Summer certainly seems to have arrived at last and the mad rush to meet end-of-year deadlines is on. The buzz in Cape Town recently has been around the 'Silicon Cape' concept - which Christine analyses in more detail in her column, and which is sure to be a positive and inspiring movement. On another note, Gareth Pike has migrated from the inner city and is enjoying freelancing from his new home in Hout Bay, although it presents a whole new set of challenges, as he explains in his column. Finally, Jo has just returned from her first proper holiday in four years and reckons that ALL freelancers should travel regularly, for a number of reasons. Read on for more...
issue 38 ::
October 2009
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Jo Duxbury: Why freelancers must travel regularly
In my life BSMOB (Before Starting My Own Business), I always had a holiday to look forward to. I'd return from one and within two weeks, the next one would be booked. I've been lucky enough to travel extensively (thanks to a nine year stint in London, earning those lovely pounds). But since returning to Cape Town in 2004, and more specifically starting Freelancentral, finances and responsibilities have seriously curtailed my globetrotting. But this month, I've been able to travel again and I'd forgotten how refreshing and inspiring it is. So here are my five reasons why I believe all freelancers, regardless of discipline, should travel regularly:
- Reset your perspective.
- Unplug and be present.
- Get out of your comfort zone.
- Practice what you do, in a non-work way.
- See how things are done elsewhere.
Read on for more about these five points.
GARETH PIKE: Day in the Life of a Freelancer: Part Deux*
Having recently moved house, from a tiny if trendy box in Gardens, to a rambling homestead in Hout Bay, I thought I should re-visit "A Day in the Life" - and at the same time, hopefully impart a couple of Gandalf-worthy tips and advice for all you 'lancers out there.
4:30am Alarm goes off. Only it's not an alarm; it's our 14-week old Scottish Terrier WHO NEEDS TO GO WEE, NOW DADDY PLEASE. I switch off the ADT, fall out of bed, grab the dog, unlock everything and begin to lurch, hobbling, towards the patch of grass Where We Do Our Business. I have a thorn in one foot and a dog-bitten toe on the other, hence the hobbling ... and there's a "we almost made it" wee puddle just inside the back door...
Click here for Pike's quirky column.
CHRISTINE ONLINE: Silicon Cape - Is Cape Town set to become the next tech start-up hotspot?
On Thursday, 8 October 2009, the inaugural event for Silicon Cape was held at the Rotunda of the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town. This is an initiative aimed at fostering technological innovation and development in the Western Cape.
Silicon Cape is the brainchild of Vinny Lingham (founder of Yola.com among others) and Justin Stanford of 4DiCapital. It's not so much a physical entity, as it is a vision - or idea - of a community that supports and provides an environment conducive to technological development and growth.
Read more about how to get involved with the initative here.
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