So, 2 years ago I joined a booming company turning over £5m pa, 97% public sector based. 6 weeks later their business was pretty much wiped out by the public sector spending cull (public sector revenues reduced to £0.5k pa overnight). I’ve pretty much rebuilt the business for the directors as they had no knowledge of life outside of the public sector and we’re back in profit again this year.

My work hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’ve had a few companies chasing me and I’ve got a couple of firm offers. My preferred option is with a smaller company, bit more cash plus a share option. Just spoken to current employes and told them I might be off. They’ve come back and said they’ll match the salary but no chance on the share option.

Stay or go? If I go I’m gonna have to do it all again (I’ve been incredibly successful but it’s been a tough 2 years and I’ve dropped lucky on a few occassions) or stay, safe in the knowledge that there’s no chance of making massive money and I’ll be working for a director who is inferior to me at every aspect of the business (I told him this recently, which is probably why they’re not offering me the directorship).

Thoughts?

1: Steal their idea
2: Steal their customers
3: ?????
4: Profit

That’s what I would do

Are the new offers better than the offer from your current employer?
Set up on your own? It sounds as if you’d do well.

Mr brother wasted far too much time in a small software house becoming a key part of the company and not getting any equity. He finally walked away and theyve had to rebuild since. Tell them to stuff it. If you’re replaceable then they’ll survive and you get a reality check on your worth. If your IP is crucial, they’ll either shit themselves and reconsider or plough on and suffer.

Im a firm believer of working for equity if you’re in a small IP focussed company. If necessary Id even say taking a salary hit in exchange for equity share is a good idea. Call it socialist capitalism 😉

I ran my own business for a decade in the 90’s. It did OK but I question if I want all the stress again. I get married on Friday and I’m not sure if I’ve got it in me at the moment to start from scratch. I’ve worked pretty much solidly for the last 6 months and it’s been hard. Barely been out on the bike or done anything that’s enjoyable and that gets me down.

Jeremy, the majority are my customers that came with me from previous employers. They moved with me before as I’m the one with the ideas. I hope they’d do it again.

It’s good for companies to be seen to change agencies as it makes it look like they’re keeping things fresh. The main obstacle for them is risk. If the key contact moves it’s a much smaller risk.

Yeah, I think I’m with you Stoner. I watched a key person leave this company at Xmas – been here for 10 years and never rewarded with a directorship. They’ve replaced him with 2 people, neither of which can cover off his work and so everyone else has had to pick up the pace. Just had a chat with him and he said I should go as they’ll just use you for all they can.

I ran my own business for a decade in the 90’s. It did OK but I question if I want all the stress again. I get married on Friday and I’m not sure if I’ve got it in me at the moment to start from scratch

Charge more and do less.

if you are even half as good as you seem to think you are you’ll have no problem getting a better job.

If it was me, I’d go with the companies who are chasing me. Their motivation to do right by you sounds higher than the folk you are with now.

And it would give you more credibility in negotiating with your current folk if you have, internally, decided to move on. It’s less of a false jeopardy situation, and your current paymasters will be able to smell if you’re serious about moving on or just trying your luck (from their viewpoint). If they know you’re serious, perhaps they’re more likely to make a serious counter-offer.

But I’m not exactly a master at this sort of thing.

they’ll just use you for all they can

I suppose that’s their job, though.

Looks like it’s time to move on.

Assuming you’ve properly evaluated each of the offers, if there are better options available then move.

I’ll be working for a director who is inferior to me at every aspect of the business

Not every aspect. Afterall, he’s earning the money and you’re doing the work.

Yeah, that’s the frustrating thing, however I don’t think he’s earnt much more than me since I’ve been here.

When I joined I thought “wow these guys must be good, they lead the way in what they do”. My opinion now is that they were good at delivering for the public sector but outside of that market they’re clueless.

There’s nothing wrong with specialism.

You seem to be at a point that a lot of people reach. As an employee you are only ever going to be paid a percentage of the money you generate. You either accept this and put your efforts in to being in the right job at the right time to maximise your earnings. Or you put efforts to set up on your own.

If you’re not ready to go out on your own then, personally, I’d be looking at the ‘best deal for me’ of your options.

the majority are my customers that came with me from previous employers. They moved with me before as I’m the one with the ideas. I hope they’d do it again.

Then your bosses are stupid if they don’t try to keep you. Do you want to work for stupid bosses?

It’s time to go.

Reasons?

The fact that you’re posting and asking the question
You’ve told people you might be off
Because it’s a bit scary – you think you’ve been lucky
You think they are clueless.
You told a director he’s inferior

You’ve already decided really – you just need to accept it and get on with it
Don’t look back in 2 years and wish you’d done it, if you move you gave it a go and learnt some lessons. If you stay you will wish you’d moved.

For me the one thing that would make the difference is the share ownership. Make sure you understand the % of the company that it gives you. It can be a real motivator when times get hard.

Good luck in the new job 🙂

But most of all……ENJOY Friday and any holiday you have booked, have a great weekend!

Cheers guys. Really excited for tomorrow now.

mk1fan/molgrips/DaveRambo/cvilla you all speak a lot of sense, and don’t let anyone tell you different 🙂

See you on the other side.

It sounds like you don’t have any respect for your employers so probably time to move on.

I’d just add as above, you’ve really already decided, and remember, you’re not building up a shagged company if you move (I hope) so it’s going to be a lot better than 2 years ago.
Make the move, you only regret what you didn’t do.

It sounds like you have a choice of new companies to work for?
If this is the case see who will give you the best deal .
Its not all about the bottom line . Ask for a 36hr working week , Share options , 32 days holidays , PRP , Birthday Day off , Shares as an annual bonus, holidays to increase with length of service , Good quality pension in which they match your contributions , Company Audi RS6 avant ( with fuel card)

Never worked outside my own feild ,or in an office , but i do know what its like working for ‘challenged’ people