After a good four years (well, three years, 10 months and three weeks to be exact), I’m leaving the brand and taking on a completely different assignment.
Effective June 1st, I’d be doing a 360-degree switch from global to local, from selling $200 products to possibly $2 ones, from looking at Japan/Korea/China markets to Southeast Asian markets, from the super rich consumers to the average/not-so-rich ones.
Four years is a pretty long time. In fact, the longest duration I’ve held a job (1st job was six months, and the 2nd job was two years and six months). I’ve never felt so involved in and so proud of a brand before.
I’ve given a lot, and I’ve received a lot too.
After the announcement went out on Monday, I’ve gotten quite a number of nice, sweet messages.. from co-workers, friends, my boss, my marketing director.. and even the vice president. I’ve always thought that when it’s time to leave, I can, well, just leave.
It’s not as simple as I think.
One of my last two projects involves putting together a “book” on everything people should know about the brand. It makes me emo working it. I’m going to miss working on the brand so, so, so much.
Now, I’m working harder than usual to do a proper handover and at the same time trying to learn and take over the new role. The interesting fate that fails to escape me is that I’m handing over my work to 2 colleagues and taking over 2 persons’ responsibility. From three main markets to six countries, and one brand to eight categories. Woohoo!
This also marks the end of my experience with Japanese managers, though both JB and FJB aren’t the most typical Japanese. To sum it up, JB taught me patience, JBB taught me how to push the boundaries, and FJB taught me trust.
I’ve always preferred male bosses to female ones, and it suited me well to have 2 male bosses and 1 female boss FJB who pretty much thinks like a man (logical and focused on solutions). My new manager is male, from my “favorite” nationality (again some unknown force that simply wouldn’t leave me alone), and so far I’ve heard good things about him.
Let’s see how things go!
