In September this year, after 10 and a half years at Microsoft UK, I took a step out of corporate life into the world of self employment. The current trending term is ‘solopreneur’. I still love technology, marketing, and Microsoft – but some mid-life introspection helped me take personal responsibility for building an environment that will better allow me to thrive. I wanted to do more of what I love.
Some sceptics asked why, as a technology marketer, would I walk away from a job working for a top brand with budget and resource to drive marketing campaigns for innovative technology? It comes down to values and passion. Some great coaching helped me identify my core motivators while also challenging me to think about what a ‘great’ day at work felt like. We do our best work when we do what we love best – and I decided I wanted to focus my time and energy on doing my best work!
With 22 years’ experience in the Technology sector working with and for some of the most significant brands in the industry, I’ve had countless conversations with organisations who have lost track of the real point of value they deliver to improve their customers’ business. If the CEO, CIO and CMO can’t agree on a single true point of differentiation – what hope is there for the sales executive, support engineer or call centre agent? Helping organisations (of any size) strip away the layers of politics, process and legacy to help address a core marketing project has always been the challenge I relish.
So today I’m introducing Zebra Perspectives. As a technology marketing strategy consultant I want to spend my time helping organisations tackle tough marketing projects. Unlocking a clear value add and ingraining that clear message into every aspect of the organisation. Helping build a channel programme that not only scales revenue, but maximises their vendor relationships.
Zebra Perspectives focuses on helping address those critical strategic marketing challenges that internal teams may not have the bandwidth to address. I know it will be an eventful journey. I know it’s never going to be as simple as the cute quote memes lead us to believe. Unlike Confucius I know it will take lots and lots of work. I hope you will follow me as I share more of my learnings – and Perspectives.