It was not an easy year in the economy of the country. Many people, in fear to lose their job, were stick to an employer to guarantee clarity of their living for tomorrow. I was lucky not to fall in this case: I loved my job. It was undoubted pleasure to come there daily, to cope with people, to see the results and face new challenges. The “luck” to get there was not a chance. I’m sure it was given by the fate as award for multiple efforts, a kind of exam that you pass in life in intent and patience. Later on, I would learn a proper word for this – “consistency”, a reliable drive for success in business strategy. I was working in an international company with global brand, reputed history and the team of extraordinary friendly culture. It was remedy for any kind of sadness and permanent subject of corporate proud. Day by day, it became a part of my life, a piece of my character, and what is called after years of marriage – a member of my family. I had in mind to stay in the company for very long and happy years, but as the old saying goes “if you want to amuse God, tell him about your plans”.
By summer 2015, I celebrated the 4th anniversary of working in the company. Efficient daily activity generated lots of satisfaction together with a feeling insinuating a need for further development. It was common practice for employees to travel between departments, and this enticed me to look through the areas for potential application. I used to share my ideas at company’s regular staff assessment process. Actually, I was supported, however never found with an appropriate opportunity.
Meanwhile, the company submerged into the wave of crisis. With loss in sales and amended strategy to keep the market share, we lived through a range of structural changes, saving costs and optimizing operational processes. I was given some additional duties which were necessary to be redistributed. Much more administrative than engaging brain activity, I took them still as refresh in my area, understanding the real need of the company. They were good to be set on the new track and very experiential to understand how true you can slide away from aspiration to business solutions. From life perspective, it resembled an additional kick-off to revise the trend of your life and stop sidetracking. It’s hard. How is it possible to freeze and regain yourself whereas you have love to the brand and the people you cope with? It is. By gratitude to the past and faith in the future. Mature and emotions-free, I took decision to leave.
At the news exchange
“I cannot say that I like your decision, – said the boss of the company and my side-to-side guidance for the last 4 years, – but I do respect it,” – his words were always a treasure statement for me, for any other person – an example to follow. My honor was to be personal assistant to one of the strongest managers of the automotive industry, who brought the brand to the top of premium segment in the country and increased its rating within the company on a global scale. For business network, his leadership was taken as a benchmark.
To relieve anxiety of the stated, our dialogue turned into disclosure of the coming corporate change, yet highly confidential: my boss was also to leave the office. By appeal from headquarters, a team of professionals had been collected to be sent into a country generating sensitive part of the overall budget. Task force was to support the emerging market under high risk of operations. Instantly, the focus of my news was drawn to the one of the company. It became evident we were facing an important stage in the local story of the brand and our input would be fundamental in the layout for its future. We discussed and kindly agreed to finalize the duties simultaneously as they had been started 4 years before. Within the following two months our regular meetings were inspired by preparation to the change, with a touch of sadness, setting up activities for the last days of operations.
The final round was to unite the Annual Dealer Conference for Business Owners and MDs with the Grand Opening of Experience Centre that had been recognized as outstanding project ever constructed on the market. Launching promising opportunities in the country, it was also to become a landmark for the global family of the brand. By this occasion, we anticipated the visit of VIP guests from headquarters who would emphasize the significance of events and commemorate the news in the international area. We had never had Agendas with so many activities in parallel, performed by sharp and intense timing, split through several locations and outlined by key messages to the press, the team, and the network. These were unprecedented dates in the history of the brand finalizing a range of events and communication by gala dinner with our dealers, the best and successful representatives of premium market in the country. Heads of 55 enterprises, they were filled with gratitude for long-term partnership, extended by initiative of accelerating development and now called upon to fuel the further drive with challenge and success.
– May I afford one private question? – asked me one of the dealers and a friend of mine who became a very welcome contact for the years of cooperation. The Vice-President of a major holding, almost a legend, he stands out at the origins of car retail business and keeps decades for multi-branded enterprise on track of development. Being respected for survival under most difficult times of the country, he had been invited to reveal success at one of our annual conferences. The only dealer to speak on stage for the history of the importer! Couple of jokes, bare numbers, and a target striking message. I remember his speech was great! Now, it was pleasure to communicate at this event especially for me, in the last days of this position.
– A private question? – I replied and got triggered with curiosity, – Of course, – his eyes were always flavored with diplomacy, hiding any idea on the subject to follow.
– You’re not married, – he stated with intent to remind his awareness of the background.
– Nope, – was my reply.
– You’ve got your son and some liability behind.
– That’s true, – I said with commitment.
– And you leave the company in the nation-wide crisis to determine yourself and the way you go.
– Yeah, I do it, – my replies were still unflinching.
– At least you’ve got a partner? – was his guess.
– Actually not, – followed my shy reply already waiting for the verdict.
– You’re a risky woman I must say…
And we burst in laugh with kindness and respect to decisions being made in trust to their future. A crafty life is that mixes uncertainty with hopes.
Неуловим загадочен прекрасен. Безумный день.
Теперь здесь тишина.
Огонь не гаснет. Гаснут только свечи.
И эхом слышатся слова
“Спасибо за чудесный вечер! За добрые сердца.
За память и за наши встречи.
За ритм под брендом JLR!
Пусть бьется он легендой мира,
Пусть мир Вам будет и успех!
Люблю. Горжусь. Ценю и верю!
И крепко обнимаю всех”
October 16, 2015
Strategic Dealer Conference Moscow, Russia
October 26, 2015.
Trip to Germany.
My first week of job-free status was endorsed by the trip to Germany. It didn’t work for ages that I could put enough time to my own health. I was doing something occasionally during a year but with no particular result. Other “priorities” imposed all the time above these subjects shifting the main one on a disregarded