So, the company president is here. I picked him up from JFK this afternoon. It was a horrible drive. The traffic was just awful. The two-hour lead time was just right. But who enjoys sitting in traffic?
Anyway, he brought with him two things: his golf set and a suitcase. Of course, his main reason for flying to NY is to meet with me. Let’s give him that benefit. After all, he owns the company. While in the car, he told me that the main reason he took this trip was for us to discuss how the business is going and determine whether I should go back to California or stay in Jersey.
As far as the business goes, it’s there. It’s thriving. It’s growing. Where do we see ourselves in the next 5 to 10 years? I see us growing twice or even three times bigger. BUT…
Are we ready to make that move? Are we prepared? And by “we”, I am talking about the company.
The very first step that the company did was recognize and realize the fact that our business in the east coast wasn’t going anywhere. It took time for them to see that, not to mention, exhausting to make them realize it. Then, the second step they took was send me here. Just when I got the ball rolling, I have come to a stumbling block. Well, a gigantic wall. Our distributor. Long story. Suffice to say, they’re crappy!
So I gave the president four choices:
1. Status Quo. This will definitely NOT create miraculous results. The only result I see is me, overloaded… overworked… and exhausted. Not good!
2. Open a branch office. The company will not be able to move any step further if it does not take things into its own hands.
3. Buy out the distributor and take majority stock. As they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, buy ‘em out and take control. This may very well be a good idea. Why? The infrastructure is already set up. Operations are running. Clients are set up. All we have to do when we go in is to fix their non-existent sales and marketing operations and improve everything else. In short, clean-up, renovate and re-decorate. Sounds like a website reboot! Me like-y!!!
4. Bring me home. Period. Well, a little explanation.
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a. I can handle both east and west properly. The west (except California) is now being handled by my ex-manager who suffered a stroke who’s back working and is now handling the logistics department. He admits to not being effective at handling the west accounts anymore since the logistics department is tough enough as it is. He’s been wishing for me to come back. I can manage the entire out of state business from the head office, just like I did before. This will mean more travel for me, but that’s the kind of thing that I really enjoy and gets me really challenged. We love challenges.
b. I miss California.
c. I miss my friends.
d. I miss home.
So…. I will probably get a clearer answer by Friday. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.