The Woodshed

It’s been over 30 days since I wished my friends and colleagues at 22seven farewell. I remember saying to some of them that I was sorry I didn’t keep a regular diary documenting the extraordinary experience I had. This is my attempt to capture (at the very least) some of this experience, and to fulfill, in part, that promise. Preface It’s not possible to describe, with the written word, the special and unusual place that is 22seven. As chief creative officer (for almost 3 years) I soon realized that both my title and my past (advertising) experience proved meaningless at face value. What mattered much, much more, was how I needed to re-apply my brains and experience in a culture that valued a growth mindset, constant experimentation and lifelong learning. The culture at 22seven is agile, self-organized and has little respect for traditional structures, bureaucracy and the status quo. These are the lessons I’ve leant from this extraordinary experience. First, find y

The Black Monday movement  is encouraging all South Africans who disapprove of President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle to wear black on Monday. The movement was started after Zuma fired finance minister Pravin Gordhan and deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas. Zuma endured criticism for his decision, which included Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe voicing their concern. Gordhan has also called for mass mobilisation against Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle, while the DA has called on all South Africans to join it on a “peaceful march to Luthuli House in an attempt to convince the ANC to support our Motion of No Confidence in President Zuma”. The #BlackMonday initiative, with the slogan “Our souls are not for sale”, in turn has invited all South Africans to stand together behind the movement. “This coming Monday, we will all wear black in solidarity and use the tag to further the cause,” it said. “We, as fellow participants in c

Last week I was laid off. On Wednesday last week, I was told that my job was no longer necessary. I guess the truth of the matter is that my position was made redundant. That’s different from being fired. Just to be clear: I wasn’t fired. Here’s an interesting statistic: over the last 27 years, I’ve been told that my job was no longer needed no less that 5 times. Let that sink in for a moment. I’ve been retrenched 5 times in my working career. Reminds me of that quote from Robin Chase, the co-founder of Zipcar (the largest car sharing company in the world), "My father had one job in his life, I've had six in mine, my kids will have six at the same time." In situations like this, I like to remember that ‘if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ This is something that Dr Wayne Dyer enjoyed saying. And I often reflect on it. For example; instead of thinking I’m no longer relevant, I can take this opportunity and find the ne