Go to any party, networking event or social setting and inevitably someone is going to ask you “So, what is it that you do?”’ It’s such an easy way to quickly learn about someone and spark a conversation. In other cultures, like Spain, it’s more likely someone will ask you about your family than what you do. I chalk it up to our entrepreneurial spirit and the whole American Dream thing.

Go to any party, networking event or social setting and inevitably someone is going to ask you “So, what is it that you do?”’ It’s such an easy way to quickly learn about someone and spark a conversation. In other cultures, like Spain, it’s more likely someone will ask you about your family than what you do. I chalk it up to our entrepreneurial spirit and the whole American Dream thing.

If you’ve read the first chapter of any marketing book published in the last 20 years you probably have your finely honed 20 second Elevator Pitch ready to roll off your tongue.

Or you could be like me and feel your palms get clammy, your heart race as you know you’re going to get that blank stare and polite head nod as the person you’re talking to has no idea what you’re talking about.

Welcome to the world of being a “Technology Consultant”. There’s not even a good word for it. An economist is an expert in economics who may write and advise on economic policy, so shouldn’t an expert who understands and advises how to best use technology be a “Technologist”?

That term is frequently used in the science and healthcare fields. People understand terms like “Software Developer” or “Network Engineer”. It’s even worse when you present yourself as a Social Media Advisor to someone who barely understands what Social Media even is!

What I actually do as a Technology Consultant is research the latest trends and find ways to apply them to real-world situations. I always say I focus on technology so the people I work with can focus on their business. It is one of my passions, my hobbies and there’s nothing better when someone says to me “Oh, now I get it!”

Hopefully this post has made a little more sense out of what I do, but if we ever meet at a party, please just ask me about my family instead!
If you’ve read the first chapter of any marketing book published in the last 20 years you probably have your finely honed 20 second Elevator Pitch ready to roll off your tongue.

Or you could be like me and feel your palms get clammy, your heart race as you know you’re going to get that blank stare and polite head nod as the person you’re talking to has no idea what you’re talking about.

Welcome to the world of being a “Technology Consultant”. There’s not even a good word for it. An economist is an expert in economics who may write and advise on economic policy, so shouldn’t an expert who understands and advises how to best use technology be a “Technologist”?

That term is frequently used in the science and healthcare fields. People understand terms like “Software Developer” or “Network Engineer”. It’s even worse when you present yourself as a Social Media Advisor to someone who barely understands what Social Media even is!

What I actually do as a Technology Consultant is research the latest trends and find ways to apply them to real-world situations. I always say I focus on technology so the people I work with can focus on their business. It is one of my passions, my hobbies and there’s nothing better when someone says to me “Oh, now I get it!”

Hopefully this post has made a little more sense out of what I do, but if we ever meet at a party, please just ask me about my family instead!