I run a small creative department for a small company that sells specialty lenticular plastic to printing industries. Six months ago, the older partner (70 years of age) bought out the younger partner (36 years of age) because of a disagreement. Older partners Research and Development was not generating any income, frustrating the younger partner who wanted to expand horizons of the company. Older Partner elevated Step-daughter to CFO and Gen Secretary (she likes to ignore purchase orders and has the attitude that all salepeople includung your own are scum). When buy-out occured, no-one sat down with all employees to discuss how things were and where things were going. This still hasn't been done. I am getting slowly frustrated because I feel like we are slowly stagnating. We are supposed to promote our products yet no clear defined goal has ever seemed to be presented. makes it a bit difficult. This is what I am attempting to do. Present an plan in the form of an open letter in a positive matter to create change. Ask him to step down, etc. I know some of my emotions are interfering with this, but this company has great potential and it is being mismanaged to death. Help me create a better work environment or find a different job...I know people are going elsewhere for work because the people the older partner brought aboard for sales do not return phone calls. Bad idea.

Internally Boiling in Cowtown USA

-- Todd Miller (bimbunny@yahoo.com), May 30, 2001

Answers

You could write the letter if you feel it would make you feel better.In reality,it probably won't change anything. About leaving,if the ship is going down and you are the only one bailing, I suggest swimming now: not later. Find another position (possably with the younger partner who was bought out).If you have a viable market for your products recruit personal with vision and drive from the old company. Costomer service is a lost art. Serve and survive. Loyalty is a valuable commodity,don't sell yours cheap.

-- paul becher (paulbecher@hotmail.com), December 05, 2001.

Bet you didn't think I would see this! Bill will not likely change since he has no idea what he is doing wrong. Also the market has changed (again) since 9-11 as it seems lenticular sales are way down and budgets are very tight. I agreed to partner with John V.L. in a new venture, but he is attempting to dominate the relationship in more ways than one, so I think we may go it alone and start our own sales and service company branch under ImagiGraphics Inc. We would love to have you work with us in the creative area as we are getting requests more and more. Also, I plan to go after Premier direct with my Lenticular materials from an extruder I have worked with for 6 years and for whom I developed a much more perfectly cut sheet. Call me, we'll talk. 616-383-9195

-- Jack Fleming (imagigrafx@aol.com), April 29, 2002.