Find your voice
Discover your thought leadership and share your unique perspective with the world.
Your [thought collaboration] partner
I am a thought leadership strategist and executive communications partner who guides leaders in connecting their thought leadership directly to their goals. From strategy and storyboarding to the tactical how-to and content creation, together, we will tell your story, drive alignment, and reposition how your audience sees you.
You—your most powerful marketing tool
You have a unique perspective of the world—a collection of experiences, thoughts, stories, fears, joys, ambitions, and deal breakers that drive your decision-making and your journey. No one can take this from you. You carry them with you to every company and role, through every career transition. You evolve along the way—and so should your thought leadership.
Your thought leadership can open doors, win deals, influence negotiations and decision-makers, land speaking engagements—and so much more. It is the most powerful element in your personal brand toolbox.
The best part? It’s completely in your control.
Here’s the secret about thought leadership and your personal brand. It’s all about focus and positioning. You can’t be all things for all people. And, if you speak to everyone–you’re speaking to no one.
You need to get specific, think about your audience, and think about the stories that will resonate. The stories you share can reposition how you are viewed in the eyes of your audience. Your stories, and how you present yourself across all touchpoints, can help you earn trust, establish credibility, and build authority.
Your thought collaborator. Your story.
I work with executives to help them reposition themselves not only for the changing world but for the changing leader within. Our work together allows you to see yourself in a new light. To share stories with confidence and conviction. To get specific on your why. To help you sail through your next transition.
It’s difficult to write about yourself! To step outside yourself. To see yourself in a new way. To spot the holes. The patterns. The confusion. The themes. To see the opportunities.
How we can work together
I can help separate the magic from the noise. From serving as your sounding board and accountability partner to your strategist and chief storyteller, here’s how we can work together:
Let’s discover your pillars, figure out your audience, and think about the messages that will get you where you want to go. Nearly every engagement begins with this important work.
Thought leadership strategy
From talking points to speeches; from origin stories to articles.
Story and narrative creation
Big shifts and company changes must start within: with team alignment. Make sure your team is telling the right stories and that you’re pulling them along in a way that sticks.
Internal communications
Overwhelmed with the “what” and the content? Unsure how to leverage your team? We can map a path forward.
Coaching and tactical planning
Writing for yourself can be excruciating. I can craft your story–in your voice, your byline.
Executive ghostwriting
From company websites for solopreneurs to websites for your personal musings, I’ll ensure your thought leadership is clear.
Personal brand websites
Let’s ensure your LinkedIn profile presents you as you want to be perceived—in the eyes of your target audience.
LinkedIn alignment
I can integrate with your existing marketing or communications team to provide ongoing executive support.
Organization thought leadership
I work with leaders one-on-one on an ongoing basis to help guide their thought leadership evolution, serving as a thought partner, sounding board, and strategist.
Advisor and sounding board
Workshops + company thought leadership strategy
You know what they say: Always be selling. Your company’s leadership team is critical to establishing credibility and authority in your industry. They should be confidently sharing stories, reflections, customer interactions, and observations with the world—reinforcing your value, again and again. After all, people do business with people, not logos.
Yet, your leaders also have a wide range of other interests, expertise, and passions! Our work together will explore how to strategically combine the two—both personal and company thought leadership—in a way that is authentic and rewarding. I can work one-on-one across your team, or guide virtual or live workshops.
Here's the deal: You're not alone
What you can expect
My role is to guide you through the conversation, to ask the right questions, and to draw out the right stories. Your role: to relax, and talk to me like you’re speaking to a friend or trusted colleague. This is where I leverage my journalism training to play thought leadership detective–I ask questions that allow me to dig deeper. Sometimes (oftentimes) I simply listen and draw out stories, themes, opportunities, and reflections from there.
If we’re working on thought leadership strategy, we typically first meet for two 90-minute meetings to dive deep into all things you. Then, we’ll meet again to discuss your proposed thought leadership pillars and refine those together. Our strategy work includes a LinkedIn update as well as social posts to get you off to a strong start.
For those who want ongoing support, I’m here. I can integrate with your team or work with you ongoing to refine your strategy as you (and your career) evolve.
About ThoughtCollab
Hi, I’m Joanna Furlong. I am an executive communication strategist, thought leadership consultant, and writer.
I guide executives and entrepreneurs in discovering and owning their voices, message, and values. In today’s fast-paced world, having a compelling and consistent brand is crucial to attracting and engaging the right audience. It all begins with knowing your thought leadership pillars and confidently sharing your distinct perspective with the world.
I’ve spent 20 years in a variety of marketing and communications roles, driving brand cohesion, sales enablement, executive communications, and content for venture-backed startups and small to medium-sized businesses in diverse industries. Along the way, I’ve always served as the executive communications partner. C-suite executives have consistently relied on me to provide candid feedback and transform their ideas into compelling stories for all audiences and purposes, from speeches to communications with boards, venture capitalists, and the media.
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