Pretty stupid thing to say on my first week on the new job?

I spoke to Brain Oberkirch at 6am yesterday morning, and I’ve been up for a few hours doing research (it’s 5am now). For those who know me, (including the CTO of Hitachi Data Systems) they often wonder why I don’t sleep. It’s my passion for web, (yes, I’m drug free) and it’s always available for me to interact with.

I’m going to be Irrelevant
I told Brian that in my current role as a member of a team helping companies to understand, deploy, and measure Social Media, that I’m irrelevant probably starting at the end of 2007. I, and other social media experts, have a short window of time for us to be experts. Companies will figure it out on their own, PR firms, Marketing firms and the like will also develop strategies and then bottle it up for sale. Individuals inside of companies will learn the tools, and figure out how to deploy. Social media is easy to learn as it’s all out there on the web, the best secrets, tips, and mistakes.

As I understand it, the same thing happened during mid-late 90s (I was an avid internet users during college then). Chris Heuer was one of those who was and early adopter and told me stories of how companies needed to learn this new toolset of hyperlinked pages. Those skill sets eventually moved in-house and formal web development and management teams have developed. (see Jesse James Garretts’s model)

I’m not Worried
I, Brian Oberkirch, Citizen Agency, Shel Israel, FIR, Social Media Club, Blue Whale Labs, Edelman (and everyone else), must learn, morph and grow into the next set of tools. I’ve taken a bigger risk jumping to the front of the curve, a few years ago, I was a little bit farther on the curve. Now, I’ll be always staying in the uncomfort zone, and that’s ok with me.

Web and Media Strategy for Podtech
Heh, I love the strategic analysis that Brian has given to this, A big thank you to Brian for this supporting post! he sees why John Furrier asked me to join Podtech as it evolves from delivering radio on new tools, but looking at the bigger picture needed for future of information delivery and how people connecting.

Keep on pushing, stay ahead.

Related thoughts during this transition:

• Overcoming my ‘Corporatitus’
• Changing my information mix, feeds, no more Instant Messaging
• I’m amused you’re amused
• I still remember the lessons at Exodus