Posted on by Esteban Kolsky

OK, Jon – here I am…

2017 was an — er, interesting year.

Among many changes in my life, and we can talk about those later, I made two big decisions: I left Twitter (voluntarily, and willingly) in October and I stopped writing in public (long story, not really voluntary, more like a sign of the times thing… KWIM).

I am not going back to Twitter, I don’t see the value I used to see there.  Neither professional or personal level.  Glad to discuss that more at a later date as well (and I will, promise).

I am going back to writing publicly.

I am not making commitments on length, style, or – as always – quality.  Definitely not in quality.

But I am finding myself increasingly wrestling with things I’d like to amplify and the current model (through internal writings for my clients) is not enough to change things.

Change things.  Interesting concept.

When I was being recruited by Gartner some 18 years ago or so, that was the basis for most of my communications with the recruiter.  I don’t remember her name, and I feel bad – I’d like her to take credit for what she shared – but I clearly remember what she cited as the top reason to become an analyst.  I was hesitant to interview for a position I did not understand well.  I had been an “analyst” for a different position for about 1-2 years by then, and I just did not have the experience and confidence in the position.

Granted, if you are an analyst with the Gartner name behind your own it’s very different – but, I did not know that at the time.

I was ready to become, once again, a consultant.  She said, if you want to change one client at the time, that’s a good job.  But if you want to change things – markets, perspectives, opinions, ideas — even the world – you have to be an analyst.

She was right.  I learned quickly at Gartner that it is possible to change markets and ideas, not so much the whole world – but you can affect small sub-versions of the world, that’s for darn skippy.

And, that’s why I am going back to writing publicly.  I want to go back to changing things.

Will I succeed? time will tell, but I will definitely try.

Stay tuned…

PS – the reason for the title of this post is this writing from Jon Reed, a good friend, and a great reporter, who called me out during his end-of-year awards at Diginomica (I was awarded the “come back snarkmaster, all is forgiven” award).  Thanks, Jon, you got me thinking about what I am trying to do again.  Much appreciated.

9 Replies to “OK, Jon – here I am…”

  3. “I am going back to writing publicly.” Yup. and for the right reasons: “I want to go back to changing things.” Yes! I’ll make the argument this resolution will serve you well no matter how your business model evolves, but the most important reasons go beyond business. The enterprise desperately needs unfettered voices from experts with attitude. Rock on man…..

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    1. considering it was your fault, i am glad you approve 🙂

      as i began to write again, i ponder if enterprises still need direction (Answer: yes!) and whether there is a need for an independent voice (this is tricky).

      this is not about money or work, this is about pondering the big questions and bypassing the hype as an answer. hope and prayer are both bad strategies, but we are seeing both implemented more and more as time goes by. not good.

      i had a lot of pondering time, the writings may be — er, different.

      thanks for the prodding, this is going to be fun.

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  4. Happy to see this…a variety of voices are always needed (though some may not always be heard). Your strongly authentic approach may not always make friends, but it always provokes thinking (and thus, hearing).

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    1. Thanks Han (any relation to Han Solo? :))

      I hope i can make my voice heard, i gotta tell you – and you’d likely appreciate this – its v different doing it under the Gartner banner and independent. It’s diff, not better or worse…

      first post should be ready next week, i am hoping… will see where we take it and what happens. still unsure about the outcome i am seeking, but i know the building stones i need to harp on.

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  5. Oops. Totally get that there are big differences between being under the Gartner banner. I always tell people that the Gartner brand makes you immediately smarter in the eyes of many. Then you open your mouth or develop some resources and that assessment goes up or down.

    Good luck

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