It was the 9th of the 9th ’99 when I walked into the headmaster’s study and handed in my letter of resignation… Twenty years ago today. It was a big step. I felt I had to give this crazy new tech startup a go, and it was before we had kids, so felt it was...Read More

In the third post of this series, I recall 20 years ago when conversations with various people massaged ‘an idea for a business’ into a business itself … Before the idea was born, there was context. Then – spookily – an unforgettable comedic event would herald the idea. Now, the idea needs testing. Could it...Read More

In the second post of this series, I recall 20 years ago when an evening with Dame Edna led to a memorable phone message, and a dotcom idea … Before the idea was born, there was context. A back story. A breeding ground for an idea, with a few push factors that made me look...Read More

Valuing a tech startup is one of those ‘how long is a piece of string‘ questions (which is no help at all), but it’s still an important factor in trying to raise money for your early stage venture… Naturally, both sides will look at valuation in opposite ways. The plucky founder will want to give...Read More

A few days ago I was trying to get me some car insurance, having bought a little run around Toyota for the eldest child, who is now learning to drive… So, there I was looking up the usual car insurance companies, and comparison sites, and seeing what kind of a deal I could get for...Read More

Anyone running a business should understand, with laser like clarity, the customer problems their business solves. Not only will this mean the business will be focussing on the right activities, it will also be the single greatest determinant of the business owner’s wealth. There’s a coffee shop (restaurant really, that also does a nice coffee)...Read More

If you build it, they will come. Nonsense. If they come, build it. That’s pretty much the message I try to ram into new startups, imploring them to use the lean canvas, or some such method, to ‘just get out there’ and be nimble and responsive to customers’ needs, building up their business along the...Read More

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932, and took eight years to build. In 1926, you could see the large pillars on either side of the harbour, from which the famous steel arches would start to appear a few years later. By the end of 1928, the entry roads were clearly visible leading up...Read More

Over the break I read Eddie Izzard’s excellent ‘Believe Me, a memoir of love, death and jazz chickens‘. Bill Gates, of all people, had recommended it as a top read, and I thought ‘now why would a serious bloke like Mr Gates be into the autobiography of an English cross-dressing comedian?’ Then I reached page...Read More

An oft-heard refrain these days is a lament “Everything’s changing so fast!” and it would be easy to sign up to this notion. Look how we totally rely on our smartphones these days, turning to them an average of 150 times a day. It makes one wonder what we did for entertainment, news and chat...Read More