New job day 1: What Bob Picciano said

October 6 2008

(Forgive the date/time stamp...I inadvertently set the date of my Friday evening post to Monday...thus this time stamp is done only to make this entry chronologically later than the last one)

I'm in the Boston area today for the first day of my new job.  As I mentioned when announcing on Friday evening, the last few weeks have been pretty exciting as I competed for and was offered this new role.  The offer itself, though, came in an amazing and unexpected way.

At the Lotus Leadership Alliance (LoLA) event two weeks ago in Florida, Lotus brand General Manager Bob Picciano sent out a note to all the IBMers at the event, setting the tone for the coming three days.  He said, essentially, you are here to talk to customers and partners, not to each other.  I thought this was a powerful reminder of why we do face-to-face events with customers.  As such, on the first night there, I stood a mere five feet from Picciano at one point...but chose not to do the instinctive political thing and go over and introduce myself (as we had never met face to face).  I was talking with customers, after all, and it was interesting stuff.

On the second night of the event, I was sitting at dinner with Bob Balaban of Binary Tree.  Bob Picciano appeared at our table, and I quietly commented to Balaban that I had not yet met him.  Balaban said, oh, I've been with him twice today, do you want me to introduce you?  I figured this was within the bounds of our directive.  So, when Bob B introduced me to Bob P, Picciano immediately asked if we could speak privately for a moment.  I found this a bit surprising, I mean, hey, we just met!  

Within about a minute, it was clear what the personal conversation was about.  Bob Picciano was offering me the role of Director of End-User Messaging and Collaboration.  With no sucking up intended, this was a very classy move.  Picciano realized that the opportunity to make the offer face-to-face was fleeting, and in these days of a mobile, distributed workforce, somewhat rare.  As John Allesio, VP of Services for Lotus, said to me later, "You'll always remember this offer"...such a strong impact.

In the five minute conversation, Picciano outlined some specific goals he has for me around the role.  As music to my ears, he said he wants me to increase our competitive stance and have me focus more on that from a product perspective.  Recalling some of the efforts we've put into competitive messages in the last few years, I asked Bob for help -- saying that I will need him to "knock some heads around" to  get past some of the internal and external challenges we've had being competitive in the past.

Picciano's reply said all I needed to know: "When we're done, there won't be any heads left".

I still have those Lotus yellow boxing gloves hanging in my office.  I think I might be needing them more often.

Ed Brill | Cambridge, MA USA Category:  Lotus  Add/View Comments [33]

Post a Comment

  1. 1  Philip Storry http://www.not-so-rapid.com | 10/6/2008 6:37:56 AM

    That's one of the most encouraging things I've heard this year for Notes/Domino's future.

    To know you got higher up the chain is one thing. But to know you have full support above you - that's another thing entirely.

    Thank you for sharing this, Ed. :-)

  1. 2  Stuart McIntyre http://collaborationmatters.com | 10/6/2008 6:39:27 AM

    Exciting stuff Ed. Thanks for revealing this background - it does indeed say a lot about Bob P's style.

    I am looking forward to hearing more from Mr Picciano at Lotusphere.

  1. 3  Andrew Pollack http://www.thenorth.com/apblog | 10/6/2008 6:39:30 AM

    Fantastic story and great news.

    Interesting that you guys found face to face better than a sametime meeting, or some kind of second life gathering.

    :-)

  1. 4  Debbie Farley  | 10/6/2008 7:05:16 AM

    This is exciting news. It's also refreshing to know how Bob managed to have a face to face with you. I love Sametime meetings but there is just something about a face to face meeting that builds relationships.

    I am looking forward to the future of the Lotus brand and it is great to know you have his full support.

  1. 5  Michael Kobrowski  | 10/6/2008 7:37:10 AM

    Very exciting news, but what is even more amazing that Ed, first day in his new job is still blogging away.

    Thanks for taking us on this journey with you. Hope you can continue to do so!

    As pumped as Ed is, I wouldn't want to be his sparring partner..lol..

    Michael

  1. 6  Christopher Byrne http://www.controlscaddy.com/ | 10/6/2008 7:40:43 AM

    So does this mean you will be an opening session speaker at Lotusphere '09?:-)

  1. 7  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 10/6/2008 7:43:47 AM

    @6 no. The mid-level management team typically does not have a role in the OGS...the senior execs, yes, and the product people, yes. I'll enjoy watching from the audience, as usual :)

  1. 8  Christian Tillmanns  | 10/6/2008 7:49:07 AM

    ... and in the end there will be a professional end user marketing for Notes ... Oh, darn, I just woke up from a wonderfull dream ;-)

    All the best for you.

  1. 9  Giora Hadar  | 10/6/2008 7:49:57 AM

    Congratulations Ed. I hope to see you @Lotusphere.

  1. 10  Lewis Turek  | 10/6/2008 7:55:21 AM

    Kudos to Bob... (and you Ed!)

  1. 11  Keith Brooks http://www.vanessabrooks.com | 10/6/2008 7:57:02 AM

    Nice, and refreshing to hear.

    Some fight is looming large isn't it?

    Now if you only had the right people to help in that fight.

    Wait I hear Turtle was drafted.

  1. 12  Duffbert http://www.duffbert.com | 10/6/2008 8:18:45 AM

    I think I'm going to like this Bob guy... a lot!

    And I'm really liking that you're moving into this new role.

  1. 13  Christopher Byrne http://www.controlscaddy.com/ | 10/6/2008 8:30:48 AM

    @11 - Maybe we need to get some mavericks in there too...;-)

  1. 14  Jerry Carter http://datatribesoftwerks.com | 10/6/2008 8:40:43 AM

    Congrats, Ed. I was too short sighted to see it before, but now I can see your style and approach has an important role to play in the future of our beloved platform. I'm happy to be eating some crow at this moment concerning my past characterizations of you. Well done!

  1. 15  Bill http://www.billbuchan.com | 10/6/2008 9:58:36 AM

    Now this is *excellent news*. Remember to put that horseshoe in the boxing glove and dont worry about running out of heads - we can provide names...

    A competitive marketing strategy for Notes ? Finally!

    ---* Bill

  1. 16  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 10/6/2008 10:35:14 AM

    @14 Jerry, Thank you. This was one of the most meaningful comments I've received in the last 72 hours. You may not always agree with my approach (and you'd be far from alone), but I think the key to success is to always be ready to listen and be challenged. It's why I could never get into politics -- I freely admit that there are times to change one's mind and take a new position, and that I'm often influenced in this by what I hear and learn from customers, partners, analysts, and even competitors. So thank you.

    @15 sounds like I should have set expectations lower :-)

  1. 17  Volker Weber http://vowe.net | 10/6/2008 10:41:49 AM

    Ed, OGS has room for more than one celebrity speaker.

  1. 18  Jess Stratton http://www.momelettes.com | 10/6/2008 10:42:27 AM

    That is a great story. I think this is the beginning of a GREAT team, and it sounds like you and Bob P. have great chemistry. In the Lotus community, even since the days of the old Notes.net R4&5 forums, you are known as the guy who actually gets it done and makes things happen. I'm late to the party to say "congrats", but I'm so happy for you. You have already done so much for Lotus, now you are in a great position to do even more good things.

    Although end-users are MY bread and butter and my passion. So you will probably be hearing a lot from me. Sorry. :-)

  1. 19  Henry Ferlauto http://www.geniusinside.com | 10/6/2008 10:43:23 AM

    An absolutely awesome and most encouraging story.

    I take great comfort in the "talk to customers" comment.

  1. 20  Andy Pedisich http://www.andypedisich.com | 10/6/2008 10:50:30 AM

    That's great news all the way around. Bright people in place. Aggressive positioning. I like it when Notes isn't dead.

    Congratulations! You deserve it.

    - Andy

  1. 21  Alan Head  | 10/6/2008 11:22:04 AM

    I like the sound of Bob P, about time someone significant in the Lotus world went on the offensive.

  1. 22  Darren http://www.dadams.co.uk | 10/6/2008 11:31:05 AM

    @10 - Lewis, that's Mr Picciano to you ;o)

  1. 23  Paul Mooney http://www.pmooney.net | 10/6/2008 12:15:31 PM

    I also like the idea of an(other) offensive. But I more like the suggestion that there will be an internal offensive first. That impressed me. Im sure in a company as mammoth as IBM, the people that want to move quickly get pulled back. But, you are in a very quick moving industry, and if someone can strealine marketing, products and development, thats good news. Im sure the community will assist by supplying body bags to get things done! ;)

  1. 24  Brett Hershberger  | 10/6/2008 12:24:08 PM

    Dunno what this will say about me, but that story brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.

    It's like a dream come true Ed, not just happy for you, but happy for the Yellowverse...

    Good times ahead for us all, aside from the current financial mess...

  1. 25  Ben Poole http://benpoole.com | 10/6/2008 12:39:20 PM

    Good stuff -- fingers crossed this has more sticking power than the gloves 'n' rhetoric at LS06!

  1. 26  Sjef Bosman  | 10/6/2008 12:58:04 PM

    So it's Round 8, and "helpers" away ? :-)

    Congrats, Ed!

  1. 27  tonyo  | 10/6/2008 1:23:04 PM

    Ed

    Glad to see that you've given my current role at Microsoft some more career longevity :)

    thanks !

    tony

  1. 28  Alan Forbes http://www.ServerVitalSigns.com | 10/6/2008 1:29:40 PM

    Fantastic-- I am sure you'll have a profound influence!

  1. 29  Devin Olson http://www.devinolson.net | 10/6/2008 3:01:28 PM

    Pure Class Act.

  1. 30  Bob Balaban http://www.bobzblog.com | 10/6/2008 7:04:21 PM

    Wow! Hey, always happy to help out!

    Me and BobP, we're like.... well, Always happy to help out!

    :-)

    Actually, I think I said something like, "Bob, have you met the famous Ed Brill?" I was wondering why he whisked you away so fast....Glad it was for the right reason!

  1. 31  Joerg Baumann http://www.solvito.de | 10/7/2008 3:16:32 AM

    That´ really a great story and gives me some hope that there will be business for Lotus Partners in the future.

    Do you think about a Lotus Notes Client for End-Users ? Or a Lotus Client pre-installed on PCs and Notebooks ?

  1. 32  jimmy bracco http://www.lotus911.com | 10/7/2008 4:00:12 AM

    congrats! Ditto on Picciano....

    Lets make sure we dont go balls to the wall in the wrong direction all at once. an unplanned attack will go down in flames

  1. 33  Dick Taylor  | 10/24/2008 7:58:45 AM

    I look forward to the battle and hope to see IBM/Notes with a competitive edge in the not too distant future. MS supporters, watch this space!