I’m the 7-day-old Director of Product Management at Plaxo. I've blogged a total of 67 words in my life - and not because of lack of opportunity. But these Plaxo guys believe strongly in transparency- so here we are.

Starting a new job is a little like starting to use a new application: You've heard some good things about it, some bad things about it, but you've decided it’s got something for you - so you take the plunge.

Four months ago, all I knew about Plaxo were the emails I had received (need I say more?). Then I learned while doing some peripheral investigation that it could free my Outlook data from my work computer so that I could see it from my home computer – or anywhere for that matter. I quickly downloaded Plaxo.
That night - I went home, logged into Plaxo Online, and saw my calendar and contacts (13 years worth from my now-previous work) now available to me without lugging and logging into my work laptop. WOW. Next I downloaded the toolbar for my home machine where my husband uses Outlook Express. Now all our contacts were in one place, and we created a calendar with the kids’ schedules. My life is now less split – if you know what I mean.

By coincidence, Plaxo came up as a career consideration. PERFECT. A product manager's dream: a great product, all kinds of opportunity for more functionality, as well as room for improvement ;-). After what seemed like 60 interviews (actually 12 - these guys are careful), things were looking good. In addition to the functionality, and the promise for MORE, and more better, the team met my criteria. They are very technically progressive, completely up-for-improvement, even if it means change, and basically, passionate about doing great things right. They also meet the bill in abilities: opinionated rocket scientists and inclined to move (VERY) fast. They even passed the good-time-over-lunch test.

So here I am.

Back to where I started - Starting a new job is a little like starting to use a new application…

When I started using Plaxo, I was confused - and anxious. I loved the synch and the access. But I was terribly worried: will this email my friends? Or worse yet, my old boyfriends? (The answer is no.) I worry. And finally – after years of perfecting my ability to worry – I am getting paid for it.

The Plaxo team is in the middle of an overhaul of sorts, and the office is talking about my old boyfriends (or those potential emails, to be more precise). I can’t wait to unveil the many exciting things we have coming out later this year – the worry free – only great value – Plaxo. (Note – I’m not in marketing)

As it probably goes without saying, I’m still using Plaxo. I love seeing my kids’ soccer schedule right next to my work schedule, and ALL my current contact info across all my applications. I can’t wait to do more. My usage patterns, fears and confusion are the subject of well deserved scrutiny around here. And soon – not only will I not need to worry, but I’ll actually stop worrying – at which time I’ll have to find something else for them to pay me for.

Heck – I may be so excited I’ll want to let my old boyfriends know… but I doubt it.

-- Laurel Lee, Director of Product Management

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