It was a tough week for blogging.  A perfect storm of business and personal schedule challenges conspired to keep me from spending quality time on the blog.  OK, and the fact that I have been holding steady at 99 posts for a few days, and somehow it seemed like I needed to create something truly remarkable for the milestone, 100th post.  I'm over the "need for remarkable" part, but thought I would take a few minutes this Saturday morning to reflect back on what I've learned in this half year of blogging about all things management, leadership, strategy and project and product management.
 

  • Back a million years ago in the Fall of 2007, I recall being uncertain about whether blogging was right for me, whether it would help me in my business and whether anyone would care what I had to say.  I'm now a zealot, and my friends and associates are likely sick of me raving about what an incredible experience this is personally and professionally. I enjoy and am benefiting from blogging so much, I am starting to incorporate this message into speaking engagements
  • Blogging imposes a discipline that requires that I immerse myself in my subject matter and not only think about it, but put something down on the metaphorical paper.  Call me crazy, but I truly love the business world, love learning about and meeting people and companies engaged in innovative, great practices, and I love writing and talking about these topics. 
  • I am constantly reminded through the comments to my posts and the many e-mails and LinkedIn invites that I've received that there are some remarkably smart people in the world that share a passion for excellence in management with me.  The cross-border dialog has been tremendously rewarding for me.  Thanks to all that reached out.
  • I continue to be surprised the way some posts resonate and spread through the blogosphere and others that I thought would do the same just languish.  Of the 100 posts, the winner by far for page views was: Values Based Leadership: More of What I Learned At Matsushita.  The popularity of this post gave me a true insight to how powerful blogging can be for spreading ideas.


Looking Forward: The Next 100 Posts:

I am a goal-driven person, and I have several that I have honed in on for the next hundred or so posts.  

  • I know that my posts are too long.  Everyone is busy, and the best posts for me are the ones that get across compelling points efficiently.  It is my goal to reduce the average word count of a post from 750 to 500.  I'm working on it.  Bear with me.  I'm starting right after this post, I promise!
  • Somewhere between now and post number 200, I have a goal to announce and begin my next book.  The experience writing Practical Lessons in Leadership with Rich Petro was tremendous and I want to keep writing and publishing.  Given enough time, there are a few books in me that I will bring forth.
  • I struggled with the comment issue on blog posts during the first 100.  I've not been certain whether I should comment on people's comments or just let the conversation run, minus the author sticking his nose back in.  I love the comments, even those that disagree, and I learn from them.  I feel compelled to do a better job acknowledging and engaging with those of you that add your thoughts, so look for more of that.
  • Less preaching…more idea generation.  Many of my first 100 are soapbox posts, with me decrying lousy practices and preaching best practices.  Some of that cannot be helped, but I also want to spend more time talking and writing about the practices of others and offering ideas versus preaching. 
  • Continue to learn how to be a good citizen of the blogosphere.  I will do a better job referencing other great content that is published on a daily basis. 
  • It is my goal to grow this blog into a leading resource for thoughts, ideas and best practices on all things management.  That goal alone drives my desire to improve and to strengthen my ability to put out useful, practical content to help solve the vexing problems that we all face in managing and leading. 

OK, I've already exceeded my targeted word count.  Thanks again to all that joined and hung in there with me through the first 100.  I'm looking forward to doing a better job with this next round and as always, your ideas, input and constructive suggestions are fuel for improvement.

Best to all!  -Art