An Odd Kind Of Failure

So the thing that I've *not* been discussing:

We're shutting down the company.

There: I've said it.

It was an extremely difficult stage to come to, but once we reached a certain point in time and perspective, the decision-making took on a life of its own. We've given it a bloody good go, mind you - two and a half years is more than many companies manage, and most importantly, we did at least try, which many don't.

In the end though, reality intrudes, and you have to acknowledge that things aren't going as well as they might, or growing the way they ideally would. It's utterly heart-breaking in many ways - the 'put your heart and soul into something for two years' way especially, and definitely a curious kind of failure: How many businesses can legitimately say that they've got clients who are genuinely happy with them, who,without exception and unprompted, keep coming back for more, have services and products that are tested and respected, and a well-established team capable and willing to continue delivering outstanding service? Not one that I've worked for previously, that I do know.

So I've had to make a group of people I like and respect, and who did their jobs brilliantly well, unemployed, which is one of the worst things I've ever had to do in my professional life. Letting down the clients comes second.

Right now I'm in the middle of the wind-up process, while simultaneously trying to work out what happens next, both for myself and for the others. Somehow being able to continue to do the good stuff we do would be the dream of course, but practicalities inevitably remain an issue, and the ways of achieving that are severely limited. I'm not giving up on the possibility, but I'm not putting it at the top of my 'most likely outcome' list either.

So hence all the down lately. It's not the worst news in the world. No one died, we're all able to pick ourselves up and move on, so perhaps I've been overdramatic about it recently. But it's felt pretty devastating. When you put everything into something over a period of years and it ends up dying despite your efforts, it's a blow. When it has an adverse effect on other people, it's that much worse.

But thanks for all the messages of support; they've really meant a lot. Anyone who's emailed and I haven't had a chance to reply to yet, many apologies - I *will* write back as soon as I can.

Posted on November 13, 2003 07:51 PM

Arg. You gave it a great shot and influenced many many people (including me) with a sense of honesty and hard work. It will be hard, but try not to let this keep you down.

All the best, mate.
Ruf.

Posted by Rufus on November 13, 2003 08:38 PM

Bad news :-(

Horrible.

Thoughts are with you and everyone else affected.

Posted by chris on November 13, 2003 10:22 PM

Bad news indeed, but who knows, the future may be even brighter!

Posted by Gordon on November 13, 2003 10:53 PM

I'm sorry to hear this. Best wishes for the future

Posted by Gert on November 13, 2003 11:05 PM

What?
This news makes me very sad.
Shit.

Erm, there isn't really much more for me to say other than:
Well done for all the successes.
and
Whenever I think of my time there it will be with fondness. If only I could have done more to help...

Posted by Charles on November 14, 2003 12:38 AM

:-(

So sorry to hear that Jon.
will be thinking of you..

Posted by Pete on November 14, 2003 11:21 AM

sorry to hear about cozai jon, I really thought if anyone could make it you lot could, you seemed to have all the right people in all the right places.

i hope everything works itself out.

Posted by adam on November 14, 2003 02:04 PM

Doing that to your friends must be one of the hardest things to have to do.
Sorry to hear this Jon.

Posted by terreus on November 14, 2003 03:05 PM

sorry to hear the news Jon, hope you and all the boys sort themselves out pretty quickly. I've been through the company dying/shit i've got no job process and it's not much fun, but as many people said to me(you included jon) keep your chin up and something will turn up........and indeed it did for me(thank god for our wonderful civil service and Uncle G ;-). All the best for the future mate!

Posted by AndyB on November 14, 2003 03:16 PM

Jeez! Sorry to hear that Jon. Congratulations on what you guys have achieved. I hope that the future holds great and aciting things for you all!

Posted by Steve on November 15, 2003 08:53 AM

I was really hoping that I'd got the wrong answer when I'd added the twos together, but it seems not. I'm really sorry to hear that. There's all too few decent companies in the world as it is.

I know it's not much consolation but I hope you're taking some solace in having tried and, in many way, succeeded. I'm speaking as someone who frequently regrets never having the balls to escape the coporate environment.

Good luck with whatever you chose to do.

Posted by Owen on November 18, 2003 02:40 PM

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