Just read Brian Merchant's secret history of the iPhone. Two interesting take-away's:  1. Europe is not as bad in Tech as is often portrayed (touchscreen technology was developed in the old continent) 2. Steve Jobs is usually seen as the genius behind it,…lnkd.in/eY454ad

Did new BEA GDP data solve the digital transformation conundrum?  Yes (partly, still): 51% increase in nominal investment in ICT goods over 2000-2016 period against 37% in old data.  No: ICT investment as a share of GDP still in th…lnkd.in/gPZjvGG lnkd.in/g3wmEYc

On a roll: Australia now had 27 straight years without recession

Current account surplus top 3 globally (first half of 2018): 1. Germany (300 bn.$) 2. Japan (200) 3. Netherlands (110) Significance: China is no longer in the top-3, as its surplus is decreasing; Germany and NL continue to defy EU current account rules. Source: cesifo

Japan did an amazing job in keeping its manufacturing business competitive during the last 30 years: labor cost growth was essentially flat, while productivity (output per worker) increased almost 70%. Or is it a textbook case of w…lnkd.in/gJVGB3a lnkd.in/gy6efeD

The Greek economy today produces 75% of what it did before the crisis ten years ago, making it one of the worst economic disasters in recorded history (US after the great depression in thirties was back on 100% after 7 years) #economy #growth

The China model (for economic development) is failing Africa. Much has been said about (the virtues of) China's presence in Africa but cracks are starting to appear in that narrative, as this nice piece in the FT shows. lnkd.in/dJm8hEC

Latest IFO World Economic Survey reckons the global economy is entering a downswing. #growth #economy lnkd.in/d754Jjk

Crazy ideas welcome! Nice workshop at IW Cologne this week trying to crack the German industrial productiviity code! Nils Gerber #productivity #competitiveness lnkd.in/eA4pSZ9

How to succeed as a business in the #digitaleconomy? Join me and Koen De Leus for an interactive conversation tomorrow at 15:00 Brussels time. Register for free access lnkd.in/dEXx3_F

Thought provoking piece by my colleague Ilaria Maselli The risk of a UK recession is growing - via Financial Times lnkd.in/dZWsMGJ

"This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people no longer. It is a government of corporations, by corporations, and for corporations." R. Hayes, US president 1877-1881

Fascinating article by Robotics/AI pioneer Rodney Brooks on what we get wrong in thinking about future technology. "We tend to overestimate the short-term consequences but underestimate the long-term impacts." #Development #AI #Technology lnkd.in/dQRP95a

UK and EU are starting to look like that famous line from the song Hotel California: You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave... I wish I had thought of that, but #BrusselInside did

What's ahead for the #globaleconomy next year and the next decade? Check out this overview of the most important trends and their implications: lnkd.in/ddkpqcN

A new year, a new quick overview of the European economy, check it out at lnkd.in/d2g8NFd lnkd.in/dCi2Ey4

Getting worried about the business implications of #Brexit ahead of the Parliament vote next week? This free Quick note is designed to frame the key dimensions of the likely scenarios. lnkd.in/dNkagjb

Oh history, how you teach us to be humble...

Great session The Conference Board x.com/IlariaInBxl/st…