What is a VPN, and why do I need one?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs can be used to access… Read More »What is a VPN, and why do I need one?
Tips & Tricks
How to Browse the Internet More Securely
We live in an era of free-flowing data, where any person with an Internet connection has seemingly all the information in the world at their… Read More »How to Browse the Internet More Securely
How to handle an angry customer
I do not make a lot of money; no, that sounds wrong – let me rephrase it. I hardly make any money at all! As… Read More »How to handle an angry customer
Get Better Customer Service on Social Media
If you are a regular twimbo (Zimbos on Twitter, fyi) you will have noticed the almost constant stream of complaints and responses aimed at a… Read More »Get Better Customer Service on Social Media
How to Gracefully Manage Your Critics
Many of us have an innate reflex to please everyone. It is a curious and burdensome responsibility that we have assumed since childhood. As creative leaders, the need to address critics is a reflex that is liable to override other more important uses of our energy. While we carefully weigh the costs and benefits of most decisions we make, criticism has the tendency to lead us astray. Of course, criticism is important.
How to Cool Down a Scorching Hot Car
It’s summer in Zimbabwe and it’s hot. For the past week Harare has been experiencing record temperatures – maybe Zimbabwe really is the hell the foreign press make it out to be. *wink*
How to Save Electricity in your Home
Due to ZESA and ZETDC’s monopoly, incompetence and continued intransigence, Zimbabweans are faced with both random blackouts and tariff increments.
Skip the Phone Support Queue by Calling Sales and Acting Confused
I hate telephone queues. I hate hold music. I hate those educated-sounding deep-voiced gentlemen or sweet-sounding dignified ladies who try to sell me a company’s products when I’m already ON THE LINE WITH THE COMPANY!
Pricing Psychology: 7 Sneaky Retail Tricks
The psychology of pricing explains why we do many of the silly things we do with our money. Retailers work hard to manipulate us, tweaking price tags and offering “special” promotions to get us to spend more than we normally would.
Zenhabits: Breaking Free From Consumerist Chains
We are not living lives meant to earn money in order to support a shopping habit, or a large home and two cars, or lives of luxury eating and entertainment.
We are not living to support the corporations. And yet, if you were to take an objective, outsider look at our society, it would seem that we are.
Managing the pain of social media
I love social media, but even the biggest fans of the social web will find some sources of frustration. What is your social media pain point? I thought I’d explore some of the main ones I’ve identified and offer up some potential solutions.
Responding to critics without looking uncool
This post has been inspired by an exchange I had with what appeared to be either an Econet higher-up or their flunkie, responding to a post about their website, the link to which I emailed them in good faith. It originally appeared at businessknowhow.com, a generic site for basic business ideas and common sense.