A Tough Week
It’s been one heck of a tough week.
My wonderful mother passed away unexpectedly due to complications from chemotherapy. She was just 62; taken too soon. I’ve been holed up with my dad for days. Someday I’ll write a completely off-topic tribute to Mom here, after the healing process has done its work. Meanwhile, to those hundreds of people who reached out to me via Twitter, Facebook and email: Thank you! – it helped.
More bad news: This week we made the difficult decision to conduct a layoff of ten percent of our account staff. While we are in good company in that many other PR agencies have had layoffs in recent weeks, it’s still a tough decision. These are good people. Not only were they our peers and friends, they were PR rock stars — we valued their contributions and are very sorry to see them go. (Note to our competitors: If you can, you should scoop them all up. I would, if I were you.)
It’s a sign of the times and despite the fact that we feel very confident about the future, we aren’t immune from the nation’s economic woes. We’ll be stronger as a result of taking these preemptive moves, to support the 90+ rockstars who remain.
That’s all I can muster for now. I hope to be pontificating here again soon. Meanwhile, thanks for your patience. I am sure 2009 has brighter things in store…
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Todd,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
As an acquaintance, competitor and somebody who bears some responsibility for the livelihoods of others, I’m sorry to hear about the layoffs, too. Take comfort in the knowledge that anybody who was selected and trained by SHIFT will bounce back quickly.
Best,
Jesse
Truely sorry for your loss. Hopefully the year will pull itself together.
My condolences to you and your family, and to the SHIFT folks who had to be let go, the Student Loan Network *IS* hiring.
http://www.edvisors.com/about/employment.html
Oh man that sucks… so sorry about your Mom and the layoffs on top of that.
Jeeze.
2009 has got to be better. Keep your chin up!
Todd, My condolences to you and your family.
Todd,
Keep your head up. So sorry about your loss and I hope you and your family find some form of healing soon.
Look forward to hearing you pontificate once again.
Jason
Hey Todd,
I research dying and grieving and recently composed a legacy piece for the family of a colleague who also died suddenly. I blogged about the experience and the link is below. I’m very sorry for your loss; creating a legacy document could be a therapeutic activity for you or your family and help turn grieving into coping. God bless.
http://allanmcdougall.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/in-memoriam-creating-a-sense-of-legacy-for-a-lost-colleagues-loved-ones/
Todd
Please accept my condolences for your personal loss and empathy with the work situation.
These are truly tough times that are affecting us across the globe. If nothing else at a time like this, it reminds us that we’re all just flesh and blood and should be looking after and watching out for each other.
Todd: Though I’m not a religious person, I always thought there was great wisdom in what Rose Kennedy said in describing the travails her family went through: “God only gives us what we’re capable of handling.” Even if one’s non-religious, a non-believer, or a doubter, I think it’s profoundly true. (One can substitute the word “The Universe” for “God”")
Wishing you the strength to get through the weeks ahead. And sending supportive thoughts to the folks who are being laid off at your firm and others.
kj
Todd,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my Mum earlier this year, and understand the sledgehammer that grief can be. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
The wonderful thing about this messy thing called humanity, is that we are resilient. We take the good things with us, and keep moving forward.
2009 will be better. There simply is no other option. All the best, Todd. I’ll be rooting for you.