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All responses Most smiled responses
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asked by EnnajayHmmm... I would probably continue to do what I currently do which is a be in the new media industry. I love what I do and besides being the GM of a sporting franchise, there's nothing in the world I'd rather do.
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Formspring Question of the Day
asked by FormspringWithout question it would be Public Speaking. It's be great to the have the confidence and enganing nature of some of the best speakers from the Web World. Guys like Julian Smith, Gary Vanyerchuk, et al, are my idols when it comes to public speaking and engagement.
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One that always sticks with me is from Paul Arden's 'It's Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World's Best Selling Book' is that:
Being Fired can be a positive career move. It means that you're at odds with your company and you've grown apart. (of course theres a caveat that getting fired for excessive porn consumption has nothing to do with your company. It just means you're creeeeeeeepy) -
I'll never understand that, but I sure do know a good joke about the worst thing about Rollerblades... But let's keep this PG-13.
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For web design and business. Two books have changed how I do business, the first is IT'S NOT GOOD YOU ARE, IT'S HOW GOOD YOU WANT TO BE, by Paul Arden. The second is TRUST AGENTS by Julien Smith and Paul Borgan. Those are must reads for any entrepenuer.
I'm currently reading, Blue Ocean Strategy, Daemon by Daniel Suarez and Connected. But I'm not doing a good job reading any of those at the moment. -
Ha! I'll bite on this one.
There is far too much over reacting going on in Calgary about the season. Many people felt and believed that this team was a Stanley Cup contender at the beginning of 2009. Up until late Dec, it really did look like they were the real deal. Then somewhere in that time period the wheels fell off. Kudos for Sutter for trying to fix the problem in the middle of the season.
Eventually we missed the playoffs for the first time in 5 years. The season was a disaster and everyone is quick to chime in with ideas of blowing up everything... Well unless you want the dark ages, it's best not to jump to too many conclusions.
In regards to draft picks, I wouldn't be shocked to see the flames pick up a 2nd rounder at least or maybe even a first before the Draft in June. I have this uncanny feeling that Sutter isn't going to go in to the draft without one. I also, think Sutter has done a solid job with our picks and building a competitive identity for this team, which is only starting to come to fruition now. He came to Calgary with a bare cupboard and no farm team. Now we have Backlund, Erixon, Peelch, Irving, Wahl and Nemesiz in the wings and some stabilization in our development system. You add the unfortunate circumstance surrounding M. Renaud, A. Taratyukin and D. Ryder and the Flames cupboard would look pretty full.
I'm also not convinced that not having a first rounder is the end of the world for this draft. Nobody really impresses me outside of the top 2 and in the 14th pick range. So if there was a year to not have pick, i think this would be it.
In regards to trading #12 or #34. You don't trade #34 by any means. Goalies of that calibre are impossible to come by (Freddie Brathewaite says hi!). #12 is iffy and from an asset standpoint the time would be right to get a really decent return, but what it would do to the city would be impossible to ignore. I feel it is something that a new GM will do to put his stamp on the team, but I don't think Sutter's crazy enough to do it and ownership definitely won't let it happen.
That being said, I do think there needs to be a further shift to the core. I truly believe that the reigns of the defense have to be given to Giorodano, White and Bouwmester. All three are close to the mid twenties range and under some tutelage from Staois (which sickens me to say) I think they will be the core of a strong d for years to come. From what readings I've done and rumors circulating, I find it shocking that cocky 23 year old with a big ego could have done so much to the dressing room to cause the season to tank. In my mind, the fault of that leadership lies on #28. I just don't see him as a fit any more in Calgary, especially with Gio, Bouwmeester and White in the wings.
But I'm just a web designer, so take my words with a grain of salt. -
This is a difficult question, as there is no real ‘golden’ answer. If you’re looking for a ball park figure, make sure you have at least 3 months salary in the bank or in guaranteed work (contract signed and down payment deposited).
BUT I would highly recommend not following that route.
There really is no magic number or goal to aim for when it comes time to make the switch to a freelancing career. You’ll just know when the right time is. If you strive to save up a set amount of money before leaving your job full time, you’ll never achieve it. You’ll keep pushing it off, and pushing it off, and pushing it off until you scare yourself out of becoming a freelancer.
Therefore the best plan of action is to work as a part-time freelancer for the first little while (could be 6 months to a year to two years). Spend that time learning the ropes of starting a business, get a lawyer, set up bank accounts, network, do projects you love for free etc., etc., and don’t be afraid to fail in obscurity. The first year of freelancing is the worst and you’ll fail more than you succeed. So it’s better to fail when you have a constant stream of cash from a full-time job, which won’t jeopardize your family or your own livelihood.
Then once you’ve built a clientele where you can’t possibly work full-time and still manage all your part-time freelancing clients, reduce your ‘old’ full-time work or find a part-time paying gig. Eventually you’ll get to the point where even the part-time gig is taking up too much of your time as you’re solely focused on working full-time.
At that point you’ll be able to make the switch and you won’t need a set amount of money.
Hope that helps, it’s not an easy answer, but it’s what I’ve seen work. -
The hardest part of being your own boss is the 24/7 'Hustle' in which you suddenly live and breath by.
To succeed as your own boss, you have to 'hustle' for new relationships, new clientele, and new opportunities at every waking moment. It essentially makes or breaks your business.
For me, I can get into modes where I'm quite introverted and just want to watch a Hockey Game with a bag of gluten-free Ding-Dongs and Ho-hos (if such a thing exists). But at the same time there will be a fundraiser, a meet-up, or a tech get together that I know I should go to. That's when being your own boss is the most frustrating. When you have to chose between yourself or missing out on a chance to forge a new relationship or take advantage of a new opportunity.
The second part of that dynamic is to learn how to 'Hustle' without coming off as a totally douchebag. It's difficult and it takes a lot of practice and even more mistakes. It's a challenge to learn that you should never go in for a straight for a sale and how to just be interesting and yourself. How that it’s better to talk nonsense about Zombies and Vampires, rather than discussing ROI or asking the dreaded ‘what do you do question’. It's taken a long time to get to that point and it's something I'm still honning. The best book I can recommend is TRUST AGENTS by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.
Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy. -
Alexander Lemanski a good friend of mine that I met through SXSW (and 4/5 of @teamgongshow) approached myself and the exceptional guys from Stalelife inc., out of Chicago/Austin about putting on a panel together regarding the trials and tribulations of starting up your own web design/web development/agency. We threw together a cocky little presentation and luckily for us a slew of people voted for us.
It was a great experience and probably the highlight of my professional career, with a resounding approval from everyone in attendance. Alex, Kurt and Joe are three of the coolest guys in the industry and it was awesome to spend some stage time with them. -
My body might be out of Calgary, but my mind, heart and spirit are still in Calgary.
What's the saying? You can take the boy out of the prairies, but you can't take the prairies out of the boy. -
LOL. Yes, I'm pretty much a 12 year old in a decrepit 30 year old man's body. (I even have the grey hair to prove it)
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I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory on my own. Maybe a firey crash from my wheel chair at 82 is a good way to go.
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It's a toss up between Sting & Tim Hunter.
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Loading...Connor Turner’s Bio
I'm a web designer & ideas guy, who has done it all when it comes to freelancing & starting a business. I was on the well received "Leave Your Job, Start An Agency" panel at SXSW 2010. So ask me questions about starts up or web development.
