Blogging Fame

By coincidence today, I find two ex-colleagues achieving blogging fame in different spheres.

Steve Fox is one of a number of really smart people it was my good fortune to hire when I worked at Microsoft.  His data analytics blog, Analytics in Action, has just registered 250,000 hits for the year so far and is regularly referenced by the SQL data mining team at Microsoft in Redmond.  Steve’s quietly building quite a reputation in a growing field.

By wild contrast of subject matter, I also spotted on LinkedIn that another ex-Microsoft colleague is a finalist in the Cosmo / Next Blog Awards as Best Newcomer.  I think it’s fair to say – without being accused of sexism – that Toni’s blog, Reasons To Be Cheerful, has a more broadly feminine appeal: it’s feisty, amusing and entertaining.

What they have in common is that they are both writing from a deep passion.  Their conviction and authenticity shine through.

Congratulations to both.  If either or both topics appeal, pay them a visit.