The more than thousand points of influence

I have been invited to a session where a multinational rethinks the mission and next moves for its technology innovation team. They are conducting such sessions around the world and inviting small teams of outsiders to help them in their rethinking process. What struck me was in the list of  invitees there are boutique strategy consultants, authors, academics and several peers from other respected user companies. Very few (if any) from the industry analysts or lists of prominent bloggers or those with a zillion Twitter followers. It reminded me of a post I wrote in 2007 about the thousand points of influence.

In analyzing the KPMG acquisition of Equaterra, Phil Fersht talks about PwC, Deloitte, Kearney as also influential in the outsourcing advisory world.  More influencers.

Phil’s own firm, Ray Wang’s new firm, and Altimeter  are other examples of the changing world of influencers.

In the post in 2007 I wrote

We all have our roles to play - but put yourself on the grid of 1000 and see what steps, decision makers, and influence impact you have on a technology buying decision. I do it all the time on transactions I help with. It is a humbling experience to see how little I individually - and for that matter all other influencers and advisors - have in the decision.

Even more true today.