Sean 4.0 — The Digital Transformation Pivot

As evidenced by my crickets chirping on Medium, I have not had a lot of use for the medium of “Medium”. So consider this an occasional listener, long-time “respecter”, first-time caller-type of Medium post.

Inspired by colleague (now Chief Digital Officer of New York City) Sree Srinivasan’s recent post about his need to do a career turn, I thought I would give Medium a whirl too.

Earlier this summer, Sree had suddenly found himself out of a job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and turned what could have been a private, perhaps ego-beating job search, into a very public and open mission to engage his connections genuinely and solicit invitations for what to do next. It eventually turned into his very plum new gig. His posts and activities were refreshingly honest and upbeat, and recognized the importance of the circle of helpful people around him. I like that.

My situation is a little different than Sree’s. I have not had the carpet pulled out from under me, nor have I come to some sudden revelation that I’d rather be doing something different. No, instead, I have had a long simmering passion that I need to be moving onto more fertile ground in how I deliver impact. The world is operating and now leaning on digital, I can’t miss that train. Subconsciously, my father dying last year may have sped up my urgency — sadly, an emotional reminder that windows in time, and in life, close quickly.

So I need to pivot now. Startups are celebrated for pivoting all the time, people should too. I’d love to take a page of Sree’s network outreach. First, the Sean 4.0 Mission.

“Lots of companies don’t succeed over time. What do they fundamentally do wrong? They usually miss the future.” Larry Page, CEO, Google.

I have been both gifted and cursed in my career by moving to the future next thing faster than the mainstream around me.

Sean 1.0 was about being a CMO/Brand Manager/Strategist at a number of iconic brands right as everything was being disrupted around them — globalization, internet & e-commerce, new media formats and the rise of brand storytelling and design. Innovating from inside these companies was both some of my most rewarding work and frustrating times.
Sean 2.o was getting my entrepreneurial spark — building a grassroots/word of mouth marketing firm to tap into the power of the crowd, influencers and communities right as Gladwell was talking about The Tipping Point and Zuckerberg was about to release a social media movement from the confines of his Harvard dorm room.
Sean 3.0 was moving onto Wikibrands, becoming the face of something bigger and turning a globally published book and keynote tour into a consultancy with the mission of getting deep customer engagement, collaboration and experiences at the executive table of companies.

Now Sean 4.0 represents a need to move on again in a new 5 year cycle. I am driven by the inevitable rush to “business and digital transformation” and the need for companies, governments and startups alike to capitalize on an exciting range or new technologies. The urge is too compelling. And sure, among my pioneering friends, the words “transformation” and “disruption” may now be considered “buzzwords” but the supporting trendwinds are strongly at transformation’s back. The statistical evidence between what we are now digitally vs. what we know we must become in the future is glaringly wide. This will be a surefire area of expansion over the next decade that will topple some companies, create others, redistribute wealth and create unimaginable experiences. I will not miss the future here, I must move there with it.

“Don’t start a company unless it’s an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it’s likely not an obsession.” Mark Cuban

For the last couple of years, I’ve looked at every angle of the digital transformation continuum. I’ve helped build a global digital accelerator for a youth not-for-profit. I have dove into the crowd economy headlong with research, networks and an international set of conferences, I worked as executive counsel for Canada’s leading incubator. And over the last year, I have spent day and night retooling and investing in myself within the core 10 areas and 90 sub-segments of what I am defining as digital transformation. I have had great discussions. more course corrections and the occasional cognitive dissonance. On the subject of digital transformation I am certify obsessed, and as ready as I’ll ever be.

“In a connected world, power shifts to those best able to connect” Dov Seidman.

I will freely admit I did many, many stupid things to build up my social networks in the early wild west days of Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. I valued connections, but did I invest in them? As business distracted me over the last 4 years, I have done the minimum to keep these networks afloat.

Behind this move to “digital transformation”, I need to reinvest in my networks, perhaps this time a little differently. Deeper, not wider. Partnered, not transactional. Together, not splintered. I am excited to develop more meaningful collaborations with a cadre of new people — people with the same values, complementary skills and similar ambitions. I hope you might be one of them (more on this at the bottom).

“The time to build your brand is always before you think you need it.”

I use this quote in my presentation “Building Your Personal Brand in a Snapchat Age.” Over the next few months, I will be noticeably upticking my investment in my personal and professional brands to make this pivot sing. I have actually remodelled my personal brand site, hopefully you’ll see a more representative example of who I am, what I do and where I am headed here (SeanMoffitt.com).

“There is no more B2C or B2B. It’s H2H, Human to Human.” Bryan Kramer

Things are afoot and I’ll likely announce my full professional plans in late September (after what we in Canada call the “good weather” season). I am conducting a survey and think piece on Digital Transformation (which I would love your input on here), considering a future book on two of my passions (sports and technology) and investing in my keynote speaking assets. In fact, my colleague Brandie McCallum has agreed to represent my speaking interests in this next chapter of Sean 4.0— you will love dealing with her. New speaking opportunities welcome!

SO NOW YOU KNOW EVERYTHING. LET’S TALK. AND HERE’S SOME THINGS TO ENTICE! If you hear of things I should think about with respect to Business or Digital Transformation (e.g. insightful reads, wise people, future clients, brain tickling events, speaking gigs) , give me a holler. If you want to invite me to anything, I am interested, including cups of espresso, craft beer and other small batch drinks on patios. Jog? Bike? Yoga? Paintball? Ping Pong? Play Catch? Or a quick Skype to catch up if you are out of town. I’m dedicating my next few Thursdays and Friday mornings to opening my calendar up to you.

And copying Sree, I made this little form you can use to tell me what to consider next — http://bit.ly/sean40dt . You can also use it to subscribe to my Futureproofing email newsletter and/or join Futureproofers — our global advisory of experts.

Because my future is predicated on the average of the passion, smarts, talents and values of the people I spend time with, I’d love to improve it with you.