Should I stay or should i go

Date: 5th October, 2007



I was up really early today. 445am to be precise. Ate my food and got ready for work. The day i have been dreading for finally is here. Its the day i will be seeing my "boss".. partner in business is more precise. He is a very nice chinese man, in his early 50s. Got to know him from an ex classmate during my post graduate course back in 2004. He has decided to invest in my next venture late last yr. A very determined and establish business person, who owns his own engineering/manufacturing company, dealing with the big guys like IBM and Apple.


OUr partnership started i 2006. Everything was rosy and good at first. He was very flexible and understanding. But all took a turn sometime in July 2007, when he pulled the plug on me. All my efforts for the past months went down the drain when he decided not to go ahead with one of our expansion plans. This means penetrating our neighbour, Malaysia with an established Australian brand. I was put in a spot. A week to go before the official launch in KLCC and another 1.5 weeks for Pavilion and The Garden, he decided not to go ahead. He became reserved and conservative in his ambitions. Fickle is more like it. I was told to sort it out with all the affected parties. Dumbfounded. Shocked. I just couldnt believe my ears. How was i to inform my agent firstly (the one who has been doing all the preparations like manpower, warehousing and logistical support), Pavilion and The Garden (whose organizations i cant name, but is definitely crucial for our future foothold in Malaysia). Not to mention i am also answerable to my Australian supplier, for cancellation of stocks (hence a breach of contract)! I took a day of silence, shut myself from the rest of the world. To ponder on my next step. WHat should i do!!



Finally, i took an executive decision and inform all these affected parties of the situation that has befall the company. Angry remarks, negative comments and disappointment filled the air. I can just embrace it as much as i can. He just remains to be a background, invisible figure.



Sigh... bt the days continued. And today, after much deliberation, we held our next meeting. To decide on the fate of the company. 2 options were given: To sell off or to wind up. He gave me the choice to stay or leave. In a state of dilemma, i have requested for 2 weeks, to think things thru. I love the company, i love the brand and i love my people. As much as i would like this to continue, i know i cant. To work with him will mean more unforseen surprises in future.. which will only tarnish my good name even further.



Comes Monday, he will know.