Today was my last day as CEO of ClearPlay. For many reasons it was time to leave, including my general career wanderlust--I usually get bored doing anything after about a year, and it has been over six years in the same job. So I turned the reins over to Matt and Lee and today I informed the troops. They were surprised but I didn't leave much time for sentimentality, as I made the announcement, spoke my peace, made the rounds shaking hands and saying thanks and then walked out the door. I will continue to serve on the board of directors and will help with business development relationships I have cultivated over the years, but I have cleaned out my office and am officially moving on.
So new vistas. I am going to start working with Keith McFarland (www.mcfarlandstrategy.com), conducting three-day strategic planning sessions with mid-sized companies (typically sales between $20 - $500 million). I attended a session last week and really enjoyed it. I like and respect Keith and think his method is much more relevant for today's business than traditional strategic planning, which is slow, cumbersome and elitist. Keith has a book coming out in January and has been quite tied up with its release, so unfortunately my gigs won't start until March. So in the meantime I will prepare myself plus look for some short-term consulting projects.
It means a little more travel than I am used to, but also a lot more days off. If all works out as planned, it will be a nice lifestyle and give me time to develop a few other ideas as well. If it doesn't work out, I will sell pencils on the sidewalk, or perhaps buy a monkey and teach it to dance to my accordion (which I will also have to buy, and then learn to play).
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