The other day I came into work to find the name tag normally affixed to my cube lying on the floor instead. Someone had probably gotten snagged on it while walking by. Given the sharp aluminum corners, I can’t really blame them for immediately seeking first aid instead of trying to put it back up. The thing is, though, once one of these tags has come off, they never stick quite the same again.
On it’s way down again…
About sixteen years ago, a guy named Grant Beckmann hired me to work at a company called Folio. From there, through twists and turns, mergers and spin-offs, and a lot of T-shirts, I find myself working for NextPage, essentially the same company at which I started. Sixteen “human years” equates to something like 64 “programmer years”, so I’m kind of the old man there. But since my name tag is falling off anyway, maybe it’s time for something new.
These days, Grant Beckmann is managing the “WiLife” division of Logitech, which makes video surveillance systems for homes and small businesses. He happened to meet my brother Alan, who also works for Logitech (but out of Washington instead of Utah), and told Alan that I was one of the best engineers he knew. In fact, Grant had been meaning to get in touch with me (which he ultimately did) to see if I might be willing to come work for Logitech.
As Grant and I met to talk things through, he kept making comments to people about me being not just one of the best engineers he knows, but the best. I can really only offer a couple of explanations for that:
- A recruitment strategy based on flattery
- Head trauma
In any case, I suggested he stop telling people such stuff, since it could only create impossible to live up to expectations — everyone would be supremely disappointed if there wasn’t any walking on water. Still, it did come in a little handy when negotiating an offer. “Surely for the best engineer you know you could sweeten the deal…”
After some really tough deliberation, I decided to accept that offer, and I’ll start working for Logitech in a little over a month. NextPage is like home, though. Shannon asked if I would start looking for a new wife now too, since I’ve worked for Folio/NextPage longer than we’ve been married. No danger of that, but it is hard to leave a good job at a place that has taken such good care of our family for so long and to venture into something less known.
There were a lot of factors going into the decision, like new challenges and new opportunities to learn and develop in my career. I’m also thinking that a Logitech name tag might be kind of neat.
Congrats on the new job, Eric! It sure is nice when someone comes looking for you–very nice for the ego. Will you guys be moving, or will you just get a different commute?
Carri,
The Logitech office here in Utah is just one exit further in Draper than the NextPage building. Of course, they’re thinking of getting new office space and the new place they’re considering would be one exit further still.
Now I am glad I stayed up late (8:30 PM) to see your message. Wow what a shock! And here I just talked to Shannon and she didn’t let the news out at all. Well CONGRATULATION on your new adventure. And I agree with Grant(?) you are so good!
Wow! My man Eric actually changing a job out of his own volition. Is this my old roommate Eric? Could this be really him?
Congrats! I will say this (and without any equivocation, I might add)- you are indeed the best engineer I know. True, I don’t know a lot of engineers, but you are dang smart.
Does this mean I will continue to see meat and meat products delievered to home at Christmas? Mmmmmm… Omaha Steaks!
All jokes aside, you will do great at the new place. I will see you in a couple of months.
Eric congratulations on making another big step. I chuckled when I read Sang’s comments. There is one thing I am sure, that you carefully deliberated this change. We all work X number of years so lets hope we find challenges to make our time rewarding. It is so hard to seperate work, family, church and our own needs so one needs to be deliberate and prayerfull at times as this. Thanks for this Good News. Grandpa
Eric,
Even though we congratulated you Sunday, let me say it again Congratulations you deserve the best.
Glad the commute is only down the freeway a bit, we would hate to lose our only relatives close by to another state. That would mean Shannon and I couldn’t beat your team in Pictionary any more. So glad you are here to stay. We love sharing our fast Sundays with you and your family.
Such fantastic news! We are very proud of you and how hard you work to take care of your family. There is no doubt that you will be the best thing to happen to that company since “sliced bread”. Thanks to Shannon for the phone call that I couldn’t wait to return even quite late at night Memphis time! She’ll understand! Keep us posted on the progress!
WAIT – LOGITECH is filing for chapter 11!!! Ok, not really, but I thought I’d give Eric a bit of a start. I’ve been with Logitech for 7+ years now and overall it’s a pretty good place to work. The company continues to do well and we seem to have a reasonably good brand in the market.
Logitech purchased WiLife several months ago and there is a lot of effort to make the product line successful – so I expect that Eric and his team will be busy.
Grant and I were at a small Best Buy event and sat down together for lunch and started the “where were you before” game. We said places like Thrustmaster and Folio and small world, he knew Eric, and was thinking about asking him to come work for Logitech. I’m not sure if he said Eric was “one of” or “the” best programmers he’d known, but there was the aura of walking on water.
Congratulations Eric, and I hope you put the screws to Grant for a big salary!
We know all about changing jobs! Jed just started his new one last week! Its nerve wrecking but well worth it
Wow! Congratulations!
Funny coincidence I was at our stake father & sons just a week or two ago and I walked by these two guys talking and I heard them say something about NextPage. I backed up and asked what they were talking about…one of the guys had just interviewed at NextPage and was waiting to hear back from them. So I said that I used to work for them and that my brother has worked for years for them. The other guy spoke up then and said ‘oh then you must know Grant Beckmann?’ Apparently he worked for him at TenFold.
Look forward to hearing more about the new job.
Way to go, Eric! Mom told me today when we got home from our trip. It is sweet when they coming looking for you…..
What! Leaving after only 16 years. Can’t you show some stability like your dad? Actually I never worked anywhere for that long but then I was never able to hold a job!
Anyway, congratulations on the new job and responsibilities. Alan had told me that you were looking at this change and I would have to say Logitech has been good for him, other than, of course, his constant travel. Besides, I’m a Logitech stockholder so work hard and make sure my investment appreciates.
Seriously, changing jobs once in a while is not all that bad. It gives you new perspectives and challenges and particularly when it involves a huge company like Logitech.
Enjoy the new challenge and have fun!
I’ve suffered a cut or two and a torn shirt as a result of those blasted sharp-edged nametags! Good for you for taking the leap. After all, NextPage was going nowhere since I left . . . uhum, I mean, was shown the door! I guess Grant didn’t consider me one of, let alone THE, best technical writer(s) he knows. Ha-ha. He did invite me to join his LinkedIn list, though, so maybe that’s worth something. Of course, I’m just kidding about NextPage going nowhere; there are many good and talented people there . . . but now that you’re leaving . . . .
Since I worked at NextPage, though, I have worked at three companies: Starbridge, Fast, and now Cluster Resources. Each is different and offered a new experience. I’ve made many new friends from working at different places. While I’m sure you will look back on the NextPage days with fondness (and a whirlwind of other emotions), how could THE best engineer Grant knows NOT have a fabulous experience at Logitech? Congratulations!