The Advice Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yeah, you've got to go for it. You're a salesman, there's no such thing as loyalty with you people anyway

 

[Tredman]

I am *not* a salesman. I just do sales type stuff

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Right, need some more advice. Thought a lot about this and need help - I've received some good advice on here in this area before, so please chuck your views at me.

I took a new job this time last year and its been incredibly hard work, but very rewarding - basically I work for a large engineering company with lots of staff in UK but headquarters in Holland. I run the UK business development for one of the Dutch tech departments. Everyone I work with is in Holland, but I still need to work out of one of our UK offices, usually on my own in the corner. Its been proper hard work - building a new market for us in an area where the customers don't know us at all. After a year I'm getting there with some good orders coming up, but still massively in the red. Long term I'm pretty sure we will not meet their growth targets (which are unrealistic imo). Its a great team in Holland and I really get on well with them, but only see them once a month.

I've been offered a new job, doing something similar, but not a competitor. Its working from home, comes with a big pay rise (around 15%), plus a realistic chance of at least another 50% salary bonus every quarter. It's possibly a life changing increase in earnings. New role is across Europe, Middle East & Africa - which I have done before (its a lot of travelling, but appeals to my wandering instincts). New job basically has everything I want, with more job security. I just feel like I will be letting my team down and also the new customers I have brought in to my current company.

So should I do it!!?? 1 year is very quick to change jobs (certainly in my industry) and realistically I will have to make a success of the new job, else I will be a busted flush.

Sorry mate, you may not like this.

Jump.

If the targets set were unrealistic it's your ass if they are not met .

The new job seems to hit some really great things for work life balance.

If you don't you will never know. If you jump and hate it at least you will have tried.
If you do what you always done you get what you always got.

My advice. Go for it!!!!!!!!

 

[Deleted Cyber]

You applied for the new job . Why?

There is your answer grasshopper

 

[Tredman]

Sorry mate, you may not like this.

Jump.

If the targets set were unrealistic it's your ass if they are not met .

The new job seems to hit some really great things for work life balance.

If you don't you will never know. If you jump and hate it at least you will have tried.
If you do what you always done you get what you always got.

My advice. Go for it!!!!!!!!

Thanks, jumping is not a problem with me tbf, not jumping is more of an issue for me.

You applied for the new job . Why?

There is your answer grasshopper

I didn't apply, they approached me.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Thanks, jumping is not a problem with me tbf, not jumping is more of an issue for me. I didn't apply, they approached me.

Head hunted!

Fuck ,you just have to do this if u have done due diligence on the company and they check out.
It's a win win

They chose u
They want you
They want you to succeed.
No lose bud if true!

 

[The Bear]

If you know you can do it, then go for it.

 

[Pablowolf]

Do it, you'll regret it otherwise.

I've worked for two American companies and they've both been great. One flew me to Philadelphia for their Xmas party and the other flew me to Palo Alto.

 

[Johnny75]

Right, need some more advice. Thought a lot about this and need help - I've received some good advice on here in this area before, so please chuck your views at me.

I took a new job this time last year and its been incredibly hard work, but very rewarding - basically I work for a large engineering company with lots of staff in UK but headquarters in Holland. I run the UK business development for one of the Dutch tech departments. Everyone I work with is in Holland, but I still need to work out of one of our UK offices, usually on my own in the corner. Its been proper hard work - building a new market for us in an area where the customers don't know us at all. After a year I'm getting there with some good orders coming up, but still massively in the red. Long term I'm pretty sure we will not meet their growth targets (which are unrealistic imo). Its a great team in Holland and I really get on well with them, but only see them once a month.

I've been offered a new job, doing something similar, but not a competitor. Its working from home, comes with a big pay rise (around 15%), plus a realistic chance of at least another 50% salary bonus every quarter. It's possibly a life changing increase in earnings. New role is across Europe, Middle East & Africa - which I have done before (its a lot of travelling, but appeals to my wandering instincts). New job basically has everything I want, with more job security. I just feel like I will be letting my team down and also the new customers I have brought in to my current company.

So should I do it!!?? 1 year is very quick to change jobs (certainly in my industry) and realistically I will have to make a success of the new job, else I will be a busted flush.

Have you asked your current company if they can give you the same pay and possible bonus? Is it money that is driving you or is it doubts about where you are now?

If you like the travelling, company and role you will be doing then do what you're good at, nobody can begrudge anybody for doing that.

If it were me I'd ask the company what they have planned, ask them what they have planned for me, the unit, the staff and how they plan to fund it. Give me complete autonomy, the budget I want, staff I need and a share option scheme to match a more realistic target.

You have a hell of a bargaining chip here and if they don't give you what you want then you have better waiting for you at the American place.

Win-win.

 

[Tredman]

Have you asked your current company if they can give you the same pay and possible bonus? Is it money that is driving you or is it doubts about where you are now?

If you like the travelling, company and role you will be doing then do what you're good at, nobody can begrudge anybody for doing that.

If it were me I'd ask the company what they have planned, ask them what they have planned for me, the unit, the staff and how they plan to fund it. Give me complete autonomy, the budget I want, staff I need and a share option scheme to match a more realistic target.

You have a hell of a bargaining chip here and if they don't give you what you want then you have better waiting for you at the American place.

Win-win.

I probably could negotiate the same basic salary, but not the bonus (or the commission they have offered on serious orders either).

The money is only part of it if I'm honest. I do have complete autonomy now anyway, but no budget increase (nor any likelihood of one), the goal is to hot house our group and sell us off, having been through that before I'm not overly keen

 

[Premier Quality]

if you explain the role and salary changes, very few people would begrudge you moving to do it. And if they do, they’re probably not great people to work with anyway.

If you want to do it - definitely do it.

 

[Johnny75]

I probably could negotiate the same basic salary, but not the bonus (or the commission they have offered on serious orders either).

The money is only part of it if I'm honest. I do have complete autonomy now anyway, but no budget increase (nor any likelihood of one), the goal is to hot house our group and sell us off, having been through that before I'm not overly keen

I think you've just made your decision.

I've run a few start-ups, including the one I'm in now and they're mentally tough. I know the endgame but then I own a majority in this one so slightly different and I agree with you it's a hard road.

Much easier to have a job. Not so sure if a job is more satisfying.

 

[Tony Towner]

My only advice would me to make sure you do what is right for your family. I chased my career in my 30's to the detriment of my family which now they are older I really regret.

 

[machin05]

Have you taken the job yet?

 

[Tredman]

My only advice would me to make sure you do what is right for your family. I chased my career in my 30's to the detriment of my family which now they are older I really regret.

Good point, i did that to my detriment a few years ago - spending long hours in the office and travelling all over the place. This role as home based should get me out of that cycle.

Have you taken the job yet?

I'm contemplating whether it's ethical to resign via email, coward that I am.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Good point, i did that to my detriment a few years ago - spending long hours in the office and travelling all over the place. This role as home based should get me out of that cycle. I'm contemplating whether it's ethical to resign via email, coward that I am.

Sounds like you have a decent relationship with them - if so, email is not the right way to do it.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Good point, i did that to my detriment a few years ago - spending long hours in the office and travelling all over the place. This role as home based should get me out of that cycle. I'm contemplating whether it's ethical to resign via email, coward that I am.

It is ethical to e mail your boss and request an appointment to see them, call them or Skype them depending on distance. Prep your speech. Sorry if that's teaching you to suck eggs!

I was always told that the best staff always move for the next challenge. It's business.

 

[Kenny]

Do it, you'll regret it otherwise.

I've worked for two American companies and they've both been great. One flew me to Philadelphia for their Xmas party and the other flew me to Palo Alto.

Fuckers flew you back though....

 

[Parkins left foot]

Tredman - if you are going then email is not the right way. Type a letter, but hand over at a more formal meeting.

(depends how much you enjoy the current job really & whether the increased remuneration is enough to go somewhere where you don't know what it will be like or whether their promises will be fulfilled)

My eldest was headhunted last year & offered a substantial rise plus bonuses, but liked where he is now. Talked to his MD who offered almost as much of an increase for him to stay (but without the bonus which could never have been guaranteed anyway).

He ultimately decided to stay - right decision? Really no way of working that out.

You will have a gut feeling of what is best for you & your family.

 

[Tredman]

Talking face to face would be best, but they are all in Holland. So it's a call or email unfortunately.