I just had a long talk with the boss and we agreed this company is simply not ready for a serious public relations program. I will write my resignation letter in a few minutes. It should be a friendly enough departure, and she said they’d try to give me freelance writing work. But that would be a continuation of the high-tech career I so despise; I need a divorce, not more of the same.
It feels good, even though there’s a huge amount of concern for my future. But the good feeling is greater than the concern, and that’s the important thing.
1
By other lisa
Richard, what can I say, but “congratulations!” You’re doing the right thing.
July 5, 2005 @ 3:43 pm | Comment
2
By Andrew
Good luck in the future! =)
In the mean time, have a good rest. Get laid or something. 😉
July 5, 2005 @ 3:44 pm | Comment
3
By Leo
It’s a good decision.
July 5, 2005 @ 4:04 pm | Comment
4
By New Observer
seemed like the writing was on the wall. Now Duck!
July 5, 2005 @ 4:05 pm | Comment
5
By JP
A company in business for close to 20 years not ready for PR. That’s the funny and sad thing about this whole episode.
Once again, it proves that the state isn’t ready for primetime when it comes to business or anything else that doesn’t have to do with tourism or real estate.
Have them go name another freaking bowl game or stadium. That will help stem the bleeding and bad press from layoffs, and other bonehead moves.
July 5, 2005 @ 4:59 pm | Comment
6
By richard
Well, I have a lot to say about the points you raise, JP, but now isn’t the time.
July 5, 2005 @ 5:14 pm | Comment
7
By Gordon
Good Luck Richard.
Are you going to share your letter of resignation? Just curious.
July 5, 2005 @ 5:54 pm | Comment
8
By richard
Gordon, here it is:
Dear X,
Per our discussion of a few minutes ago, I believe it is in my best interest if I were to resign from my current position at XX and pursue other opportunities. I have enjoyed much of my work here immensely and feel happy that I was able to make a difference in elevating XX’s profile in the eyes of the media and industry influencers. If it is alright with you, my last day at work will be July 8.
It is important to me to leave on good terms. I have made many valuable friends here and hope to continue enjoying a cordial relationship with XX. I understand the company’s goals and positioning and hope I will be considered to write white papers and case studies in the future on a freelance basis, as I did before I came on fulltime. Thanks for being an inspiring manager, and please feel free to consult me at any time in the future about public relations questions or writing-related issues.
Best regards,
Richard
July 5, 2005 @ 6:22 pm | Comment
9
By Martyn
Yes, I’m thinking much the same thing as JP above. For the company to agree that it isn’t ready for a serious PR program justifies your decision to leave like nothing else in my opinion.
It’s heart-warming to see the Peking Duck readers offering such kind and rock-solid support to you and just goes to prove what I’ve long-suspected, i.e. you have the best set of readers of any blog I’ve ever seen or read. Fact.
Ok, nobody expects you to write any long blog-pieces while your mind is still doing somersaults and you’re in emotional turmoil so, don’t worry, I’m sure that we can “make our own entertainment” just like they did in the olden days before they had TV! Ha ha.
However, on one condition……that you don’t worry yourself into a lather and that you slowly come round to recognising the simple fact that, despite having the usual amount of inevitable problems that need solutions and compromises, you’ve absolutely done the right thing and that you also have the entire at your feet.
It’s all going to work out just grrrrrreat, you’ll see.
July 5, 2005 @ 6:28 pm | Comment
10
By Martyn
Ooops, “entire WORLD at your feet”.
July 5, 2005 @ 6:29 pm | Comment
11
By American Man
YES, It always works out in the end.”Take this job and shove it”
July 5, 2005 @ 6:31 pm | Comment
12
By richard
Martyn, there is no way I can thank you enough for that. You are a class act.
I’m afraid I am rather shell-shocked and won’t be blogging any more tonight. I’m not worried about myself – I can always get by and I have bounced back from way worse than this. Hell, it was my choice. I am only worried about my friend JC, who is terrified. Nothing else matters except him, and I’ve got to put him at ease that this is not the end of the world, and that both of us having jobs we hate is not a state of paradise. He is much less adaptable to change than I am, and he is worried out of his mind. I guess I’ll be on edge until I convince him there are other options aside from voluntary slavery.
July 5, 2005 @ 6:35 pm | Comment
13
By Martyn
Hey, I’m just pointing out some simple truths as it’s pretty easy if your mind isn’t spinning from shock and uncertainty.
After you wrote your post “Blogging about work; my public relations travails” last week, it was obvious to all of us I think that you were clearly unhappy and clearly the right thing to do was to leave the company. Really, it was crystal clear to anyone who read that post. You knew what had to be done then, you just had to wait for the rest of your brain to catch up!
Unfortunately, worrying about someone else is a lot more difficult and demanding than worrying about yourself but you’ll be amazed how different things will start to look after a few days.
And obviously you don’t need me or anyone else to tell you to partially and temporarily put your own anxieties one side for a short time and give JC as much attention as you are able, as JC needs your support and understanding more than ever right now.
Oh dear, I’ve probably said too much but take heart that things will definitely, absolutely 100% certain, without a single doubt in my mind, look much better after a few days!
And after a few days we fully expect, nay, demand! that you make this current paucity of posts up to us with a devastating and inspiring selection of blog posts for our perusal! Ha ha.
July 5, 2005 @ 7:06 pm | Comment
14
By Majones03au@hotmail.com
We all hope to see you and JC here in Asia soon then Richard!
Good luck with your search for an alternative lifestyle.
Best regards,
Mark Anthony Jones
July 5, 2005 @ 7:28 pm | Comment
15
By American Man
He already HAS an alternative lifestyle.
July 5, 2005 @ 9:25 pm | Comment
16
By jillian
Buena Suerte!
July 5, 2005 @ 9:52 pm | Comment
17
By Devi
It’s going to suck (more) without you around. I’m glad I met you and found your blog. Will certainly keep up on it, please don’t stop sharing little tidbits of your life.
July 5, 2005 @ 10:20 pm | Comment
18
By Sam_S
Yep, congratulations, I think. The problem I always have with these liberations is that when I have enough time to enjoy all the things I like, I rarely have the money, but when I have the money, I rarely have enough time.
But much better gone now, than wait til you have a bleeding ulcer. And if you find Taiwan fascinating, I really want to hear about it.
July 5, 2005 @ 10:41 pm | Comment
19
By China Hand
Keep your faith in your abundant talent and things will go fine. Best of luck.
July 6, 2005 @ 12:58 am | Comment
20
By ouli
I hope you’ll be back in here in China soon – or in Taiwan, which as we all know, has always been a part of … and will ever be … etc. 🙂
Anyhow, I know the Chinese need someone like you, and expats over here need your blog. Quite honestly. Especially on a rough day, it helps to read your blog and to see that someting’s actually wrong with this country, not (only) with me.
So thanks – and welcome back soon, I hope.
July 6, 2005 @ 12:58 am | Comment
21
By Ivan
Richard,
Congrats, but I will not wish you good luck, because you are already your own good luck. You don’t need any luck from the outside.
In the traditional Tarot deck, there is a card called “The Devil”, and it depicts a man and a woman standing in front of a Devil, and the man and woman both have chains around their necks, BUT the chains are very loose and could easily be taken off. The symbolism is, that we often choose to chain ourselves to unnecessary limitations because we are afraid of freedom.
But good wishes to you – not good luck, but good wishes.
July 6, 2005 @ 1:47 am | Comment
22
By Filthy Stinking No.9
You’re leaving on good terms, and you’ve written a really tactful resignation letter. I’m sure you would have liked to let fly … but this is by far the better course of action.
We all stand in solidarity with Richard. All sing together now …
Sorry … I got carried away.
But seriously, everyone here supports you, and will understand completely if your blogging is reduced for a while. Just don’t stay away too long, because we’ll miss you. 🙂
July 6, 2005 @ 4:28 am | Comment
23
By Ivan
Ditto what FSN9 said!
July 6, 2005 @ 5:46 am | Comment
24
By Adam Morris
Good luck Richard.
July 6, 2005 @ 8:00 am | Comment
25
By Shanghai Slim
Cool! I’m sure later you will look back and wonder how you ever gave quitting a second thought.
Good luck Richard!
July 7, 2005 @ 7:27 am | Comment