#emcelect

First and foremost I want to thank the EMCElect of 2014, I had a great year and learned quite a bit on utilizing social media for the greater good of the community. I’ve always had social profiles and dabbled with social media but this past year I truly learned the value and benefits of social media. It allowed me to meet, interact, and learn from the top experts in IT. I’ve developed new…

The Coolest Storage: EMC vFridge

If you went to EMCworld last year and watched Brian Gallagher’s keynote on Transforming Enterprise…

Dear Santa,

It's been a while since I sent you a letter.  As such, this one may be a doozy.  I won't take offense if you can't provide any or all of what I ask.  I feel I've been a pretty good boy this year (and the years since my last writing) so I'll give it a shot.

  My first ask is that you help my peers, friends, and other industry folks spend more time focusing on the merits of their solutions, and tone down the vitriol that is becoming more pervasive.  This past year I've seen the level of poor behavior, name-calling, lying, FUD spreading and outright lack of professionalism grow considerably.  I believe we all recognize that our industry is in a considerable amount of flux with Cloud, Software-Defined solutions for Networking and Storage, growth of open-source competition to the standard quo, and flash based technology.  These are emerging markets where the competition can be fierce and passions run high.  Talking with customers lead me to believe that current behaviors are doing more harm then good.  As a whole I see a growing divide between IT decision makers and the companies who are trying to make them their customers.

I'd like to see a more mature competition where the focus is on the merits of individual solutions.  Customers generally already know what's important to them.  Let them ask their questions and we answer fair and accurately.  I personally work hard to build trust with customers.  I do not talk bad about my competition.  I handle objections as honestly and concisely as possible.  So far I've come out on top in all but one occasion.  This is a repeatable process.  After all, just because we're sales professionals, doesn't mean we need to act like the stereotypical used car salesman.

  My second ask is that you take good care of those working hard to build our industry communities.  The folks at VMware, EMC, and Cisco have worked hard in 2013.  VMware's vExpert program continues to grow.  EMC Elect's program has picked up considerable traction.  Cisco has now stepped in with their newly developed Cisco Champions program.  The energy put into these programs help recognize those who make significant contributions for the industry, often on their own time and dime.  Please use whatever influence you have to help these fine organizers soften the hearts of their management and finance people to help these programs grow.  These programs help inspire more and more people in the industry to step a little out of their comfort zone to learn and share.  The reward of recognition is a powerful one and it's worth spreading.  I'd like to make sure that all of the VMUG organizers, both international and local chapter, get the inspiration and resources they need.  That program is near and dear to my heart, and well loved by the VMware community at large.

  My third ask is that you help those in 2014 who might be looking to change roles either within their own company, or to other companies.  2013 has been a very dynamic year with many high profile role changes.  I've also seen a high number of folks who have moved on to new and exciting roles due to their efforts I mentioned in my second ask.  Not sure exactly what you're able to do on this one, but I had to ask.

  Finally, I just want to share my biggest wish for these holidays.  I sincerely wish that everyone has a wonderful holiday with their friends and family.  We work very hard throughout the year.  We take our jobs and careers very seriously.  I hope that everyone travels safely, gets quality family time, and gets recharged for what is certain to be a tremendous 2014.

  Hopefully you also received letters from my wife and boys.  They've been good so I am sure you won't let them down. Thanks for all you do. 

  Sincerely yours,

Josh Atwell

  P.S.  Can you please send a lump of coal to the first person that says 2014 is the year of VDI.  I've been waiting for several years now and I really think we need to just accept that adoption is what it is. :)

As insightful a 45 minutes as one is likely to spend discussing the emerging space that is the software defined datacentre and, firstly disclosing myself as a card carrying member of the Chuck Hollis Appreciation Society, it is truly fascinating to listen to the insights of an industry veteran who, after having spent 18 years within the world's largest data storage company, has now made the decision to take the leap into a far more software centric organisation in VMware.

That said, without wishing too sound too Eddie Haskell on the point, Chuck is adept and quite the legend in recognising trends well before they happen and, more importantly, helping to shape them for the betterment of customers. My view is he's a force for good whatever the badge!