Top 10 NZ Indie albums for May
1. Savage, Moonshine
2. Shapeshifter, Riddim Wise
3. Baitercell and Schumacher, The Wall Of Bass Technique
4. TrinityRoots, Home Land & Sea
5. Kora, EP Volume
6. Die! Die! Die!, Die! Die! Die!
7. Katchafire, Slow-Burning
8. Various LOOP Select 006:, Kono
9. Fly My Pretties, Live At Bats
10. Heavy Jones Trio, Nobody Town
From Indies.co.nz
May 30, 2005
May 20, 2005
You know you're living in 2005 when...
1 You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2 You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3 You have a list of 16 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.
4 You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5 Your reason for not staying in touch with friends is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6 When you go home after a long day at work you still answer the phone in a business manner.
7 When you make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial " 0 " to get an outside line.
8 You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies.
10 You learn about your redundancy on the 11 o'clock news .
11 Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job.
12 Contractors outnumber permanent staff and are more likely to get long-service awards. AND..............
13 You read this entire list, and kept nodding and smiling.
14 As you read this list, you think about forwarding it to your "friends."
15 You got this email from a friend that never talks to you anymore, except to send you jokes from the net.
16 You are too busy to notice there was no #9
I'd also like to add - When you a ring a doorbell. With your thumb.
1 You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2 You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3 You have a list of 16 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.
4 You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5 Your reason for not staying in touch with friends is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6 When you go home after a long day at work you still answer the phone in a business manner.
7 When you make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial " 0 " to get an outside line.
8 You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies.
10 You learn about your redundancy on the 11 o'clock news .
11 Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job.
12 Contractors outnumber permanent staff and are more likely to get long-service awards. AND..............
13 You read this entire list, and kept nodding and smiling.
14 As you read this list, you think about forwarding it to your "friends."
15 You got this email from a friend that never talks to you anymore, except to send you jokes from the net.
16 You are too busy to notice there was no #9
I'd also like to add - When you a ring a doorbell. With your thumb.
May 18, 2005
Planet Hardcore - The Jumbo Edition
The Planet Harcore crew do the best promotions in Auckland - bringing you another classic with their Flight Centre spoof for their next event.
[See also Flight Centre]
The Planet Harcore crew do the best promotions in Auckland - bringing you another classic with their Flight Centre spoof for their next event.
[See also Flight Centre]
May 17, 2005
� NZ Restaurant Fined Over Website cre8d design - journal
Tony’s in Henderson (Auckland, New Zealand) has been fined $3260 for breaching the fair trading act over its outdated website. Some meals were unavailable and prices were not updated - the website price “varied between 17 and 36 percent cheaper than the in-house menu”. After a complaint to the restaurant and the commerce commission, the restaurant owner didn’t correct the problem."
May 16, 2005
Stress at work costs UK economy 100bn a year
"Excessive stress at work is causing an epidemic of depression and anxiety, costing the British economy about £100bn a year in lost output, the mental health charity Mind said last night."
Laid back people are more creative
As my regular reader know I am a big fan of sleep and duvet days. I have had some of my best ideas in bed or on my yoga mat. So I cheeed when I read proof that we have our most creative thoughts when lying flat on our backs. Dr Darren Lipnicki, from the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science at ANU, found that people solved anagrams more quickly when they were lying down compared to standing up. From now on I'll be able to get away with my little lie downs as 'brainstorming sessions'.
It's lucky that the TMet & Twisted crew are used to me. They are just as likely to find me lying on the floor with my legs up in the air as at my desk. It can be fun having an upside down business meeting. As for our dress code, on a cold winters day it can be eccentric to say the least. Big Ugg boots and a pink fleece with clowns on it. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be under my desk being 'creative'.
As my regular reader know I am a big fan of sleep and duvet days. I have had some of my best ideas in bed or on my yoga mat. So I cheeed when I read proof that we have our most creative thoughts when lying flat on our backs. Dr Darren Lipnicki, from the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science at ANU, found that people solved anagrams more quickly when they were lying down compared to standing up. From now on I'll be able to get away with my little lie downs as 'brainstorming sessions'.
It's lucky that the TMet & Twisted crew are used to me. They are just as likely to find me lying on the floor with my legs up in the air as at my desk. It can be fun having an upside down business meeting. As for our dress code, on a cold winters day it can be eccentric to say the least. Big Ugg boots and a pink fleece with clowns on it. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be under my desk being 'creative'.
May 13, 2005
Mania for More
A study by Britain's Royal Economics Society of 8000 people showed that happy people become rich and not the other way round. Which go me thinking about why this should be, and then it hit me. It's really quite simple - Happy people buy less. I mean have you ever gone for 'retail therapy' when you are happy? The biggest irony is, that at a time when most peple have more stuff than they could every need, they have less time to enjoy it. Bigger houses but less time to spend in them.
In a new book 'American Mania: When More Is Not Enough' by writes Dr. Whybrow, 64, a professor of psychiatry and bio-behavioral science, says "In our compulsive drive for more, we are making ourselves sick." Some people are literally drowning in shit. They work insane hours to buy it, store it and now they are paying people to help them get rid of it. And to top it all they throw out piles of perfectly good food every week.
I have been guilty of all of these things. I've been addicted to shoes and bought salads I'll never eat. I'm so glad that I now live around sensible New Zealanders, though the rise is shopping malls here is quite worrying. Since giving up my job and becoming a poor entrepreneur, I have had to give up many things. New clothes, eating out, going to the cinema, manicures, massages, magazines, and 'must have items'.
Ask yourself this. If it's really a 'must have item' then surely you have one already. It's so easy to opt out when you think of it. Why not go charity or opshopping instead of hitting the high street. Go often enough and you'll see actors, musos, models, stylists and radio bums like me. Where do you think poor creatives get the best threads and ideas? By being happy with pre-loved we don't have to work long hours, to earn more money to pay for stuff that we might use one day when we're not working. Instead we just go out and play.
A study by Britain's Royal Economics Society of 8000 people showed that happy people become rich and not the other way round. Which go me thinking about why this should be, and then it hit me. It's really quite simple - Happy people buy less. I mean have you ever gone for 'retail therapy' when you are happy? The biggest irony is, that at a time when most peple have more stuff than they could every need, they have less time to enjoy it. Bigger houses but less time to spend in them.
In a new book 'American Mania: When More Is Not Enough' by writes Dr. Whybrow, 64, a professor of psychiatry and bio-behavioral science, says "In our compulsive drive for more, we are making ourselves sick." Some people are literally drowning in shit. They work insane hours to buy it, store it and now they are paying people to help them get rid of it. And to top it all they throw out piles of perfectly good food every week.
I have been guilty of all of these things. I've been addicted to shoes and bought salads I'll never eat. I'm so glad that I now live around sensible New Zealanders, though the rise is shopping malls here is quite worrying. Since giving up my job and becoming a poor entrepreneur, I have had to give up many things. New clothes, eating out, going to the cinema, manicures, massages, magazines, and 'must have items'.
Ask yourself this. If it's really a 'must have item' then surely you have one already. It's so easy to opt out when you think of it. Why not go charity or opshopping instead of hitting the high street. Go often enough and you'll see actors, musos, models, stylists and radio bums like me. Where do you think poor creatives get the best threads and ideas? By being happy with pre-loved we don't have to work long hours, to earn more money to pay for stuff that we might use one day when we're not working. Instead we just go out and play.
May 12, 2005
Unemployment rate rise contradicts economists
By Simon Louisson of the NZPA. Unemployment is slightly up, but is still historically low, and the economy is showing signs of a slowdown.
May 10, 2005
So you want to start your own home business?"
This a good checklist for all the things you need to cover when starting up a business in New Zealand. By Sandra Crosby at Homebizzbuzz.co.nz
10 Rules for Starting A Business on a Shoestring Budget
Some good tips for bootstrapping your business.
May 07, 2005
How to sit at a computer
Some good tips on using a computer safely. I have bad RSI/OOS from 10 years of sitting badly and typing too hard so take this advice please!
Twisted Fundraising Birthday Party - Friday June 10th
Here's a date for your diary and we promise you won't have to wear earplugs. Twisted are planning a station fundraiser at Bacio, K'Rd Auckland on June 10th. Come along and meet the other members of the Twisted generation.
Line-up
Karim S - prog, house, trance
Gargoyle - Breaks / Psy
Chelfyn - Psy, techno, acid trance
Illusion - Immersive Psy
$10 entry, with all proceeds going to support the running of Twisted, and keep it free of crappy ad breaks!
Hopefully I'll see you there and don't forget to say hello to the chick with purple hair.For more details keep your eyes on or ears at Twisted.co.nz
Here's a date for your diary and we promise you won't have to wear earplugs. Twisted are planning a station fundraiser at Bacio, K'Rd Auckland on June 10th. Come along and meet the other members of the Twisted generation.
Line-up
Karim S - prog, house, trance
Gargoyle - Breaks / Psy
Chelfyn - Psy, techno, acid trance
Illusion - Immersive Psy
$10 entry, with all proceeds going to support the running of Twisted, and keep it free of crappy ad breaks!
Hopefully I'll see you there and don't forget to say hello to the chick with purple hair.For more details keep your eyes on or ears at Twisted.co.nz
7 biggest mistakes of business startups
By Joanna L. Krotz at Microsoft.com: "Your first year of running a new business will chart a steep learning curve. No matter how careful or how knowledgeable you try to be, mistakes will happen. Get used to the idea."
Som excellent advice here.
Som excellent advice here.
Why entrepreneurs can't manage
By Joanna L. Krotz: "Entrepreneurs who can drive startups are often not the leaders who can also steer businesses into the big time. When a founder does insist on managing his maturing company, trouble tends to follow. This has been demonstrated time and time again: Good builders make bad bosses."
A good follow on to the previous article. As a manager you can either command and control or collaborate. It's your choice, but you will probably have a much easier life, a more successful business, and a happier team if you choose the collaborative way. My advice is design your systems, train your team, and then trust them to improve on things!
A good follow on to the previous article. As a manager you can either command and control or collaborate. It's your choice, but you will probably have a much easier life, a more successful business, and a happier team if you choose the collaborative way. My advice is design your systems, train your team, and then trust them to improve on things!
10 Greatest/Worst Qualities of Entrepreneurs
This article was written in 1996 but still holds true today. The very skills that you need at start up-phase, may actually impede you at early growth phase, when you need to start delegating responsibility to your team.
As Thomas J. Leonard: says "Many entrepreneurs are successful in spite of themselves."
As Thomas J. Leonard: says "Many entrepreneurs are successful in spite of themselves."
Air New Zealand plays TMet tracks in flight during June
Well done to TMet producers Andy Tan (Echo) and Joe Nelson (Liquid Underground) for being chosen.
 | The following releases on TMet Recordings will be playing on the Pure Pleasure Inflight music channel on all Air New Zealand flights during June 2005. I Hear You’re Leaving Echo [TMet] These Days are Made for Crying Echo [TMet] Capture Liquid Underground [TMet] |
Well done to TMet producers Andy Tan (Echo) and Joe Nelson (Liquid Underground) for being chosen.
May 06, 2005
TMet Recordings Releases Six Tracks During NZ Music Month
I am delighted to announce the following SIX NEW RELEASES during New Zealand Music month 2005 including Outburst by DJ Baxter. All tracks have been Made in New Zealand!
The first two releases are from Wellington based Echo who will also have two tracks playing on Air New Zealand's Pure Pleasure inflight channel during June 2005:
The next three are from Christchurch based Focus:
Our final release is a much anticipated track from one of New Zealand's most popular DJ's Baxter:
All tracks and more are available to buy online for only NZ $3 a download in TMet's online Music Store. You heard them here first!
I am delighted to announce the following SIX NEW RELEASES during New Zealand Music month 2005 including Outburst by DJ Baxter. All tracks have been Made in New Zealand!
The first two releases are from Wellington based Echo who will also have two tracks playing on Air New Zealand's Pure Pleasure inflight channel during June 2005:
 | End of Film:"This one's a tribute to my love of cinema and cinematic music. It's told from a simple narrative about not being able to sleep one night, turning the TV on and watching a Bertalluci film." Echo's music's kinda visually driven and this piece is an expression of that signature sound. |
 | Garden of Circles:"This one's inspired by an article in Wired magazine regarding artists sharing musical ideas to propagate new streams of creativity. As artists, we all take in influences from various sources and immerse them with our subconcious to come up with a new interpretation of...music." Garden of Circles (features a sample from Fake French by Le Tigre as part of the Creative Commons Sampling Plus Licence Areement) |
The next three are from Christchurch based Focus:
 | Turbulance:Set to warp speed Mr Focus! Turbulance is a cracking fast paced freeform tune, blistering along with more energy than ADD kid on a sugar rush and all out of ritalin. Go bonkers! |
 | Wild: Wild is another nifty piece of freeform trance from Kiwi wunderkind Focus. A screaming old fashioned gritty acid line builds and builds to a classic crescendo as searing synths get chopped around and join some of the fattest hoovers around in a breakdown straight out of the pants of the devil himself. |
 | The Promise: Focus is starting to show some great range with this progressive take on a full on psychedelic groove. Driving trance at it's best. |
Our final release is a much anticipated track from one of New Zealand's most popular DJ's Baxter:
 | Outburst Aucklands legendary DJ Baxter has his debut release on TMet with this hard dance stomper, Outburst. It's got possibly the fattest, hardest kick drum in christendom, topped off with a dirty great aggressive acid line and a raw scream of pure animal energy. We love him! |
All tracks and more are available to buy online for only NZ $3 a download in TMet's online Music Store. You heard them here first!
IMF sees New Zealand growth easing to 2.8 percent
"In its annual check-up of New Zealand's economy, the IMF said consumer spending should moderate due to a cooling in the housing market and higher interest rates, while export growth is likely to be dampened by a stronger exchange rate.
New Zealand's economy has remained stronger for longer than expected as growth averaged 4 percent in each of the past three years, raising the specter of interest rate tightening by the central bank.
The IMF said the government faced a difficult balancing act on monetary policy -- between responding to inflationary pressures, while avoiding a sharp slowing of activity."
New Zealand's economy has remained stronger for longer than expected as growth averaged 4 percent in each of the past three years, raising the specter of interest rate tightening by the central bank.
The IMF said the government faced a difficult balancing act on monetary policy -- between responding to inflationary pressures, while avoiding a sharp slowing of activity."
Annual Growth in New Zealand Wages Continues
"Wages are continuing to show annual growth, according to Statistics New Zealand's Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) and Labour Cost Index (LCI). In the year to March 2005, salary and wage rates (including overtime), as measured by the LCI, rose 2.5 percent. By comparison, average total hourly earnings, as measured by the QES, rose 3.6 percent. In the March 2005 quarter, salary and wage rates (including overtime) increased 0.5 percent, according to the LCI."
Hot off the press from Statistics New Zealand.
Hot off the press from Statistics New Zealand.
National says it will re-write employment law
By Peter Wilson at Stuff: "A National-led government would re-write employment law, remove union monopoly bargaining powers and overhaul the Holidays Act, the party said yesterday when it released its workplace policy. "
Do VCs Really Support Innovation?
By Bart Stuck & Michael Weingarten at Spectrum Online: "In theory, then, venture-capital-backed start-ups are the best engines of innovation. But are they in fact? With venture capital funding an order of magnitude greater today than it was in the early 1990s, now is an excellent time to ask: has all that funding over the past decade brought more innovation or less?"
Thanks to Karen Axleton at Entrepreneur.com's Small Business Blog.
Thanks to Karen Axleton at Entrepreneur.com's Small Business Blog.
The 7 Basics of Business Success
By Brian Tracy at Entrpreneur.com: "Fortunately, all business skills are learnable. You can learn anything you need to learn, to achieve any goal you can set for yourself. There are no limits--except the limits you place on your own imagination."
Great advice but I'm not sure about the tan.
Great advice but I'm not sure about the tan.
Managing Risk in a New Venture
From Jay Ebben at Inc.com "Most definitions of entrepreneurs that I have seen include something along the lines of 'someone who takes risks.' While there is certainly some level of risk in every new firm, the process of starting a business should not be about taking risks; rather, it should be about managing the risk that is involved. There are two main sources of risk in a new venture: the risk due to uncertainty surrounding the business and the risk due to what is at stake if the business should fail. You can't get rid of all risk from either source, but there are steps you can take to mitigate it."
Thanks to the Unlimited Up-Start Newswire. offering monthly tips, profiles and advice for early stage entrepreneurs.
Thanks to the Unlimited Up-Start Newswire. offering monthly tips, profiles and advice for early stage entrepreneurs.
Blackspot Sneaker : Shareholder Vote
A new way of doing business from the Blackspot Anti-Coporatation. Purveyors of Ethical Footwear since 2004.
May 05, 2005
Westlife lose trademark
"Irish boyband Westlife lost the right to hold onto a trademark on its name on Wednesday when a European Union court ruled the name was too similar to another trademark, West, which is owned by a German firm."
Technikal live on Twisted Radio, Friday 6th May, 2005
The lovely Alf Bamford who produces as Technikal is playing at Masif presents Technikal tomorrow night. He'll also be dropping in to my Friday Drive show on Twisted Radio sometime between 6 and 8 p.m. Catch him mixing live on 107.7fm Auckland, 107.5 Hamilton or on the web stream at Twisted.co.nz. You can also read an interview with Technikal and Justin Sane from 2004.
The lovely Alf Bamford who produces as Technikal is playing at Masif presents Technikal tomorrow night. He'll also be dropping in to my Friday Drive show on Twisted Radio sometime between 6 and 8 p.m. Catch him mixing live on 107.7fm Auckland, 107.5 Hamilton or on the web stream at Twisted.co.nz. You can also read an interview with Technikal and Justin Sane from 2004.
NZ on way to becoming cashless society
"New Zealand consumers are well on the way to making this a cashless society, according to a KPMG study that found electronic transactions are booming. "
May 04, 2005
Keeping domain disputes out of court
By Anthony Doesburg in the NZ Herald: "Plans to introduce an alternative dispute resolution system for internet domain names are approaching a crucial stage. At present, conflicts over addresses in the .nz domain name space that can’t be settled end up in the High Court, typically costing the parties tens of thousands of dollars."
Earplugs at the door
I had to giggle at this post in the Twisted events forum. It's not a good sign when the promoter is offering you ear plugs. But good on him as the Cube soundsystem in the wrong hands can be rough as guts.
Hearing is a precious thing and it's all too easily wrecked in dodgy nightclubs. Or in Chelfyn's case from being in rock bands, practicing in tiny rooms with a drummer and a guitar amp on full. I used to wear earplugs all the time at gigs, or my ears would ring for three days afterwards.
Update: iPods may cause a whole generation to damage their drums as the unbiquitous white earplugs are more damaging than old skool walkmans: iPods may damage hearing
I had to giggle at this post in the Twisted events forum. It's not a good sign when the promoter is offering you ear plugs. But good on him as the Cube soundsystem in the wrong hands can be rough as guts.
Hearing is a precious thing and it's all too easily wrecked in dodgy nightclubs. Or in Chelfyn's case from being in rock bands, practicing in tiny rooms with a drummer and a guitar amp on full. I used to wear earplugs all the time at gigs, or my ears would ring for three days afterwards.
Update: iPods may cause a whole generation to damage their drums as the unbiquitous white earplugs are more damaging than old skool walkmans: iPods may damage hearing
May 03, 2005
Positive Messages at Innovation Festival
"Minister for Auckland Issues and Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Judith Tizard, said that there are bright prospects for innovative Kiwis.
“Who would have thought that ten, twenty years ago, being a musician or a fashion designer was a viable career in New Zealand? Innovation, branding, smart marketing and smart people have made it possible, and that is what I believe underlies the growing strength of our economy.”"
“Who would have thought that ten, twenty years ago, being a musician or a fashion designer was a viable career in New Zealand? Innovation, branding, smart marketing and smart people have made it possible, and that is what I believe underlies the growing strength of our economy.”"
April Ad of Month Winner
"RNZFB (Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind) Guide Dog Appeal 2005 newspaper ad is the NAB’s April Ad of Month Winner. The ad was created by Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington and media placed by Starcom"
Auckland IT cluster launch helps small businesses
"The launch of the Auckland IT Cluster is a critical stage in the ongoing development of Auckland’s information and communication technologies (ICT) business sector. In particular, it’s a major development for the 70 or more businesses that have participated in cluster activities to date."
First-ever regional television funding
An announcement from the Regional Television Broadcasting Association about $3.5 million in new funding for regional New Zealand TV programmes over the next 4 years.
Too little knowledge can be dangerous thing
By Georgina Bond at the NZ Herald: "Conjuring up images of cloaks and daggers, hidden cameras and bullet-proof cars, corporate intelligence is a growing area of specialisation within business - and one in which New Zealand falls behind other countries."
You can never know enough about your customers, your competitors or your market. Spying however may be a bit much !
You can never know enough about your customers, your competitors or your market. Spying however may be a bit much !
New limited partnership regime proposed to help raise Venture Capital
A new limited partnership regime designed to help encourage the flow of venture capital investment into New Zealand has been announced by Pete Hodgson New Zealand's Minister of Commerce. A Bill is expected to be introduced in 2006.
New Zealand Tax changes to ease small-medium business burden
* The due date for payments of GST will change from the last working day of the month to the 28th of the month, with effect from taxable periods ending on or after 31 March 2006.
* Provisional taxpayers will begin paying provisional tax along with their GST payments and will be able to base their provisional tax on a percentage of their GST sales with effect from the beginning of the 2007-08 income year.
* Provisional taxpayers will begin paying provisional tax along with their GST payments and will be able to base their provisional tax on a percentage of their GST sales with effect from the beginning of the 2007-08 income year.
Sites slow to help disabled
By Peter Novak at The Herald: "If recent lawsuits in Australia and the United States are any indication, New Zealand businesses may be opening themselves up to litigation by failing to make their websites accessible to disabled persons."
It's well worth looking into this if you intend on working as a professional web designer.
It's well worth looking into this if you intend on working as a professional web designer.
When NOT to register for GST
A follow up to the previous post. By Christopher Raynal at Homebizbuzz.
How to turn business losses into cashflow
A really good article by Christopher Raynal about using GST refunds to provide cashlow in the early days of your business. Homebizbuzz.co.nz is an excellent site packed full of resources for Kiwi home based companies.
Get used to high prices at the petrol pumps
By Simon Louisson at the NZ Herald: "New Zealand Refining chief executive Thomas Zengerly reckons motorists will have to suck the syphon on higher petrol prices. 'We used to live in a world when we were used to prices of $US15-$20 a barrel, and we are in an adjustment process to a world that is pricing crude at $US45-$55 a barrel. This is a painful process.' "
This is one variable cost that is set to rise and rise...
This is one variable cost that is set to rise and rise...
Fewer migrants coming to NZ
By Brian Fallow at the NZ Herald: "Dwindling net immigration has two opposing effects on interest rates. It reduces the economy's potential growth rate as the supply of labour grows more slowly, increasing the risk of inflationary bottlenecks. It also reduces pressure on the housing market, an inflationary hotspot, and eases growth in demand within the economy generally. "
Kiwi small business start up tax discount
"Small business in New Zealand will become less taxing from April 2005 when a 6.7 per cent discount becomes available to companies in their early years. Associate Revenue Minister David Cunliffe said the discount was open to many self-employed people and members of partnerships in their first year of business.
"The discount is designed to reduce some of the financial strain that small businesses face in those vital first three years of business,' Mr Cunliffe said.""
"The discount is designed to reduce some of the financial strain that small businesses face in those vital first three years of business,' Mr Cunliffe said.""
NZ pioneers lack confidence to become world-beaters
By Georgina Bond at The NZ Herald: "New Zealand has all the ingredients to be a global design centre but businesses still underestimate their strength in international markets, a US design veteran said yesterday. Chuck Pelly, founder of one of the world’s leading design consultancies, Designworks/USA told Kiwi business that "You don’t believe in yourselves as much as we believe in you.""
Even if you don't feel confident - act confident. You may be surprised at the results.
Even if you don't feel confident - act confident. You may be surprised at the results.
Recommended Book: The Bootstrapper's Bible
This book is worth reading annually. Gives you the lowdown on the way to survive in business without heaps of money. The Bootstrappers Bible is available for download as a PDF e-Book for a couple of dollars. Hardcopies are availabe at local bookstores or for $29.95 at Amazon.com
How to Start a Startup
"You need three things to create a successful startup: to start with good people, to make something customers actually want, and to spend as little money as possible. Most startups that fail do it because they fail at one of these. A startup that does all three will probably succeed."
A great article from Paul Graham about the start up phase.
A great article from Paul Graham about the start up phase.
Why a Kiwi Business Blog?
I migrated from the UK to New Zealand (my birth coutry) in 2001, where I run an online record label and media agency. My previous role was as the founding Editor of KnowledgeBoard.com, an award winning Knowledge Management Community of Practice funded by the European Comission.
I am about to start teaching Business to design students on the Graduate Diploma of Digital Media course at Natcoll College of Design Technology. This blog will allow me to share my knowledge about doing business from New Zealand with my Natcoll students, and anyone else interested in Kiwi Business stories and resources. Comments are welcome!
I am about to start teaching Business to design students on the Graduate Diploma of Digital Media course at Natcoll College of Design Technology. This blog will allow me to share my knowledge about doing business from New Zealand with my Natcoll students, and anyone else interested in Kiwi Business stories and resources. Comments are welcome!
May 02, 2005
Pilates TV
One of the common misconceptions of corporate wage slaves is that home based workers spend all day watching TV. In fact we work our little butts off, chained to our PCs. Even with raging RSI in my right arm I still don't take enough regular breaks. As a writer when you are in flow time you just want to keep going.
Generally I'd rather poke my own eyes out than switch on the goggle box in daylight. It's either infomercials or US/Ozzie Soaps which have been proven to rot the brain. I have however discovered a handy break in the day for Pilates TV on TV1 from 1.55 p.m. weekdays. I do a little yoga everyday but have always fancied Pilates and after only week I'm totally sold. It's a great exercise to do to strengthen your back and work the spots that a PC knots.
Zosha Piotrowski the instructer is friendly & approachable. Chris Pinder the token guy rather lechworthy, though he's apparently off to Paris this year 2005 to star in a production at the Moulin Rouge. I don't fancy my chances there then. The only jarring note is the host of the Fast and Fabulous section which follows giving you tips on lifestyle and nutrition. Kylie Jaye has less body fat than a skeleton which is a shame as the rest of the presenters look really healthy.
They say you only have to do a few sessions of Pilates and I have to agree. After about 5 sessions I can see a difference in my posture and my stomach looks flatter. So if you work from home then why not take 20 minutes out to do a Pilates class every day. All you need is a TV and some floor space.
One of the common misconceptions of corporate wage slaves is that home based workers spend all day watching TV. In fact we work our little butts off, chained to our PCs. Even with raging RSI in my right arm I still don't take enough regular breaks. As a writer when you are in flow time you just want to keep going.
Generally I'd rather poke my own eyes out than switch on the goggle box in daylight. It's either infomercials or US/Ozzie Soaps which have been proven to rot the brain. I have however discovered a handy break in the day for Pilates TV on TV1 from 1.55 p.m. weekdays. I do a little yoga everyday but have always fancied Pilates and after only week I'm totally sold. It's a great exercise to do to strengthen your back and work the spots that a PC knots.
Zosha Piotrowski the instructer is friendly & approachable. Chris Pinder the token guy rather lechworthy, though he's apparently off to Paris this year 2005 to star in a production at the Moulin Rouge. I don't fancy my chances there then. The only jarring note is the host of the Fast and Fabulous section which follows giving you tips on lifestyle and nutrition. Kylie Jaye has less body fat than a skeleton which is a shame as the rest of the presenters look really healthy.
They say you only have to do a few sessions of Pilates and I have to agree. After about 5 sessions I can see a difference in my posture and my stomach looks flatter. So if you work from home then why not take 20 minutes out to do a Pilates class every day. All you need is a TV and some floor space.
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