The Shep Report Returns

I essentially spent my 20s growing up at Microsoft. It was an experience as formative for me as moving from the UK to the USA. In the early 2000’s I was a Product Manager at MSN. We had an enormous audience by virtue of Internet Explorer defaulting to msn.com. But compared to the behemoth business units of Windows and Office we weren’t taken anywhere near as seriously. As someone on the inside who felt that the Internet was undoubtedly the future, it was incredibly frustrating. Every day brought a new start-up, new business approach, or tech innovation that I felt we should also be experimenting with.

Eventually, my friends and colleagues, weary of my random midnight emails on some new tangent, suggested I find a creative outlet and put my ideas into a newsletter (blogs hadn’t quite turned up on the scene yet…), and thus “The Shep Report” was born.

It turned out that this approach resonated. I would highlight some new start-ups, explain why I thought it was relevant to Microsoft, and send it out every other week to an organically growing mailing list. Eventually, Bill Gates and many other members of the executive team also subscribed, forwarded, commented, and discussed, opening up new opportunities for my career at the company.

I’ve had many more incredible experiences in the 15 years since I left Microsoft. From Starbucks to Starships, Big Tech to Start-Ups, CEO to Consultant. My North Star has always been to follow my passions and trust my intuition. As a generalist with an insatiable curiosity, I’m compelled to envision, experiment, tinker, and create with the technology tools we have on hand.

To my astonishment, former colleagues still ask about The Shep Report to this day. And so, now that I’m independent and consulting with a variety of companies, I figured it may be time to bring it back.

I aim to shed light on the ever-evolving intersections of technology, media, and culture. A resource designed for everyone, ensuring you’re well-informed and along for the ride with me. Regardless of your tech background, I hope to help connect the dots back to both your work and personal lives.

I plan to post more thoughtful pieces here as well as quick takes and short-form thoughts over in the Notes section. I deeply appreciate your support. Please share your thoughts and suggestions and let’s see where this new voyage takes us.

Adam

Stay ahead and let Sheppard Consulting help navigate your business through the new technology era. Let’s Talk.