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2009 – The Year of the Pretender | The Salesman
The year started out with sleepless nights. Not due to worry, but rather, excessive heat. Having moved back to Johannesburg after 7 strong years in Pretoria, I took residence in what used to be the garage at my parents’ house. Bloody hot. Mosquitoes. Hadedas from 4am. This frustration was tempered with the value of returning…
“Teaching Betty” to say hello when you are in South Africa
Welcome to South Africa – if you’re coming over to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup 2010, or even just for a holiday, why not say hi with some South African flavour. In my last week at AIDC in Rosslyn, Rachel and Justin were so kind as to give us a quick 1-2 on…
My fetish for symmetry and rounding
Was warming my cheese and tomato on toast with chilli today and the “5” didn’t work on the microwave. So I couldn’t warm my food for the usual 25 seconds. 20 and it wont melt it, 30 and the cheese drains through the bread. This is a perfect little balance I have going here. Then…
South Africa does not have a skills shortage – It doesnt know how to manage those skills!
Having spent the year working on and in my and Dave’s startups, Penguin Tutoring, Silver Apple and Webmarketing – and now leaving them to take on a brilliant position in SA’s leading Bank, I have a few insights to share with fellow South African startups. We hear that there is a shortage of skills in…
Thoughts on Joost
Think Joost, and think back over those memorable rugby moments that come to mind. A number of Rugby World Cups. 2nd most capped rugby player in SA. Try saving tackles on Jona Lomu. Playing alongside fellow greats – Andre Joubert, Francois Pienaar, Mark Andrews, Chester Williams. Skipping first lectures at Tuks to watch the Blue…
What is your meaning of winning?
I have just finished reading “Games Foxes Play” which breaks business down into being seen as a game. First it defines the “Rules of the game” and then spends the rest of the book looking at “Playing the game”. It is written by two South African authors, and I was most impressed with it. Based…
How to password protect your entire WordPress Blog
I have installed a WordPress blog to use as an administrator support system – being such a fan of the platform, and being able to serve multiple users different information about their problems. However, it was a big challenge trying to find out how to go about password protecting your entire blog, so that only…
How to make compost – nice and easy!
Its really easy to put your organic waste to good use. My girlfriend and her sister spend a little bit of time on the weekend cultivating a lovely veggie patch, which is all organic, and grown in nutrient rich soil made from worm castings. I am so very impressed with the disposal of their waste,…
The speed of development
I am currently finishing up my Masters in Engineering, which deals with the design and development of a heart valve. My objective of the study is to make a cost-conscious solution for the developing parts of the world, namely China, India, and Africa. Currently, those available on the market are made by big American corporates,…
My thoughts on appreciation
So I spent a great time away fishing on the farm in Dullstroom last weekend. As you do, when you not landing any fish, you get to let your mind wander about the happenings in your life, and with a good dose of fresh mountain air, start to let things fall back into perspective. This…