I have spent most of my adult life consulting companies on issues connected with communications. This stopped about five years ago when Naked Conversations came out.
Instead of being the guy in the back of the room, I was suddenly onstage, being interviewed and enjoying a level of credibility that you just can't get when you are a communications consultant.
But on the fame-fortune continuum, I have done far better in becoming known than becoming wealthy. For the past few weeks, while recovering from heart bypass surgery, I've had the chance to think about this.
My wife has been wonderful in supporting me as I've bopped all over North America, Europe and occasionally to Asia as an author-speaker. But if the surgery had not been as remarkably successful as it was, Paula would not be left sufficiently well-provided for and that is unfair to her.
More than that, I miss working with companies. I miss being in the backroom and helping to figure out how social media and communications can help customers, partners and companies get closer together, build better products and cut silly marketing costs.
Effective immediately, I am going back to consulting. I am tabling book-writing for a while and reducing the number of speaking engagements that I accept.
I've just started telling people I know about it this week, so my specific services are a work-in-progress, these are the areas I'm offering for now:
- Explaining social media to senior management and working on strategy.
- Mentoring mid-level and coaching on tactics.
- Running workshops
- Writing
- Integrating traditional and social communications programs.
- Serving as a social media "voice" for a large company in an ongoing capacity. Long term this may be my top preference.
This list is subject to expand whenever a good idea comes my way.
Please keep me in mind if anything suitable comes up. Email works fine.
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"But if the surgery had not been as remarkably successful as it was, Paula would not be left sufficiently well-provided for and that is unfair to her."
That. That is why you have fans.
I'm an internal communications practitioner and, over the years, I've so enjoyed your thoughtful insights and your work, including Twitterville. That said, I completely understand your shift in focus. While I'll miss your writings, I wish you continued success as you refresh your professional direction.
Congratulations Shel!
Life changes are hard to make -- even good ones. Congratulations to you for making one that you believe in. Here's to your continued health and success. Your writing has helped us all.
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