My goal: play on a bigger stage

I've been putting a lot of thought lately into where I'd like to go and what I'd like to do next in my career. First, I should say that I'm having a blast at what I do and the work I've done along the way has been exciting and tons of fun. Somehow I always feel like I have the best job in whatever company I work for, whether it be my own or someone else's company. I think I'm one of the fortunate few that love what I do. But I've also felt this "tug" or "nudge" inside, a tug to do something beyond what I've accomplished to date.

Some good friends and coaches of mine, Carol Ross and Tracy Williams (along with some other friends), have been wonderful in helping me codify what that nudge is. Now I think I have a better handle on it so, I'm going to put it out there for everyone. Doing so also makes it more meaningful for me, and makes it a commitment that I'll follow through on.

My goal; to play on a bigger stage.

I've had terrific experiences and successes building companies and products, such as StillSecure, Jato Broadband Communications, and BoldTech Systems, as well as the Internet, multi-media products and information systems I built at larger companies. Now, my goal is to take all of that up a notch, and more!

I haven't said anything on my blog yet, but some of you know that I've been planning to wrap up things at StillSecure. Seven years is a pretty long time to put in any company these days and probably at lot longer than most do at startups. I helped start and build StillSecure because I've enjoyed the work, the people and strongly believe in the company and its vision - all of which I still do. And I have a great deal of satisfaction not only about what I contributed, but most importantly the strength and direction of a company I had a hand in creating and growing.

But being an entrepreneur means you constantly have new ideas and projects you want to work on. I've wrapped things up at StillSecure, formed my own company, and I am advising, mentoring and working with companies on product and technology strategies. At the same time, I'm both looking for and building that larger stage I want to play on.

Part of taking that "nudge" is really thinking deeply about what I'm good at, what my strengths are, and what I love to do. First, I love to talk to customers and create innovate products, and solve problems for them in ways the market hasn't yet considered. I think you can see that in all the products I was a part of creating at StillSecure, for example. I also love to bring together market analysis, product plans, technology, customer needs, marketing efforts, and bring products to market that are not only financially successful, but also bring something new and unique to the industry. And, I also love to learn new things, write about topics I'm interested in, and help others through mentoring, teaching and leading. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur, I'd also consider myself a product and technology strategist.

So putting this nudge into action, to play on a bigger stage, I am joining the Network World blog . I'll have some posts up beginning in the next few days or so. I'm VERY excited about this. It fulfills some of my key goals and it's definitely playing on a bigger stage. I'll still be blogging here, on The Converging Network, and podcasting along with Alan, but my posts on each blog will be different, not duplicates. When I have the URL for the Network World blog, I'll post it up.

Onward to my goal of Playing on a Bigger Stage!

Comments

[Sam Van Ryder]

Congratulations, Mitchell! Good luck with your new journey!