So, what do you do?: This is probably the 1,000th attempt I have made to write something about that question. I think this time I can add a coherent thought or two because my conference attendance "season" has ended and I won't be hearing that question nearly as much. At least, not until the next meet-up.
As someone who does not report to a cubicle at all, it's pretty challenging to tell someone what I do in a 10-second or less sound bite. Juggling multiple projects, it takes constant rehearsal to be able to efficiently say what it is that I do.
So is that even the right question?
I'm told that in the Start-up Land of California's bay area it's not what you do, it's what you are working on. The rationale is that people would rather be defined by ideas that have or are becoming businesses, not by a working a job that they are.
It's likely that these are different beginnings that reach the same conclusion because in reality, it all depends on who is asking and what information you have decided the questioner needs to know.
The next time someone asks me what I do I'll answer with, "Well, I'm working on a few things," quickly list them and end with "So, that's what I'm doing."
I hope someone decides to try that on me as well.
*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog
