I retired from personal blogging in July 2008 but you can find me over at blog.xero.com
Follow @roddrury
Like Jason Calacanis I’ve been thinking about retiring from blogging for a while.
I’ve been blogging now for over 5 years, 1626 posts, 3 companies, 3 children and 10 kilos. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and have had so many fantastic opportunities come out of it. I’ve met some great people.
There are a few reasons for retiring from regular blogging. Most of the goals I set out when I started I’ve achieved, and there are not enough hours in the day to get through what I need to get through - especially with a young family and growing business.
As Xero is going really well and we have such a strong and talented team its time to make some room for our other voices. I’ll still contribute from time to time at http://blog.xero.com.
I remain passionate about developing software companies from New Zealand and creating a step change in our broadband connectivity. I’ll continue to drive those issues forward as much as I can.
I’ve tried to share my journey and some of the things I’ve learned as much as I can. I’m proud that it has motivated other people to do big things and share experiences so that we can make the boat go faster.
My favourite aspect of blogging has been revealing that we’re all just people and that business can be a lot of fun. I think my favorite post was the one on bed time stories.
I fully encourage people to take up blogging, and I look forward to following the stories of other entrepreneurs going global and sharing their highs and lows.
Thank you and goodnight.
blog
uhm, WTF?
don’t go!
Rest in peace
WTF
Interesting, so what happens to drury.net.nz and the 1626 posts then?
thanks for the start Rod - you know what I mean…..
Rod - tell me it’s not so. Nooooo … you’re not entering politics, are you?
Rod,
I found your blog before a trip to Aukland a few years back. You even offered to help out once I got there, but it didn’t work out for us to connect. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog ever since. Here’s a link to a digital painting I did after the trip. http://albums.phanfare.com/2347040/1363434#imageID=10717179
Thanks for the memories.
JB Haber
Maryland, USA
http://www.jbhaber.com
Now what will I read to keep up-to-date?
I assume that the missing apostrophe was intentional - to wind me up!
Cheers Rod for all the effort you’ve put in - we’re losing a source of excellent info, humour and a great insight into the “start up” environment here in Wellington, NZ and further abroad.
Look forward to seeing the Xero postings.
Thanks for everything
Oh no, first Fake Steve Jobs, now you…
Namaste Rod, I honour the place where your entrepreneurial journey and spirit of open insight become one.
Scott
Thanks so much for the insight, humour and passion.
Bugger!
What a shame! And completely understandable. I just hope you find you can’t live without, and start a secret covert blog that we’ll all discover in no time.
Thanks for being inspirational.
nice work - that was my favourite post of yours too…
Phew, what now? where do we find someone who isn’t self serving!
cheers mate and all the best with the push in to Oz.
M
I’ve really enjoyed your insightful & educational posts. I’ll have to search high and low to fill the gaping void in my feed reader. Enjoy the extra time you’ll have on your hands!
Two words (OK .. its not any more now is it? You know what I mean!)
THANKS ROD!
Nice finish.
Thanks for sharing the journey - I know you said it was your last post but it would be REALLY cool if you could (in a final act of sharing) - post your goals around what you wanted to achieve in blogging so we can have that same sense of closure with you.
Excellent… another blogger bites the digital dust. Soon, there will be The One And Only Blog, on our deep packet inspected and injected Intarweb.
Well nuts. Any other good NZ entrepreneurs who blog?
please don’t go, only just across your blog and its bloody excellent.
your insight to creating succesful kiwi companies has been great reading.
To the greater “rod blog community” where to next?
Thanks Rod I will continue to watch the growth of Xero over the coming months with great interest.
Rod - You’ve added a great deal of logic to how NZ tech companies should position and market themselves. I really hope that the great up and coming tech entrepreneurs in NZ take note of all the sage advice that you’ve shared over the last few years.
Well, bugga !!!
Ive been reading your blog now for a few years ever since a colleague who worked at aftermail mentioned it was a “Must Read” I will miss your blog, it was a definate favorite. You have been an inspiration…
Rod, first and last comment on your blog… it’s a shame you were too entrepreneurial for journalism, you’d have made a great writer. Thanks for all the great posts, for kicking along the broadband debate with your digital trade routes paper and your endless enthusiasm for the small NZ web 2.0 scene. Juha’s right, there’s a gaping hole in local tech blogging now.
Nice one mate, the love is shared, plenty of ground made to build on, everyone else, lets get amongst!
Rod,
I’ve enjoyed your blog whilst I’ve been subscribed, but wish you all the best of luck in taking a little the time back for yourself. Your kids too! (I know the feeling).
Just wanted to take the chance to also give a big vote of thanks for the work you’ve done on broadband issues - you’ve been a huge voice of reason on this issue. Thanks very much.
And, as you continue to push for ‘a step change in our broadband connectivity’ I’ll continue to be grateful. You appear to be in a unique position to great work on behalf of the internet community as a whole here.
Thanks!
Rod
Here in London checking your blog has been a daily morning ritual and I have enjoyed it….
So thanks for everything, and congratulations on a great effort, I have often wondered where the hell you found the time …
Keep in touch
I hope to see you when back in NZ again in September
Rod, so is this some sort of digital carbon credit plan so NZ’s Internet bandwidth does not get overloaded?
I have enjoyed your blog and I fully understand the reasons. There is only so much time in a day.
Rod. I understand your decision.
Like most who read your blog, I don’t have near enough time for everything either. That said, you have a very unique and exceptional style. You have experience and wisdom that deserves to be shared. You write from a place that is simply one-of-a-kind.
I consume business papers, websites and blogs. You are one of the best and different from the others. It’s a shame this appears to be a done-deal because I feel like you’re on the path to being a global business brand (by blog).
I do hope you reconsider. You obviously have a lot that you innately need to share. As the world’s economy goes into the toilet I only hope you need us as much as we need you.
Un-Done! (hopefully)
Greg in Los Angeles
You will be missed, yours was one of only 3 blogs I read daily.
Keep in touch!
Sad news Rod, but an understandable decision.
Are you sure you don’t want to run a casual tumblr for the odd interesting thought, site, news item? There does appear to be an emerging trend away from the heavy commitment required to blogging, and a migration towards lightweight multimedia broadcast systems like tumblr (Twitter is another example) and I know I’d still be keen to hear your random musings.
Cheers Rod - like others, it’s been a daily read. I will miss it!
Enjoy your rebalancing :)
Cheers Rod - Will miss your blog but well done & good luck for the future !!!.
Hey Rod, we gonna miss you!
Thanks for the last few years of insightful writing Rod. Tough choice to stop, but good on you for making it before the blogging monster took over everything.
L
All the best Rod! Congrats on you successes so far and enjoy the journey to those that follow.
Its such a shame to see you go, you’re tech blogging has been very enjoyable to read over the last few years.
Best of luck with you endeavours with Xero and any other projects you may take on in the future :)
Rod,
Sorry to see you make your decision, and it’s been fun being a part of it.
I’m sure you’ll have considered that, given the community that has built up here, you merely need to post a one liner referring to some issue of the day and a full and frank (maybe even worthwhile) exchange of views will follow. Better, I think, than on DPF’s blog.
3 more minutes to each day…what do I do now…
Rod, Ive often wondered how you find time for all your many and various posts as well as run a business, family etc. I even asked you to comment on this at a breakfast meeting. In any even your blog has become part of my digital landscape . . cant we find a way to clone you and or move from 24hr days to say, 28? Go well . . we will all miss your wordage.
See you at iHab?
Hope you’ll leave this site standing, Rod. There’s a lot of valuable wisdom offered here for the rest of us to pick up. Thank you for sharing it.
Rod … like many others I am sad to see you put the digital pen down. For me it was not just the tech relevance of your many posts but the variety of subjects. My favourite was your article on management styles which attracted a reply fromn your MUM taking the credit!
Rod, your insight and energy will be missed.
Good luck and get that Xero share price up, ok !
Cheers Phil
1626 posts? that’s a lot of typing…
All the best!
Hey Rod, we should get the bikes out again and work on that 10kgs!
Great contribution to Wellington and to NZ business. Thanks for spending so much quality time & energy over the years, promoting discussion and leading debate on ICT issues.
Overall, your commitment to ‘giving it away, so that others can learn’ has been exceptional.
Congrats on making a firm and well-founded decision to call it a day on the blog.
Charge on.
Nick
Thanks for your time and experience Rod.
I have enjoyed many of your post and found you to be a valuable contributor to the internet.
Cheers
Ahh, I got here a few years too late, but it’s been good reading over the past year or so.
cheers
Thanks Rod, I’ve enjoyed lurking here for some time now and thoroughly enjoyed it.
OMG, my morning tea break will never be the same again! Totally understand however, being a Dad, business owner and blogger myself. Work-life balance is important.
What I will miss most is that this blog has been a rallying point for discussion on a great many important issues that face the nation.
It doesn’t matter that we don’t all agree on the approaches to those issues.
What matters is that it made us think.
I look forward to your book release.
All the best with Xero & the upcoming invasion of Australia!
Thanks so much, Rod. Reading your blog gave a deep insight into the NZ IT scene. So much potential, so much that can be done.
Keeping up a blog is a lot of hard work. I know, I haven’t been very regular myself. However, it would be nice if you could just post links to your other Xero Blog posts and any presentations that you make online here as well.
Cheers
Thanks Rod for the insights into business, as a young person with big ideas its been really great to get advice straight from a guru such as yourself. The biggest problem now is where will Paul from Vodaphone go now to defend his companies crappy policies??? Cheers Rod, I cant wait to see Xero list on the Nasdax with a market cap of over $10b.
Rod, have you thought of keeping the blog going by inviting a different person each month/3 months etc to post articles. This way it lives on longer and continues to achieve many of the things that it has under your governance.
@everyone He’s said he is giving up - can we not just respect his decision and get over it.
With the utmost respect to Rod there are other blogs out there you know - I don’t believe that Rod would think for a minute that he holds the sole franchise for blogging…..
Let the flames begin
Thanks Rod
Will miss your incisive commentary, Rod. Hope you keep Twittering.
Also makes me think about the long tail value of blogs … there’s a lot of good stuff you’ve posted over the years. Same with Calacanis. Same with most of us bloggers, but we only realise when we stop the treadmill.
Hey great news! I caught the back end of someone talking about you on Radio Live and they way they were talking I thought you’d died! It’s much better to hear you’re just quitting blogging.
Old soldiers and bloggers alike generally don’t die they only fade away, posting less often and then disappearing.
Whilst this is a loss for the blogosphere you are to be commended for having the foresight to call it a night before it got to that.
Best of luck Rod
[...] of Xero Rod Drury posted the other day, saying that his blogging days, after five or so years, were coming to an end. This [...]
Sad to see the end Rod. Its been great reading over the years. Thanks for the inspiration.
You have been a blogging legend mate - well done and happy retirement!
I double dare someone to start a “Fake Rod Drury” tribute blog.
65 comments so far!! This is kinda like knowing who shows up at your (blogs) funeral..
Rod, good to meet with you a few times as a result of my being a reader of and a commenter on your blog. Perhaps I’ll follow the Xero blog then, if you’re going to post there once in a while.
Cheers.
Come back Rod! come back!
Been away and just discovered the news! Good luck Rod. Your blog has always been a must-read.
Good on ya,
Always good to know when time is up. I also know what you mean about family commitments.
Cheers
Graeme
Thanks for the all the great posts.
Sad for us lurking in various spaces who found it a great way to keep up with your adventures, but nice to know you’ll have some time back in your life to concentrate on the things that matter.
The challenge is out there for the next-generation blogsmith! Any takers??
Cheers
SYC
[...] Published July 29, 2008 Xero It seems that news of Rod’s blogging retirement has been [...]
Have enjoyed following your progress and successes..
Now for goodness sake dust off that windsurfing stuff and get back out there! And pass the gift onto the kids!
From a windsurfer to another windsurfer!
Cheers Scott Fenton
Scott Fenton! That’s like the Pope lurking on the blog of catholic priest!
Still active at http://blog.xero.com
So the circle is complete - Rod comments on his valedictory post, an ironic closure!
For those asking ‘who to follow’ in the NZ blogosphere now, here is a list of people I follow (most of whom have commented on this farewell post!)
http://rowansimpson.com
http://diversity.net.nz
http://simonyoung.co.nz
http://geniusnet.blogtown.co.nz
http://www.wine.geek.nz
http://lancewiggs.com
http://www.makeithappenhq.com
http://www.petergriffin.co.nz/blog
http://www.techsploder.com
http://work.miramarmike.co.nz
http://audent.wordpress.com
http://iyeyl.blogspot.com/
With these you’ll get a mix of technology, design smarts, start-up journeys and the rest.
For completeness also check out http://szikszai.blogspot.com
Probably what is missing here is Rod’s leadership - big space to move into now.
Add any more blogs that you follow on this list
So the circle is now complete - Rod comments on his valedictory blog, an ironic end….
For those who want to know who else to keep tabs on with Rod’s move to xero focussed blogging, here are a set of blogs to keep an eye on. This is made up of commentators to this ‘last’ post as well as others who are pushing the conversation along.You’ll get a mix of technology, start-up entrepreneurs,wellington issues, insightful comment, humour and the rest. Still a gap here for some leadership on the big issues like Broadband Trade Routes though…
http://diversity.net.nz
http://rowansimpson.com
http://iyeyl.blogspot.com/
http://techsploder.com
http://amplify.co.nz/
http://work.miramarmike.co.nz/
http://pellacor.com/
http://blog.synapses.co.nz/
http://www.petergriffin.co.nz/blog/
http://www.makeithappenhq.com/
http://lancewiggs.com/
http://www.wine.geek.nz/
http://scio-sphere.blogspot.com/
http://simonyoung.co.nz/
http://asiapacificheadhunter.com/
http://ceej75.wordpress.com/
http://poneke.wordpress.com/
http://www.supervery.com/
http://www.saintzeno.com/blog/
For completeness throw some traffic my way :)
http://szikszai.blogspot.com/
Apologies to anyone missed out - add your link below for anyone who stumbles upon this later…
Oh oh… have to start blogging a bit more then. :)
Good list, Miki.
Rod,
Whilst this is a loss, I do understand your decision.
Miki,
Excellent list. Thank you.
To everyone else:
It looks like there’s a gap - we’ll all have to start writing a bit more!
Been reading your blog for ages :(
Make a come back!
[...] been almost 3 years since I started writing this weblog and, like many bloggers before me, I’ve decided to stop. Not that I haven’t still got things to say, stories to tell, [...]