Changing Career Fields

Balloonman1

To all fellow formites,
I want to thank you all for the wonderful advice and thought provoking input that you have contributed over the last 3 years or so that I have been on the forum.
I have recently been presented with an unsolicited opportunity to go to work for a friends company as their sales manager. No more firing people, or hiring on a regular basis. No more of the headaches and aggravation caused by employees, or feeling like I am shoveling sand against the tide. x:D
It was a very difficult decision to make, changing my career field after 15 years + and leaving a company that has been very very good to me. Giving notice to my boss will be the most difficult thing I have ever done in my professional life.
New and exciting opportunities exsist.......I will probably check in on the forum from time to time.....until this subscription runs out.....
I am giving notice on Monday that I will be leaving as of 12/31 as I have some vacation already scheduled and two insurance renewals I have to guide them through.
Just needed to let you all know.
My $0.02 worth,
DJ The Balloonman

mdm

Thank you for all of the advice you have given. You will be missed. x:-( Good luck with your new career. I wish you well.

nohr4u1yr

I have only been with the forum for a short time but your "$.02 worth" will be missed.

I wish you the best of luck!

Shelley

dchr9203

Congratulations and good luck!

Whirlwind

I really admire your fortitude -- I think it takes a lot of guts to make a big career change when you don't have to. I hope it works out wonderfully for you!

mwild31

DJ The Balloonman - I will miss you. You're a fine example of a HR professional. Good luck in your future & I hope it's so bright, you have to wear xB-)! x:D

SMace

Hate to see you go B-man. Just remember you will have new, never experienced headaches. I wish you nothing but luck in your new job.

A piece of advice on working for friends. I would establish a very clear line of communication on how you will deal with performance or issues of conflict. Working for a friend can be very difficult on everyone. You could be percieved as a favorite or he/she could be harsher on you because they want to fight the favoritism perception. Be very clear about expectations on both ends and how you will deal with them if they are not met.

We'll miss your insight!

Crout

So what's the name of the bicycle company?

HR in CA

How exciting for you!

Your insights will be missed.

Beckie

marc

Wow, now there is a curve ball from left field. I am going to miss you DJ, you are one of our contributors with a steady hand and a clear head.

As others have said, your new field will have it's own set of challenges and headaches - this career choice, more than almost any other, has a "what have you done for me lately?" way of measuring things. Each "No" you get is a step closer to the close - and those are more fun than a barrel full of monkey balloons!

Good luck.

szemcumo

Best wishes for a happy and long working relationship with this move. Will you be staying in Missouri? You will be missed.

Balloonman1

SMace,
I am very much aware of the challenges of working for a friend. I will not be working directly for him, though he is part owner of the company.... we have already had a discussion work is work, friendship is friendship.
Small growing company.... same area, so no move, actually 20 miles closer to home!!! x:D
It is a very comfortable fit.........one of those you are the right person for the job thing......
And to top it off today my #1 problem employee, is driving me up a wall!!!!!!! Only problem employee left, now 20 days after the fact he is disputing his attendance suspension! Idiot.....
Reaffirms my decision in some ways......
Yes new company, new problems........new challenges.........
I will be twisting balloons this Sunday at the Jingle Bell Run at Johnson County Community College....... come by and say hi!
Crout, I wish it were a bike company, how cool would that be!!!!!
My $0.02 worth,
DJ THe Balloonman

LindaE

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 12-01-04 AT 02:03PM (CST)[/font][br][br]I'm sorry to see you go, too, and will miss the advice and help you've given so many of us! You have guts, making such a big change, and I admire that and wish you the best of luck. I still haven't figured out how to do those #*@&;!! emoticons, but I'd put a smiley here if I could! Linda

sonny

Gee, DJ seems like you have been around more than 3 years. The others are right, you have been a real valuable contributer here. Hope you can find away to check in now and then and let us know about your new life. Enjoy!

Balloonman1

I appreciate that you all feel I have been a valuable contributor. I feel the same way about many of you........ while I may give my $0.02....without hesitation, there has been more than a few times I need everyone else's $0.02, and for that I have been grateful.
I am dreading telling my boss on Monday........
he is a stand up guy, and it is a great company I work for.
My $0.02 worth,
DJ The Balloonman

Dasher

Absolutely fabulous! Take all that great HR knowledge and have some real fun . . . Will miss your .02 a lot!

ritaanz

Oh no! Don't leave us. x:'(

But, your mind's made up so along with all the others, I wish you success.

To quote Robert Fulghum, "The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it.The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be."

There is no question in my mind that you will excel and flourish. Mazel tov!

lhill

I am fairly new to the forum, but I've always enjoyed your responses and the fact that you have a good sense of humor. Best of luck!

Judith

Good luck to you -- I hope you enjoy your new venture -- for as much time as we spend at work we should enjoy at least half of it!!!

Rockie

We will miss you DJ! Change is sometimes a good thing, especially if you have been at it for a long time. I've been working in HR for around 20 years (started when I was 5!) and I sometimes wonder about changing also, especially at this time of year.

Anyway....good luck to you and check in from time to time!

jmcaa

Congratulations! It takes a lot of guts to give up the current job (where you are comfortable) and take a new job doing something different. Best of luck to you!

We will definitely miss all of your sage advice, your experience, and your humor!!!

System

DJ, how will we know when it's 'bike to work week?' Maybe your new employer is an MLS subscriber and you can drop in from time to time. We'll miss you. It's been a pleasure to 'know you' on the forum. Stay in touch. Best of wishes in your new career.

Sam