Michael Jordaan recently told me of a Harvard Business Review article where the author distinguishes between businesses that create value versus businesses that capture value. For example, Google is extremely good at creating value, but not so good at capturing value when one considers the value it brings to the world (organizing all the world’s…
When I think of the factors that led to any successes (or failures) in my career thus far, the following come to mind:1. CommunicateIf you can’t effectively transmit the picture in your head into the head of the person you’re communicating with, you’re dead. This is the key to getting people swimming in the same…
I notice the iPhone5 charger has a new connector… Well done guys. You’re officially on the Nokia path.I remember the 90’s. Mustard jeans. U2. Everyone had a Nokia. And one of the reasons that everyone stayed with Nokia (other than user experience), was the fact that you knew you could charge your phone anywhere. Everyone…
I’m a tad tired of the catchall phrase “smartphone”. There is no way all Androids and Blackberries can be classified as smartphones, and yet everything gets lumped together for the purposes of stats.Luckily, I bumped in Jaco Loubser recently and he gave me a definition I buy:1. A touch screenNo touch screen = feature phone.2. …
Do we judge based upon skin colour? Are we judging form or substance? Do we ignore what a person looks like before judging him?Of course we do! The term “Don’t judge a book by its cover” would not exist unless humans ALWAYS judge a book by its cover.Our brain sizes people up within seconds. Its…
There are three kinds of risk, in order from least to most importance:1. FinancialThe risk of losing money is a biggie. It’s a serious motivator. Especially when you have a family. Taking financial risk separates the entrepreneurs from the “business owners.” But, in spite of the unpleasantness of losing money, you can make it back…
An advertising revenue model creates an incentive to monetise your user’s personal data. People have a high tolerance for others messing with their privacy, but one day the people will snap. It’s like the frog in boiling water. All happy, smiley faces, then POW!Green blood everywhere.
One day I started my own business. Along the way I realized I needed more money if I were to go to the next level.So I diluted.A year later I realized I need more money if I were to go to next level, again.So I diluted.Of course, the dilutions led me to toying with the idea…
1. A secret that affects no one. Like picking your nose.2. A secret that affects other people but does not hurt them unless the secret is revealed. Like the name of a rape victim.3. A secret that affects other people and hurts them…
It must have been a cellphone network. Or in those days whatever was as integral to every day life. Lets call it the post office. The post office was operated by the private sector. It all started so well and then one day mail started going missing, was delivered late, or was simply not available…
Without fail, big companies become bureaucratic and cumbersome beasts. There are no exceptions. Even Google has gone down this path. My knee-jerk was to blame the leadership. The company is a reflection of its leader; therefore a bureaucratic company means the CEO is a bureaucrat. And then I read Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields. Turns out…
10 April 2012 I used to be against anonymity. When I read the forums and comments sections on sites like Moneyweb and MyAdsl my knee-jerk reaction was: “Online anonymity should be banned. It provides a cover for racists, misfits and angry people.” What’s wrong with using your real identity? What are you afraid of? If…