Well... it's sure been interesting.
As many of you know... I went from VERY comfortable status in a management position with CPQ - to unemployed with one swift stroke of the pen.
Went 2 1/2 YEARS looking diligently for work. Zero, Zip, Nada, Yok, Tipota... NOTHING.
Finally - it became obvious that either selling cars - or ending each sentence with... "would you like to super-size that sir?" was going to be my destiny. Of course -- as you know, I chose cars.
I languished at a hell-hole of a "branded" dealership for awhile, whilst developing the considered opinion that a disproportionately large segment of the auto industry is populated with souls whose IQ evidently hovers somewhere near room temperature, while their testosterone levels peak off the chart.
Left the above - went to work for a small independent that just moved, and was expanding operations.
Month 1-2 - Salesman. Sales sucks - but you've gotta do something.
Month 3-4 - Sales Manager. Better - but not quite all it was cracked up to be.
Month 4 General Manager. Yep. That's the ticket. Just got through with my first day as the "big cheese" - the "big kahuna" - the ... well - you get the idea. Now I'm directing operations.
So at this point - It looks as though I will own half of the operation - and finally found something that replaces the income I lost -- and might just be more than a little bit better.
Was it all worth it?
Who knows? I'm still pretty bent over being canned from CPQ, when I did nothing wrong. One possible consolation though. It seems that both myself AND my partner (who is also a geek) write code in Delphi. It seems that we've stumbled onto, and identified a HUGE need for a particular application that the vast majority of independents use - written in - yep... you guessed it. Delphi. Very compatible database, and already a proven concept with the application the "big" dealers use. This app will deliver the same functionality to the "little guy." What's cool about it is that the "big" dealers pay $2500 a MONTH for this software. How do YOU spell "O P P O R T U N I T Y ?"
So - ironically, it appears that I'm right back to developing software - but somehow, for some unknown cosmic reason had to sell cars first - in order to do it. Life throws some weird curves doesn't it?
I suppose the moral of this rambling missive is that for those that are still struggling (and I KNOW you're out there) - just hang in... try something new - perhaps you'll find a niche that your "geekdom" will allow you a unique insight into a problem.
Opportunity appears to be where you find it. Had I only thought in these terms 2 years ago - it'd have been a smoother ride.
Thanks to all for your kind support and words of encouragement during one of the more difficult times in my life. It seems that during the darkest hours - I found alot of camaraderie and understanding right here. For that -- I am very grateful. Thank you all for being such great friends.
Dan
edit: "speeling"
As many of you know... I went from VERY comfortable status in a management position with CPQ - to unemployed with one swift stroke of the pen.
Went 2 1/2 YEARS looking diligently for work. Zero, Zip, Nada, Yok, Tipota... NOTHING.
Finally - it became obvious that either selling cars - or ending each sentence with... "would you like to super-size that sir?" was going to be my destiny. Of course -- as you know, I chose cars.
I languished at a hell-hole of a "branded" dealership for awhile, whilst developing the considered opinion that a disproportionately large segment of the auto industry is populated with souls whose IQ evidently hovers somewhere near room temperature, while their testosterone levels peak off the chart.
Left the above - went to work for a small independent that just moved, and was expanding operations.
Month 1-2 - Salesman. Sales sucks - but you've gotta do something.
Month 3-4 - Sales Manager. Better - but not quite all it was cracked up to be.
Month 4 General Manager. Yep. That's the ticket. Just got through with my first day as the "big cheese" - the "big kahuna" - the ... well - you get the idea. Now I'm directing operations.
So at this point - It looks as though I will own half of the operation - and finally found something that replaces the income I lost -- and might just be more than a little bit better.
Was it all worth it?
Who knows? I'm still pretty bent over being canned from CPQ, when I did nothing wrong. One possible consolation though. It seems that both myself AND my partner (who is also a geek) write code in Delphi. It seems that we've stumbled onto, and identified a HUGE need for a particular application that the vast majority of independents use - written in - yep... you guessed it. Delphi. Very compatible database, and already a proven concept with the application the "big" dealers use. This app will deliver the same functionality to the "little guy." What's cool about it is that the "big" dealers pay $2500 a MONTH for this software. How do YOU spell "O P P O R T U N I T Y ?"
So - ironically, it appears that I'm right back to developing software - but somehow, for some unknown cosmic reason had to sell cars first - in order to do it. Life throws some weird curves doesn't it?
I suppose the moral of this rambling missive is that for those that are still struggling (and I KNOW you're out there) - just hang in... try something new - perhaps you'll find a niche that your "geekdom" will allow you a unique insight into a problem.
Opportunity appears to be where you find it. Had I only thought in these terms 2 years ago - it'd have been a smoother ride.
Thanks to all for your kind support and words of encouragement during one of the more difficult times in my life. It seems that during the darkest hours - I found alot of camaraderie and understanding right here. For that -- I am very grateful. Thank you all for being such great friends.
Dan
edit: "speeling"