I'm Back ...
It’s been too long. My apologies, let’s just say that there's been a lot going on at 'Chez Philpin'. As you might know, I have been in New Zealand for the last three years - and then earlier this year moved to Southern California. Changing continents, time zones and messing with the date line is easy on paper, but the practicalities of real life? A little trickier.
TL;DR : Apologies for my absence.
BUT, I've not been idle. I might not have been publishing a lot, but the cogs in the cranium have continued to crank and I thought I might use this relaunch to share a few thoughts that I have been noodling because - I’m back!
If you hit ‘play’, I Hope you didn’t find it too jarring. It’s an experimental piece from 1969 - the track always comes to me when I write ‘I’m Back’.
What Won't Be Changing
People First. After all, it is why you are here. So let’s not throw baby out with the bath water.
What Will Be Changing
I do tend to get long. That has to stop. So shorter.
Shorter might mean increased frequency.
My friend Derek leads the charge on the major criticism that goes something like;
Yes John. I agree - but what is the solution?
The criticism is valid, so I’ll try harder to show you a way through the jungle.
‘They’ - you know - the ‘experts’ - tell us that our writing should be personal and based on experience. The latter is easy. I don’t write fiction. I write about my experience and observations in the world of business. I have a knack for spotting trends and discovering the ‘ah buts’. It’s those ‘ah buts’ that have created a foundation for this newsletter.
BUT … what I haven't done so far is get to personal. Trust me - in my advisory work I am not shy in letting people know that their personal story and who they are is foundational to their pitch. But when it comes to myself … well ‘cobblers shoes’ is the expression that comes to mind.
So, I am going to try to get better at that. Don’t worry - I’m not going to get all gushy, ‘alternative energy’ and ‘heart strings’ on you. Not my style BUT some personal stories will add interesting and useful context and color to the broader ideas that I am sharing.
Finally …
Thank-you to the people that have been with me since the start. Who subscribed and stayed with me on the course of this journey. Thank-you to those readers that have not just subscribed, but also supported me through paid subscriptions. Your belief and support is even more impressive because you put your hands in your pocket to help support this little corner of the internet and reminds me that people - like you - do care. Finally thank-you to all the new subscribers that have joined recently, including a number of you from the Substack Network. I saw a small uptick after the recent ‘Notes’ release (wondering what that is - come and take a look1), but also from fellow writers out there who have read the newsletter and in turn are recommending this newsletter to their readers … thank-YOU!
Until the next time and in the meantime - if you want to help at no cost - why not share this newsletter with your friends.
Want to comment? Let’s have a conversation …
I think a future newsletter is needed just about the Notes and Chat functionality built into Substack … this is one of many tools that are becoming increasingly interesting in the newly emerging ‘post Twitter’ world.