Blog Comments

Thanks Ian! I have read a few books like that, but will definitely see if I can't read that one. I think I need to get myself a Kindle.

Mark If you have time read Getting to Yes. One of the best courses I ever did. First point is have a Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) that is what is your walk away position is. That is a very empowering tool.
Then look for positions where they can save face and it is not important to you. EG Ask for interest but you don't really want it. There is a lot more but always try for a win-win.
While it is hard, try to leave emotions out of it. Good luck.

I received a request for a meeting with the MD of Varsity College today. I will set up the meeting and keep you posted once I've had the meeting.

I'm fully expecting the same old "policy" story, though. If I get that stock-standard response I will walk out then and there.

Ian, that is possible but I highly doubt it. I keep being told that the policy is set by the higher-ups and it isn't going to change.

Nevertheless, my meeting with Odette from Varsity College will reveal all.

Mark
That is good news maybe the guys at the top don't know what is happening in the trenches. Have you ever watched Undercover Boss.

I sent Paddy Naidoo from ADvTECH an email this afternoon.

She has replied stating that she has read this article and that the individual needs of the students and quality of education is important to them. In turn she has forwarded my email to the Managing Director of Varsity College, who will be in contact with me to discuss further.

Now we wait.

@Dave - I have considered it and might still do so. I'm not sure of the steps I should take, though?

@Ian - Thanks Ian! I think I will do exactly that.

Mark
Have you contacted Advtech the holding company. Here is a link to a press release. http://www.advtech.co.za/press/press_22aug11.htm Maybe use the email address there and ask them to comment on this blog.

Not going to take it to small claims court, then?

Dial-up in vocab is profanity!!! I wish there was an 'erase' button to get rid of dial up :-)
South Africans have trust issues, that is why they are reluctant to make online purchases. I have also come across a great number of people....mainly small business people that are not really pc or techno literate. I once tried helping someone navigate their pc (telephonic help).... firstly it was a nightmare, trying to locate the backspace key was like looking for a needle in a haystack, trying to navigate to the desktop....well....the phone and coffee apart from pens, etc were actually on the desktop.....now why would i want to know whats on top of the desk hmmmm??? lol

Hi Sparks, thank you for your comment and kind words. I think Adobe is the designer's choice for the most part (We upgraded to CS5 almost as soon as it was released) but there are almost always alternatives to any program. I'm not even sure how Coreldraw differs because we have never, to my knowledge, used it for any of our work.

You say you run a printing business? I was sure I read on the forum that you were an electrician of sorts?

Thanks again.

Hi, for my small scale printing I don't bother with changing the default. I am by no means a proffesional but, I also prefer Adobe CS4, soon to be upgraded. I rarely use my Coreldraw X5.
Thank you for the very interesting & enlighting blog.

It's hard to believe there are guys still out there using dial-up Internet. So incredibly sad.

As you suggest, though, connectivity must be a big contributing factor. Guess we have Hellkom to blame for that

My wife told me about a conversation she had yesterday with a guy who is using dial-up for his internet connection. He was complaining that the internet seemed to be getting slower and slower.

I tried to keep a straight face (and failed), but as it relates to your blog, I suggest connectivity is a big part of the problem.

That's great! Good luck Running your own business is really so exciting!

i am also preparing for my start-up. Hope i can get my business license soon. So i am not gonna work for this company and will work for myself. I am loving' it !

Thanks so much for your kind words. And thanks for taking the time to read my mad ramblings!

I definitely agree with you regarding passion. I think passion and ambition are two key ingredients in the "success formula".

Awesome Mark! I've always believed "passion" is the one thing that separates the victims from the achievers. And you clearly have a lot of it!

Thanks!

We would love to design a logo for your company. Drop me a PM or email and we can discuss further.

Privet Mark, this is very interesting. Would you like to design a logo for my company? You will have some interesting stuff to play with, I promise. :D

Thanks, Dave