camera. If you're looking for my professional profile, it's on LinkedIn. But this right here is just my forethought in the past. I figured someone might want to Google me at some point in the future--like now. As a communications professional I wanted to ensure that when the future did arrive, as it evidently has, I would own my story. In this era, you can't alwaysc ontrol what's out there about you, but you can shape the context. As a businessman I'm controlling real estate. I figured if I'm truly Google-worthy, someone could purchase and resell my own name to me at my maximum willingness to pay. Besides, Kobina is quite a common name. It is the name given to a male born on Tuesday among Ghana's Akan people. I estimate there are at least 100,o00 Kobinas in the world. Of course, the vast majority of them don't have the need, means and skills to get a domain name in their name, but you get my point. Who knows, I may be the one to sell this at a premium to a more Google-worthy Kobina. The biggest risk, however, I figured, was that someone could-God forbid!--use my name in vain; hence, my ownership of this page--as well as kobina.wordpress.com, twitter.com/kobina and kobina_AT_gmail.com (yes, I know people). As a public servant I'm helping you with your research. I thought I’d save you the trouble by putting everything you could reasonably want to know about me in one place. Some find it indelicate to Google someone who isn't exactly a public figure. I disagree. I think it's expected. In this era would you really trust someone who isn't Googleable? Like many people my age, I've grown up online and my footprints are all over the place--You have to understand I went to college in Miami. College! Miami!--and so I have to shape them with my fingerprints. You will also find some pretty offbeat and (attempting to be) funny pieces that I've written over the years. I look back and laugh and appreciate how much I've grown. I hope you see it the same way. At least, laugh. When I first acquired this domain I was a student, so I had much leeway in what to do with it. Now, as a professional, I'm a tad more limited. I considered closing it down, but that would have gone against the very aforementioned purposes for which I acquired it. So I guess I'm stuck with it. But rather than transform it to present the professional me, I've decided to keep it as the human me. In this goal-setting, networking, back-stabbing world in which I abide, think of this as the Happy Hour me. At least you know there's a real person inside the professional, and I will not apologize for him. You can call me one of a million. I believe in teamwork; that’s what makes us beings. And that’s how great things get done. You can also call me one in a
million. I believe in originality. I believe that’s what makes us human beings. That's what makes me me and you you. If I ever have the pleasure of meeting you in person, please feel free to bring this up in conversation. Remember, I'll assume it anyway. I know these things can be uncomfortable to talk about in person, but who are we kidding? Really. Besides, it will be a good conversation starter, won't it? So go on, click away. It’s okay. |
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…have written
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…have been educated by The World Bank
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