Most Read 2008

Some stories that I worked on during my time at ITWeb made it into the Most Read 2008. Please visit the web site to check out the stories:

1. Black enough for WiMax?
2. Worm hits several SA sites
3. The big cellular rip-off
4. Bandwidth warning from Telkom

Fun profile interviews

For the past couple of days, I've been doing profile interviews for a national consumer magazine. It started out as work, but to be honest, it was mostly fun having drinks with successful young women and chatting with them about lives, work and climb up the career ladder.

A learnt a lot from these women, but for now, I will share 4 lessons that immediately stuck in mind:

1. Research your dream job - If you dig a little deeper, you may find other jobs options in the industry that you love. This will help you become versatile, and may take you in directions you never even dreamt were possible.

2. Be willing to take risks - After finishing her internship, one of the women was offered a secretarial position in the company, rather than something that was in line with her training. She graciously declined the offer, and started looking for a starter position in line with her dream job.

3. It's easier to work hard when you love your job - these young women love waking up in the morning and going to work. They are not just driven by the money or prestige. As a result, they are more willing to put in the long hours and dedication that fuels career success.

4. Go the extra mile - A common theme among the young women is that they did their work so well that they were a) promoted to higher positions as senior people moved on to greener pastures b) were recommended by colleagues who moved onto other companies.


I'll give a heads up on the blog when the magazine issues are published, so you can grab yourself a copy.

Being a writer = being a perpetual student

After reading annual reports of 3 major construction companies and two market surveys on the construction industry in Africa, I can now interview people and write intelligently about the sector. As soon as I recover from lack of sleep, of course, and my head stops spinning.

Until I embarked on this adventure, I didn't know much about the constructions industry beyond the vague assumption that someone must be building the hotels, airports, mining plants, etc. They don't just spring to life like Jack's beanstalk, do they?

I also learnt that McGraw-Hill's Engineering News Record publishes some seriously interesting articles on the global construction industry, and I'm annoyed that they charge for each and every one of them. Haven't they heard of free content on the Internet and the Creative Commons:-)?

To read the final product of all this labour, grab yourself the November/December copy of BUILT, the magazine for architects, builders, interior designers and landscapers published by AVUSA and check out the cover story.

Call for input from marketing and sales gurus

Sometime in August I’m going to start work on a series of “how to” articles for a publication aimed at sales professionals.

The sales articles run the gamut from developing a sales strategy, implementation issues, appointing the right people and keeping them motivated.

I’d like to ask sales and marketing gurus who have strong views about sales process, or who’d like to share the benefit of their experience with South African sales professionals to email me.

I do have detailed briefs for the series, and we can work out which areas they feel they are best able to contribute. Respondents will also receive info on the publication the articles are slated to appear.

The series is ongoing, with articles published every two weeks or so.

My thanks to the people who responded to my call for input on the electronic security feature. Also note that that request for input remains open until the 4th August. To clarify, the feature is about physical security (i.e. alarms, CCTVs etc).

This pieace on security has taught me to appreciate how small the global village really is. In addition to the blog post and the requestss for help on Plaxo and LinkedIn, I posted a request for input on Peter Shankman's "If I can help a reporter out."

I received responses from new sources as expected. But I also received emails from people I work with quite regularly, in a different context. I didn't even realise these people might be able to guide me to the right interview subjects, or I would have started my enquiries with them.

Call for input from South African electronic security companies & commentators

I’m working on an electronic security country report, and would appreciate input from South African companies (and/their PR firms). The feature is 4000 words long, and will be published in an international buyer’s guide.

Content for the feature will include a general economic overview, the size and scope of the electronic security market, outlining key vertical markets, major channel players and product needs in the country.

If you or your company can provide input into this feature, please email me as a matter of urgency. I will get back to you to gain a better understanding of your company, and to schedule an interview with your company’s spokesman.

Please note that deadlines are very tight (aren’t they always in the media business?), and I would appreciate a response by Friday 4th August at the latest.

It doesn't rain, it pours!

This week promises to be very hectic. I have 3 articles due tomorrow, and landed 2 more assignments for a total of 5 articles this morning, excluding the country report above.

I already had some regular writing work scheduled, so I will have to my butt on a chair writing most of this week.

I don't mind though - the topics are a combination of subjects I'm familar with and completely new territory, which will keep me on familiar ground even as I learn.

Subtle shift in focus

Loyal readers who have visited my blog for the past two and a half years will have noticed a subtle shift of focus on the content of this blog.

When I first launched Storypot, it was my platform to discuss and feature my children's stories and creative writing works. Starting July, I've also begun to include info on my non-fiction writing projects.

I hope you don't mind the addition. Hopefully, the new aspect gives you a clearer view of the projects I'm working on and my evolution as a writer. And where needed, I will be sending out calls for input, giving you/your company the opportunity to be featured in articles I've been commissioned to do.

For my part, I consider the changes to be in line with name of blog - Storypot - where I cook up a wide variety of stories out of South Africa/Africa.

Also, if you are registered on LinkedIn and Plaxo, please send me a friend request, as I post my "calls for input" on those platforms more often.

The system has worked very well for me on subjects and niches I'm still learning about, and one of the company profiles I'm finishing today was from a response to these calls.