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Martin Traub-Werner
Artist, musician, adventurer
Martin Traub-Werner is a seasoned consultant with an extensive background in small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. With an Honours B.A. in Economics and Spanish from York University, as well as a Master's degree in Strategic Human Resources from Cornell University, Martin provides expert advice on Relationship Marketing, marketing ROI, Process Automation, Feedback Management, Sales and Marketing Integration, Marketing Program Execution, CRM, Database Marketing and Management. He is a skilled relationship builder and creative problem solver who has the ability to ensure the success of existing client engagements while bringing compelling solutions to a growing base of new clients. Martin is fluent in Spanish and has worked across North America, establishing himself as a thought leader in the veterinary space.
Highlights
I felt excitement and then I felt loss. ChatGPT is going to deprecate my skills but I think I'm OK with it.
I love a good spreadsheet and am pretty nerdy about Excel. I had a pretty complicated formula that I had to figure out. In the old days I'd poke-and-prod at it, build it in incremental steps, and Google or YouTube the solution.
Yesterday I wrote a short description of what I wanted to do and put it to ChatGPT. In 20-seconds I had the formula. I felt a sense of excitement -- there it was! The right answer in seconds allowing me to complete a task really quickly.
BUT...I felt a sense of loss. A year ago I'd have to really think about writing the formula to get my desired outcome. I'd really think about it, test it, and then appreciate having solved the problem. I knew HOW I solved the problem.
That's gone now.
I guess this is the equivalent of letting a calculator do multiplication for you without worrying about knowing your times tables.
This is what change looks and feels like. It's exciting. It's uncomfortable.
As always, happy to hear your thoughts.
I have tried to stay resolutely apolitical on LinkedIN and so I apologize in advance for this change. But I am not OK.
I grew up in the shadow of the holocaust. Never ashamed of being Jewish but eager not to share it around too much. I heard first hand accounts of the horror from my grandparents who survived that genocide and whose lives were forever altered. In my secular life outside of my community I try to keep quiet and blend in. I would rarely correct someone who wished me a Merry Christmas. But I can’t keep quiet on this one.
This past weekend the world witnessed the largest single massacre of Jews since the holocaust. Latest estimates show the death toll as much as 1200. Hamas — a terrorist organization whose stated purpose is the death of all Jews and the destruction of the state of Israel — murdered babies, children, the elderly, women, men. Indiscriminately. 240 concert goers were killed at an outdoor music festival. As many as 150 people are being held hostage.
This is deeply personal. My brother and his family live in Israel. We have lots of extended family there. Friends. Friends of friends. Everyone is affected by the scope and scale of this tragedy.
Please please do not misconstrue this with the complicated issue of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. This is Hamas. A terrorist organization whose mission is the destruction of the State of Israel and the death of all Jews. How do we know? Their senior leader called for a Global Day of Jihad against Jews tomorrow, Friday October 13th.
I’m scared. I’m sad. I’m angry. Your Jewish employees are scared. They’re sad. They’re angry. These are dark days. Please stand up against terrorism and check in with your Jewish friends and colleagues.
