Why I'm leaving IBM and my next move...

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me…

This is a momentous week and not just because I have the privilege of being the main chair of People Analytics World for the fourth consecutive year. This is also my first week since leaving IBM and deciding to go solo, with today marking the official launch of my personal website – davidrgreen.com.

Since updating my LinkedIn profile last week, I’ve been humbled by the kind words of support and encouragement I’ve received. I am truly grateful.

So, why am I leaving IBM and what am I going to do next?

IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME

The first thing to stress is I am not leaving because of IBM. It remains one of the world’s most iconic and innovative companies. I have enjoyed my time at IBM. I’ve learnt a lot and relished the opportunity to work with so many passionate, dedicated and super-smart colleagues.

As a company, IBM is one of the pioneers in data-driven HR and people analytics. It is also leading the way with regards to co-creating the employee experience as this recent HBR interview with CHRO Diane Gherson testifies.

Most importantly, I feel privileged to have worked alongside Sheri Feinzig, Nigel Guenole, Louise Raisbeck and Haiyan Zhang in the IBM Smarter Workforce Institute. This team creates some of the most innovative, thought-provoking and advanced research on HR, people analytics and the future of work, and I am proud to have contributed to two recent studies on HR Analytics Readiness and Ethics in People Analytics. I will continue to recommend and share the excellent work the Institute publishes.

SO, WHY LEAVE?

IBM is renowned for its ability to reinvent itself - as indeed the company is doing right now under the stewardship of Ginni Rometty. Now is the time for me to take the cue, make the change and become the master of my own destiny. It’s exciting as it is daunting, but I believe that by spreading my wings and leaving the nest, I can have more impact in helping the continued growth of people analytics and the subsequent evolution and digitisation of the HR function. We simply must make our workplaces more humane. By using data and analytics to improve and personalise the employee experience, help leaders make better decisions and consequently increase the impact of HR, we can help make work healthier and more productive.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Today marks the official launch of my new company, Zandel, and my personal website, davidrgreen.com. It’s already been an invigorating and enjoyable journey to get to what is very much a v1.0 of the site.

The site outlines my three main activities moving forward as I transition to becoming a fully paid-up member of what many call the ‘gig economy’. The site also provides a central repository for future and past speaking engagements, content including articles, videos and podcasts and also houses my new blog.

My three key services will be:

SPEAKING

I am fortunate to be regularly invited to speak at and chair industry events on people analytics, digital HR and the future of work. My upcoming schedule before the end of June will see me travel to Budapest, Las Vegas, St Petersburg and Toronto – more details can be found here.

CONSULTING

I feel privileged to have helped inform and support a number of organisations in embarking upon and progressing their people analytics and digital HR journeys. Services include helping with strategy, training and communication. 

ADVISORY

I am also available for board advisory and Non-Executive Director roles in the people analytics, HR tech and digital HR spaces. My first advisory appointments, which I am hugely excited about, will be announced in the coming weeks.

***UPDATE*** (25 APRIL)

My first two advisory appointments have now been announced:

• INSIGHT222 - Board Advisor and Non-Executive Director - see here or click on the image below

• TRUSTSPHERE - Board Advisor - see here or click on the image below

I’ll be stepping up the writing too. If you’d like to keep up to date with my articles and newsletters as they are published, please sign-up here.

THANK YOU

Finally, I’d like to thank those of you that have supported me in my journey thus far whether you are friends, colleagues, ex-colleagues, part of my valued network and/or followers on social media. Your collective support, encouragement and kindness have helped imbue me with the confidence required to make this significant career step. I am truly grateful.

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me... and I’m feeling good!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David is a globally recognised and respected influencer, speaker and writer on people analytics, data-driven HR and the future of work. He has spoken at and/or chaired conferences in 25+ cities around the globe over the last 18 months including Sydney, London, Paris, Singapore, New York, San Francisco, Moscow, Las Vegas, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Lisbon and Berlin. Additionally, David works closely with people analytics and senior HR leaders throughout the world. In combination, this imbues David with a unique perspective and insight into what's working, what's not, and what's forthcoming in the field of people analytics.

David is chairing, speaking and/or attending the following conferences between now and the end of June 2018. If you are going to one of these conferences and would like to meet up with David or you would like to book him to speak at a conference, please contact David via LinkedIn or by email on [email protected]:

• People Analytics World, London (11-12 Apr)
• HR & People Analytics Forum, Budapest (17-18 Apr)
• UNLEASH America, Las Vegas (14-15 May)
• Big Business Fun Festival, St Petersburg (8 June)
• HR Tech Summit, Toronto (26-27 June)

Connect with David via his website, on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter and Slideshare as well as reading his blogs here on LinkedIn Pulse, his personal blog and also on UNLEASH and ERE.