Sanity Check

For the last 6 years I've been the "Notesguy" at my company (my official job title was "Application and Process Specialist" ). In this role I was responsible for both Domino administration and development plus special projects here and there.  Its been incredibly fulfilling, but like everything, nothing lasts forever.  It saddens me in a way to exit the field at this point because in many ways all the things I'd hoped for Notes is starting to come together with incredible synergy  (e.g Eclipse clients maturing in 8.5.1, revolutionary XPages, Domino server has blown past the competition, The "Lotus Knows" advertising campaign starts in a month or so).

I've accepted an offer, effective a week from today, to manage the marketing of the core imaging services category at my company. Before being the "Notesguy", I had a similar job, though this was back in the old days when imaging was called photofinishing and film was king. This is a promotion in that it provides better compensation (especially if I meet my targets) plus it will force me to grow in my analytical and presentation skills. Further, this role will likely provide better access to upward opportunities if I do well. I am definitely not exiting the Yellowverse or going to let my Domino chops completely fade away (I run Foundation servers outside my company). In fact, I hope I might eventually be able to combine my experience in both technical and marketing fields and take Ed Brill's job (but only when he retires of course....but he's younger than me so how's that going to work  ;-).  For some reason, and I know some will think its weird, I've alway wanted to be an IBMer one day, even for a season (my co-workers will probably say I already was one undercover). I don't know what the future holds (does Lotus Know?). But one thing's for sure; right now I need to focus on research and planning, realizing that my responsibility has shifted from the company's cost centre to their profit centre. I need to drive now, not just support.

In this role, I'll be kicking up Eric Mack's eProductivity application to the MAX as as the number of things I'll need to track and act on will grow significantly. It's going to be incredibly challlenging and probably quite stressful at time with more deadlines and time demands. I'll console myself when things get tough that there is no gain without some pain (probably praying will be more effective).

My home page is staying on Planet Lotus and I'll continue make the usual nuisance of myself commenting on the Yellowverse blogs and issuing my own perspective now as a Notes' Power User.

Thanks for reading.