Blowing bubbles

I read this online recently - this is an important article :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/20/is-this-the-start-of-the-second-dotcom-bubble

There are 10 tell-tale signs that a bubble is being blown:

1. The arrival of a "New Thing" that cannot be valued in the old way. Dumb-money companies start paying over the odds for New Thing acquisitions.

2. Smart people identify the start of a bubble; New Thing apostles make ever more glowing claims.

3. Startups with founders deemed to have "pedigree" (for example, former employees of New Thing companies) get funded at eye-watering valuations for next to no reason.

4. There is a flurry of new investment funds catering for startups.

5. Companies start getting funded "off the slide deck" (that is, purely on the basis of their PowerPoint presentations) without actually having a product.

6. MBAs leave banks to start up firms.

7. The "big flotation" happens.

8. Banks make a market in the New Thing, investing pension money.

9. Taxi drivers start giving you advice on what stock to buy.

10. A New Thing darling buys an old-world company for stupid money.

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

Track record

Track record is everything. The world is attracted to winners.

I don't have any track record in the film business. Yes, I have experience, and many painful lessons learnt, but I have had no real victories, just a few minor successes, and lots of hidings. If I call people I know to talk to them about a film venture this is how the conversation generally goes :

"Hey it's Ronnie. Wanted to chat with about our new film project."

CLICK

"Hello, hello ... ?"

Ok, you get the idea.

Technology, on the other hand, has been good to me, and if I call people about a new computer venture they generally want to get together in a flash.

I know this actually applies to every aspect of life. When a guy is going out with a girl, suddenly so many other girls start making advances. But, when a guy is in the desert, he is in the desert. When you have a girlfriend, then suddenly, other girls are interested - you have been test driven and passed - you got the stamp of approval. Yes, when you make money in a venture, then suddenly everyone wants to back you. But when you are not in pole position, no one will touch you.

Yes, track record is one of the fundamentals.

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

Sex after death

A friend sent this to me - it was too good not to share:

A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other of the afterlife. Their biggest fear was that there was no after life at all. After a long life together, the husband was the first to die. True to his word, he made the first contact:

"Marion... Marion..."

"Is that you, Bob?"

"Yes, I've come back like we agreed."

"That's wonderful! What's it like?"

"Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex. I have breakfast and then it's off to the golf course. I have sex again, bathe in the warm sun and then have sex a couple of more times. Then I have lunch (you'd be proud - lots of greens). Another romp around the golf course, then pretty much have sex the rest of the afternoon. After supper, it's back to golf course again. Then it's more sex until late at night. I catch some much needed sleep and then the next day it starts all over again".

"Oh, Bob are you in Heaven?"

"No... I'm a rabbit in Arizona".

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

Stunning !

A friend of mine sent me this. It is just over 3 minutes long and it is the most stunning thing I have seen in ages.

If you are looking for some inspiration then watch this:

www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=2HiUMlOz4UQ&vq=large

Posted by Ronnie Apteker

Facebook

I joined Facebook a couple of weeks ago. Now, I am meant to be a "computer guy" and yet, I have been avoiding the mother of social networks for a long time. And, since I have been on Facebook it has blown my mind - the world has changed! This is a serious medium, and when it comes to marketing, the smart money is online. Facebook is a buzz of activity with everyone trying to punt their art, their brand, their products, their services, and of course, themselves. Of course, you all know this already ... I am catching up!

I knew I had to join Facebook. This is a fantastic way to try promote our new movie, "Material". Yes, we are now just under 6 weeks away from shooting the movie inspired by the good doctor, Riaad Moosa. And yeah, we now have a page up on Facebook - check it out: www.facebook.com/riaadmoosamovie

There is also a teaser web site that just went live - take a peek too : www.materialmovie.com

And, here is my address on Facebook : www.facebook.com/ronnie.apteker

The Facebook story is incredible. Think about it for a moment: Facebook sounds so close to "phonebook". And that is what has been created here - a global virtual directory service. The first real all-encompassing voluntary phonebook, where you can say "Hey, get a hold of me here." And like a real phonebook, they are selling advertising. The writing was on the wall, er, the phonebook, and now, the Facebook.

Now, if you really want to get your mind racing then read this : http://mashable.com/2011/01/26/facebook-buy-with-friends/

Wow, the world is changing, and fast!

By Ronnie Apteker

21st Century Pearls of Wisdom:

A friend just sent this to me - it was too good not to share:

1. Money cannot buy happiness but... somehow, it’s more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes Benz than it is on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy, but remember the bastard’s name.

3. Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problem, but then neither does milk.

Posted by Ronnie Apteker