A job or not a job, that is the question
Today I have an appointment with the executive director of a software distribution company. I don't know what to say to Andrew. I had lunch a few weeks ago with a friend who suggested I meet Andrew so I scheduled the appointment without knowing exactly why we needed to meet. It makes me uneasy meeting someone without a reason and as I walk into Andrew's office, I can feel my stomach start to do summersaults. Andrew's office is located in a gentrified area of town and is smaller than I expected. It is right next to the park where Anna, my daughter and Louisa play. I wonder if Andrew watched us playing on the swings last summer. The receptionist greets me at the door smiling and offers me a cup of coffee while I wait for Andrew to arrive at the office. While I am waiting, I watch the office staff chatting in several languages and wonder why Andrew is late. The office door opens and a dark haired man walks in. Walking towards my chair, he smiles and holds out his hand. Andrew is young. I am not sure what I was expecting. Is he younger than me? We shake hands and walk downstairs to a conference room to chat. Andrew is interested in my project and asks lots of questions about my background. After a thirty minute explanation of what I am trying to accomplish, Andrew looks at me. “Emmy, do you think you can be managed?” What an odd question. Why would I need to be managed? I never thought about being managed before. “I want you to think about it... if you think you can be managed, I want to offer you a position as Director of Direct Distribution for my company. You will be able to make more money than you would being self employed. Hiring someone like you is like hiring four normal employees. Will you think about it this week? Make a wish list of what you want and we can have another chat in a week. Here is my mobile number. Give me a call on Friday while I am in Paris.” As I am leaving the conference room, I am not sure how I feel. Did I really just get offered a job? Getting on the subway, I look down at the brochures and annual reports Andrew gave me and wonder if I could be happy working for Andrew?
I have my wish list. I talked to the lawyer earlier in the week and his suggestion is that I look for a joint venture and avoid being an employee. It is hard making a wish list. The only wish I really have is to see my idea become a reality. The list is not long and I am sitting here staring at the phone. It is almost time to call Paris. I dial the number and Andrew answers “Hi Emmy, could you please call me back on this landline number, it will be cheaper for you, thanks.” I hang up the phone and dial the land line in Paris. “Thanks for calling Emmy. Now why do you need two million Euros to start this project?” I don't know what to say. What has this got to do with my wish list? Earlier in the week, I sent Andrewthe spreadsheets that the consultants organized for the venture capital presentation but I warned Andrew that the numbers were for Venture Capitalists. I guess he did not take that into consideration. “Our company does not do organic growth we only buy established companies but I talked to a software distributor yesterday in Paris,” Michaels says but I am not really listening. “Emmy, would you consider talking with this company? They tried a Tupperware model a few years ago but it didn't work. Maybe your ideas will work in their company, they might be ready to pursue that form of distribution again. Will you think about it and call me on Monday?” I agree to think about it and hang up the phone. What just happened? Why such a drastic change in direction? Why ask me for a wish list and back peddle in such a drastic manner and serve me up as a snack for another company?
I have my wish list. I talked to the lawyer earlier in the week and his suggestion is that I look for a joint venture and avoid being an employee. It is hard making a wish list. The only wish I really have is to see my idea become a reality. The list is not long and I am sitting here staring at the phone. It is almost time to call Paris. I dial the number and Andrew answers “Hi Emmy, could you please call me back on this landline number, it will be cheaper for you, thanks.” I hang up the phone and dial the land line in Paris. “Thanks for calling Emmy. Now why do you need two million Euros to start this project?” I don't know what to say. What has this got to do with my wish list? Earlier in the week, I sent Andrewthe spreadsheets that the consultants organized for the venture capital presentation but I warned Andrew that the numbers were for Venture Capitalists. I guess he did not take that into consideration. “Our company does not do organic growth we only buy established companies but I talked to a software distributor yesterday in Paris,” Michaels says but I am not really listening. “Emmy, would you consider talking with this company? They tried a Tupperware model a few years ago but it didn't work. Maybe your ideas will work in their company, they might be ready to pursue that form of distribution again. Will you think about it and call me on Monday?” I agree to think about it and hang up the phone. What just happened? Why such a drastic change in direction? Why ask me for a wish list and back peddle in such a drastic manner and serve me up as a snack for another company?
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