I am forever grateful to Jill Konrath, Dave Stein, and Jeffrey Gitomer for endorsing my first book (Branding Doesn’t Work in B2B). As a lone, unknown voice, positing some counter-market views much to the irritation of the conventional wisdom posse, their affirmation has gone a long way to buoying me as I continue on the path less followed.
In 2017 when I started on my model - and this book - in earnest, I was lucky to have a stellar boss (now a dear friend), who believed in my crazy theories enough to support piloting the work while he was CEO at SIG in Amsterdam. Taking obstacles out of my way at every step, Erik Oltmans was a great partner and an ideal CEO for a CMO. During this timeframe, writer extraordinaire Tim Walker, was key to an early framing of this book. Even though I had to walk away from it for a couple of years, I was grateful to have Tim’s notes when I picked it up again this go-round.
I am indebted to my entire community, who help sharpen my saw every day, largely via twitter, but I am especially thankful to three thought partners who collaborate with and challenge me in all the best ways: Marshall Kirkpatrick, Dion Hinchcliff, and Jane Morrin. I can’t even begin to quantify the value of their willingness to knowledge-share. They are amazing.
Many thanks to my brilliant colleagues who participated in my Moats and Drawbridges study earlier this summer. The study was anonymized or I’d thank them by name. It’s a privilege to know them and they make me smarter every day.
Community continues to be such a powerful stream of value into my life. And of course I discovered my exceptional editor via my exceptional network. Lindsay Bell has been a delight to work with. I do not enjoy writing and I’m sure it would have taken me another year to complete this book if it wasn’t for her. Keen insights, great suggestions, gentle pressure, and hilarious - Lindsay makes me almost think I could write another book.
Finally, deep thanks to my daughters, who are supportive and inspirational beyond measure.
-- Maureen Blandford