Scantlings

I was informed last week that at some point I will be given a 6 weeks notice that I will no longer be employed. That's right - I got a pre-layoff notice that I will be given a notice that I will be laid off.

I made it 5+ years here. The longest I've ever worked anywhere in one go. When I came on board, I told myself this is it. I'm done moving around. Cargill was a solid company and considered one of the pillars of industry and employment in Minnesota. But I think I am destined to keep fresh, whether by my choice or someone else's.

It's time for a change. At first I was a bit down about it. In all the times I've moved on to other positions, this is the first time I have been part of a RIF (reduction in force). It can be a blow to one's self-esteem, I reckon.

I'm passed the initial bad news part. Now I'm excited at the prospect of being able to try something new. My severance won't be huge, but it will be enough of a cushion. I'm hoping my 6 weeks notice will come soon so I can lounge around the summer

The hard part is keeping my enthusiasm at bay so I don't do something stupid like try to go into business for myself.

Welcome to the club, Rick.

Push comes to shove, you can always rebuild your boat.

Again........

Steve

You need to go hiking in Taos and come sail Maine with me some. We can hook up with Tucky. If you don't mind being cozy, we can fit your whole clan aboard.

Take a little time, who knows when you'll get another chance.

This too, shall pass. Overall, you have a pretty healthy view of things and have a lot of good things and people around you.

I just went through something similar, but different, and I got to spend some time with family and friends, in a place I care deeply about, that I likely never would have otherwise. Besides, I'm not minding where I ended up.

If Jesse offers you a ride on Sorn, or Rob on Sparky, take it; you'll have a blast!

I got laid off once back in the 1980's, it turned out to be a very good thing because I ended up taking a giant leap up in my career. That change ultimately lead to me buying the company I sold at the end of 2014.

Think of it as an opportunity. It is!

Meanwhile if you want to visit the PNW there is a guest suite on Blakely Harbor with Minna's name on it. (She could bring you along too.)

Probably the best thing that ever happened to me, job-wise, was getting fired early in my career. It helped calibrate my view of the employer-employee relationship, and in the process of getting a much better job within a week it gave me confidence in my own abilities and value. After that, I still tended to stay with a job longer than I should have, but I would eventually be able to move on to a better opportunity without feeling trapped by guilt.

A job is not "'till death do us part".

Rick

Lots of good advice. I too "got an offer of a buyout" during a senior management change. Apparently directors who did well under previous management were no longer in demand.

Lay offs are typical events these days and companies change strategies and adjust to the market.

You are inventive, energetic and talented. Don't be afraid to move for the next adventure. I used my buyout to take a year off and "try out" retirement. Couldn't handle it but went back to a job where I had a lot more control and spent 10% of my time traveling rather than 70%. Going from a fast moving Fortune 500 to a privately held small business has had its "moments" but I got back in control of my life and spend 200% more time with my family.

I speak from experience with both very large and very small companies:

Small privately held companies are best for your talents and personality Rick!

I dunno. Sounds unpleasant and anxiety-making to me.

Rick, I am very grateful for what you've done here. If there's anything we can do, let us know.

EW

Yeah, get to Maine. You deserve a little break.

Rick, there is plenty of great advice here. I don't have much to add. I'll simply say that I've been fired, laid off, forced out, etc... more times than I can remember. It hasn't hurt anything but my pride. Things have always worked out well as a result of working hard. You'll do fine. But, even a grizzled old veteran like me gets bummed by it. Feel bad, get a hug, and get going on something. Doesn't matter what it is, bumming rides on boats from friends in nice places is fine, just something to keep the feet and brain moving. Another opportunity will come up, sometimes when you least expect it.

Rick,

Take it as a gift. Use the time for some "slow thinking" about your next move. Work on the boat. Travel. Take all the Scantlingers up on their offers. This is a stunningly accomplished group, and a tremendous resource.

Let me know if you're heading east. Youre always welcome in Connecticut.

Charlie

For anyone who likes to draw or create or paint, there's something about a clean start that is exhilarating. The stressful part has to do with money. We have two kids in college and while I'm not a proponent of giving my kids a free ride, they need our help up front. Investing in their future benefits us by increasing their chances of not having to freeload off of us in the future.

So to that end, I have to be conscientious about income. It's a shame that the boring, high-level IT stuff I'm doing now is more lucrative than something creative and useful like being a draftsman. I'd be a happy camper to find a position as a SolidWorks jockey in some manufacturing job (still quite plentiful around here). Or I could dust off my dev skills and get a code slinger job in application development or web design, but again with a significant reduction in salary. Plus, there are tons of 20-somethings out there who would find that lucrative.

The real dream would be to do my own thing. As I stated in my starting a business thread, there is something compelling about that kind of venture. I was talking to a friend who made the comment, "that doesn't appeal to me. I am not after fame and fortune." I thought about that for a moment. And my impetus for such a venture isn't based on fame or fortune. It's based on creating something and seeing it flourish. Kinda like having a kid.

The other day, my wife and I talked about moving. That was a first. She has rarely ever entertained that idea. Her biggest issue has been the flight time back to the motherland (Finland). She has the impression that Seattle would be a lot farther away. It's only 1 hour more (11 vs. 10 from mpls). Maybe we should entertain a move to PNW. We'd be bringing Soñadora home

Personally, I think island hopping in a converted trawler would be a romantic and industrious way to get along. Might even be able to entice the little one into something like that.

Or a whirlwind tour visiting all the Scantlingers might be the right thing to do...

Soñadora wrote:For anyone who likes to draw or create or paint, there's something about a clean start that is exhilarating. The stressful part has to do with money. We have two kids in college and while I'm not a proponent of giving my kids a free ride, they need our help up front. Investing in their future benefits us by increasing their chances of not having to freeload off of us in the future.

So to that end, I have to be conscientious about income. It's a shame that the boring, high-level IT stuff I'm doing now is more lucrative than something creative and useful like being a draftsman. I'd be a happy camper to find a position as a SolidWorks jockey in some manufacturing job (still quite plentiful around here). Or I could dust off my dev skills and get a code slinger job in application development or web design, but again with a significant reduction in salary. Plus, there are tons of 20-somethings out there who would find that lucrative.

The real dream would be to do my own thing. As I stated in my starting a business thread, there is something compelling about that kind of venture. I was talking to a friend who made the comment, "that doesn't appeal to me. I am not after fame and fortune." I thought about that for a moment. And my impetus for such a venture isn't based on fame or fortune. It's based on creating something and seeing it flourish. Kinda like having a kid.

The other day, my wife and I talked about moving. That was a first. She has rarely ever entertained that idea. Her biggest issue has been the flight time back to the motherland (Finland). She has the impression that Seattle would be a lot farther away. It's only 1 hour more (11 vs. 10 from mpls). Maybe we should entertain a move to PNW. We'd be bringing Soñadora home

Personally, I think island hopping in a converted trawler would be a romantic and industrious way to get along. Might even be able to entice the little one into something like that.

Or a whirlwind tour visiting all the Scantlingers might be the right thing to do...

Though my loyalty is still with the East Coast Portland, PNW is great!

It would certainly be a pleasure to have you guys in the area Rick.

Thanks Joe. I've always considered the Emerald City to be my Shangri La.

who knows...

Was on a corporate wide conf. call this a.m. The message was some bullshit about how to navigate change. The 'Leadership Team' (you know, the guys who go ziplining in Costa Rica as a part of team building) determined that on balance things are going quite well. So well in fact they see new opportunities including the creation of 50 NEW TEAMS in IT. They are interested in development and growth of their employees so don't be afraid to strike out and try something new!

WTF???

Most of the people on that call were notified last week they were no longer employed by Cargill. Takes some real balls to come out and say shit like that.

Maybe they, umm, erm, uh, forgot?
(Stares at shoes while shuffling feet nervously)

Soñadora wrote:Thanks Joe. I've always considered the Emerald City to be my Shangri La.

who knows...

Was on a corporate wide conf. call this a.m. The message was some bullshit about how to navigate change. The 'Leadership Team' (you know, the guys who go ziplining in Costa Rica as a part of team building) determined that on balance things are going quite well. So well in fact they see new opportunities including the creation of 50 NEW TEAMS in IT. They are interested in development and growth of their employees so don't be afraid to strike out and try something new!

WTF???

Most of the people on that call were notified last week they were no longer employed by Cargill. Takes some real balls to come out and say shit like that.

???????

That's bonkers!!

Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?

Rick, it sounds like that was a good place to quit, so perhaps the layoff was a blessing in disguise. Change is seldom convenient or easy, but it's often for the best.

It'll work out, opportunity is everywhere. Had to laugh, Polly is having to attend a "helping the company grow, good public employer" seminar or some such bullshit. But the generating station is up for sale. Oh well, retirement next year..

I was laid off on a Friday and started on my own Monday, so far so good, 30 years into it, the only downside is the boss is an ass.

Thanks for all the encouragement. To be frank, I'm not worried beyond the amount I should be worried. This type of stuff rolled off me when I was younger, but now I have two kids in college and one more in the batting cage.

When I look back to other times when things seemed dire, something often came out of nowhere. I won't deny I believe a little bit in luck or fate or whatever immaterial influence one may describe.

As you know, I'm quite obsessed with 3D printing. I'm also fidgety. And my offspring are blessed with that as well. A while back I went to the Thing-iverse and found some small items that are good for busy hands. I printed some out. Gave one to my middle child (a student at U of MN) and didn't really think much of it. It turns out I stumbled upon a fad that seems poised to become the next pet rock.

Hand spinners are small devices containing 2 or more skateboard bearings. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Typically held in a fashion that allows you to flick it to make it spin. It's the next step up from twirling a pencil.

I made a bunch for Sonja and Celia (my 11 year old) to sell to their friends. $5 each (they cost me about $1.50). They were a hit. On the U of MN campus, they are quite popular. At Field Elementary, they are also quite popular. But what is not popular is an 11 year old pushing their wares in the halls during school hours. I soon received an e-mail that sounded as though she were getting busted for drug trafficking. We made it clear early on that these should only be vended after school. Ever the opportunist, she decided the market was bigger when everyone was in the halls. She is still able to sell them, just not during school hours.

I got the idea to pitch these to the bookstore at the U. Bingo.

At the moment I am the sole supplier of these things (and currently working on official branding with their certification office). Of course, school is almost out. So we are considering what the orders will look like for the fall. I'm anticipating a significant demand by then.

You might ask yourself, "I'm sure China is selling these, right?" Indeed. There really is nothing to them. But there is the beauty of 3D printing. I do not have a minimum order. And I can make it so each item is completely different from the next. This makes it possible to customize for any event. Plus, the U is really big on using local suppliers for their swag.

And there are several other large schools in the area. And several MAJOR colleges in the region. And spinners are just a single hot item. What other opportunities are there for on-demand 3D printed items?

This is a prototype with U of MN colors:

This is the packaging I designed for retail:

Dropped 24 off at the bookstore yesterday. They got them on the shelf this afternoon. They have 6 left and they just ordered 48 more.

I've heard that first million is the hardest...HA!

What a hoot!

That's great! I've never seen one of those before. I'll have to go ask my kids.

They are certainly gaining in popularity.
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/fidget-spinners-the-newest-toy-to-twirl-into-americans-lives-936693315526
http://www.today.com/video/fidget-spinners-have-become-so-popular-that-some-schools-are-banning-them-934450755856

so today was the first day of the rest of my life (aren't they all )

Actually, I was let go about 2 weeks ago, but last week was the USA Cup Soccer tournament and I was "involved". Then over the weekend I had to go up to my dumb ol' sailboat and do some stupid sailing and crap.

I mean, I spent the weekend on our lovely little ship and had some terrific sailing on Lake Superior. All that is true.

I spent the morning cleaning up the 'lab'. I am going to launch my Kickstarter this week, but I can't do it if my lab is a shambles. So I cleaned things up will building my latest 3D printer model: the A5 Ultimate. I'll mention that in another thread.

I know I'm soon going to be pressured into towing the line and finding a job. But right now this feels right. Like this is what I should be doing. It 'smells' successful, even though I don't know what that smells like.

I need me one of these fidget spinners so I stop chewing my nails on long drives when I am bored out of my mind.

H B wrote::like:

I need me one of these fidget spinners so I stop chewing my nails on long drives when I am bored out of my mind.

Me TOO! I promised M1 (first granddaughter) that if she stopped biting her nails, I'd stop biting mine. She stopped. I'm screwed. Need toy soon!!! (Can't be beaten by a 4.5-year-old!)

Well, that didn't last long. I have to say I was getting pretty comfortable with my pseudo-retirement.

I will be starting a new job on Monday with Snap Fitness as their EA (Enterprise Architect). I'll be responsible for designing their fitness software.

I'll be sure to add doughnut and coffee breaks into their routines.