Reinventing business inspires me.  We started M5 Networks 8 years ago to reinvent business phones.  The whole model was broken: old phone systems were clunky and hard to use; multiple phone companies made management a mess; no one took responsibility and businesses had no one to count on.  Over the years, we’ve attracted about 800 business clients and add another 30 or so more every month.  Many of our clients, it turns out, are also trying to reinvent their businesses and I think are attracted to us because of this common purpose.

Reinventing business, in large measure, starts with transforming dummy products into smart services.  Once the VCR (a product) evolved to the DVR (a smart service that transforms the product) people were freed from appointment viewing habits and we actually changed the way we consume TV.  Once the personal music device evolved to the iPod and it was combined with the seamlessness of iTunes’ download service, we changed the way we consume music.  This is what we’re doing in business and we now offer Voice as a Service with a national business footprint.  And many of our clients compete and win on service - using our phones to do it in more creative and effective ways than ever.

So that’s why I accepted Inc.’s invitation to lead this online conversation.  Inc. readers share this same purpose with my team at M5.  They are reinventing, they are competing and winning on service.  We are an Inc. 500 company and this is our community.  So I’m excited to share some experiences that I’ve had along the way and to discuss topics that I’m struggling with to hear what my community has to say.  I hope it will help me and I hope it will help a few others in the community.

By the way, I’m supposed to add that I’m Dan Hoffman, President and CEO of M5 Networks.