Pastures New (Part Two)
Again?
Yep. After nearly 10 years, with just over three in my second stint, today I handed in my notice and will leave Plusnet at the end of February. Although I’m one of a few long in the tooth Plusnetters to move on recently, it’s certainly nothing sinister. I’ve simply decided that a change is as good as a rest, and an opportunity for an interesting new challenge in a much smaller business than BT is something I found it hard to say no to.
Plusnet has been a heap of fun and I’d like to wish all of my colleagues past and present my best. The business is certainly still viable, and BT’s plans set the Sheffield operation in good stead for the forseeable future. That said, the realities of such a tough market mean some compromise on the old Plusnet way of doing things is inevitable. BT have their own way of running a business which is not wrong, but certainly is a challenge to what has come before. So long as the connection between customers and staff at all levels is maintained then I don’t see the transition as a massive hurdle to overcome.
I’m going to work with WANdisco, a growing Silicon Valley start-up who are relocating their European operations to Sheffield. This is a new industry for me, and I am really looking forward to the discussions and learning generated from solving such interesting problems as these guys do. I’m also excited about getting my teccie hands dirty again. There is a heap of stuff that I’ve played with as a hobby but now need to get serious about understanding.
Finally, I wouldn’t go without piling on some huge thanks and appreciation to all of the customers I’ve worked with over the last ten years. Our customers have been responsible for all of my best moments (and some of my worse, but that’s all good learning right?). Whether it’s PUG, forum posters, or random members of the public, I’ve enjoyed my biggest rewards as a result of your words, and for that I thank y’all. I’ll spend some time in the next few weeks getting in touch with as many of you as possible to make that thank you a bit more personal.
With any luck I will have a bit more time for this blog too, and I may very well choose to document some of my observations of the UK Broadband industry and of the Plusnet / BT journey at some point. But for now suffice it to sign off with the unoriginal, but still the best:
So long Plusnet, and thanks for all the fish…
Edit: Leaving do details to be announced, but I expect to do two - One on Friday the 27th after work, and another for Plusnet Allumni, friends and anyone else who likes on Saturday the 28th Feb.
All the best Ian.
Going to miss our usual pool sessions, but all the very best for the future.
James
Thanks for all your help over the years. All the best with the new job.
Phil
Absolutely the best of luck Ian, again!
Mk
From a very selfish perspective… GET IN!
Can’t wait to have you on board.
Ross
Sorry I missed you on Friday. I know, it was pretty poor show leaving my own leaving do at 8.30! Good luck in your next ventures.
Many congrats dude - theres cleary a massive opportunity to begin to build something beautiful here and for some reason i kinda know that this wont be the last of ya!
You are going to work with that crazy guy again?! See you in a year.
M
Sad day man but you know my thoughts.
Best of luck in your new and exciting role. I know the Ross man will keep you on your toes.
Take care bud and I’m looking forward to the beer
Very happy to have you on-board Ian. Hope you won’t mind a quick plug while I’m here - Anyone interested in joining WANdisco, we’re always looking for great talent. Email sheffield@wandisco.com (or speak to Ross or Ian) for more info.
Mate, you got a lot of friends! Your generosity and enthusiasm is always outstanding. Thanks for demonstrating the higher motivations in business partnerships.
Sorry to hear about your departure mate - but as they say, you have to speculate to accumulate and I know that wherever you go or turn your hand to, you’ll do very well.
All the best for the future.
Well done at Plusnet and all the best for your future challenge.
All the best,
Congrats matey. Not sure I can wait till the end of the month for a beer though. Will give you a shout soon!
Hi Ian,
Best wishes for success in all of your future endeavours. I hope you get what you want out of the move this time.
In the time since your return, you and James managed to re-instill the old PlusNet ethos that you built and that was no mean feat.
I migrated back to PlusNet last Friday with James’ help in getting what I have been whining for over the past 18 months.
Good fortune to you and I hope to see you on the TBB or PlusNet Community forum soon.
Robin
Damn. Well best of luck matey, I am sure you will do very well in your new role, you deserve it. I will be there on the Friday no problems. Thanks for the memories and I guess I will have to wave the Charlton flag alone!
All the best dude.
Hey Ian,
All the best for the future. You have put in a fantastic amount of effort in public for plusnet and behind the scenes too. You knew how to be even-handed and always keep your cool when on the TBB/AG forums. You took a fair amount of flack, yet remained helpful and I know that many many posters appreciated the work you put in.
Please keep visiting TBB and offer some pearls of wisdom every now and again.
To think it is 5 years ago since I joined Plusnet, despite having moved on just over a year and a half ago.
All the best mate,
matt
Just a quick note to wish you well for the future - your posts on the TBB forums were some of the more knowledgable and rational ones to be found on there.
Best of luck with the new venture.
I have been with plusnet since the very first day you went live and I am still here-not sure I will be with plusnet much longer.
Thank you for all your help and putting up with me
Kind regards
Puddy
The very best of luck in your new venture and many thanks for all you’ve done for us.
All the best Ian
Although we never always saw eye to eye, you were still professional, thanks for all the decent conversations in the past. If you are as succesful at your new job as you were at Plusnet, they have a great new asset.
This is where PN goes downhill I guess. Those 18 months will be the start of it.
Ged
Sad news to come back to after my holiday in the sun! I’ve had a quick browse at the WANdisco site and it does appear to match many of your aspirations, so the best of luck in this new venture.
From a PUG perspective we have lost a great ally in the Plusnet camp and your enthusiasm and insight will be sorely missed. Keep in touch - I’m quite interested in the new products.
Maurice