I need you to help me help someone. Please. If you’re over 50 – that someone is you. If you’re a sprightly youngster (younger than 50, that is) then the someone(s) will be every person you know that is over 50. In 1889, exactly 120 years ago, Otto von Bismark introduced the worlds first real … Read more

South Africa is one of the most entrepreneurial domains I know of. The reason is simple: No income means skinny kids. So when there are not enough jobs to go around, we have to make our own. Contrast this with the UK where, no matter how bad things get, people believe the government will bail … Read more

I was chatting to a local business owner this morning, about this recession thing. He told me he was repaying his debts as fast as he could, especially his mortgage. I know that this is the current mantra, the current best practice, but I think it is insanely wrong here’s why. At some point in … Read more

We small business owners are an emotional bunch. At the start of each month we are full of hope. At each sales setback, we feel a little worse. As we approach the end of each month, maybe a little panic sets in. And on that final day, a little joy as we realise we haven’t … Read more

Most of us happily admit to not being techie nerds. Even those of us who reckon we’re pretty skilled are often baffled by some new crack in our Windows. And Windows, lets be honest, already has a few cracks. So what? I am glad you asked. After four professionals hijacked my bag at the Waterfront … Read more

I’d like to talk about one of the biggest costs of business – phones – and offer a clean way to mess some VoIP on your desk. If you’re a bigger firm you will know that two workers with phones cost four times more, while three eager beavers cost nine times more, and so on? … Read more

As I lugged my backpack to the airport on my last trip (after making sure it did not weigh more than 10 kg) I pondered the fact that my current body weight — 20 kg higher than recommended in the manual — was like carrying two of these bags permanently. No wonder I was getting … Read more

By now you will have noticed that the entire world financial system is geared towards making you spend more. That’s not you in the generic sense – I mean you, personally – the person who opens the mail at editor@petesweekly.com. The world economic system is built on the two of us continuing to buy stuff. … Read more

Those of us who have ever tried to lose weight know all about comfort food. At some point in any diet, often late on the first day, something happens. Something bad. It’s at that point that the diet goes out the window, and the doughnut goes in the mouth. That something is for the most … Read more

I was sitting at a restaurant in the V&A Waterfront on Sunday. It was good to be home. My daughter found a wonderful man to marry, and that was a great excuse to be back in paradise. Until, that is, I had to pay the bill. Some entrepreneurial person had skillfully abducted my PC backpack. … Read more