Conversations with a partner

Recently, a Singapore based partner started this email trail with me:

"So, would you ever come back to OldFirm when you get tired of being a mercenary"


So I said

"Before I left, I told my career counselor: I hate the need to sell just to make
partner. Why not create an ap landing for me, let me use my skills where they can be used best ie going from project to project to ensure successful delivery. Make me the lead Solution Architect or some shit. I thought that was a good win win. Unfortunately, he said cannot :(

So how to come back and chase numbers? If no number chasing, perhaps lor "

Then it started to heat up:

"Is money going to be a consideration or is it going to be for the love
of the work ?"

So I said "My friend, what do u have in mind, buddy?"

He replied:

"Nothing specific ….. just looking at options…..

Obviously, if you want to go project to project to ensure delivery……these projects must be quite significant/important/big in order to position you for ap level

So, the question of money is one ….The other question is of course travel …. I thought other half was against you traveling when you were in Old Firm but you seem to be traveling a lot with NewCo…. So have you two sorted this out
"

So I said

"Haha.. my wife still bitches abt the travel.. but there are some good sides to NewCo. I travel every 2 or 3 weeks.. so that's the bad part. But the rest of the time I spend at home. So my wife loves that. So I can do the housework, fetch my son to school, fetch him back, be on her beck and call.. so that's the benefits from working from home.. I can take most of my conference calls on the road so it's good... "

So he continued:

"Yeah ….there is always a trade-off somewhere.

For a delivery AP in OldFirm, because of the project-based nature, you will need to be onsite pretty much full-time. So, unless there are mega-projects in Msia to justify an ap level person, there is always a possibility of a request from other mega-projects in the region.

So, we have 3 issues

- the need to chase numbers (which I think can be solved)
- money
- travel

How ?"

SO I amused him more:

"
Cheem. Must discuss with my boss (my wife la!).

I believe my wife is now very settled in Malaysia. Our son is already Standard 1. So uprooting and following projects not so steam.

Unless the projects are say in Hong Kong or Singapore. These places, she's probably ok.

Money's probably an issue. I think in Malaysia a level 4 AP makes ... peanuts a month? Hmm... in NewFirm, I am happy. So that's an issue.

Travel - I think like above, best option is to be based in Malaysia. I'll be happy with a Solution Architect kinda role based in Malaysia but flying to projects once a while to help out. So, frequent but short travel is ok. Second option is likely longer mega projects but since my son is schooling, I think this limits where I can possibly go for such mega projects.

Numbers? U know lah...
"

His last response was...

"I can try to tackle the need to chase numbers – no guarantee but may have workarounds

On money, you may need to buy less gadgets and she has to settle for smaller diamonds. But not much can be done here, you have to consider the trade-offs

So, assuming you are a sucker for doing things for the love of it, the remaining issue is travel …… or put it another way, how to have you base in Msia while still providing sufficiently meaningful platforms for you contribute.

Hmm…..
"

Wah.. is this desperation? What's happening?