Today is my last official day as an associate in corporate America. I spent almost 9 years as a vice president of information technology at a financial services company, leading the IT Help Desk for 10 direct reports in support of 2500 associates and however many clients we have using our online products. While I was never the most technical guy, I was the person who made sure our customers were happy. Every day I was at work, I gave things 100% of what I had, no matter what else was going on in my life. I’m going in today, my last day, to take care of business…again.
My job was simple: To help our IT organization increase employee & customer engagement. To be unafraid to screw their computer up, because they knew our IT department could fix just about anything they did to their computer. I got to encourage folks to stop being afraid of technology, and to realize that it wasn’t really about the tools. Instead, I helped them understand it was all about the conversations they had with their clients, with their co-workers, with those they serve, and that what really mattered was the connections you created and cultivated.
I (along with everyone else I worked with) helped drive our bottom line to be a larger (geographically, profits, and overall revenue) company from when I started on November 19th, 2001 until today, May 28th, 2010. We’ve expanded into lots of new markets, and we’ve been recognized the last 7 years by Fortune magazine as one of the top 100 places to work.
So it is with great sadness I say goodbye.
Goodbye corporate America!
Goodbye to the same paycheck every 2 weeks, no matter what happened.
Goodbye to health insurance, dental insurance, pre-tax parking, matching 401(k) contributions.
I’m not saying goodbye to my co-workers though. Most of them are not just co-workers, but friends. Friends I will miss dearly…though I expect to keep in contact with many of them.
Hello to full-time Make IT Great!
I’m doing something completely different, but exactly the same:
I’ll be helping IT organizations increase employee & customer engagement. Help them show their customers it’s really not about the tools; instead it’s all about the conversations you participate in and the connections you create and cultivate. Teach them to leverage the technology instead of just using it.
Only now, instead of focusing on making just 1 organization great, I can increase my scope and help many organizations see the value of making smart technology investments.
Hello to no guaranteed income.
Hello to finding my own insurance plan, parking in my driveway, setting up my own individualized savings plans.
Hello to a whole new world of possibilities.
It is with GREAT joy and awareness and discovery and anticipation that I move forward into this new world, full-time, starting Tuesday June 1st.
There’s a lot of anxiety, to get it started, and to move forward.
I’m a little nervous about the change. Only a little though.
Maybe that will change as time goes by, but for now, I’m only a little concerned.
Thanks for coming with me this far on the journey. I hope you’ll come back, and join me as this next chapter of my life gets written.
Goodbye – Hello.
The best is yet to come.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah Phil! Congrats and many positive thoughts for great success. I know you will continue to be as awesome as ever!
Excellent! I was wondering when you would be unleashing your fabulocity on the world in an even bigger way. Guess I know the answer now! Glad to hear it’s time for those positive ripples you create to spread even further.
I’m looking forward to watching where this takes you, Phil. Wherever it is, no doubt it will be good (no, make that “great!”).
Phil, you are going to Crush It! Making your life great by helping and supporting those around you just like you have done since the day I met you. Anything my friend, anything I or my network can do to support you just ask!
Asking is the key.
Love,
Jim Raffel
Congratulations on making the leap! Now is the perfect time to make the transition, lots of great opportunities out there during an economic upswing.
Congratulations, Phil! Except, more properly, it’s congratulations to us, and to all the companies you’ll be helping now. Here’s to great things!
Woo Hoo! Exciting, scary, and a dream come true! You put the GREAT in Make IT Great Phil. I’ll be cheering you on from here. Best wishes on your transition.
Congrats Phil! This is awesome, brave, blissful, fulfilling, and on and on. Taking smart calculated risks is the way to live life to its fullest and to make every day great. Good luck on your journey and enjoy “following” along.
Congratulations on having the courage to find your own way. You are the make it great guy, and you’ll definitely make it great – no matter what you do. I applaud you!
Congratulations! Good Luck to you!
Go, Phil, go! You have what it takes to be successful in your new venture! Enjoy!
Congratulations, Phil, their loss is our gain!
I can’t wait to watch you know everyone’s sox off, not to mention the fun of working with you on at least one of your new projects, http://themanagementexperts.com/
You ROCK!
Congratulations, friend!
Rich
BlogRodent
Congrats, Phil… It’s going to be a great ride!! Never look back!!
Be well, do good work, and keep in touch. ~Garrison Keillor
woo-hoo! Yay Phil! So excited for you… It’s always so exhilarating to see someone take a leap of faith to live what they believe in and are passionate about. It’s admirable and inspirational. I can’t wait to watch your success unfold. Congratulations to you!
Phil,
Lots of hills and valleys in front of you. Don’t worry, you have the talent and the right attitude. Enjoy the adventure.
Bill
YAY!! I know this has been in your head for a long time – I’m so glad you’re ready to share you with the world! Can’t wait to follow the next adventures of the Make IT Great Guy!!
All kinds of crazy love and best wishes to you, my friend!
Let’s collaborate!!!
Jodee
Congrats, brother. That’s a bold step, and it’ll be fun to watch you conquer the world!
Hey Phil – I’ve been out of touch in the blogging world but I still keep track of how you’re doing and wanted to congratulate you on the latest plunge into exciting possibilities! Congratulations!!
Hello to the world of opportunities and living your passion! Major congrats!
I am so happy for you Phil! These are special days for you and know that I will be praying for you and thinking of you. You’re gonna rock it!
Rock on, Phil! You inspire me with your energy, commitment and desire bring your passions to the benefit of others. May God bless your efforts.
Congrats on your decision, Phil! To paraphrase your words a bit, “what really matters is the connections you create and cultivate.” You’re so good at that! Looking forward to watching you take off as an author and an entrepreneur. Strap in and enjoy the ride! You’ve earned it!
Phil – You’re an inspiration. Your energy and awareness are amazing.
I’m greatly looking forward to our continued collaboration at http://themanagementexperts.com/ and through HDI. I have no doubts that you’ll soar. And, should you come to New England (hint hint) we’ll be able to spend some further time together.
Best to ya, Phil – Make It Great!
Well i take my hat off for you my friend! It takes a lot of preparation (which we know you’ve been working on for a few years now) but speially a lot uf courage and passion to follow your dreams and building the life you want. And your dream of helping people make it great is so worth!
I am nothing but sure that you will be very successfull Phil! Congratulations!
Efraín
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S P H I L !!!!!!!
We’re proud of you! We’re rootin’ for you! Yell (like your avatar) if you need anything as you cross that bridge to reality! All best wishes – Hal
All the best for your new journey and I am sure you will do VERY well in whatever you choose to do.
Talk to you soon.
Cheers,
Rajesh
Yea Phil – good for you. You’re an inspiration! I’ll be on the sidelines cheering you on.
Best wishes in your new endeavor.
While it must have been bittersweet leaving after all this time, you sure do look HAPPY in the photo!
Lauren
Wow, I’m always excited when I hear about corporate employees morphing into self-employed status. You’ll discover that you know more than you think you do, and that you can do more than you dreamed you could. Now, go be you–blow it up!
EJ
@ellistweet
Good luck to you Phil as you jump full-time into Make IT Great. You will make it great – I have no doubt. I’m sending you positive energy your way!
Wow! Way to go. Congrats. So glad you left amicably, not Jerry Maguire style.
See ya on the speaking circuit pal!
Phil – my heartfelt thoughts of support go out to you as you step onto a bigger playing field. Thanks for listening to your heart and digging for the courage to give up the predictable for the great unknown. We all know that your growth will create great and positive impact, in ever widening circles.
Big hug to you!
Deb
Hi Phil:
I just wanted to wish you good luck in your transition to self-employment. The fact that you are leaving a good situation and company tells me you have a very strong belief in the new opportunities ahead of you. I know several very successful people that have left very good companies to strike out on their own…and they are very happy about it. Keep up the great work!
GODSPEED!
You will make it great.
My accountant always told me the way to success is to “stay nervous!”
Sending love,
Corinne