Get A Job: Boss

A lot of the time people want to blame failure in business on the economy and the government, particularly ZANU PF (Yeah I said it) but like I read in a blog recently its not any of the above it's you, you idiot. Seriously, everyone can't be an entrepreneur but damn near everyone and their dog will try to be in Zimbabwe. FOH with that! Everyone knows dogs can't be entrepreneurs. 

And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from taking up their dream and making a go at making it reality. I am rather saying people should more seriously consider what they are getting into - do they have the skills, the resolve and dedication, the resources? And if it should fail all I'd ask is that the true reason be ascertained. The economy was in it's current state yesterday, and even the day before that. And you know what, our economy was worse when you started reading this blog. It's not good but it seems to me to be getting better and better. For those who after seriously considering whether being an entrepreneur is best are found wanting: get a job.

Of course there are those who say we have such high unemployment and there are no jobs etc etc. This is true but in my experience our unemployment for skilled jobs is mostly structural. Last time I had to interview candidates for an accountants job I must have interviewed one jousand people (which is plenty). They mostly had the same certification but they all lacked people skills, or basic communication skills, or they just weren't ready for corporate employment (or life in general for that matter). 
The job remained vacant until one day someone who already had a job decided he wanted another one. Again people just need to be realistic - don't get a silly qualification because you think it'll get you a job because it won't, you need a more full set of skills and you should ask yourself if you have such, which would then be complimented by your silly certificate. And in the absence of the above, be a labourer - our country needs these as well. And if you can't be an entrepreneur, can't get skilled employment and won't be a labourer here's a tip: FOH

Take Responsibility: Leave God Alone

Wow... I really don't get people who bring God into everything - Don't get me wrong, walk with Him, talk with Him Etc - what I'm talking about is people who can't take responsibilities for their actions... I've been wrong before but in my mind God gave us free will to not act like jerks. And when you do don't come to these here "Internets" like it was Gods' will you're in a spot of bother. I'll let you in on a secret - it's His will that you not be an idiot. And for no consideration I'll give you a free tip: FOH 

The IT crowd

I overheard an IT consultant speaking to our accountant yesterday, he figures he's putting up his hourly rate by approximately 35%. When asked whether he had built on his skills set to provide a better service he laughed and responded : "the other consultants charge that much plus my wife just got pregnant!"! 

That got me thinking how
the IT crowd in this country (specifically dealing with SME's), is made up of a lot of one man bands many of which know as much about computers as the people requiring their services - some even less. Case in point I've had two "experts" try and subsequently fail to connect my laptop to a network printer. Despite their best efforts (including homework) and generally good banter the printer just won't allow my laptop to print over the network. Anyway, I wonder if any of you in the diaspora desperate to show how you've learnt so much and we've progressed so little will be back with an exaggerated accent to start yet another consultancy in this field. Please let me know when you do. Well, before you pack up your briefcase and turn to farming that is. FOH

 

CHEAT, GAME THEORY SAYS YOU SHOULD

Alright lets talk about it.

My position on cheating is varied. I‘ve cheated. And I’ve been cheated on. The reasons for both are vast and like everything else may always be backed up when necessary. 

Those of you familiar with the repeated “prisoners dilemma” will know that the best strategy for someone who has previously been cheated on is to cheat in their next relationship. As I believe the mathematics indicates the best bet is to default. And so in that way it makes every sense in my current view for one to cheat in order to “protect” themselves as best they can. It’s simply risk management. Also on the pro side - Cheating may also allow the novelty of courting to be maintained by someone who is in a secure relationship (benefits attached). Often one party takes the other for granted once they are established in a relationship, they stop making an effort, and they allow routine to manifest. Cheating may allow one to bring back that lost excitement which, coupled with the genuine emotional attachment for the original partner will create a more full experience. We are but animals and have needs, which needs must be satisfied in one way or another. It was taught to me that it is a basic human need to love and be loved. And so your next question of why one should even be in a relationship if they want to cheat is answered – They want to be loved. Yes, it is bad but, some would have their cake and eat it too. On the pro side are many arguable points and some less so but ultimately I can understand the rational arguments laid by some who do it.    

But I believe in the romanticism of the monogomous relationships of days gone by. I believe that such relationships can work, well even, and more importantly I believe that such relationships can work for me. Unfortunately I cannot engage myself and therein lies the problem as captured below:

“I gotta be honest that it does bother me that cheating seems to be so common in this country. I'm not bothered because I think we're going to "hell in a hand basket" or anything like that. I'm just bothered because that potentially makes it harder to find the type of girl who'd never cheat on me. I'm starting to wonder if there's something in our culture that produces women who are, on average, a little more bossy, promiscuous, rude, shallow, and materialistic.”

Try though I have, I cannot seem to engage because it appears the moral fabric of our society has worn itself down over the years with the ailing economy. And now the economy is looking up the fabric remains torn, and I neither see efforts to repair, nor new weaving of, the fabric. So whats to be done – compromise and join the majority or wait for a dream that reality shows is always the next station away.

And whats been said? Whats right and where are we wrong? The questions remain.

All in all, remember: There’s nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so

Men and Microwave Meals

Do not get caught in the habit of eating microwave meals - you know the ready-made, pop in the oven for a split second kind - you might just lose your skill in cooking – Enjoying road kill is a pick up and go type activity and whilst some frown at the thought we all have done so in the past. The problem occurs when you get so used to the ease of the operation that you forget how to hunt effectively. Then you might be faced with hunger and more likely disappointment when that desire of yours becomes seemingly unattainable. But it's not - the hunter is simply unskilled - too used to the easier option.

Men were meant to hunt, to track their prey, study their habits, exploit their weaknesses, and eventually to catch or kill their target according to their will. The skills so required for achieving the task were always meant to be current and well practiced. So it must be with women whom, like the prey, learn from previous encounters with hunters too unskilled to be successful. Such prey adapts and changes habits, and the new hunt begins. 

From my observations there are too many men who will only engage women who show them excessive or undue interest. Who go for what they can get and not what they want. Men whose will does not result in action to achieve it. Watch them. They do not value what they have for it came at too low a price in effort. And it's likely that in the long run that union will not work. So in my world men shouldn't eat too many microwave meals, and they may just end up happier.

The last word first

For most of us, when all's said and done you're going to be just fine. Think about it. In high school you thought that life was about to end everytime the moon appeared but you were fine after that. And when you, well maybe not you specifically, had a run in with the law - that eventually passed and you were fine. Note I'm saying fine and not good. Fine is given. And fine allows you to continue. You shall go through life and die just fine. That heartbreak you experienced recently, in the past or right now? You were fine after that weren't you - you will be fine won't you, and you will move on to the next experience.

One of my points here is that too many people work too hard on trying to achieve whats given. In a difficult situation they allocate their skill and resources to ensuring they are fine which would rather be applied at coming out better. Dont get caught up with whats going on - you'll be fine. When we panic we are wired to act in the best and often quickest way to come out the situation fine. I say learn to overcome the instinct and you'll find how many times you come out better than fine from situations...

Fine...