.....okay - so a lot has changed in the last 36 hours or so. I went up to Chicago to tell my bosses that I was leaving yesterday. We were supposed to meet at 10am, but the normal sales meeting ran long so it was 11:30am by the time we actually got to meet. We ended up going to lunch for our meeting. It was me, Rick and John. They are both owners - Rick is "in charge" of our office down here, but John is the President and I worked inside sales for him for almost 3 years and we get along great.
When I told them that I was quitting, John dropped his fork. I wish I would have had a picture of the look on both of their faces. They were truly shocked. John's first words were - "what if Mark were not in the picture"? Hmm... good question. I love my job, I love my customers, I love the flexibility I have with my position, I love the factory people that I get to talk to all of the time, etc. I guess I was not prepared for that question. I told him that based on the history and the fact that the accounts list was split up like it was a few weeks ago that Mark would be sticking around for the forseeable future. They told me that they don't want to lose me, I am a valuable employee, customers like me, etc... John asked me if it was a done deal and I told him that I already told CAT yes. He then told me point blank that if I would change my mind, Mark would be fired next week and I can have the whole territory. If I get too busy and need help I can have inside sales support from Lombard (our main office) or if it gets really busy he said we can hire me an assistant down here. I told him that I could not give him an answer on the spot like that. He told me to go home, talk to Rob, take as much time as I need and get back to him. He would not accept my resignation letter - he said if that is what I decide he would respect my decision and wish me well, but he obviously does not want to see that happen. We continued to talk and I told him I was worried about the backlash of Mark. He said that when he's let go, there will be no 2 week notice, no transition period....they are coming down and telling him, giving his box for personal belongings, taking his computer, changing voicemail/email passwords, and changing the locks before they leave. He said that I don't have to have any more contact with Mark and he understands that he has put me through hell. Mark has a big commission backlog that can be held over his head if he tries anything. As far as him going on a slander campaign with customers, John made a good point when he said "who's going to listen to him"? Most customers don't like him anyways - which is when I said for the 10th time...."then why did it take me finding a new job for you to realize it's time for Mark to go??????"
So - after a lot of talking with Rob, my parents, Katie and even a customer who I consider to be more of a friend now I have decided to stay at Thermosystems. I wish I had a crystal ball to show me one year in the future at Thermo and one year in the future at CAT. I don't, so I have to base my decision on what I know and I KNOW that I love what I do - just not doing it with Mark. I don't know if I would love my job at CAT....I might, but no guarantees. I do know that CAT is a 50 hour/week job - in the office 5o hours which gives me very limited flexibilty. I do know that with Thermo as long as I am getting the job done I could be typing this from my bed in sweatpants and a ponytail (okay, so maybe I am!). I do know that Thermo gives me the flexibility to be a working mom and not feel horribly guilty about it because I can still go work the daycare halloween party or play hookey after one of Justin's doctors appointments.
In the end, I had to follow my heart and my heart tells me that I have a job I have enjoyed since I was 19 and did my first internship in this business. I am good at it and I enjoy it - with Mark out of the picture. I know that I work with people I enjoy talking to - again; minus Mark and I really have a lot of respect for my bosses. They have helped me and Rob out in tough times and that is something else that does not happen in a big corporation.
I hope I am making the right decision....only time will tell.
5 comments:
That is really awesome that they are doing that for you. I hope that it turns out to be the best decision for you. I hate making decisions like that.
You're doing what feels right in your heart. That's what matters. Good luck!!
And it has to feel good that your bosses value you that much! Not many people would go to those lengths to keep someone!!
I agree that you have to do what feels right for you. Good luck!
Wow, I bet what John had to say made you feel wonderful!! (It would me). Congrats on your decision and if it is what your heart is telling you, then you should follow it. I have to say the work/life balance aspect would be a selling pt for me because there isn't anything more important than being able to have that special time with your kids. Definitely let us know what happens the next week after Mark is gone. I wish I could be a fly on the wall...
That is awesome! Glad things worked out for the best.
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