Chris Brogan, Meet Jack Hubbard
Superficially, they couldn’t be more different. One is old (and old school), one isn’t. One is in middle market banking, one in social media. Tie, open collar. Midwest, East.
I don’t think they know each other—but they should. They’re two peas in a pod—in a great pea patch.
The Banking Guy
Jack Hubbard is CEO (that’s Chief Experience Officer) and Chairman of St. Meyer & Hubbard. Along with President Bob St. Meyer, they run a Chicago-based training performance change firm. They serve the banking business, mostly medium-sized. They serve up some astonishing numbers, with very loyal clients.
But that’s just the description. Jack is known for starting his day by sending out emails to clients highlighting specific news items of interest to them. When you talk to Jack, you discover he is on a mission to discover everything about the most interesting person in the world—you. His upbeat curiosity and low self-orientation is infectious; he doesn’t sell you on their work—you buy it. Gladly.
Jack’s not really in the banking business–he’s in the people business. Banking is just his regional accent; his language is human.
The Social Media Guy
Readers of this blog are more likely to know Chris Brogan. I did an interview with Chris last year. He’s all over social media; a demi-god of Twitter, an emerging guru of Google+, co-author (with @julien Smith) of Trust Agents, co-founder of Podcamp, involved in New Marketing Labs, collaborator with Hubspot Marketing—and so on.
But that’s his day job. Chris has a phenomenal ability to remember faces and names (even twitter addresses). More importantly, he is inherently drawn to people—and they to him.
He is genuinely modest, even self-effacing. He’s the one who taught me “tweet others 12 times for every time you tweet about yourself.” He may be a rock star in social media—but he’s the exact opposite of “rock star” in the way he conducts himself.
Chris isn’t really in the social media business—he’s in the people business. It’s no accident his main identity these days is Human Business Works. Social media is just his regional accent; his language is human.
Chris, meet Jack Hubbard.
Jack, allow me to introduce Chris Brogan.
Y’all have a nice day now.
Sorry Charlie for my prolonged absence–it’s been crazy. BUT, I drop back by and there’s (1) this wonderful snippet of an introduction to two shining examples of trustworthiness—we need examples (2) it includes a colloquialism that I shall always cherish and shamelessly reuse whenever possible: “They’re two peas in a pod—in a great pea patch.” and (3) you end with the Texas swiss-army-knife of all pronouns. I’m sure that all your Texan readers appreciate ya’ll for that 😉
Hey LEO, great to have you back. And thanks for the comments (esp. the colloquialisms!)
Most people would be much better off professionally if they were to view themselves as being in the people business. Great observation, Charles!