New Year, New Path
Last Thursday I resigned from Proven Partners, the change and knowledge management consultancy I have been working for in the past years. Yesterday I informed my colleagues, so now I can announce it publicly as well.
In 2008 I will start working as an independent consultant. In January I will gradually hand over those activities that need to be handed over, and in February I will be my own man completely. Though I am sorry to leave Proven Partners behind I am eagerly looking forward to the new year.
I am looking forward to focus more on revamping knowledge work, innovation and learning with the aid of social media. I am looking forward to being able to work more closely together with tool companies to bring social software within the firewall. I am looking forward to be able to do more research. I am looking forward to being able to do more together with my international network. And above all I am looking forward to work more closely together with my wife Elmine. In the past few years we learned how great it is to work professionally together.
While preparing the step to become independent is not just exciting but also has been scary at times in the past few months, I am very pleased that already enough opportunities emerged in the past weeks to be certain that I have enough work throughout 2008. Next to that I will also continue working with my former colleagues at Proven Partners in several projects.
With Christmas nearly here, Elmine and I both will be celebrating, confident that we've taken an excellent decision.
PermalinkExcerpt: It's nearly weekend and I'm wrapping things up for Christmas holidays. The last few weeks were pretty emotional, leading up to Ton's big decision to quit his current job, so I'm desperate for some days without work, phone and other...
Weblog: Communigations
Tracked: December 21, 2007 11:19 PM
Well done. Have a great Xmas both of you. You will not regret it! You make a great team.
Posted by: Lee at December 20, 2007 8:14 PMCongratulations Ton!
Exciting!
I wish you and Elmine all the best!
Posted by: Fred Zelders at December 20, 2007 8:58 PMCongratulations!
What a nice way to combine the new year with choosing a new path in the future.
Good luck, I have the confidence you won't regret it.
If I can be of any help to you, I'll be glad to be.
Best wishes, inne
Posted by: Inne ten Have at December 20, 2007 10:20 PMI think it's a too big a smile on your face ;)
I'm sorry you're leaving us, but i'm confident we'll keep in touch. Hell, our networks are connected (through me :) )!
Posted by: Tom Verhoeve at December 20, 2007 10:30 PMCongratulations on your decision and welcome to the club Ton, I wish you all the best in the new year.
Posted by: Kars at December 20, 2007 10:32 PMHeel goed Ton! Veel plezier het komend jaar.
Fijne feestdagen.
Gaan we elkaar zien in 2008?
Congratulations, Ton. Join the club! :-) Looking forward to working with you in the future...
Posted by: Aldo de Moor at December 21, 2007 1:20 AMThanks guys!
@Lee, Fred, it sure is exciting
@Inne, Aldo, I bet we will find ways of working together in 2008! Looking forward to it.
@Kars, glad to be joining the club (just wondering when my membership card will be arriving ;) )
@Erno, in 2008 gaan we elkaar zeker zien. Fijne feestdagen!
@Tom, it felt like a good moment to smile. ;) I am sure we will stay connected, as I am sure I will keep working with you guys.
Good luck! Don't forget to blog about the challenges and the fun of working together as a couple :)
Posted by: Lilia (and two guys) at December 21, 2007 1:09 PMBest of luck Ton. Sounds like an exciting 2008 in store!
Posted by: Piers at December 21, 2007 8:16 PMExciting move Ton, congrats and good luck to both of you!
Posted by: mf at December 21, 2007 11:21 PMGood luck! A great step in 2008 (but maybe just small to do)
Posted by: Martijn Hulst at December 21, 2007 11:28 PM@Lilia, yes that would be a good blog topic!
@Piers, Marco, thanks!
@Martijn, it feels like a very big step just before you make it, and like a relatively small step immediately afterwards.
Also, Roland Tanglao of Bryght/Raincity Studios in Vancouver blogged about my move. I hope we will be able to work on stuff together, Roland.
Posted by: Ton Zijlstra at December 22, 2007 9:22 AMHey! sounds like exciting news!!!
Congratulations! ...and while we are at it, merry xmas and happy new year :)
Looking forward to read more about your own change process and yes, as Lilia said, it would be interesting to know about the challenges of the working couple.
Again, all the best!
Posted by: Riccardo at December 23, 2007 2:38 PMCongrats on creating your own destiny, definately sounds exciting! But also very realistic to me.
All the best for you and Elmine in 2008!
Posted by: Rick at December 23, 2007 6:53 PMGefeliciteerd Ton!
Onze ontwikkelingen en interesses lopen blijkbaar behoorlijk in sync. Veel succes met deze leap of faith.
- Stephan
Posted by: Stephan Verveen at December 24, 2007 12:42 AMWell done, a brave step, but you should do just fine,
Let me know how we can help you get established
Andy
Posted by: Andy at December 24, 2007 8:13 PMCongrats! How many of us have made this move since Reboot earlier this year?! Looking forward to celebrating with you later this year in Copenhagen, if not before :-)
Posted by: Ewan McIntosh at December 30, 2007 10:26 PM@Bru, Rick, Stephan: thanks!
@Andy, thanks for your kind words, I'm sure to be in touch
@Ewan, thanks. It would be fun to see if we can do some stuff together, next to celebrating in Copenhagen.
It is a bit late and already said many times, but congratulations. I think you made a right choice.
Happy New Year for you and of course Elmine.
Gr,
Richard
Posted by: Richard Vielvoye at January 2, 2008 8:17 PM
Weblog by 
Lilia Efimova *
Gary Murphy
Sebastian Fiedler *
Thomas Burg *
Terry Frazier
Dina Mehta *
Stuart Henshall *
Spike Hall
Phil Wolff *
Jim McGee
David Gurteen *
Elmine Wijnia *
Julian Elvé
Denham Grey
Ian Glendinning
Paul Goodison
Postings that link here