I need vibes

[Miles]

Not even sure where to start, or how to explain everything that has transpired in the past few months. What I know today, is that my company is in a horrible position and I don't think we're going to survive, or maybe I cannot imagine how we will survive through the new year.

In the past thirty days: our President & CEO stepped down (that's a nice way of saying there was a small coup d'état led by my boss) and my boss assumed the role of President, where he immediately closed the NYC office, laid off the employees, and moved the headquarters from NYC to California. This, while unfortunate, was actually a smart move as it pushed closer towards cash neutrality. But getting out of the red depended on delivery of new software to a key account and management finally realized yesterday that we're not going to make it.

We haven't delivered the news to the customer yet, that happens today, but when they find out I'm sure there will be a flurry of meetings and they'll exercise a clause in the contract where we forfeit beaucoup dollars. All signs indicate that the Board of Directors will not provide anymore cash infusions if the clause is exercised, which then puts us in a position where we have to make more cutbacks. I feel confident that I would make the next round of cuts, as we would try to close direct sales and focus more on OEM business which I manage, but there's still the possibility that we might just cut down to a few engineers to maintain source code and current accounts while we try to secure more sales. The problem there is that we don't have anything to sell right now. Customers have been holding off on renewals and new contracts while we finish our new version, which now looks like it won't be ready until the end of March at the earliest.

Now I have tough decisions to make. Part of me feels that I need to leave the company, but then I'd abandoning my friends and coworkers when they need me most, and at a time where there's still some hope that our customer would recognize the ramifications of withholding revenue (it's gonna cost them a lot more money to pull code out of escrow and finish up, or to go with another vendor). I'd also be giving up on dream. It may be easy to leave some jobs, but I helped start this company, it's not just my job, it's what I have done for 1/3 of my life!

I can handle unemployment, and I've got a lot of options so I'm not really worried about my future. More than anything, I'm just angry about the position we're in. I'm angry because nobody listened two years ago, and one year ago, and this summer when I tried to raise some concerns about our release plan. I'm angry because I've been working ridiculous hours for months and it looks like it will not have mattered. I'm angry because I have to make these tough decisions. I'm angry because I think we could've avoided all of this.

Now I have to go make a difficult phone call.

[Lavabe]

Major vibes go to you... DUDE!!


Your CTN friends will be here for you!!

[Very Duke Blue]

Vibes coming your way.

[devildeac]

Not even sure where to start, or how to explain everything that has transpired in the past few months. What I know today, is that my company is in a horrible position and I don't think we're going to survive, or maybe I cannot imagine how we will survive through the new year.

In the past thirty days: our President & CEO stepped down (that's a nice way of saying there was a small coup d'état led by my boss) and my boss assumed the role of President, where he immediately closed the NYC office, laid off the employees, and moved the headquarters from NYC to California. This, while unfortunate, was actually a smart move as it pushed closer towards cash neutrality. But getting out of the red depended on delivery of new software to a key account and management finally realized yesterday that we're not going to make it.

We haven't delivered the news to the customer yet, that happens today, but when they find out I'm sure there will be a flurry of meetings and they'll exercise a clause in the contract where we forfeit beaucoup dollars. All signs indicate that the Board of Directors will not provide anymore cash infusions if the clause is exercised, which then puts us in a position where we have to make more cutbacks. I feel confident that I would make the next round of cuts, as we would try to close direct sales and focus more on OEM business which I manage, but there's still the possibility that we might just cut down to a few engineers to maintain source code and current accounts while we try to secure more sales. The problem there is that we don't have anything to sell right now. Customers have been holding off on renewals and new contracts while we finish our new version, which now looks like it won't be ready until the end of March at the earliest.

Now I have tough decisions to make. Part of me feels that I need to leave the company, but then I'd abandoning my friends and coworkers when they need me most, and at a time where there's still some hope that our customer would recognize the ramifications of withholding revenue (it's gonna cost them a lot more money to pull code out of escrow and finish up, or to go with another vendor). I'd also be giving up on dream. It may be easy to leave some jobs, but I helped start this company, it's not just my job, it's what I have done for 1/3 of my life!

I can handle unemployment, and I've got a lot of options so I'm not really worried about my future. More than anything, I'm just angry about the position we're in. I'm angry because nobody listened two years ago, and one year ago, and this summer when I tried to raise some concerns about our release plan. I'm angry because I've been working ridiculous hours for months and it looks like it will not have mattered. I'm angry because I have to make these tough decisions. I'm angry because I think we could've avoided all of this.

Now I have to go make a difficult phone call.

Best of luck. Hope you gets some breaks and good judgment is used by you, your colleagues and your clients working through this. And I don't state this lightly or cavalierly. Sometime I'll share my job change from about 10 years ago. Not quite the same but there are some parallels.

[CathyCA]

Oh my.

Miles, you will be in my thoughts. I am so sorry to learn this.

(((HUGS)))

[DukePA]

Mega, big ass vibes to you and your company. Follow your gut and your conscience. Don't compromise your morals and you'll be fine as well as continuing to give your company your best.

[windsor]

Huge vibes that you. I hope in the end, whatever happens, you land on your feet and know you did what you could.

I totally understand being the one voice screaming "THE EMPEROR HAS NO FUCKING CLOTHES PEOPLE" and have everyone else in the room ignore you. For months. Years. I understand how infuriating and frustrating it is when they finally realize the emperor has frostbite on his jewels from being stark naked in the snow and wonder why nobody told them.

I also know why you worked all those hours when I expect you deep down knew it could all be for naught - because it is who you ARE and you couldn't live with yourself if you did it any other way....even if it means you give your heart and soul to software than will never see the light of day.

Hang in there.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

May the vibes be with you, my friend. }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

That said, there are several cliche's which certainly sound like they do apply so I'll say them.
You're not the captain, you don't have to go down with the ship.
You told them so.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
Behind every cloud there is a silver lining and maybe a pot of gold.

Don't let it get you down. It's what you do, not who you are, even though you've put years of your life into it and love doing it. Life with Kelly is who you are! See you at the carolina game on the 27th maybe?!!!?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

May the vibes be with you, my friend. }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

That said, there are several cliche's which certainly sound like they do apply so I'll say them.
You're not the captain, you don't have to go down with the ship.
You told them so.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
Behind every cloud there is a silver lining and maybe a pot of gold.

Don't let it get you down. It's what you do, not who you are, even though you've put years of your life into it and love doing it. Life with Kelly is who you are! See you at the carolina game on the 27th maybe?!!!?

All good advice. I'll throw in one more.... think about the instructions given before each flight, the ones related to putting on the oxygen mask. The flight attendant will tell you to put on your own oxygen mask before you help others with theirs. You have to look after yourself in order to have any hope of helping others.

Vibes and prayers as you and your company work through the immediate future and beyond.

[captmojo]

Being a loyalty freak, I hesitate offering advice contrary to any you've already read or heard. What do I know of your situation? I can only say I wish you all the best.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Let me add
1. "don't make a decision until you have to".
2. "come to Cameron and yell your lungs out at the refs. That's what they're for! Get it all out!"
3, "remember to breathe".
Love, Ima

[lawgrad91]

Vibes and prayers for you and your coworkers, Miles. This is a very tough situation.

[DukieInKansas]

Miles,

Vibes and prayers as you work through your decision process. It's ok to think of yourself first. I hope your customer is open to options that benefit both parties.

DinK

[TillyGalore]

and

[bjornolf]

[CameronBornAndBred]

[ArkieDukie]

and

What Tilly said.

[DevilAlumna]

Man, oh, man, Miles -- sorry to read about this. Here's hoping your current clients can show a bit of patience (and your software has a high barrier to exit?) to wait until a March release. As great as loyalty is, ask yourself what the company is doing to reward you for it, and how loyal they are to you. It sounds like they've been pretty good to you so far, so maybe now is the time to return the favor, but ultimately, you do have to look out for you.

But definite vibes your way to get yourself through this.


(If you do decide to leave, and are interested in any positions with the 'borg, let me know. I would be happy to get you into our internal referral system.)

[bjornolf]

I forget what your degree is in, but I think the patent office is hiring right now if you want a cushy government job. They expect hard work and results at the USPTO (as opposed to many government jobs), but if you do your job well, you get automatic promotions and there is almost NO chance you'll lose it. (The job I mean.)

[shereec]

Hugs and vibes to you, my dear. There's good advice already in this thread. You just have to do what is best for you, and that includes making decisions based on what you can live with - just don't underestimate what you can live with. I know it will all work out the way it is supposed to. You know I only want you happy and healthy. and in Raleigh/Durham sometime very, very soon!