Well, it’s been an interesting week! I spent Monday - my first day as Dell’s new VP of Global Marketing & Communications, at the launch of a new family of storage products targeted at the SMB market.
As LogLogic motors into its next phase of growth I made an incredibly tough call to move on to a new opportunity that will enable me and my family to better accommodate our own growth. This wasn’t an easy decision. LogLogic is an incredible success story and keeps going from strength to strength. I’ll be staying on as an advisor and passionate shareholder. They might even let me blog from time-to-time.
Log Management has really come into its own over the past two years and many folks deserve recognition for being part of an incredible journey. Chris, Dominique and a simply brilliant marketing team. The gang at LP&P, Page One and The PR Network for keeping the drum-beat going. Brilliant channel partners who put us on the map in Japan, Australia & NZ. Super smart VCs – especially the crew at Worldview and Sequoia who are more than just money. And, a host of very smart advisors who helped us to better understand log management and meet the needs of customers: all the crew at SANS; James at Redmonk, Mike at Security Incite, Jon at ESG, Nick at The 451; and Mark, Paul & French over at Gartner. If you are in the security or compliance business and not using these people, you are nuts. And a ton of other folks including the team at RD2.
And to whoever wrote log management requirements into the PCI Compliance mandates, I just love you man!
So why Dell? First, the more time I spent with Michael and Mark, the clearer it became that Dell’s transformation is well underway and the more the opportunity became self-evident – work at a great company with brilliant communicators & marketers across global markets; and, continue to build one of the Industry’s hottest brands.
Some other things excited me about the opportunity. Communications is being transformed as a profession and practice – we’re entering a new era in which content, conversations and community are becoming defining forces. As they do, transparency, evidence and corporate journalism really matter. Technology enables us to directly engage our audiences and deliver an unfiltered view – in return we get critical conversations and feedback. I will be able to combine my passion for social media and marketing with that I have for communications on a massive playing field.
And, I’ve always held a soft spot for Dell. I spent time imbedded inside Dell Europe and then consulting to Dell in the US and around the world. It’s going to be fun back in Austin.
So what of Group Lark and my other interests. I don’t plan to miss a beat. The team at Group Lark will keep motoring along. And I’m as passionate as ever about my involvement with No.8 Ventures – New Zealand’s leading technology VC firm; my board position with Endace – perhaps New Zealand’s first crack at building our own Nokia; and my role in assisting with NZ start-ups and entrepreneurs through NZTE’s Beachhead program.
Some other questions I got over the past week. Will I stop or reduce my blogging? Never. In fact, I’m launching a new blog, The Daily Lark, next week with the help of the team at Marker. And, I look forward to participating in Dell’s blogging efforts. Are we moving to Austin? Yes, with great trepidation – we love Los Gatos. Who will win the Rugby World Cup? The All Blacks! Sorry, couldn’t resist that last one.
Thanks to all our friends who were great sounding boards as we made this tough decision! Jenny, Michele, Mark, Mark, Marge, Jay, Ben, Alex, Jon, Rod, Glenn… and the rest of you. Thanks! Beer in Austin next month. And, there’s always going to be room at our bigger, Texas-sized house!