The Big Revelation

My summer project developing a book for the CEO of Software AG gave me a glimpse at innovation at 30 of the largest  brands in the world in 15 industries and 10 countries. Truly invigorating - and revealing in that very little of what they are doing will likely show up in analyst reports or tech media, and then not for a few years. And probably never on Twitter.  These are not cool social or  mobile apps, but complex, multi-technology initiatives that I call systems of (competitive) advantage. 

I have always tried to balance my time between customers, large vendors, startups, tech investors and analyst/bloggers. My summer experience has convinced me to increase the time I spend with customers. I am ramping up consulting time with customers. And with conference season starting up in a couple of weeks (Workday, Oracle, Salesforce among others) , hoping to reach out to more customers at these events.

And to spend less time on Twitter. Seriously, few of these customers spend time there and even fewer have interest in sharing their innovations there. You have to make time for them in one on one calls and visits.  It's worth the investment.