When you can’t find real fault, pick on the haka

When you can’t find real fault, pick on the haka

Is there anything that raises the ire of certain Northern Hemisphere rugby critics and fans more than the All Blacks' haka? Whenever the World Cup rolls around it's always the same, tired, ignorant, and insensitive criticisms of a tradition of our game that has been...

read more
Guide the conversation

Guide the conversation

I read many, many articles, news stories, reports and academic papers about online consumer reviews. A casual Google search will bring up thousands of observations about the greatest consumer motivation to connect with businesses  - legitimate, authenticated online...

read more
Reputation on the line . . .

Reputation on the line . . .

Well, if there's anything to make anyone feel a little bit older, it's the sooner than expected arrival of the latest installment of the Rugby World Cup. Without giving away my age, I can vividly remember trooping along to Lancaster Park in Christchurch, to witness...

read more
The massive benefits of ethical reviews

The massive benefits of ethical reviews

Recently I was reading an article on business.com that got me thinking about a word that really describes the nature and vitality - as well as the huge importance of online reviews: ethical. I've talked before about trust and transparency and the ways that drives...

read more
We don’t know how lucky we are, mate

We don’t know how lucky we are, mate

My mum is sick, the sort of sick where you don't get better, and for the past few months my family has gone through the best of times and the worst of times. The worst because we are preparing to lose someone who means the world to us, and the best because we have all...

read more
It’s boring winning all the time

It’s boring winning all the time

All Blacks fans are a tough crowd and it’s getting all a little tedious. Two games against Australia in the past two weeks saw two fantastic contests– one a comprehensive, record-breaking loss for the men in black, the other a complete turnaround where they played the...

read more
“it’s a freaking tree in a lake’

“it’s a freaking tree in a lake’

People are strange creatures - some us us miss the point entirely and some of us can never be pleased. A story I read online recently put that into stark effect - in a humorous way as well. A collection of reviews of our country's popular tourist attractions...

read more
Losing when you haven’t lost is hard to take

Losing when you haven’t lost is hard to take

Cricket is a marvellous game. It's a contest of skill, patience, aptitude and derring do. It's also sometimes as cruel as all hell. The final of this year's World Cup saw the Kiwis and England play out what well may be one of the most intriguing and dramatic one day...

read more