Collaboration Blog on Huddle.net

M is for Document Management Software

A to Z Collaboration - L is for Collaborative Leadership

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A to Z Collaboration

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Collaboration

I am writing a weekly blog for a really cool collaboration company called Huddle. The theme? A-Z Collaboration. This week: E is for economics

A Bra Bin?

On BBC this morning: What do you do with your unwanted bras? Good question that. You know how you sometimes go on a shopping spree and buy stuff and then never wear it because you're thinking to yourself: What was I thinking? I do hope I'm not alone in this... Anyway, here is the perfect opportunity to make it right. I can drop these bras in a blue bra bin and then they go to Africa. So my impulse buying spree won't be a total waste right? But the more I watched the more agitated I became, almost like a bra strap that keeps cutting into your shoulder. This is a little cheeky I think. Listen to this: They take your bras and once they have I think she said seventeen, they donate a pound to some charity. The rest gets shipped to East and West Africa to be sold on a street market? Really? This lady blatantly takes my old stuff, sell it on the open market and pocket the cash. At least that what it sounds like. I am not adverse to any entrepeneurial activities but this? I would feel cheated if something I donate to people in Africa for example gets SOLD to them? Apparently they need to cover their costs. Have they not heard of fundraising? This is a really fun idea. You could get some very interesting celebrities involved, shedding their bras in the name of charity.

Carlos Ruiz Zafón's latest book

I have have a little secret... I am totally in love with Carlos. I know nothing about him except his first English translated novel Shadow of the Wind. I have cherished this book. I've hold it up as an example of the most excellent writing, the type I can only aspire to in my most uninhibited dreams. Needless to say when I saw his second ever English translated novel I obviously HAD to get it. I started reading in the bookshop and I almost burst out in tears at the beauty of the first paragraph, which I have quoted below. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story. He will never forget the sweet poison of vanity in his blood, and the belief that, if he succeeds in not letting anyone discover his lack of talent, the dream of literature will provide him with a roof over his head, a hot meal at the end of the day, and what he covets most: his name printed on a miserable piece of paper that surely will outlive him. A writer is condemned to remember that moment, because from then on he is doomed and his soul has a price. See!? I mean wow. Just wow. So now I have to finish reading it, because who can resist a man with a pick-up line like that? Here is the link to it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Angels-Game-Carlos-Ruiz-Zafon/dp/0297855549/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243773444&sr=8-2

I don't know much

I was watching Channel 4's Dispatches: The Problem Princes last night and being a new immigrant to the UK, I feel naively proud of the royal family. Growing up in Africa the idea of having a queen ruling a country sounded like a fairytale. I remember when Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married, every teacher in my school brought in their television set from home. Then later, when Prince William was born, I couldn't wait to see the pictures. I followed the lives of Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward. I cried when Diana died. So when I stood in the Wandsworth Town Council Hall about a year ago and took an oath of allegiance to faithfully support Her Majesty the Queen, I had a bit of a lump in my throat. I boisterously sang God Save the Queen in my slightly out of tune voice. For a while there I felt almost more British than some Brits, because this is something I choose. Now, I don't know much about the history of the House of Windsor or the royals. I only know what I've seen on television and in movies, read in magazines and newspapers. But for a new citizen to the UK like me it holds a romantic attraction. I have a queen now and I have taken an oath to support her. This alone has created a strange sense of belonging, far more so than joining a political party or signing up for some local volunteer work. It would be a sad day for me if they cease to be. I am totally aware of the fact that they spend millions of taxpayers' money. I know they have parties of epic proportions. And yes, some of the deals they make may be dubious to say the least. But what would England be without a queen or a king? I mean what will we sing at the beginning of a rugby match? God Save the Prime Minster? What would the Pound be without her face adorning it in all its majestic supremacy?

Banks

This morning I went to my bank to get information about opening a business account. When I made the appointment I stated clearly that this was a fact finding exercise. The first thing I was asked when I arrived at the bank was to fill out a form. This is how the conversation went: "Why?" A slightly condescending reply: " We need your details in order for us to open the account." "I'm not ready to open an account. I just want information." A baffled: "Oh." My question is this: When you get married and you pick out a wedding dress, do you walk into the first store you find and take the dress you are offered even though it sits a little loose on the waist and barely reaches your ankles? No, you go to at least five different stores and try on as many dresses as possible until you find the right one. Why should opening a bank account be any different?

Tips for starting your own business

Stay positive. In these economic times it can be a challenge. I could suggest ignoring the newspapers, but as I am a writer, I can’t avoid the papers. It’s like telling a fisherman to catch fish without a net or a rod.

Determination. There will be days when you sit on the phone and have absolutely no success. Do not give up. Those calls are your lifeline and they are worth it when you get that one breakthrough project.

Contacts, contacts, contacts. I cannot even begin to stress how important networking is for a freelancer. I’m lost without my little black book. If you get invited to an event, go, with loads of business cards. When you meet new people, casually mention what you do for a living. You’d be surprised where you can find a potential client.

Be organised. Plan your days carefully. Yes your time may be your own, but if you don’t have some structure, you’re going to find that dinner time will come around and you’ve done absolutely nothing.

Have a plan. You may feel that you don’t need a detailed business plan, but set a goal for yourself. Where do you want to be in three months' time, six, a year? Write it down. How are you going to get there?

Be flexible. Are you really going to say no to a potential client just because they want you to do something slightly different from how you would usually do it?

Legalities. The mundane tasks of setting up a business account, registering yourself with the tax man, keeping records of your expenses, making sure you get paid, maybe even employ the services of an accountant. These may be boring, but they are necessary. I find this site for UK entrepreneurs very helpful: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

Pray. Whether you believe in higher power or not. Do it anyway. Because with all your planning you will find that some things still happen by chance.

He got to keep it

“They’re going to have to pry it out of my hands,” is what President Barack Obama said. “Yeah good luck with that buddy,” was my first thought. “There is no way they are going to let you keep your precious crackberry.” Don’t get me wrong I sympathised with the man. I felt his fear at the potential loss of his lifeline. Honestly if someone tried to take my iPhone away from me I would do something totally irresponsible. So when I opened The Times this morning and read that he got to keep his BlackBerry, with certain conditions of course, I felt immense relief. He’ll be able to send his lovely wife an email or text to say he’s going to be late for dinner. And his basketball buddies will be able to keep him up to date with the latest scores. But the main thing is that he will continue to get the real story from blogs and posts on the Web - not the sanitised version from his aides. He will know the mood of his people and that will make him a great leader. That’s my hope. Go OH-BAH-MA! http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5570214.ece