My career started the traditional way, many moons ago, running a lemonade stand, collecting coke bottles, mowing lawns, and basically doing anything I could to turn a dollar. While at university in the late 80s I installed computer systems for a legal firm, and worked in hospitality as a waiter at the Regent Hotel in Auckland. I also worked in the family handcraft/souvenir store, Earthworks, in Parnell, Auckland.
Computers were my favourite toys. My Dad had been into computers since before either the Mac or the PC (those were the days), so even though there were no computers in schools I was a lucky kid with access from a very early age.
Earthworks and The Regent were a brilliant introduction to customer service, and to sales. And I guess the bottom line is that working in a family business also teaches you to do what needs to be done. There's no point saying, "It's not my job."
On my first tour of duty through university, I dropped out. I was having way too much fun with my girl friend, earning too much money installing computer systems … and basically I had chosen all the wrong subjects. But I learnt a lot, I just forgot to go to the final exams... It's a good thing I've grown up since then.
I briefly moved back into the family business, having been promoted from the position of "child slave", but my friends teased me about working for "Mummy and Daddy". I realised they might have a point, and I didn't feel I brought much new to the table, so I soon decided I needed a new challenge. On holiday in Australia I applied for a job with Fuji Xerox, but on return to New Zealand I was told I was too young - at twenty I would have been their youngest account manager by about ten years. I was so in distressed I said to the Xerox State Manager, "What does my age have to do with it?" I told him I'd be at work the following week, and he must have been a little shocked as there was a desk waiting for me.
That was another lesson: If you don't ask, the answer's no.
My new job was meant to be just a 12 month contract, but I met my wife to be, Sonya, about two weeks after arriving, and was engaged six weeks later.
I know I'm sounding impulsive, so you'll be pleased to know I stuck with that job for about seven years, regularly holding the top sales position in the country but also struggling at the bottom at times. Selling at Xerox could be like that, especially when you changed territories.
But I always had the entrepreneurial spirit running through my veins, and always had the intention of returning to New Zealand. Eventually we did, in 1996, when our business only had about twelve staff, but with bold ambitions to go international. It's been an exciting but at times challenging journey since, with our team and revenues now many times multiplied.
In addition to work, I get hundreds of personal emails a week, and have got myself into a situation again of "email overwhelm" on my personal account and Facebook. Today I decided to catch up, and although I haven't got through the 500 odd emails completely I am stunned by what I have come across so far. - an email from an exchange student that lived with us over 20 years ago. - 2 emails from old friends remaking contact. - an email from an online friend telling me that her husband has passed away. - a tirade of emails ... first saying hello and then a number asking why I haven't replied, escalating into abuse about me not caring - an email to say I have a DVD over due - lots of emails from friends - and stunningly an email from a previous staff member telling me that her husband's grandmother has been murdered. Even without this type of thing, I feel real guilt that I can't keep up with my email. I know I should spend more time catching up, but why is it that when people don't hear from you they don't try to make contact a different way? Not replying in no way sums up how I feel about people, it is just a symptom of how busy the internet has got and how difficult it is to cope. What I am looking for is a way to seriously get my personal life out of my inbox ... Facebook looked promising, but it doesn't help with friends not on facebook ... any ideas?I used to give priority when choosing a new supplier to the one that used email, I might just start doing so if they use the phone.
Google is one of those companies I would like to avoid if I could. Not for any rational reason, just that they have become all pervasive and I want to slow them down. Like search, however, most if not all Google apps work really well and are hard to beat. Google Reader is no exception. To understand what it does, you first need an understanding of RSS; if you don't have that, click here. I follow a lot of blogs as I am interested in a number of things, but visiting them directly is impractical and most other RSS clients just didn't stack up. The reader works, so here is an introduction from an engineer at Google. The easiest way to try it is to click this RSS link below, and select Google on the window that opens. When asked select Google Reader and join me on the feed ... Thank you! 
Subscribe in a reader You can find Google reader here To get the most out of Google Reader have a look here
