The single biggest decision that I’ll make this year…

[Tim Kolb]

The whole thing seems odd to me.

If you are as much of the business’ capability as you say you are, why do they give you an out after 90 days?

And…no, it’s not nearly as difficult to move laterally and re-establish yourself, I’m doing it right now. People are loyal to the people they deal with as much or more as they are loyal to a building or a corporate logo…the whole thing seems foolish.

Are you sure there aren’t any details you’ve left out of this scenario?

[Michael Munkittrick]

Actually, the introduction of the consultant idea was mine, so the 30 days was a factor that I kind of gave them a “take it, or leave it” position to take. In any other business that is being sustained within the same industry and with the same clientele while using the same moniker, I felt that putting a recognizable face to the deal for the clients who will notice the changing of the guard would ease the transition to some extent. They initially turned the offer down as they have their sights set ahead of where I’m presently at, but the buffer or easing into the market made them reconsider and I decided to honor my initial offer as a good faith gesture

[Tim Kolb]

I think I’d ask them straight out what their expectations are of you when you depart. I’d point out that you have to make a living and so you’ll be available for work…many of the clients who have been served by you in the past will most likely pursue you…

Do they expect you to defer those clients to them?

Do they think they’ll be strong enough to compete in an open environment?

Are they taking the business in a different direction so that when you open up again and start to skim some of the established business, they believe they’ll be focusing on other things anyway?

What do they see as the chief advantage to buying you out instead of starting fresh if they aren’t effectively neutralizing you?

…these are the kinds of questions that jump into my mind…

TimK,

Kolb Productions,
Creative Cow Host,
Author/Trainer
http://www.focalpress.com
http://www.classondemand.net