Mark Bonchek’s journey began at MIT in the early 1990s where he led a research project on digital engagement and political participation. His findings proved to be prescient:
“1995
“Whereas television creates an audience, the Internet creates community. No other medium provides the same opportunity for such immediate interaction, collaboration, and participation.”
1996
“Politicians who capitalize on the community-building capabilities of the Internet will emerge victorious in the politics of the 21st century.”
1997
”The press no longer has a monopoly position as an information source. The role of the press will be as an information broker, rather than a gatekeeper, connecting suppliers and consumers of information by providing expertise, context, and credibility.”
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In 1997, Harvard University’s granted Mark its first doctorate on the topic of social media. Mark then became the first director of research at the Strategos Institute, where he explored the strategies that enable companies to reinvent themselves and transform their business models. Once again his insights were ahead of their time:
“1998
“We are entering an era of unprecedented consumer power. ‘What I want, where I want it, when I want it, and how I want it’ is the credo of the emerging consumer.”
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In the early 2000's, Mark began to put his research into practice. He left Strategos to lead the strategy practice in Boston for iXL, and then served as COO of TomorrowLab for McKinsey & Company. At McKinsey, Mark designed a new offering using digital media and collaborative community to help leaders build disruptive business models. When McKinsey went back to its traditional business model, Mark left to begin his entrepreneurial journey at the crossroads of leadership, strategy, and learning.