Humbled and Elated

I'm both humbled and elated at the two posts from people I consider peers and colleagues, as well as friends that popped up yesterday.

First was Lee Dryburgh's heartfelt commentary on the efforts of my team at Comunicano and my own contribution to eComm. To put matters into perspective, I offered to help because it needed to be done. Like many I was disappointed when eTel was shelved by O'Reilly for reasons unknown, but likely for good reason internally. Let's face it. at the end of the day, despite all the trappings that exist around O'Reilly's amazing empire, they are out to make a buck. They only have so many resources and have to allocate properly. While there's never a good time to cut the cord or drop a program, at least they gave enough notice for someone to pick up the ball so let's not all hang Tim and his team. Instead lets recognize that they had the foresight to start something and then passed the baton to someone who took what was established and moved it forward.

That someone was Lee Dryburgh. After chats with him, Surj Patel (now of GigaOm) and with Martin Geddes, two of the brighter minds in the industry, I knew that Lee needed support that wasn't in the budget to make eComm more visible. You see eTel was everything I had suggested to other event organizers for me and many others. It was social, technical and mentally engaging. It wasn't hype, nor was it about a trade show. I for one think trade shows are passe, and have been saying for three years to insiders that the model has to change, as is the model around conferences.

To me, the 2007 eTel and then six months later, Office 2.0, both proved my theories out. Change was in the wind. eComm ratified it in my mind as the audience was more "connected" to the presenters, other than a few self appointed "stars" rushing in and rushing out around their presentations.

Then just before I went to sleep in Philadelphia after a late room service dinner I was rewarded and heart warmed again when Jim Courtney pinged me to draw some attention to his latest post.

I learned a long time ago that the more you give, the more you get. I'm happy that my business is allowing me to give so others get more also. Thanks Lee and Jim for the opportunity to serve you both and others in a myriad of ways.

Update: Luca also humbles me. Thanks.