"The Silence of the Dog - Scot - Gunner"

[Shogun Gunner]

ah...that's all I needed. I feel much better

Hey..check out the power differential now.

[Shogun Gunner]

oh, 750 BC to you.

[Andydog]

yes i noticed that last turn. looks to be a strong GA you scored there.

-->

[Shogun Gunner]

it's okay, we like it

730bc to you

[Andydog]

back to you

[Shogun Gunner]

710 bc to you

[Andydog]

sent to you this morning.

So are you taking any time off for civ4?

[Shogun Gunner]

No, actually, I'm strongly considering throwing my hat in the ring for some international PM opportunities. The market is too good to stay still too long.

I haven't thought it all out yet, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to start shopping around. My building of a PMO from scratch will be very relevant experience.

[Andydog]

Wow. Do you have anywhere in mind you'd like to work? Would you move to another country?

[Shogun Gunner]

maybe.

I have to admit I'm ticked off right at the moment. I just put in 18 months in putting this PMO together for my company and several of my proposals were recently rejected -- despite having demonstrated success in those areas and a solid business case. Its politics way above me in the org chart I'm told. I think if I put these 18 months into a more progressive company the results would have been much better personally for me and for the organization.

My wife wouldn't mind living/working in Asia for a few years. I would go to Europe with no problem -- but yanks can find it difficult in Europe I've heard.

I don't know...I'm keeping a low profile the rest of today, but I have a big meeting this Friday with the company officers that I'm not looking forward to. I know everyone's happy with my work and progress -- I've been told informally that I'm getting a raise and promotion -- but I'm not satisified with the direction of several initiatives. Work is more about money and the size of the office, right?

[Andydog]

How frustrating for you. Did they tell you the basis on which they rejected your proposals?

If the company is letting 'politics' get in the way of successful and proven money making initiatives, then it sounds like a company that is not entirely focused, and not capable of allowing you to progress in the way you desire.

I know a few Americans who work in London, and many do struggle. The work ethic over here is very lacking. For example, many people take pride in skiving, rather than take pride in producing. Many Americans (and Australians & New Zealanders) struggle with this, including myself. I've found the American PM’s are very much like the Australian/Kiwi PM’s – everyone wants to be known as a ‘deliverer’. Often we struggle though against a backdrop of incompetence, bad attitudes, laziness, and massive bureaucracy.

That being said, there is huge potential over here. If you do get known as a deliverer, have the patience to put up with all the bollocks and are able to get the best out of a bad bunch, then the sky is the limit. There is so much work over here (just think Olympics) and so many idiots, that if you do have a proven track record you get snapped up and paid large amounts of cash.

Good luck with your meeting on Friday. Give it to them straight I say!

[Shogun Gunner]

Thanks Andy. Yeah, I admit I'm frustrated today. The basis for the rejections are not stated other than "it's the culture of the organization" or "unnamed people are uncomfortable with the changes this will mean to them". Hardly an environment of transparency and open communication to solve business problems. My mistake is just because I operate this way, doesn't mean that others do. It actually helps to discuss this with you -- I don't really want to go around the company complaining. Nothing good can come out of that.

Regarding the Friday meeting, the presentation is all ready to go. We will see what happens.

Interesting insight regarding the British business environment. How long have you been away from New Zealand and when are you going back? My wife has a very good friend in NZ and the pictures from there reveal an absolutely beautiful country. My dad just got back from a hiking trip to NZ. He loves it.

I've never looked for a job outside the US. I don't even know where to start. When my dad was working in Saudi Arabia, it was a US firm that has a long subcontracting arrangement with Aramco (Saudi state owned oil company) - so no effort was required on his part. I'm going to look in the US too of course. It's a big step to do what you did with moving the whole family to another country. I have to carefully weigh everything.

[Andydog]

Reading back I might have come across as being a bit hard on the Brits. There are plenty of great things about working in this place. The hours are always fairly reasonable, the English know the value of rest and recreation. I get to spend lots of time with my kids, working on average 40 hours. Also, the office parties are always very very drunken. There is a chilled atmosphere about the workplace that you really get to appreciate after a while.

I don't know when to head home. The work here is good, Back home I'd have to be 10 years older to manage the project I have now. The money is nothing to be sneezed at either. Plus we get lots of travelling done and have more places to we want to see. We'll probably head home in a few years or so. No hurry.

But definitely one day - NZ is too beautiful not to live there. You should go over! Come over in Feb and I'll be there to show your around!

I'm not sure about other European countries, but over here you just join an agency, and they set you up with interviews for whatever you're looking for. With your experience and achievements, you might be better joining a reputable consultancy, where there is room to grow. Its the consultancy’s that have the big high profile projects.

Yes shifting a family to another country is always a huge decision. The benefits would have to be very big indeed. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Shogun Gunner]

Wow, this is really good information. Sounds like you have a nice situation there. I was telling my wife about the type of work you are in. I think she got excited thinking that I was very serious about looking for work in Europe. I have to be careful what I tell her, she might start concluding that are moving. I'll know if I said too much if I see her start packing!

Part of the difficulty is that I love the area we live in. A very nice suburban neighborhood with many families nearby -- almost all have kids in the same age range as my girls. My oldest girl, Kaitlyn, has made very good friends. Also, she just loves her school. I'm not anxious to change that as you can understand.

Well, after today (I'm home now) I'm absolutely sure that I will be putting my CV out there. Again, it really helped to chat about it. Thanks.

I would love to visit NZ sometime - I just don't have any idea when that could be

[Shogun Gunner]

670 BC to you