Leaders Within Reach: Tom Emrich

Tom Emrich

As a writer, consultant and community builder, Tom Emrich uses his passion for emerging technologies to act as a catalyst to bring on the future. He founded We Are Wearables, an organization that rallies the tech community together to learn, discuss and celebrate the wearable tech space in order to foster adoption and facilitate innovation. We Are Wearables currently has chapters in Toronto and Chicago. Tom writes regularly about wearables and other emerging technologies for MobileSyrup, BetaKit and Designers of Things. He also works with startups, and large organizations as an advisor and consultant offering assistance on product development, marketing and organizational strategy.

www.wearewearables.com
www.twitter.com/TomEmrich

What are you working on right now?

Right now I am wearing a couple of different hats in the wearable space and so its safe to say that I am always working on something wearable related. Right now I’m busy writing up interviews I’ve had the chance to get with some amazing wearable pioneers for BetaKit. And I am always planning events for the Chicago and Toronto chapters of We Are Wearables.

How has your network influenced and informed where(or who) you are today?

Community is extremely important to me. We Are Wearables is nothing without the people that come out every month to get together to learn. I continue to learn from everyone I get the chance to sit down with as everyone has a story and a unique perspectives on things. Meeting new people and listening to what they have to say is imperative to every facet of my business: as a writer, community builder and consultant.

What excites you most, in terms of the “next big thing” or evolution for technology(or entrepreneurs) this year?

My passion for the wearable space comes from seeing how it will impact every facet of our lives from how we see ourselves, to how we interact with each other and our environment. Knowing that this is all just the start and extrapolating where we will be in just five years is breathtaking.

Best advice for a newbie to get the most out of attending an afterwork networking event?

Don’t let nerves get in the way of a great conversation. Fear is the networking killer. Its sometimes tough to muster up the courage to break into a group already having a conversation, especially when you are there alone but push through it. Or bring a friend. Networking is always easier in numbers.

Favourite app? Why?

Twitter. It gives me a means to express my thoughts quick and easily and tap into the social consciousness at anytime so that I know what i going on. If I could somehow plug Twitter directly into my brain I would. I am that obsessed.

What do you like most about Reach?

Often when you are at a large networking event its hard to know who is there and who you want to meet so you resort to staying with the group of people you came with or those that you already know. I really like how Reach helps you understand who is at the event and then provides you with the tools to make a connection both digitally and in real-life.

Best way for the Reach community to keep in touch with you? (Social Media handles are fine)

Twitter is the best way @TomEmrich but email is good too Tom@TomEmrich.com

Download Reach @ www.thereachapp.com