At the office on Friday afternoons, we take stock of the week that was and have a short skills share. Each person in the team takes a turn to talk about a specific topic that the whole company can benefit from. We’ve had a wide range of discussions, from Google’s biases to Mailchimp’s amazing lesser-known features. My topic was the word “just” and why we should cut it out of our work emails.
Have you noticed how often you use the word “just” in a professional context, particularly emails? I’ve been thinking about why I use it so much in tricky situations and if it’s something that women use more than men.READ MORE
I love my job, but that doesn’t mean that every day isn’t irritation-free. Anything ranging from bouncing emails, negative client feedback or the internet conking out can completely ruin your day.
So you’ve chosen a name for your business and you’re ready show the world your brand spanking new logo. Your designer starts asking you a lot of questions and suddenly it all seems like a big decision to make in one meeting.
It’s always a surprise when a parent teaches you something new on your phone. My dad casually dropped these juicy tips during lunch over the weekend and it had us all downing our drinks to put our phones inside our glasses.
Every Friday we give you a behind-the-scenes peak into life at Pomegranite. So today I thought I’d help you get to know Liz a bit more by asking her some really hard interestingly thought-provoking questions.
Happy Friday!
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I think it was a toss-up between a vet and an astronaut.
2. What’s your favourite thing about living and working in Cape Town?
Definitely the fact that it’s a walkable city. Growing up in the ‘burbs in Durban, where the city centre was pretty much off-limits apart from driving through on the way to the beach, I had a very glamorous idea of city life. I was determined to live in a New York apartment with a red door. I still might but Cape Town has shaped that idea of city life in a new way and I love it here.
3. If your life was a movie, which actress would play you?
Yoh, that’s a hard one. In high school I used to get told I look a bit like Kate Hudson. That was incredibly awkward, what are supposed to do with that? I quite like Jennifer-Katniss-Aberdeen-what’s-her-face.
4. If your life was a book, what would the title be?
The great adventure of a little girl with a lion heart.
5. If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?
Flying, obviously! Also, telekinesis to hold my book and turn the pages so my arms don’t have to venture out from under my duvet. And some way to secretly help people to let go of whatever heaviness they’re carrying.
6. What song best describes your work ethic?
Mannenburg by Abdullah Ibrahim – classic South African jazz – because I work best when I feel it, there’s not much that’s regimental about my day.
7. What’s the best piece of life advice anyone has ever given you?
Whatever you do, do it well. It doesn’t matter what it is – you never lose a skill.
8. Having worked with me for five months now, what is one thing that you think people should know about me but don’t?
You aren’t afraid to drive a hard bargain but run squealing from numbers on a spreadsheet.
(Aside: This is true. Spreadsheets were put on this earth to END me. Luckily, Liz LOVES them. Hey Liz?)
9. You walk into a bar right now and order a drink. What is it?
Finally! An easy question! Castle Light.
10. What advice would you give someone thinking about starting their own business?
Do it out of excitement and passion, not out of fear or because you don’t know what else to do. If, sometimes, it doesn’t feel like work, you’re on the right track. Keep your ears open and read about everything you can about your industry. Also, it’s ok to make it up as you go along. Everyone else is.
Liz and I go way back. This is back in 2008 when we lived in Ireland for a while. That’s Harry. I sometimes wonder if this is how people feel when they hang out with us.
