In the third episode of NetWebTV, I was fortunate to interview Gareth Knight. His views on building a business, I have followed since (with a bit of tweaking for context). Now, any opportunity available to hear him speak I cease every time.

The episode is more about how he built a company that got acquired and a project he was developing at the time called Tech4Africa. As he put it then, it was meant to be a conference that brings global viewpoints to the African context. The chicken in me at the time thought it was overwhelming and impossible. Fast forward to over a year later, the idea has spread online and tickets have become more coveted than a black BMW M6 convertible in Soweto.

More accessible than the shiny M6

This conference, being the first of its kind in South Africa and possibly Africa, might have been inaccessible for people in South Africa. Mostly the entrepreneurs who need to attend it. That’s one of the questions I asked Gareth off camera.

Seemingly he gave that a lot of thought to that and worked it into the package. Not to mention having tickets that are discounted to make it even more worth your while. The caliber of speakers and topics they have challenge current thinking. I find that a significant influential force in contemporary business ethic.

Is it for everyone?

No. And like all things that are really worth your time and investment, it shouldn’t.

The conference is very focused. It is about technology and how it affects you as an entrepreneur. The knowledge of speakers like Clay Shirky, is definitely for people who want to make real and rapid progress. Fortunately, not everyone is that person which means there is only a few of you out there. Otherwise there would not be such a great demand for you.

I was meant to tell you more about the learning prospects at the conference.

Tech4Africa Scholarships

One of the major things lacking in Africa is the skill needed to develop globally competitive businesses, but the conference also addresses that. The discounted tickets already make it easier to attend, but in partnership with Old Mutual, the conference also has tickets for people who need to need learn.

Below are some workshops and what they are about:

1. A masterclass in Usability and Accessibility

Gain expert knowledge from a global leader in usability and accessibility

Usability tests are an excellent way of discovering problems with a product or service.

2. Google University

A deep dive into Google Analytics and Adwords

Google Analytics is a powerful web analytics tool, AND it’s free, and Google Adwords is a great way to drive traffic to your site. However, you get the most out of them when you understand how they work, and how to customise for your needs.

3. A Masterclass in Architecting applications and Advanced Javascript

Learn best practice for developing applications that enable you to work fast and agile, whilst being robust and secure; and learn advanced features of the JavaScript language to create complex applications

4. Successful digital projects

A strategic look at the digital project implementation lifecycle, for decision makers and programme managers.

Whether you want to or not, you are now project managing a group of (hopefully) willing people to create a product that you are attempting to get done in an (un)reasonable amount of time, within an (in)sane budget.

For the entrepreneur there is Seedcamp.

Seedcamp is a programme created to jumpstart the entrepreneurial community in Europe, and now Africa, by connecting next generation developers and entrepreneurs with over 400 mentors from a top-tier network of company builders; including seed investors, serial entrepreneurs, product experts, HR and PR specialists, marketers, lawyers, recruiters, journalists and venture capitalists.

The scholarship applications close tomorrow.  Go on, signup and read more here.

Aside: No BMWs were dreamt of during the writing of this post.

It seems to me that, though small business develops exponentially in South Africa. And small has become quite huge lately. We still get into business with twisted intentions, and by twisted I’m referring to the intent for funding without a solid business model.

Vinny Lingham spoke at the last 27 Dinner about his accomplishments as an entrepreneur, which also included building ventures that later got Venture Capital funding. It is always inspiring to hear an entrepreneur who broke through the barriers to build something meaningful. Even more worthwhile was listening to him retell his own story.

As for the impression many people still have of funding being the foundation for a successful business. That is another story altogether. And the reason for this post.

“But it’s different for software companies and Venture Capitalists view business differently.” Oh, is it?

Any investor considers the viability of a business, not whether it is a software company or not. So that left me with the question, do we think investors/funders change strategies with varying products? Or, are there fewer entrepreneurs than innovative techies? In this case, developers turned entrepreneurs. Geeks who aren’t really entrepreneurs.

Before you throw tomatoes, cans and possibly yank your monitor from the rest of your machine. Hear me out a bit.

The basics of business remain the same, regardless of the product you are developing. Lately, however, there seems to be a lot doing the rounds about products being developed. Of course, there is a need for more innovative products.

And as Web 2.0 has taught us, the market trails far behind innovation. As the masses, we also only know what we needed long after someone has designed it. But a solid business model behind it is what translates to a Return On Investment. Not just the product, and that is what the latest software innovation is.

In an article written earlier this year about VC funding and the need to build sustainable businesses this was said. . . .

Those seeking funds are seeing higher scrutiny of their business models. “There’s less willingness to let it ride now than there used to be,” said Vytas Kislieulius, CEO of Collections Marketing Center, a software-as-a-service startup that runs a collections exchange. VCs are looking more closely at the customer sets of the companies they are considering investing in, Kislieulius added. “It takes so much more proof that there’s a real market and that there’s real customers.”

It is possible that I have old-school business thinking, but is there still space out there for sustainable startups?

Has funding clouded all business thinking into developing companies and waiting to sell-out to the highest bidder?

Image by Rainbow Sherbert on Flickr

A while back I wrote about the 100 list and promised you another post about it. After spending sometime thinking of ways to present it in writing, I finally decided that this would be it.

One of the things I do a lot of is talk about interesting things to do and experience as much of them as possible. But my thinking here has been quite rigid and business – focused in a way that makes it difficult to write about anything else.

Getting out of the boxes

The 100 list is partly me getting out that box and partly challenging myself and you to do certain things over the next year. Call it ‘living the dream’.

We all thrive where there is a bit of variety and interesting things do. That variety, adventure and word of mouse is what the 100 list all about.

.  . . but what for?

There are entrepreneurial companies out there that provide phenomenally amazing service, which we never get to talk about. Instead the ones that give us crap get more mention. The 100 list is where I will talk about them.

There are quite a few things I want to do over time which seem to get put off and once after a while they get relegated far from memory. And we tell ourselves they weren’t worth doing anyway.

Ones that are worth doing

For the ones that are worth doing there’s the 100 list. To start off here are a few things I plan to over the next year:

• Take the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at Bloukrans Bridge.
• Get dressed by Urban for a year
• Interview Malcolm Gladwell on NetwebTV
• Interview Chris Anderson on NetwebTV

This list will grow over time as more activities come to mind. Some I can only mention later on.

What things have you put off that are still worth doing? Tell us in the comments. And if you happen to be from Urban, feel free to email me.

Photo credit: Photo by Johannesen on Flickr

It was a little over a year ago when I first had the crazy idea of starting a business show, with news and information that matters for small business. Now, a year and the 10th episode later, we are still around with a few major changes on the latest show.

The first to the 9th episode – pick one before you watch the latest – were fun and exciting but required less time to do. It wasn’t till the guys from Missing Link, the sole sponsors of the show, thought it can be done better that we re-conceptualized.  It has now become a better, more informative show.

On to Episode 10

In this show we chat to the young and extremely progressive Tshepo Mashigo founder of MASHOnline, one of the fastest growing online business and lifestyle magazines. He shares how their business model is constantly developed along with some lessons from their first 2 months.

We took a drive to the Supercar Club and met with Riaaz Jeena, the co-founder and seasoned entrepreneur. He enlightened us about how they are building a community and continually developing their business model to suit clients. Talking to him with a Lamborghini behind us felt a bit like being at James Bond’s garage.

In the news

The recently launched Crowdfund, an angel fund started web entrepreneurs to fund web startups, features in the news. To-date they have received pledges up to the value of R 1 257 000.

Here’s the show below, take a look at what we’ve done and leave us your comments.

It seems 2010 brought with it a downpour of work and little distractions that just keep me away from writing. But there will be more reading this winter.

If you have been here before, you would know I had an interview with Seth Godin about his book Linchpin. (If you haven’t – you just might score yourself a free copy. I’m glad you stopped by).

Linchpin is a book about gifts, and art and adding value and being indispensable. If you thought that couldn’t be done where you are right now – in your job or business. This gem blasts that misconception along with the lizard brain that propagates it. Seth describes the ‘lizard brain’ as that part of our minds which holds us back from making real progress. It strikes a balance between being an entrepreneur and a change agent where you currently work.

Lost marbles

By now you are probably thinking I’ve lost my marbles, books that accomplish such balance are watered down and don’t really speak to the one or other person. But it does, in a way that on only Seth Godin can. And I will have you know that my marbles are still intact. Thanks for the concern.

Monthly read

The idea is to share and recommend our latest reads, while giving one book away every month. Yes, you stand a chance to get yourself a copy of Linchpin, because that is what I’m reading at the moment. Leave some ideas in the comments and the best one gets the book. It’s really that easy! We’ll keep expanding on the ideas and probably make it more intricate with your contribution, but that’s not intention.

Terms and conditions don’t apply, but there’s just one small thing

As you might have guessed it, there is one thing that could be a potential challenge. Because this is a self-funded project, I’d like to try keep it as cost effective as possible. So for now, the give-aways will be to our South African readers and we can spread it globally at a later stage.

Why should you get it?

Leave some ideas in the comments and if yours is the best to spread this project to most people, you get the book sent to you.

I have been tinkering with the idea of becoming a brand ambassador for some brands that represent innovative thinking. Since no ads are featured on this blog, it seemed something more worthwhile doing. It is also a way for us to talk about things worth doing, which I’d like you to share.

That way we find new activities, share the lessons and get talking about entrepreneurial companies that outdo themselves.

Speaking of companies that give rockstar service. This past Saturday, for the first time, I went to Kai Thai with some friends. And boy did they surpass my expectations. They did all the great things you expect of a restaurant, but never get. That alone did it for us.

One of their treatments is the fish spa, where you submerge your feet into a fish tank and Garra fish – little dermatologists – nible away at them. Their manager offered us an additional 5 minutes on the 15 minute treatment.

While preparing to dip into the cold water – long after 9pm – she added an additional 15 minutes as a promotional offer. Contrary to my skepticism, the treatment was worth more than the price. And the added time wasn’t required, also not used.

As an entrepreneur it proved that giving that much extra, makes you worth talking about. Small businesses can use that to their advantage and customize their service offering according to what your client needs.

The 100 list

I rarely encounter phenomenal service, but never get to talk about it here when it happens.

Being a Brand Ambassador on the other hand is an option that could applaud great service, encourage even more of it and hopefully rid us of the unacceptable. That’s the hope.

There are brands and adventures I would like to start with on the 100 list. But that in a subsequent post.

Where were you offered outstanding service? How do you improve client experience, what can be passed on?

Photo by: karlteskey on Flickr

“What problem are you trying to solve?” counts as one of the most important questions I was ever asked by a business mentor. We tend to have great ideals for starting companies, as we should, but end up losing the plot. I would imagine every business has one thing in mind when they open doors, that being solving someone’s problem with their product.

People who created their own solutions

Chris Guillebeau wanted to change world, challenge the status quo, travel the world and meet people with similar interests. He started The Art Of Non-Conformity, his website, where he documents his travels and invites readers to become part of his experience. This solves a few things for both him and his readers:

- It gives other travelers the opportunity to connect with like-minded people around the world.

-         He meets people online before setting off to travel.

-         He also gets authentic voices to talk about their countries, which is always better than reading photoshopped brochures.

Allon Raiz discovered that businesses didn’t need funding to thrive, but required direction and resources that money cannot buy. So he started Raizcorp, the first privately held and unfunded business incubator.

For every online startup that is looking for funding there is the Crowdfund. Some web entrepreneurs realized the need for “Angel Funding” in South Africa and together they started it. With small contributions from the public, who in turn become investors, they are able to develop web startups.

First find a problem then become the solution is what most successful entrepreneurs have done. It’s even better when you know problem, thus making the product even easier to create.

What problem are you solving?

Photo by: Zoopreme on Flickr

In July of 2009, I announced the Netweb Event for that month with a video give away sponsored by Missing Link. Little did we know that the prize would go to an amazing project I had been following for a while.

One Matchstick, a concept where the founder is trading a single matchstick till she gets to offices through a series of trades, is a lesson in innovation.

It was simple for us – start a competition that benefits small business and give it to the most deserving company after our delegates have voted. From that simple definition came being an MC at the premiere in Johannesburg, being in Cape Town for another and making interesting contacts along the way.

The lessons

- You are as big or small as you think you are.

It ‘s because one matchstick that I went over 1000 kilometers away and made contacts I wouldn’t thought of on my own.

- Small has to do with efficiency than size.

The size of this project meant all we needed was a notebook, a DVD Player and a room of 30 people for it to be successful.

- Naming is very significant

We called the prize a corporate video when we gave it away, but Telana referred to it as the “One Matchstick Movie”.

You are invited to the “One Matchstick Movie Premiere” sounds better than being invited to the “Launch Of The One Matchstick Corporate Video” any Sunday afternoon. Yes, the Johannesburg premiere was packed on a Sunday afternoon.

If a single matchstick can make it happen, that changes the whole game.

Please view the One Matchstick Movie below.

When Telana called me last week about Ruan a cyclist who aimed to explore South Africa for 60 days. I thought it was an interesting story to follow and bring to you, along with the lessons it would come with.

Little did I know that the lessons would start sooner than he’d leave. I then had a meeting with the guys from Hotel Formula1, who later expressed some interest on following Ruan’s story. Before the week was over we had negotiated sponsorship for free accommodation for 10 days in 7 cities around South Africa.

Some lessons I got during the 5 days:

• Connect people who want to meet.
• Follow-through on an opportunity.
• Help someone without expecting anything in return; it gives you a great feeling.
• Build your reputation as a person of value.
• Have genuine interest in other people than you want them to have in you.
• A connection goes farther than a sale.

On Friday the 13^th, without even realizing it was Friday the 13^th, we met with the senior management team of Hotel Formula1. They all wanted to participate in the handover and you could see the genuine interest in them as well.

Ummm, what does that have to do with anything?

Under normal circumstances I would have been to a series of meetings offering a product and much later got a moment with the CEO, if ever.

Being a connector and finding opportunities to do it places you in a different position. You are no longer a company that is selling to a possible client, but a friend giving your client an opportunity further themselves.

Ruan will be travelling approximately 8 600 kilometers at 25 kilometers per hour over next 54 days. He’ll meet interesting people and along the way and there’ll surely be some more lessons over the next few days. I will be documenting some of the developments for you in the next few days.

Photo by: Ruan on Picassa

Ishita Gupta – Head Of Hoopla for Seth Godin sent a reply to an email I had sent about interviewing Seth Godin. To my astonishment, she requested me to send them my mailing address. “But I thought post died long before the archaic dialup connection, I mean this is Seth we’re talking about. He doesn’t write letters.” At least that’s the first thing I said to one of the guys at the office.

The mailman to much delight; delivered Seth Godin’s latest hardcover. And glossy offering called Linchpin – Are You Indespensable? It became a New York Times bestseller within it’s first 10 days of release.

We had an exclusive interview with him some weeks ago, where he spoke about the fundamental change in work and what the world has become. Basically, he writes about the choice to be indispensable at what you do. A choice to contribute where you are, to create art that is a gift to others in itself.

So every other appointment has been put hold, well sort of been slightly deferred, till I have completed this much coveted read.

Aside; there’s already a long queue of people waiting to lend it once I’m done. But they’ve been referred here, since it shouldn’t leave my sight. Not for a split second!

Thanks to Ishita Gupta and Seth Godin.