Monday Edition

Get the Blog Feed
What is RSS?

dispatches from the new world of work

Closing Comments

Tom has always enjoyed the interchange of ideas in the comments area of his blog. He's actually included some of what's been written here in The Little BIG Things. All of us here at tompeters.com feel that our community has been enhanced and enriched by so many who have shared their thoughts with us. But for several reasons, not least of which is the amount of time it takes to battle the recent increase in contextual spam, we have decided to close comments on future posts as of this Friday, June 18. (Along with that, the comments RSS feed will end, as will the RSS feed for the Free Stuff page) All of the comments on past posts will remain.

Rest assured that Tom will continue to blog and you'll still be able to contact him. He's on Twitter daily (@tom_peters) and that's the most direct way of connecting with him. If you're new to Twitter, or would rather read only, try something like Seesmic Look (software that helps you get started by reading only rather than engaging) or Tweetree (a site that allows you to read the ongoing conversations). And don't forget the old standby, email (tom at tompeters.com).

For those of you who have taken the time over the years to let us know what you think, thank you. For those loyal readers who have never felt drawn to comment, we invite you to say hello this week. Whether you comment or you don't, thank you for reading!

Shelley Dolley posted this on 06/15/10.

Comments

Tom and company,
It's always (ALWAYS) good being here. The material shared is so filled with valuable nuggets, and has (and will continue to be!) been a source of great thoughts for me.

Much continued success in the future. I'll be reading...

Best,
Lance

Posted by Lance at June 15, 2010 7:24 AM

Let me assure anyone who is bent out of shape about this that the reason is purely pragmatic. With a severely truncated schedule, the price of fully supporting the blog is prohibitive. (And we refuse to pursue advertising as an offset.)

Posted by tom peters at June 15, 2010 8:00 AM

Blimey! The pedant in me will really miss pulling up Tom for his oddball use of ensure and insure (they're not inter-changeable, Tom!) but all good things have to end, including the blog. Many thanks for the years of dialogue, debate, learning, development and fun. It's been like having an on-line mentor. With my very best wishes,

Posted by Mark JF at June 15, 2010 8:37 AM

Mark, I'm an engineer, for God's sake!

Posted by tom peters at June 15, 2010 9:05 AM

Haven't been to this site in a long, long while. Stopped in the other day and thought it had morphed from a thought-provoking blog / discussion (circa 2005, 2006) into nothing more than a vehicle for shameless self-promotion. Now, with comments closing, I'm absolutely certain that is what this "blog" has become. So go peddle your papers, Tom, and so long.

Posted by Mike at June 15, 2010 9:07 AM

Tom,
JM Coetzee's new novel is "Waiting for the Barbarians". Spammers and trolls show that the barbarians are already here - and for me to always consider if I am one, as well.

Communication takes many forms, blog comments are only one, media transforms.

Hopefully, the administration won't seek a bailout for blog comments when they become unprofitable (in the intellectual sense) for many!

Rock on!

Posted by Randy Bosch at June 15, 2010 9:46 AM

Good idea, besides you can carry on a conversation on Twitter if you feel compelled to do so.

I've never been in favor of comments, even though everyone swore by them in the early days.

Posted by Halley Suitt at June 15, 2010 10:42 AM

Interesting followup by Randy. The saturation of blogs, tweets, etc. is enough to make anyone's head spin; certainly enough to lose productivity by the distraction of digital din.

As it turns out, I am not an avatar. I enjoy face to face meetings, phone calls to establish/enhance rapport with business relationships (not to mention personal ones and much prefer to communicate with friends unplugged rather than on Facebook, thank you). Call me retro.

Doesn't mean I won't check emails, twitter, et al, they have value, just not all the time.

Doesn't a balanced approach always have a higher ROI in the long run?

Best wishes to you and your team for good health and prosperity.

PS, I wholeheartedly agree about the value of flower power - fun to send, fun to receive!

Posted by Carolyn Thomas at June 15, 2010 11:00 AM

I carry your book in my Traveling Sanctuary B*a*g. Fuels my resolve. I'll be engaging on twitter for sure.

Posted by kim lampe at June 15, 2010 11:11 AM

Mixed emotions flow forth... I enjoyed the back and forth that Tom's blog posts engendered. Quite thought provoking at times... Some arguments devolved into the same old same old, but all in all, it was an enjoyable experience.

It does not sound like Tom will stop blogging, he will just stop accepting comments. Seth Godin's blog is the same. (Perhaps a membership to post or a Captcha to validate would help.)

On the positive side, Tom does read comments on his tweets and I respect him for that. Many, many 'celebrities' do not interact with their tribe, but Tom does, and I think we all are richer for his comments.

Posted by RandySpangler at June 15, 2010 11:29 AM

I'm sad to see you go, but I do follow on Twitter and look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes....

Posted by Gayle at June 15, 2010 12:10 PM

Cheers Tom - you are a star Sir!

Posted by Trevor Gay at June 15, 2010 12:53 PM

Hey Tom,

You have always promoted listening to your gut. I am glad that you also start listening to the physical symptoms of your gut now. Rest assured that there are many people less worthy than you that don't take the trouble to respond to messages great and small. It most certainly made me review my assumptions about you in the last few months. You're for real and you practice what you preach. My godfather, D.O., was productive until he was 85. My mentor is 82 and has just started his next company. But they got there because they knew when to take it easy. There's an inner surf dude somewhere in you too... ;-)

Shine on.

Posted by Martijn Sjoorda at June 15, 2010 1:18 PM

Mike, your comment fascinates. We have always avoided self-promotion like the plague. Only "promotion" we've done lately is to give the new book's content away in video and audio format-for free.

Posted by tom peters at June 15, 2010 2:11 PM

Just taking you up on your offer- I've never commented but I'm a daily (sometimes half-daily!) reader and have learned/been inspired/motivated/been PUMPED UP so much by everything here-I appreciate it so much.

Thank you for everything so far and long may it continue.

Posted by Nick Greene at June 15, 2010 4:54 PM

Thank you for continuing to share your thoughts in your inimitable style. You've created a whole new world of management thinking, away from the stifling peer-review management academia. Do continue sharing.

Posted by SaY at June 15, 2010 10:30 PM

I recall coming to this blog several years ago with a specific purpose in mind and several questions about me to answer to me. Through the Comments I learned a great deal, "met" some absolutely terrifically special people who have become friends, and found out that some things never change, thank God. There are many imitators and many duplicators in the game of leadership and management. But there is only one who has consistently and credibly kept the focus on the fact that EXCELLENCE is about investing in and developing, be they manager or associate, in the folks who work on the front line.

Looking forward to many years of rants and wisdom!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at June 15, 2010 11:23 PM

Dear Tom,

Yes, it is a cliche but I will say it anyway, words are inexpressible to convey the profound gratitude I have for the work you have done over so many years and the ability to interact with someone who I greatly respect. I am most grateful.

The beauty of this interaction is that it was never belittling or haughty. It never had the air of master and student. It never spoke of itself. It didn't regard status or familiarity. When I wrote to you nearly three years ago seeking mentorship you did not know me at all. Cathy responded with the most gracious of emails and conveyed your heart. Thank you.

My comments here have often been long and passionate; some may have even offended other commenters. I have sincerely apologized when I felt the need and laid into others in the same manner--earnestly. Over these years I have learned immensely about Excellence, leadership, humility and love. I have learned more about myself.

So, while the mentorship didn't happen in the way I would have liked--something like carrying your backpack around (don't think you carry a briefcase:-), yes I would have taken six months off to do just that, or twice a month meetings anywhere in the world, oh...what a great pleasure that would have been--I have gotten the next best thing, feedback on many of my comments over these years and those of others too.

So, I simply want to say thank you.

Your most grateful mentee,

Judith

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 16, 2010 10:58 AM

Profound knowledge is as simple and timeless as it is powerful. You inspire me greatly. Take gentle care and I will see you on Twitter.

Posted by David Porter at June 16, 2010 12:45 PM

So-long comments. While I didn't contribute often I did enjoy the opportunity and some of the dialogue that it created. At the same time, I often found it a waste of time and boring with comments made with little thought behind them.

Best wishes for a good balance between worklife and personal life Tom. It is very difficult to do at any stage of life.

Posted by Dave Holland at June 16, 2010 12:49 PM

Bye Judith. It's been a pleasure. Cheers Trevor and John! Nice getting to know you Mark JF. You too Randy and David. Be well Ian and Jim. All the best Mike! You too Patrick. I'm going to miss you fine, thoughtful people.

And zorro . . . I think I'm going to miss you most of all. :)

Posted by Tom Asacker at June 16, 2010 4:23 PM

Back at you Mr. Asacker

Posted by David Porter at June 16, 2010 5:37 PM

Thanks to Tom and all contributors - I've appreciated so much the ideas and books discussed here. I'll also remember my surprise when I found out that my favorite book on color and design was written by Tom's wife. That was a LOL moment! I'll still be checking in weekly. Thank you!

viagra purchase 100 mg generic online

Posted by Ginnie at June 16, 2010 9:24 PM

Oh, Tom A, goodbye. Now, why did you have to go and say all of those goodbyes? Deep sigh... I've been rather sad all day. Take heart, Judith. Take heart!

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 16, 2010 11:17 PM

Arrgh, I always get a wistful pang when a favorite website performance or event comes to an end. Although I never chimed in, the conversation here was a valuable aspect of the site. But of course, noisy spam pollutes the conversation, and degrades it. So let me just add my thanks to everyone who contributed in the past, and I look forward to reading, seeing, and hearing more of TP in the future.

Posted by Dirk Brandts at June 17, 2010 12:47 AM

Let me say a huge "THANK YOU FOR TRANSFORMING MY LIFE" before the line stops humming :)

Jay, Bangalore

Posted by Jayakumar Hariharan at June 17, 2010 1:13 AM

Tom A - cheers to you too my friend - you don’t think you’re gonna get rid of me that easily do you? - You still owe me a pint of real English Ale when you are over :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at June 17, 2010 2:49 AM

Tom, Shelley et al at TPC

Wishing you all the best in continuing the conversations in a different format.

There is an incredible community with a lot of history that ties back to you and TPC. Heather Schultz and I were marveling last week about the community and connections over the years.

Wishing you good health and best wishes.

David P

Posted by David Parks at June 17, 2010 12:05 PM

Thanks David! Wonderful to hear from you. It's been far too long. Hope all is well.

Posted by Shelley Dolley at June 17, 2010 1:41 PM

Damn.

Posted by Terry Ransbury at June 17, 2010 9:17 PM