2006 Retrospective Perspective - 10 Noteworthy Accomplishments

In my relatively brief tenure thus far at Elastic Path (as Marketing Coordinator since April 24), I’ve already seen big steps forward - the core software application continues to mature, the market awareness of the company is increasing, customer site deployments are coming rapidly, … Ahh, I’ll just make a list (since everyone else is at this time of year).

Of course, each EP-er’s list would be *very* different than my perspective - perhaps someone may feel strongly enough to comment and lambaste me for my odd choices … but anyhow, here are … {drumroll}

TEN NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS for 2006
~ in no particular order ~

Saying hello to the market - Exhibited at two trade shows (Internet Retailer in Chicago and eTail Midmarket in San Fran) - no big deal to some companies who exhibit constantly but this was new outreach for us - also podcasted, vidcasted and blogged about the events, made friends and gathered free pens

Four and Five out the door - Version 4.1 went out shortly after my arrival, indeed many of my first tasks were preparing a data sheet and brochure for 4 which is now replaced by (!) V.5. FIVE features dozens of retail-savvy features (which I’ve recently documented in a feature walk-through presentation) andwill soon be augmented by the super AJAX’ed One Page checkout tool

Holidays done right - Throughout the year, the company springs for lunches and parties but the holiday shindig was the most deluxe - held at a hip Asian-fusion restaurant with prizes, contests - but even better than the after-hours egg nog was seeing the staff bring in loads of food, clothes and toys to sponsor a needy family during this wild weather holiday in Vancouver

Growing on up - Since I came aboard, the staff count has increased constantly with an international group of talented developers, project managers and system architects who also double as a kundalini yoga club, lunchtime kung-fu movie watchers, world cup football fanatics, die-hard hockey fans, bike riders, marathon runners, and Cypress skiers - with more spaces to fill (need a job?)

Customers abounding - As you likely know, I really enjoy seeing the EP-powered site launches from all over the world - exciting to see how they’ve tweaked and customized the application and utilized the features - best is seeing the customers experiencing success (heh, just the way we planned it!)

Professionally serving - The Professional Services department has evolved into an in-house innovation machine and model of teamwork - in a bustling “secret lair” workshop, numerous projects are simultaneously evolving into custom solutions with unique needs - I visit the wise geeks down there to soak in their energy and let them beat me at pool

Geeking out - This year saw forays into the greater developer community and outreaching to the open source minded folks - a crew went to a Java powwow in Redmond, I attended the (in)famous Gnomedex in Seattle, Jason presented at BarCamp Vancouver, and so on …

International man of entrepreneurship - EP’s energetic and wise CEO Harry has flown hither/thither all over the world meeting customers, prospects, system integrators and partners with big exciting plans on the way as a result - though I am convinced I should represent the company in Prague next time

In the news … - This year also saw increased media relations and resultant publicity - as marketing folks, along with our PR firm, we send out press releases to boost awareness but, unless the the release has something to say, no one will publish it, since magazines are picking the info up, we must be on the right track

Number 10? That’s up to you, comment away!