I wanted to give a little history lesson for all of you. A little background on how I came to the place I am professionally. So sit back and enjoy the ride through my recent professional history...
This goes back to June of last year. I had been working for a company for 5 years, had a position that was challenging, but comfortable. I was the purchasing manager and had been for 3 years, so I can honestly say that I had my processes down, and knew what I was doing. Yes, there were things hat kept me on my toes, but generally I knew each day what was coming, or at least had the experience to know what to do in any situation. I had started at the bottom of the totem pole, and had held various positions in the company as it grew, and as my talents were utilized. I had applied for a few other positions within the company since taking over purchasing, but had stayed in the same place. I was beginning to get frustrated with the fact that I wasn't being considered for other opportunities even when I was proactively asking for mentoring to qualify myself for future opportunities. I had also noticed that many people were drawing conclusions that I didn't do anything all day. I can see how some might have perceived it that way. I'd been established in my processes, and spent most of my day on the phone or ordering things online. I could get things done fast, and that also lead to the illusion that I had lots of spare time. Of course, I was the only one who did the purchasing for the whole company, so my inbox was always full with things to work on.
In May of 2011, I was written up by the COO based on the assumption that I spent too much money with OEM's instead of going through other channels. My most busy time of the day was after 2pm. Orders came in furiously with immediate needs for shipment all over the country. Many of the little vendors were on the east coast, and by 2:30, most of the cutoff times were past for next day delivery. This forced our hand in many cases because the recipients were unwilling or unable to wait an extra day to see if we could get it cheaper. Needless to say, after being written up I was ready to leave.
One day, one of my friends and former neighbors posted about a job at his company. I commented asking about it. From there I went through a whirlwind of interviews, missing time at my current job etc. and eventually received a job offer. The pay and the change of scenery were my biggest deciding factors. So after 5 and a half years, I put in my 2 weeks notice and left a very established, albeit frustrating, position and company. I left for a small company of about 20 employees, working as their payroll manager. I was given the great privilege of managing two other payroll processors who were very experienced and knowledgeable. I was worried how my presence would be welcomed; partly because that comes with any new job, but also because I had no previous experience in payroll at all (aside from receiving a paycheck of course). My fears were unwarranted. My department welcomed me, were nice, and we fast became good friends. That little company had many problems that I wasn't aware of during the interview process, but I still loved it. This was different for me. I was working long hours. Going in early, staying late; missing time with family, and becoming entrenched in the things that needed to be done each day. I enjoyed it, but the stress was growing.
I mentioned that this little company had some issues. Many customers were concerned with the amount of turnover within the company, and this lead them to worry about the stability of the company as a whole. As the new year approached, many clients were leaving us. I was told that this was normal, and that we would be fine. Turnover on an annual basis is normal in that industry. After a couple of our bigger clients left us, I was told that we needed to lay off one of my employees. This happened the week before Christmas. I felt terrible, and was heartbroken that I had to let one of my people go. We arranged for this person to work through the holidays and a week or two into the new year. It wasn't ideal, but it made a crappy situation a little better.
Fast forward to January 12, 2012. I was preparing to take on the clients of my co-worker who was leaving on Friday. I got a call to come into the board room. I was a little suspicious because our HR manager, who had the day off, was there. I was pretty sure it wasn't going to be a good visit. As I sat with these two men who I have great respect for even now, I was filled with peace. In a sense, I knew what was coming, and I was completely fine with it. I was told that due to the losses of so many clients, additional cuts were going to be made. I was going to be one of those let go, and that my last day was the next day, Friday the 13th. As I mentioned before, I knew this was coming. I was not surprised by it at all, and most importantly, I wasn't mad about it. My main worry was, how am I going to tell my wife? I thanked them for the opportunity to work with them, and wished them luck. Heck, I even gave them both a hug. I had grown to love the people there, and that was the only sad part about it; not being able to see and be with them every day.
That phone call to my sweet, supportive wife was a hard one to make. To my relief, she was also calm. She may have felt like freaking out inside, but she never once let it come out. She was a great strength to me because of that. We both felt this was good for our family, and that this would lead us to the place I was meant to be. The place that was best for our family.
I won't go into details right now, but The next 5 months were a refiners fire that would prepare us for the great opportunity ahead. More to come...
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