All the Best to Dennis Howlett!

Three days ago one of my former analyst colleagues and long distance social friends Dennis Howlett posted the below on LinkedIn.

It’s official — I am now retired from the public stage. So long and thanks for all the fish

Not sure why it did, but this news actually took me by a bit of surprise, as I’ve always heard that old Analysts truly never retire, one day they just forget to turn off their Out of Office message replies.

However, given the “So long and thanks for all the fish” reference, my immediate response was “So does that mean you’re 42?” to which said retiree’s response was 68, which surely is a lot of fish! (also precisely 26 more than the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything, but who’s counting?)

While further contemplating this news, I then heard this odd whooshing sound of rushing air, and it took me a moment to realize that it was the sound of all of the AR people in the world simultaneously heaving a major sigh of relief!

After all, with Dennis gone, who would remain to ask the REALLY hard questions, and explain to many green and unwitting relations folks the difference between a feature and a benefit?

Rumour also has it, that indeed all the AR Unis in the world will now have a hole in their curricula next semester as the previously mandatory course Dealing with Dennis Howlett 101 has suddenly been rendered moot.

But in all seriousness folks, Dennis will be missed, especially by all of the Analyst Relations leaders who’ve apparently already taken the step of nominating him for a special exhibit and place in the Analyst Hall Of Legendary Eminence!*

Personally, when I first met Dennis I was new to the analyst beat, and having him as a shining example of the best in the profession was always inspiring to me and for this I thank you!

So Dennis, enjoy your fully earned retirement, well deserved peer recognition and I’m sharing my best wishes along with those of all your many colleagues and friends I’ve seen posted this week.

Not quite sure what you’ll think to be doing after the first 8 weeks of retirement, but I have a feeling it may not be all too long until we’ll be happily reading your opus “The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Enterprise Software” and loving every word of it!

Cheers

Jeff

*if you didn’t get it, check the acronym…