Work news

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

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 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

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

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.

When's the party then?

Congrats

[Biker Biggles]

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

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

is there 2 k's in bookkeeper?

just looks odd to me?


oh, and well done

[yorkie_chris]

Jolly good.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Ed

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

[Stu]

Originally Posted by hovis

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