Cotter’s Corner

Okay, the first week wraps up today. And all the regular “first week” stuff applies here. People feeling like I’m here to replace them – which couldn’t be further from the truth – and the thousand and two introductions to people that I won’t remember. But I’m trying…

The big goal for me in the short term is for me to meet a few key people within the organization and explain to them why I am here and how we can help each other (and in turn, the business) become more billable/profitable. It’s truly interesting to be working within an organization that is 100% geared toward professional services. My particular offering will just be a new avenue for them, but the infrastructure is already in place and appears to be well equipped to handle my brand of services. So, no re-inventing the wheel here. However, there will need to be some marketing. And lo and behold, there is a MARKETING DEPARTMENT here! Amazing! I’m meeting with them early next week so that we can lay out how we want to approach the marketing of IT professional services from an architectural firm. Which may not be such a stretch. We’ll see I suppose.

Overall everyone has been VERY nice and it really does seem like a profesional/dedicated atmosphere here. Which is like water to a man dying of thirst in the desert. After years of working within organizations that “play at” professionalism – this place is the template for a professional services organization.

Wow, I have to say that the reactions I was getting today (and the past few days) were really a surprise and really nice. Usually when I leave a place people are glad to see me go, the people at Shop at Home really made it hard for me to say goodbye. Everyone was extremely nice and I’m genuinely going to miss some of those people. It’s worth mentioning that the people there are probably some of the best that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and I’m not just kissing ass. No, really.

I’ve made some terrific new friends and developed a real kinship with a lot of different people there. It’s probably the best experience I’ve had working at a business. But, I think this new job is one of those opportunities that I would be a fool to pass up. It’s a real step up for me and I hope to rise to meet the challenge that lies ahead.

So I put in my notice yesterday. Paul wasn’t too upset. I think a little disappointed, but when I told him what I was going to be doing and how awesome it was going to be, he understood. So now I’m a lame duck until Jan 16. I guess it’s good and bad that they didn’t escort me out the door early. I would’ve liked the extra time off, but I’ll do everything I can do here to make my leaving as easy on Paul as possible.

And then I’ll be exploring all the possibilities that lie ahead with the new job. For example: I may be able to commute to work every day by train now. Yes, you heard that rght – Nashville, TN is about to start up with commuter light-rail. And it happens to run right to my town. So, instead of fighting traffic and driving to work every morning I could very well be riding in a nice train and watching the world go by as I get driven into the heart of downtown by train! It’s so cool I can hardly stand it. Check out the rail-line site at: http://www.musiccitystar.org

My tenure at my current employer is coming to an end. I’ve enjoyed working there greatly (mostly for the people I work with, not the people who run the joint). The people there are really, really fantastic and I’ll be sad to not see them on a daily basis anymore, but alas – it is time for me to move on to bigger and better things. So I get to put in my two week notice tomorrow. I’m sure that it will make some people unhappy (Sorry Paul, seriously) – but I need to take this opportunity to improve my situation for my family and I. It’s a great position for a LOT more money and a LOT more responsibility. I just can’t pass it up.

Anyways, wish me luck with the two week notice!