How to become a thought leader

SAP Marketing manager Mark van Heijningen published a blog on how to become a thought leader. Nice blog and I'm really proud that Mark mentioned me ;-)

Short summary, but make sure you read Mark's blog here.

1. Take your stand.
   Make choices, both as a company that wants to employ thought leaders as yourself who wants to be a thought leader.
2. Know your classics.
   Thought leadership is close to evangelism. Know the facts and wrap them in stories that your audience wants to listen to.
3. Reserve time and budget.
   Building up knowledge and sharing the message takes time. Make sure your thought leaders do not feel guilty in doing so.
4. Structure and support.
   Thought leadership doesn't go well with commercial pressure. But integration with your companies core activities is important.