It's a new day with new opportunities. Best wishes Leverage!

As the title implies, I am embarking on new and exciting things. Before describing what I'll be up to, I wanted to share a few things about my experience with Leverage Software.  

Nearly 8 years ago, I had an "ah-ha" moment that set me into action to launch Leverage Software. I wanted to create a better way for business people to develop and share relationships and information. I tapped my buddy Joe and after a couple of back-of-the-napkin sessions I convinced Joe to join me. With passion and enthusiasm, Leverage Software was launched.  

Among the most valuable and important outcomes from launching and growing Leverage are the relationships that I have built over the last 7 years. I am thrilled to have developed friendships with customers, partners, employees, analysts, vendors, investors and even competitors. These relationships will last a lifetime.  

I am honored to have worked closely with hundreds of companies to launch innovative communities. These customers share my vision as they embark on new ways to communicate with their customers, partners, employees, members, students and staff. They were and continue to be brave as they push the communication envelope.  

I am fortunate to have collaborated with so many great employees at Leverage over the last 7 years. The lean development team rocks, customers rave about client services, marketing is passionate and effective while sales has always found the perfect balance between extracting an order with confidence and conviction while making clients really happy as they deliver the value proposition with great respect, knowledge and enthusiasm.  

Among other responsibilities as founder and CEO of Leverage, I was responsible for vision and strategy. It is amazing to see something move from one’s never ending stream of thoughts  (I mean never ending - just ask Kate how many texts she received over the weekends) into action and client value through a team of smart and dedicated colleagues. As a leader, I am proud of the business that I created and we built and am excited for what the future holds for Leverage.  

The most important and valuable return on the investment that I made over the last 7 years are the lives that I have touched and have been touched by while at Leverage. I received a couple of incredibly heartfelt communications over the last couple of days. The most important of these was a "thank you" from one of my colleagues. She thanked me not only for mentoring her but also for empowering her and growing her confidence, which will have an everlasting impact.  This reward makes the last 7 years incredibly worthwhile.  

The next 7 years should be amazing for Leverage. The last 90 days have been the best in the history of the company. By every important business metric, Leverage performed better than ever. In addition to strong metrics, which shall remain confidential, Gartner recognized Leverage as a Visionary in the Social Software category. As a major shareholder, I am optimistic that Leverage will continue to thrive over the next several years. The passion, work ethic and intelligence of Leverage employees and customers will drive that success.  

So what am I up to? I am excited to work with a few companies on really exciting projects - pitching in where they need my help to make their businesses thrive. I will be working on strategy, vision, execution, partnerships, sales execution, and plain ole' just getting it done - I want to help companies ROCK! I will provide much more detail over the next week or so, and you can catch a glimpse here. I will also spend time advising companies and investing time on philanthropic passions.  

With enthusiasm, I thank all Leverage customers and partners - past and present; and wish them the best. To my former colleagues at Leverage, please take care of my baby and grow it into something even more valuable than it is today.  

I am excited for my upcoming projects and working with many of you as we develop deeper relationships with the end goal of building tremendous business value. If you believe that you can use my help, contact me here. Spend every day living your passions.  

Cheers,  

mike

Comments

[mike walsh]

Jared - thank you very much for the huge compliment - I really appreciate it! I will be sure to keep you posted. I'll be announcing a few things over the next 3-4 weeks.

mike

[Jared Goralnick]

Congratulations, Mike! That's really huge news and I'm glad you were able to not only navigate the ship disembark while everything was still smooth sailing. That's the harder thing to do and you've done it well. I'm sure this will be a chance to help more people to benefit from your all your ideas.

[mike walsh]

Thanks Venson - I really appreciate it! We will definitely connect in the near future!

mike

[mike walsh]

Kate - thank you very much for the kind words. It's been awesome to work together over the last 4 years. I have had the pleasure to watch you grow in sales skills, confidence and as a friend. I can't wait to work together, again.

[Kate Swanson]

Mike,
You have been a tremendous force over the past 7 years to the industry, the company and your employees. I look forward to continuing to admire the leadership I am confident you will bring to your future endeavors and to root for you in all your successes that lie ahead. Rock on, Mike.

~Kate

[Venson Kuchipudi]

Mike, best of luck! I know your next venture will be as exciting and fulfilling as Leverage was.

[Fonaz]

Can't wait to hear more.....

[Mike]

Thank you Leslie. I'll be in touch soon!
Mike

[mike walsh]

thank you Gene - I really appreciate that. I will look yo of for sure!
mike

[Leslie Forde]

Mike, wow, surprising news! I've enjoyed getting to know you and Leverages over the past few years. I look forward to hearing about your new gig and please keep in touch.

Best,
Leslie

[Eugene Breger]

Hey Mike -
congrats on getting Leverage to critical mass and leaving on a high note.
Best of success with your future endeavors.
Gene Breger
Chicago

[mike walsh]

Jeremiah, Jim, Rachel and Mark - thank you very much for the kind words - I really appreciate it! Each of you have been part of this "social" scene from the beginning. Your well wishes and compliments mean a lot to me.

thank you.
mike

[twitter.com/jowyang]

Wow Mike, I'm shocked to hear this news. Leverage has grown so much with your leadership, congratulations on all that you've done over the years. I look forward to hearing about your next gig.

[Jim Lundy]

Mike: Best of luck to you.

Jim Lundy
Gartner

[Rachel Happe]

Mike -

Not sure the context but I've really enjoyed getting to know you over the past 2+ year and have always thought you were doing great things at Leverage. Can't wait to see what you are up to next. Best wishes and congratulations on developing such a great company!

Rachel

[Mark Wallace]

Hey Mike:

Best of luck with your next chapter.

Mark Wallace
@mwallcomm