X-ecutive

Big Sky vs. Big business

The day before yesterday in the evening I arrived in Montana. I love Big Sky Country! I am here to work with my contractor (my father-in-law) on my new home and shop. As we began to lay forms for the footings on the house yesterday I couldn't help think about the difference between this work, and my former career. In both situations I built things. As head of development for my former company, I was responsible for all store location building, maintenance, repair, etc. Here I am just a tradesman plying a trade. As the executive, I think I may have lifted a hammer twice during my career, yesterday I must have drove a couple of hundred form stakes and did various other jobs.

This new work as a tradesman is a throw back to an earlier life for me. I have always loved to build things. I especially love to work with wood. I had convinced myself that I was still building things as an executive when in reality I was only doing administrative work and decision making. Yesterday was good! Vary hard work, but good. At the end of the day, I was tired, sore, and stress free. It was a great feeling. I realize I am in terrible shape for doing this work even though I exercise regularly. But to be physically tired at the end of the day rather than mentally drained and stressed is, for me a positive change.

Meanwhile back at the firm, at my former company that is, things are grim. They have announced another cutback of home office staff of about 30% (350 jobs). This is on top of all that has occurred since I left. In addition, they have stopped the building of all three brands of stores excepting those that were previously committed. In a public company you grow or fail. A major acquisition that was needed to make earnings this year has failed and the company that was to be acquired went to a direct competitor making them much stronger in the industry. Unfortunately, it does not appear that there is any plan working that will save the companies earnings this year. Not that they are going out of business by any means. Last year we had our best profit year and threw off $637 million in free cash. This year it looks as if that may be cut in half.

It feels good to be in Montana, building a home and a future for my family and myself.

posted by Unknown @ 6:44 AM