Comments on: A New Beginning http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/ better communication makes the complex simple Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:24:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: prosperingservant http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-2047 prosperingservant Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:17:41 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-2047 I can definitely relate to the difficulty of being laid off. I was laid off after 9/11 and learned many techniques for surviving and getting my career back on track. I have a series of blog posts about that experience at the link that comes with this comment. I can definitely relate to the difficulty of being laid off. I was laid off after 9/11 and learned many techniques for surviving and getting my career back on track. I have a series of blog posts about that experience at the link that comes with this comment.

]]> By: RazRchive » Waiting for the Green Light http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1663 RazRchive » Waiting for the Green Light Thu, 08 May 2008 21:56:21 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1663 [...] you, I wasn’t keen on leaving my current one, but life sometimes gets overtaken by events beyond our [...] [...] you, I wasn’t keen on leaving my current one, but life sometimes gets overtaken by events beyond our [...]

]]> By: Jennifer Ryan http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1618 Jennifer Ryan Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:47:13 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1618 Ike; I read your profound explanation for our current circumstances at ARC and I completely agree. We will miss you in "chapter land" and I appreciate all your help and support. I still would love for you to come down and teach my PA classes at the Disaster Institute in May in Opelika. I don't have to tell you how worried ARC Chapter employees are. We survived the cuts, but without support from our Service Areas we are more than a little nervous, especially as Hurricane season nears. I hope you will continue to deploy and I hope I am lucky enough to be on your team. If I had a position, I'd hire you tomorrow. Ike;

I read your profound explanation for our current circumstances at ARC and I completely agree. We will miss you in “chapter land” and I appreciate all your help and support. I still would love for you to come down and teach my PA classes at the Disaster Institute in May in Opelika.

I don’t have to tell you how worried ARC Chapter employees are. We survived the cuts, but without support from our Service Areas we are more than a little nervous, especially as Hurricane season nears. I hope you will continue to deploy and I hope I am lucky enough to be on your team. If I had a position, I’d hire you tomorrow.

]]> By: CV Harquail http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1567 CV Harquail Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:40:15 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1567 Ike, I'm struck by how thoughtful you are in your analysis of what has gone on at the ARC, even though it has all lead up to your own job being cut. If you can maintain that kind of understanding and equanimity, in the face of both bad (organizational) luck and bad leadership, and keep on going, you show yourself to be just the kind of guy other people could turn to for 'crisis communication' and plain 'ole human support. More power to you! cvh Ike,
I’m struck by how thoughtful you are in your analysis of what has gone on at the ARC, even though it has all lead up to your own job being cut.
If you can maintain that kind of understanding and equanimity, in the face of both bad (organizational) luck and bad leadership, and keep on going, you show yourself to be just the kind of guy other people could turn to for ‘crisis communication’ and plain ‘ole human support. More power to you!
cvh

]]> By: Ike http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1514 Ike Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:37:19 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1514 Thanks so much to everyone who has weighed in so far. Your encouragement is reassuring and humbling at the same time. I do feel positive right now, although I've always been enough of a control freak that I would prefer to initiate change rather than invite chance. I think most of us are wired that way. I am also mindful of the reality that most people, when unexpectedly knocked out of a comfy perch, land on a higher one. Thanks so much to everyone who has weighed in so far. Your encouragement is reassuring and humbling at the same time.

I do feel positive right now, although I’ve always been enough of a control freak that I would prefer to initiate change rather than invite chance. I think most of us are wired that way.

I am also mindful of the reality that most people, when unexpectedly knocked out of a comfy perch, land on a higher one.

]]> By: Catherine Welch http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1511 Catherine Welch Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:05:15 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1511 Ike, when I was laid off in 2001 with dozens of others at what was TechTV, that's when I knew I had a sliver of time to jump off the television wheel and go into radio (the curse of management was yet to come). I freelanced to save up and did a "listening tour" talking with reporters about how it's done. While you have many, many more responsibilities than I did then, you also have a hefty rolodex and B'ham and beyond network. So for no other reason than to feel useful, here's a list of possible freelance gigs to tie you over: * freelance reporter for tanya ott at wbhm (NPR pays $500/features) * tanya does management courses at PRNDI (public radio's RTNDA) perhaps you two can combine your super powers and give management workshops to chuckleheads like me. * television consultant at your former station and beyond (the industry could use some good advice) * teach a communications course at local community college * apply for journalism fellowship (there was something on romenesko a while back that many of those are going unfilled b/c so many reporters are worried that the job won't be there at the end of the fellowship) * contractor with fema - i have a contact here in Wilmington who can totally walk you through that * work for fema * spokesperson for your favorite local elected official * that guy in the statue of liberty foamy outfit who waves to traffic for liberty tax services. * love ya' man- hang tuff Ike, when I was laid off in 2001 with dozens of others at what was TechTV, that’s when I knew I had a sliver of time to jump off the television wheel and go into radio (the curse of management was yet to come).

I freelanced to save up and did a “listening tour” talking with reporters about how it’s done.

While you have many, many more responsibilities than I did then, you also have a hefty rolodex and B’ham and beyond network.

So for no other reason than to feel useful, here’s a list of possible freelance gigs to tie you over:

* freelance reporter for tanya ott at wbhm (NPR pays $500/features)

* tanya does management courses at PRNDI (public radio’s RTNDA) perhaps you two can combine your super powers and give management workshops to chuckleheads like me.

* television consultant at your former station and beyond (the industry could use some good advice)

* teach a communications course at local community college

* apply for journalism fellowship (there was something on romenesko a while back that many of those are going unfilled b/c so many reporters are worried that the job won’t be there at the end of the fellowship)

* contractor with fema - i have a contact here in Wilmington who can totally walk you through that

* work for fema

* spokesperson for your favorite local elected official

* that guy in the statue of liberty foamy outfit who waves to traffic for liberty tax services.

* love ya’ man- hang tuff

]]> By: Steven Lubetkin http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1509 Steven Lubetkin Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:27:54 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1509 Hey, Ike. Your expertise with Web 2.0 and social media will put you head and shoulders above a lot of mid-career professionals who can't or won't learn how to harness new technologies. This is an era of personal reinvention, and as hard as it can feel to be downsized, it's really not the end of the world as often portrayed, it's often, as you have noted, a chance for a new beginning. The best thing that ever happened in my professional career was being shoved out the door, because it allowed me to think hard about what I enjoyed doing and how to make it into a skill set that I could use profitably. You will rise above this momentary bump in your road, and in a few years you'll wonder why it got you so upset. Good luck and go get 'em! Hey, Ike. Your expertise with Web 2.0 and social media will put you head and shoulders above a lot of mid-career professionals who can’t or won’t learn how to harness new technologies. This is an era of personal reinvention, and as hard as it can feel to be downsized, it’s really not the end of the world as often portrayed, it’s often, as you have noted, a chance for a new beginning. The best thing that ever happened in my professional career was being shoved out the door, because it allowed me to think hard about what I enjoyed doing and how to make it into a skill set that I could use profitably.

You will rise above this momentary bump in your road, and in a few years you’ll wonder why it got you so upset.

Good luck and go get ‘em!

]]> By: Susan http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1506 Susan Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:48:25 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1506 It's miserable and exciting news all at the same time. My thoughts are with you and I look forward to the exciting opportunity you will take on and share with us!!! (I really like the counselor idea, but I'm prejudiced.) It’s miserable and exciting news all at the same time. My thoughts are with you and I look forward to the exciting opportunity you will take on and share with us!!! (I really like the counselor idea, but I’m prejudiced.)

]]> By: Wade Rockett http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1505 Wade Rockett Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:38:01 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1505 Aw, man! I know you'll move on to great and exciting things, but it's better when YOU get to choose how and when that happens. But like Vonnegut said, "Unexpected travel plans are God's dancing lessons." Please let me know if I can aid your search for What's Next. Aw, man! I know you’ll move on to great and exciting things, but it’s better when YOU get to choose how and when that happens. But like Vonnegut said, “Unexpected travel plans are God’s dancing lessons.”

Please let me know if I can aid your search for What’s Next.

]]> By: A Colleague http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1501 A Colleague Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:59:30 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1501 Well done, Ike! I received the same pink slip, and I have the same love of and respect for the organization. I, too, will continue to support the Red Cross, whether in the volunteer role I have held for many years, or in one of the few available positions. My approach has been to message my professional and social networks, while remaining positive and upbeat about the myriad opportunities this presents. I appreciate your positive approach and have no doubt you will find your next mission soon. Well done, Ike! I received the same pink slip, and I have the same love of and respect for the organization. I, too, will continue to support the Red Cross, whether in the volunteer role I have held for many years, or in one of the few available positions.

My approach has been to message my professional and social networks, while remaining positive and upbeat about the myriad opportunities this presents.

I appreciate your positive approach and have no doubt you will find your next mission soon.

]]> By: Entropy aka physician http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1500 Entropy aka physician Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:27:08 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1500 No words of encouragement here. You won't need them. Just one advice: <b>aim high, very high</b>. You will get exactly what you want. No words of encouragement here. You won’t need them.

Just one advice: aim high, very high.
You will get exactly what you want.

]]> By: Randy Steinman http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1499 Randy Steinman Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:16:49 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1499 All I can do is echo what everyone has said before me. You'll be fine, Ike. The cream always rises and you have too many desirable skills to not be snapped up... soon. Plus, you can ALWAYS return to the 'dark side.' (On second thought... Nah. You really don't want to do that. ;) ) Take care, man. Talk with you soon. RPS All I can do is echo what everyone has said before me. You’ll be fine, Ike. The cream always rises and you have too many desirable skills to not be snapped up… soon.
Plus, you can ALWAYS return to the ‘dark side.’ (On second thought… Nah. You really don’t want to do that. ;) )
Take care, man. Talk with you soon.
RPS

]]> By: Wade http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1498 Wade Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:16:57 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1498 I feel for you, having been there myself just 2 years ago. Put your social network to work and define what you want. Then promote yourself. But take some time to recharge. I didn't panic, started writing my two blogs, and freelanced, but also relaxed. It was wonderful. I feel for you, having been there myself just 2 years ago. Put your social network to work and define what you want. Then promote yourself.

But take some time to recharge. I didn’t panic, started writing my two blogs, and freelanced, but also relaxed. It was wonderful.

]]> By: Nedra http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1497 Nedra Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:42:36 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1497 So sorry to hear that, Ike! I have no doubt you will land on your feet and be onto bigger and better things soon. So sorry to hear that, Ike! I have no doubt you will land on your feet and be onto bigger and better things soon.

]]> By: Geoff Livingston http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1496 Geoff Livingston Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:37:45 +0000 http://occamsrazr.com/2008/03/26/a-new-beginning/#comment-1496 I am excited for you. I cannot wait to see where the door will open, and how you will love this next engagement. I am excited for you. I cannot wait to see where the door will open, and how you will love this next engagement.

]]>