Finding Work You Love
January 23, 2006I’ve just been reading an inspirational essay by Paul Graham … How to do what you love. There’s so many quotable lines in this it’s hard to single any out, but here’s one of my favorites:
It’s hard to find work you love; it must be, if so few do. So don’t underestimate this task. And don’t feel bad if you haven’t succeeded yet. In fact, if you admit to yourself that you’re discontented, you’re a step ahead of most people, who are still in denial. If you’re surrounded by colleagues who claim to enjoy work that you find contemptible, odds are they’re lying to themselves. Not necessarily, but probably.
Keep searchin, keep on searchin, this search goes on, this search goes on!
Contrasting Customer Service Experiences
January 21, 2006I took the puppy to the local Vet this morning for a health check, just to make sure everything is OK. Not only did the Vet put my mind at ease by assuring me that we had a great pet, he didn’t charge me for the visit. Remarkable! Now there’s a Purple Cow! He knew that I’d be needing a VET again in the near future, and by taking this approach, almost guaranteed that I’d go back there next time.
This type of customer experience was a stark contrast to the recent treatment my clients and I have been getting from well know, multi-national Anti Virus software vendor, who are uncompromising, unsympathetic and immune from answering telephone calls.
Bloggers inciting riots?
November 8, 2005Just saw this reported in the news …
Three teenage boys have been arrested in France for inciting violence by using their blogs to urge others to join the rioting that is raging in the country
Careful folks, Big Brother is watching!
I smell a rat
October 13, 2005Consumers rocked, rates on hold — Interest rates are set to remain on hold as petrol price surges and anxiety about terrorism undermines consumer confidence.
Anyone else see what’s up with this headline [theage)? Now I’m not usually into conspiracy theories, but …? The economy, oil, politics, terrorism. Mmmmm.
Entrepreneurs being tarred with a brush
July 21, 2005Has anyone else noticed that the media portrayal of Steve Vizard has shifted from “Company Director” or “Former Entertainer/Lawyer” Steve Vizard to “Entreprenuer” Steve Vizard? Here’s a couple of recent examples …
from The Age …
The entrepreneur has to persuade a judge that his remorse is deep and sincere.
and The Australian …
DISGRACED entrepreneur Steve Vizard has made elaborate plans to sidestep sanctions imposed for improper business dealings, setting himself up with a consulting role in a media group.
Why is it that the media use the term Entreprenuer to portray failed or dodgy businessmen? If I’m not mistaken, the media did the same thing in the cases of Skafe, Bond, Rivkin, and Rich. Perhaps it has something to do with the creative nature of entreprenuers and the media are immediately leaping towards the negative connotations of “creative accounting”?
Yes, most people would indetify these individuals as being entrepreneurs, and in the strict sense of a definition of an entrepreneur as “someone who acts without regard to the resources currently under his control in relentless pursuit of opportunity “, I don’t have a problem with this.
But I do object to the media’s use of the term in this context, as there are many honest and decent people who chose the entreprenuerial path, and this portrayal does not serve them well. It does not give these people any credit for having the courage and conviction to put their career and financial security on the line for an idea, nor value their creativity and innovation which leads to new ideas and opportunities from which we all benefit.
