My pal Jaime Stein left Hootsuite… he said this and i said that

I’ve got some news… Goodbye Hootsuite!

Jaime Stein, 13, January 2018

This week was my final week at Hootsuite. I had an incredible 3+ years and am thankful to people like Ryan Holmes, Matt Switzer, Cameron Uganec and Dave Olson who gave me the opportunity to work at the nest. #HootsuiteLife

{he goes on to share dozens of stories from the intersection of startup life and personal adventures/growth… link above to read}

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{i replied thusly – pardon errors]

Well I’m a little late to the conversation, but have a lot to say about this starting with your skills as an actual practitioner, meaning someone who “uses social media to talk about something other than social media“…

Next, admiration for your creative promotional work with the #CFL and (proudly) announcing the #Greycup as the Canadian Twitter trend of year on @TheSportMarket radio with Tom Mayeknect & @bobmackin (Also noting the league’s “challenges” in attracting a younger audience since your departure) #Underappreciated

Then, seeing you gracefully switch gears to #ING – including managing social brand transition to #Tangerine. Pleased, you brought your whole team, plus local social practitioners, to the Toronto #HootUp during #NXNE for their “scarfing ceremony”.

You respectfully and kindly asked my “permission” to borrow the scarf idea for your superstar saver program (which I hearitly “gave”) and then did great cross promotion with the related Tumblr blog (now sadly gone) and even featured me :-) #AlsoACustomer

Launching the Vancouver #Tangerine office was a blast when we “scarfed in” CEO Peter Aceto even though I had to stand on my tippy toes to kiss him on the cheek. You (and colleagues of course) brought personality to a typically faceless / bland industry.

At Hootsuite, despite your experience, you came in with enthusiasm and humility. A powerful combination. You were willing to do whatever it took to bake yourself into the team(s) and fulfill the bigger purposes, not just “padding your stats”.

When I had to leave Hoot for medical purposes, I was so concerned about the continuation of the culture… Not the “Icings” and parties, but continuing the deeply ingrained – but hardly automatic – practical part of social media: giving each customer #OneHugAtATime

One of my definite, albeit unofficial, roles at HootSuite was as a purveyor and amplifier of culture: from beards (of which I was the first :>) to parliaments to coffees to unabashed enthusiasm for mentoring young workers, I “passed the torch” to you and you delivered for more than I ever could.

Watching your recent efforts, I felt so pleased to know that the international markets in particular, which are very close to my heart, were given such respect and personalized attention. Especially #APAC #Europe and #government agencies. I planted many seeds years ago and you gardened them so very expertly.

When I happened by the #Toronto office last summer, I was in a deep trough of personal confusion and your enthusiastic and sincere welcome – and acknowledging to colleagues –the work I’ve done in the early days of the company, meant very much to me. It’s hard to vanish.

Even more recently, while I was dealing with a very lonely “holiday” time, you virtually celebrated my “Jewish Christmas” of a movie and Chinese food with me. Best festive wishes.

While I am no longer in the “industry” and now just a wandering poet (possibly fulfilling my true life’s intention) I am forever in your corner and happy to help you in anyway I can: from funny photos to, (heaven forbid) Linkedin recommendations, to virtual hugs, just ask.