by jamesdowell on Golf

Golf and Spaghetti Sauce

Golf popularity is declining and this trend needs to be reversed. A new culture must prevail in order for it to survive and succeed as a popular sport. A recent Economist article sparked my interest in the challenge and coupled with an inspirational talk from Malcolm Gladwell’s description of the perfect Spaghetti Sauce I believe a shift in perception holds the key to a change in fortunes. The governing bodies need to recognise, embrace and promote the wonderful diversity of golf, while maintaining the traditions where appropriate.

I will make the case for change by explaining why I love golf, what I see is wrong with it now, how I believe the future should look and by finally stating what next step the sport can take to bring reality to the vision.

Golf is a social game, one where friendships are built over a game, a season and many years. The 6-hour affair amongst a fourball allows for deep conversation, time to learn the dreams and plans of a man, there are no other sports that permit this depth of exchange. During the occasion you are able to see the characteristics of your fellow golfers; hard work, concentration and competitiveness are pushed to their limits by golf. Nothing in life has a shortcut, only perseverance and dedication lead to long-term success therefore a game that requires these qualities in heavy doses must be admired. Waiting for the perfection is a sure-fire way to achieve very little and golf exaggerates this to the extreme in every round played, one must learn to quickly identify each day’s weaknesses and then adapt, or cry. Shorter forms (ranges, 9-holes, pitch and put, crazy golf) offer a similar set of challenges and are enormous fun. Living in noisy concrete jungles is too common today; each course offers a manicured display of beautiful flora and fauna in which a diverse range of wildlife goes about it’s daily routine. Admiring the surroundings in peace offers a welcome break from the fast paced tube rides and blue light of the media.

The major challenge facing golf today is the declining number of players, thanks to it’s financial & time requirements as well as the accessibility of the sport and stuffy perceptions. Mr Gladwell’s talk provides a vital clue for the success of new age of amateur golf: it must take on a multi-format nature:

  • 18 holes
  • 9 holes
  • Pitch and putt
  • Range golf
  • TopGolf
  • Crazy golf
  • Destination golf

Golf can keep it’s traditions, but it must embrace change from the top. I believe the R&A and USGA hold the key to changing the perception and should publically endorse all formats of the game. Then they must work with the Tours to find ways in which they can invest in the newer formats; I suggest education in state schools and grants for driving ranges would be a good place to start.

 
by jamesdowell2712 on Business, Music

Taylor Swift vs Spotify

Here’s how I used to buy music (in chronological order):
1. Walk/bus to HMV to pay £13 for a single album from my favourite band (first album was three dollar bill y’all by limp bizkit)
2. Pay £0.79 for 1 track on iTunes for it to only work on Apple devices.
3. Free downloads

I love spotify. Here’s what I love:
– Subscription model payments (mine is integrated into phone contract). Roughly £12/month
– Track database is large
– Playlists – create your own, share others’, premade spotify ones – every need filled.
– Sharing capabilities – follow friends, see what they’re listening to now.
– Sonos integration – a little sluggish with updates but usable.

I believe the Spotify model is far superior and the future of music consumption lies here. However, it isn’t right in its current state and I support Taylor’s move to change it for the better. How can I used to have paid £13/album and 10 years on I pay £12/month for access to [millions] of albums. Perhaps Spotify is too cheap, perhaps they are making too much profit?

Spotify has 50 million users so it’s got the user base to make this work but I urge them to be more transparent and give revenue to the amazing artists, without which they wouldn’t have a business at all.

 
by jamesdowell2712 on Brentford, Food

Blend Cafe – Great fry up

This is a great spot for a fry up that’s above average. £4.70 for Classic English Breakfast. This is how it went down:

  • 2 sausage – decent cumberland job
  • 2 bacon – average/good, cooked to medium crispness
  • 1 fried egg
  • Heinz beans – jazz claps
  • Mushrooms (I swapped these in favour of an extra hash brown, for free)
  • 2 pieces of toast with butter
 
by jamesdowell2712 on Work

Goodbye and the why

This week I handed in my notice at Rackspace which has been the seed of my career and a place that I love and respect enormously. I first walked in the door at Rackspace over 10 years ago when there were 15 people and the DC was accessible via Micro Scooter. I leave behind an amazing group of 1000+ very smart people and a market leading brand which I’m sure will re-enter the acquisition rumour mill not long from now. I’m taking on a mega exciting role as the second employee in EMEA for WP Engine… Why?

  1. Personal growth – A long term goal of mine is to lead a business. The opportunity to build a company from 2 people upwards under the tutelage of Fabio Torlini is a perfect match.
  2. Industry changes – I want to stay in the value creation zone by going further up the technology stack, away from the commoditised world of IaaS.
  3. Fun – 120% YoY company growth in a sprinting technology that powers 23% of the internet will be one hell of a ride!