FeistyFemale

30/09/2008 In Events by feistyfemale

A super fun Geek Dinner, with super intelligent, mind-blowing people.

1. Joe’s Talk
The 4 hour work week

Apart from the fact that I learned I had an MBA [Management by Absence] this talk was the one I could heavily relate to. It covered points I often think about.

• Don’t follow the rules - done
• Avoid the attention sharing culture - does unsubscribing from twitter and social media sites count?
• Reinvent what is important - done
• Blatantly ignore things that are not interesting -can’t help myself here…fascination is key
  
• Learn not to finish things - need to learn this ASAP
• Build a reputation of stubbornness - think I might be half way there…
• Don’t let things own you - done

If I look at the above list I am well on my way. One quote that really stuck with me was “It’s not what it costs it’s what you pay for.” [Where is that from?]

Brandon made an excellent point “You are not mission critical” in your work environment, you are merely the preference…

2. Jonathan H
Getting things done

I was going to do a decent update on the valuable talk but Jonathan already wrote a COMPREHENSIVE summary of his talk. I simply can’t regurgitate content - the real SMO gurus and geeks might frown and I do live in SA’s Silicone Valley after all!

Interesting stats:

• The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s research findings over the past five years show that the percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 64 in Cape Town who pursue new business are 190% above the national average.
• In Johannesburg, it is only 60% above the national average.
• But only 5% of new entrepreneurs in Cape Town and only 6% in Johannesburg make use of the latest technology in their businesses.
• Only 15% of new entrepreneurs in Cape Town expect to have more than ten employees in five years’ time.

To conclude. The rules:

• Don’t say “I will [ later ]“
• Don’t say you don’t have enough time: you’re lying
• Don’t expect it to be perfect (or even to work) at first
• Don’t over-think and over-design

3. Jonathan E
Half Price Tuesdays

Need I say more!  The website where you can find Cape Town’s best specials. Help Jonathan test the site. We need to have this idea in action. I reckon this one is going to score hire on the kiefness ladder!

4. Kerry-Anne
Slideshow Kareoke Summary

• Never ever refer to and/or use imagery of Britney Spears in a presentation.
• Brad Pitt on the other hand is a whole other story, and is completely acceptable!
• Death by slide is illegal and slides should be visually appealing.
• Refrain using bad words in your presentation e.g. those that would make you or your audience blush.
• Consistency throughout a presentation is crucial e.g. like good humour.
• And for god’s sake don’t look at the slides while talking - you might seem unpreprepared!

5. Random thoughts and notes on the social side of things

• I once again sat at the naughtiest table at the Geek Dinner.
• *giggle* Thanks to Joe’s talk someone took my number.
• ‘We’ were once again the last to leave.
• Life [and work] is really about fun folks. It occurred to me last night that I love my life - I get up in the morning and I can’t wait to explore. Life is an adventure.
• Geeks have a phenomenal sense of humour. [And I love laughing!]

Looking forward to the next geeky gathering.

Till we meet again.
xxx