I made a new friend on Saturday at a lecture in Tanaka Business College. We were introduced before I had actually seen them and I was judgemental as always - their parents were lovely people but a few failed products and a once dubious distribution of wealth left me feeling edgy. However, I knew I should not be cynical and tried to remain open minded.

I was properly acquainted with my new friend by Barbara Rosseel, a chirpy lady with an infectious laugh. She brought them over, coaxed them out of their shell and before I knew what was going on they were dancing, Barbara was dancing, and hard as I tried to refrain I was breaking into a smile and tapping my toe.

Now Sony may not be everyone’s favourite parents, but as I listened to their merits being sung at the Innovation and Entrepreneurial sector day (for people who don’t really know what to do with their lives and secretly want to be Richard Branson) I was reminded that they really do try. Did you know that Sony was started by two gentlemen, Akio and Masaru, whose first ever product was a rice cooker? Not just any old rice cooker either - a massive failure of a rice cooker. However, they were persistent and just look what they have achieved.

I glance across the room at my PS3 while I type this and it gives me the thumbs up. It loves Mummy and Daddy Sony and hates it when I forget all the good they have done. Let’s put the mini discs of the world behind us and merely look forward into a plausible Blu-ray age, and a dream come true of silent sleek consoles that eliminate loading times.

Now I am not saying that I want only them in my life, but I do hope two things; firstly that all companies could take a little innovation incentive from Sony, and get to building dreams; secondly that Sony should stop being innovative for just one moment and sort out the Playstation Network! I want silent-sleek-no-loading-times-immaculate-online-play, and I want it now. Barbara from Sony informed us that if we can dream it they can build it… well I have not only dreamt it, I’m shouting about it.

So who did Barbara introduce me to?  Who was my new friendly acquaintance?  My new Rolly mate. We’re off for a dance. Only two in Europe I’ll have you know. I feel so privileged to have befriended one.

Dancin’ with my Rolly.