This Is Not a Test

My posting here has slowed down of late because we’re in the very intense peer review period that leads up to Catalyst every year. As our analysts and consultants prepare their presentations for the conference, they have to give that presentation to internal reviewers. Twice. The first time, the presentation is typically thrashed pretty hard. The second time around is typically more about fine tuning after having received a lot of great feedback.

I’m always amazed and engergized by this process. We have some very smart people here, and when they get together to review these presentations, intense debates over hard issues ensue. It’s a significant forcing function for us internally, making both our people and our content a lot sharper. We always figure out ways to say things more clearly, to uncover the problems that stymie progress. It’s an intense (and sometimes painful) thing, but always valuable, both for us and our customers. My postings will pick up again after this process winds down over the next couple of weeks. (Ah, but then our efforts begin to help our external speakers shape their presentations . . . )