Monthly Archives: September 2009

USA’s loss of trust in news

Fairfacts confirmed in a post a little while back that his idea of fair is the same as that of Fox News . He did it though while commenting on a particularly interesting series of research. The research is a … Continue reading

Posted in fairfax, media, NZ Business | 2 Comments

Assorted pictures from Mozambique

These are pretty  small as internet is fickle from here – but hopefully they give an idea of life in Mozambique. Inside a game park (without much game) I saw lots of these bags outside small settlements Getting some help … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Fastpitch: a look at the horse’s mouth

Despite the proverb, some gifts should be looked at – if only to determine their true value. The one I have in mind is the $15,000 of touted value in the grand prize for the Icehouse Fast pitch competition. There … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Contacting me

Contacting me is hard right now. I’m in Mozambique until November and telecommunications are not the best. What does not work Incoming and outgoing calls from my NZ number Outgoing calls from my Mozambique number Incoming and outgoing texts from … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Corruption kills tourism

I’m in Mozambique for seven weeks consulting to Mozal – the nine year old aluminium refinery that in 2000 helped signal to the world Mozambique’s successful return from the dark ages of the civil war. It’s a beautiful country, but … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Vege porn – from the USA no less

I was amazed when I went to a vegetable store in Albany/Berkley, CA the other day. The vegetables were fresh and sufficiently deformed to convince me they were natural. But it was the range that got me – there were … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Tuesday Three: 3 ways to improve your business

Cut out the middle man Buy your computers and accessories directly – abandon resellers. It’s cheaper and a whole lot faster. Stop external catering for meetings – buy the ingredients at the supermarket and arrange on plates. Put your prices … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Let’s have one industry awards not two

So I’m disappointed with the “2009 New Zealand Internet Industry Awards”, given the poor wording of the entrepreneur of the year award. It’s a new annual award organisation and created by the Liz Dengate Thrush Foundation. The purpose of the … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Internet Business, media, NZ Business | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Let’s appreciate our internet entrepreneurs

I read today in Stop Press that there are no Internet Entrepreneurs in New Zealand. To be fair the award criteria were pretty harsh: Internet Entrepreneur of the Year – recognition for that rare breed who has put capital and … Continue reading

Posted in Internet Business, media, NZ Business | 4 Comments

Tuesday Three: 3 ways to improve your business

Where everybody gets a bargain. Buy stationary from the Warehouse – and throw away those addictive catalogues. Put a donation box in the kitchen and ask staff to pay $1 per drink from the fridge. You are providing drinks right? … Continue reading

Posted in NZ Business | Tagged , | 2 Comments