I didn’t jump at the chance to become editor-in-chief of end-user focused TechDecisions in addition to Commercial Integrator when my bosses came to me with the idea.
I’m a writer and an editor. Anybody who does what I do can relate to how fortunate I feel to have gotten the opportunity to be the editor-in-chief of a publication like CI.
That didn’t come easily.
I had titles like intern, reporter, assistant editor, copy writer, web writer, managing editor and senior writer before getting a chance to lead a publication.
I simultaneously got the chance to help launch a brand when CI entered a crowded field of quality competitors in January 2011. I’m proud that CI has found its place, established its unique identify and resonated with readers.
I don’t take any of this for granted.
My hesitancy about leading TechDecisions related to CI and my concentration on serving and providing resources for the commercial integration community. I don’t want that focus to waver. I don’t want the thing that I’m so motivated to nurture to suffer as I simultaneously chase another thing.
Then I thought about how those two things are connected.
The print and web publication CI serves the commercial integration community, particularly integrators and consultants. TechDecisions serves their customers and prospective clients in the enterprise market though CorporateTechDecisions; in education markets through HigherEdTechDecisions and K-12TechDecisions; and in the house of worship (HOW) market through WorshipTechDecisions.
We (CI readers and I) have an opportunity to more directly educate and engage these audiences of technology purchasing decision makers including CIOs, IT directors, facility managers and more.
We can provide those prospective clients with content that helps them understand what integrators provide and that explores your most eye-opening solutions that you’ve provided in their respective markets.
We can better understand what TechDecisions readers are up against and learn how the integration community can be partners in overcoming those challenges.
You have an opportunity to leverage your relationship with CI and establish thought-leadership with prospective customers in target verticals—K-12, higher education, corporate or HOW.
If your firm recently completed a project that you feel provides lessons for tech decision makers, tell me about it. I’ll connect you with the TechDecisions editor entirely focused on cultivating content for that market.
If you want to write market-specific columns about technology trends and solutions, tell me. Providing integrators and consultants with an opportunity to have a conversation with their prospective customers, to establish thought-leadership and to improve their ability to solve client’s problems, well, that’s exactly what TechDecisions is meant to do.
My new role as editor-in-chief of TechDecisions doesn’t detract from what CI and its great editorial staff can do for integrators. On the contrary, it greatly enhances it.
We need your help though.
Let’s jump at this chance together.
