They are like chalk and cheese when you 1st meet them.  I'm not going to say how, but read their blogs and I know that you will know what I mean.  Both have good business sense and both are nice to people they like (I count my self in this camp most of the time).  Vlad is a little more outgoing with people he doesn't like, while Karl is more of an organisation basher when they do bad (I'm just sorry it was Microsoft).  Both are amazing people and business people (yes, both, not just one or the other) and since they are over the pond, I am less likely to see them with any frequency compared to the many, many, many people this side of the pond.  There are others, Susan B, Dean and even Jeff although we never got much time to talk.

I hope to personally say "bye for now" to people in the UK.

Karl recently said some amazing things about me and I wanted to publicly say thank-you.  If you have met him, you will know that his is not the loudest man in the room, yet has insight enough to make everyone listen.

Farewell to some Great British Friends

Three major players in the SMB space have moved on recently.
People come and go all the time, in our business and every other part of life.
Part of being in a community is to take note of these changes. We don't just let people wander off without a fond farewell.
Three very successful people have been tapped for additional success in G.B. (More, I'm sure, but I will note the movement of these three particularly.)
David Overton (uksbsguy.com) is moving to evangelize ISVs and to feed them Microsoft Kool Aid in large drums. I pinged Dave before the WPC and he told me that he wouldn't be there because of the "pending" change. I've bumped into Dave in London, Amsterdam, and the U.S. Always a good guy. Always willing to help. Always has a positive attitude.
I met Robbie Upcroft during a fateful SBS User Group meeting at SMB Nation a few years ago. I introduced myself so I could apologize on behalf of the entire United States of America for the *** who had just embarrassed himself, Microsoft, and the U.S.
Robbie's an Aussie transplanted to a small island half a world away from home. He did an amazing job with the SBS consultants down under. With raving fans behind him, he did a stint working with the user groups in the U.K. Again, always a good guy. Always willing to help. Always has a positive attitude. Now he's off to be successful working on MS relations with one of their major U.K. vendors.
Susanne Dansey (www.uksmbgirl.co.uk) has been a force in the SBS/SBSC community for several years. In addition to giving her family's business some international exposure, she's built and supported user groups in the U.K., Europe, and everywhere else she could. You might know her as "Queenie" from the SBS Show. After climbing to the top of the world, followed immediately by a marathon, I know she's up to the challenge of helping Westcoast kick licensing booty in the U.K.
Sorry to be repetitive, but Susanne's always a good person to know and hang around with. Always willing to help. Always has a positive attitude.
I'm very grateful that I got to bump into Robbie and Susanne at the WPC. I'm sorry Dave couldn't make it.

However, Karl also raised another thought, 3 people who were all passionate about the small business market are all moving roles and that means change for everybody.  These things happen and it does not spell doom and gloom (OK, so I am upping myself a bit, but you know what I mean), but is a sign of the world - things change.  Change has nearly always been good if you can see through it.  Roll with it, look for the new people and move on. 

My parting advice while still 1/2 in the role - find these beacons (look to the MVPs, SBS Partner Group Leads and successful SBSC members and follow them).  Oh, sorry for the rambling - I really am bursting with feeling, but can't put it down on paper!!

thanks again,

David