Work news

[Ed]

Most of you will know that I'm self employed as a solicitor. I have a small team - Sarah (conveyancer), Karen (bookkeeper), Ruth (wills and probate) and Anne (marketing). But the days of being on my own are all but gone.

June 2007 we had 3 firms approach us, 2 wanting to take us over. We turned them all down, 2 because they simply wanted to take out a competitor, and 1 because I didn't think it would work. But I hadn't scared off the nice lot, they came back last February with a different approach - and the more I scratched the surface, the more attractive it was. We've been negotiating all this while and finally settled terms today:p

So on Monday I become a partner in a three partner firm, Goode & Austin Solicitors LLP. The team all comes with, no redundancies - I was adamant on that, else no deal. Think I could teach some larger companies a lesson here! Anne's been terrific, she has taken a lot of the strain - and there's been a lot. I'm so excited about this, we've planned it for so long, I can hardly believe it's happening. I will miss the independence, and those early days 3 years ago when it was just me & Anne in a small office with a PC and a phone. But I won't miss having to do everything myself with little support. My partners (I'll have to get used to that!) are Chris (commercial lawyer, g*lf) and Brian (property and family, rides a GS500). I do property and civil litigation, plus I buy and sell small businesses, and defend a few criminal cases. Oh yeah, and I give advice to the org:D Anne is becoming Practice Director, responsible for marketing and business planning. Chris is threatening that I will have to learn to play g*lf. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH

Did I say that I'm excited? Economy notwithstanding, Chris and I are so optimistic as perversely we think we can do well in a downturn. And I'll still be available for consultations on the org, just have to be a bit more discreet about it:D

I know that every business has its challenges, just different ones. But I can't wait to get started:D

Ed

[Drew Carey]

Ed, I'm well chuffed for you. A great result all round, you get a wider "net", your staff all have safe jobs and as you say the economics of it make sense.

Hope it all goes well for you buddy.

[gettin2dizzy]

When's the party then? ;)

Congrats :thumbsup:

[Biker Biggles]

Congratulations.Sounds like the legal has landed.
On its feet.

[Sean_C]

I hope it works out well for you Ed. And it's great that you care about the people who work for you so much :)

[hovis]

is there 2 k's in bookkeeper?

just looks odd to me?


oh, and well done

[yorkie_chris]

Jolly good.

[Stu]

Brian (property and family, rides a GS500)
:( Hope business picks up for you

;)



Congratulations - Sure it will go well for you after you have put so much in to it :D

[Stu]

is there 2 k's in bookkeeper?

just looks odd to me?


oh, and well done
Yes


Looks even worse with one ;)

[Jayneflakes]

Hi Ed,

well done on keeping your team together when others less caring than yourself could have let them down.

Good luck and may you find yourself busy, but not stressed.
Hugs
Jayne
xxx

[BanannaMan]

Congratulations Ed!!! :cool:
Well done expanding the business during these tough economic times. :thumbsup:








We will however disown you if you take up ****(the "G" word) and ditch the bike! :p

[yorkie_chris]

Buy a YZ500 and ride it round golf course ... be a right laugh.

[missyburd]

Yey, that was a pleasant read, something good and optimistic about work for once :)

All the best with it Ed, you deserve it!

[Tara]

Congratulations Ed - superb news :D

[Lissa]

Nice one, Ed:D

[falc]

That's great news Ed :D very happy for you :D

[Speedy Claire]

Brilliantt... best of luck to you all Ed. Is nice to hear of a new business venture when its all doom and gloom at the minute!

[Demonz]

You must be doing things well to have these guys sitting up and taking such a look. Congrats and well done - you must be well chuffed :thumbsup:

But - Thats the problem with getting caught up at the top of corporate networks - the g*lf.... at least you get to use that socks and shorts combo you have ;)

[Scoobs]

Yay! Go you.

[the_runt69]

Good luck mate, It nice to see some people care about their staff in these difficult times.

[Stig]

Superb. And best of all a nice poke in the eye for them in the in the city. Excellent. :cool:

[glsuk1970]

Yey, that was a pleasant read, something good and optimistic about work for once :)

That's exactly what I thought! At last, something positive about people and work, rather than the doom and gloom we've all been battered by the media with of late.

Best of luck Ed to you, your colleagues and your new partners.

[petevtwin650]

I was going to say that no doubt you'll have to work a lot harder and not lurk so much on here, but in light of Miss YC's post about positiveness I won't. :silent:

So hearty congratulations Ed :smt038

Maybe you'll be able to afford a decent bike now. :laughat:

Did someone say Ducati. :D

[Drew Carey]

at least you get to use that socks and shorts combo you have ;)

This thread is useless without pictures!!!! hehe.:D

[plowsie]

Company golf is good Ed, good excuse to get out of the office :)

Well done BTW!

[Miss Alpinestarhero]

Thats great news. Glad to hear it was a positive end result :D

Maria

[Jelster]

Great news Ed,

I take it that it comes with a salary increase, company car (sorry bike) and all the other benefits.... :D


Seriously, I know you've worked hard over the last few years and you deserve it. Pat yourself on the back and take one of these as well :notworthy:

Steve

[missyburd]

Did someone say Ducati. :D

Hmmm you hearing voices again Pete? :p

[kitkat]

well done Ed. Hope it is a very successful, profitable merger. hope your org advice prices dont increase lol

[Ed]

This thread is useless without pictures!!!! hehe.:D

I think this is the pic in question:D

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/Sythree/IMG_1608.jpg

Great news Ed,

I take it that it comes with a salary increase, company car (sorry bike) and all the other benefits.... :D


Seriously, I know you've worked hard over the last few years and you deserve it. Pat yourself on the back and take one of these as well :notworthy:

Steve

Thank you!! And thank you everyone else too, I can't multi-quote everyone... increased salary - well that depends on performance, but we can cut quite a bit of spend so that means that we can divvy it up - like for example the rent on this office as there's a break clause in the lease soon. We are going to be marketing led, so I'll be out on the road a lot getting work. Too many lawyers sit behind a desk and wait for the phone to ring, and of course it won't unless you do something to make it happen. Like playing g*lf:D

[Viney]

Not bad for a boy from Sidcup ;)

[Ed]

Not bad for a boy from Sidcup ;)

:takeabow:

[600+]

good news!!! hope it works out for you :) and make sure you don't raise your prices for org consultations LOL......been free on here up to now

[Viney]

:takeabow::lol: I bet when you were gorwing up in the ghettos of Sidcup yoou didnt think you'd be some hot shot lawer huh :)

[hovis]

is there 2 k's in bookkeeper?

just looks odd to me?


oh, and well done

Yes


Looks even worse with one ;)

your right, i think it should be 2 words

[darylB]

About time too, i was wondering if it was ever going to happen having all those curve balls thrown at you by the outgoing pillock from the other side. You can now rest easier with the weight off your shoulders,(and Anns). A celebration drink is in order i think, (hint) .

Daryl.:drink:

[wyrdness]

We are going to be marketing led, so I'll be out on the road a lot getting work. Too many lawyers sit behind a desk and wait for the phone to ring, and of course it won't unless you do something to make it happen. Like playing g*lf:D

Does this mean that you're going to be ambulance chasing on the Daytona?

Good luck with the new business. Hope that it works out.

[Ed]

Does this mean that you're going to be ambulance chasing on the Daytona?

Good luck with the new business. Hope that it works out.

Hee hee:D Not exactly but sort of. For example, often in cases of redundancy, employers will enter compromise agreements with employees to be sure that the deal is watertight and that they don't get taken to the Tribunal for perhaps unfair dismissal on the basis of unfair sselection for redundancy, or indirect discrimination. These sort of agreements are enforceable only if a solicitor has advised on them. So when I see redundancies in the paper, I call the employer and ask if I can go on the panel of advisers they recommend to their employees. Well someone has to do it. In most cases, the employer is paying the employee hadsomely so employee is actually very happy to leave. And the employer pays:D

[K]

This is really nice to hear, echoing the sentiments already expressed - it's nice to hear someone not only on the up, but taking those they work with along too. Congratulations.

Now - what's the downside? You sound like a fantastic boss to have... so... really grumpy on a Monday morning? Get snippy if you chair had been readjusted to the wrong height? Or do you just throw a hissy fit if someone forgets to put sugar in your tea? ;)

[Warthog]

That sounds great Ed! Growing the business naturally and fairly, kudos to you!

[Ed]

Now - what's the downside? You sound like a fantastic boss to have... so... really grumpy on a Monday morning? Get snippy if you chair had been readjusted to the wrong height? Or do you just throw a hissy fit if someone forgets to put sugar in your tea? ;)

Oh K, I have no faults:^o

Faults. Probably my worst is assuming too much - as in assuming people already know, so assume the knowledge. Get stressed out too much and too quickly and let everyone know about it. Get extremely irate when people leave the shredder full. Not that good at prioritising. And if anyone did put sugar in my tea....:puker: