Get Known podcast: Get inside the journalists’ mindset.
In September, we traveled to Washington, DC, and got to spend 2 days at the Quantum World Congress, a gathering of all the best minds and companies in the quantum computing industry. This was the place to see up close the advancements in this growing industry, which is poised to shake up the world in the next 5 to 10 years.
Not being a physicist, there was admittedly a lot of science that was presented and flew way above my head, but the business side of quantum definitely was clear. Like many scientific or niche industries, they have their own media, and in this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Doug Finke, managing editor of the Quantum Computing Report, which he founded more than 10 years ago. Many people I spoke to at Quantum World Congress call Doug the “Godfather of the quantum computing community”.
His creation of this media is a testament to finding an area that was emerging and under-reported, then over time turning it into a go-to source for everyone in this industry. It was so interesting to hear about and understand from his point of view, the growth of quantum computing from a science project to a now-emerging mainstream industry. He has been there the whole way. As a result, not only did we talk about media but also, Doug provided a bit of history and understanding of quantum computing itself. So consider this a bit of a primer for those of you not familiar with the technology and what it will impact in the future.
There is so much to learn from niche media like this that can be applied to other emerging technologies. Doug took the time to compare the history of quantum to the rise of the silicon chip and classic computing. Companies have a tendency to make the same kinds of mistakes in approaching journalists with their stories, and not doing their homework. Doug gives some great advice for companies that want to get into quantum-specific media, but also that can be applied to all media.
Key Takeaways:
- Transparency is key when talking to a journalist. Building the relationship you want with them requires trust built through open communication.
- Quantum computing is coming much faster than we realize but we don’t yet know what technology will win.
- https://quantumcomputingreport.com/ is a great source for understanding the world of quantum computing and emerging technologies around it.
- IT managers need to start thinking about quantum computing now rather than be caught when it is too late to catch up.
