First, I need to offer an apology to all of my loyal readers. For the past few weeks, I have been relatively inactive in my blogging. This has not been because I haven’t wanted to blog. Rather, it’s because I am going through some major changes that have required a degree of discretion.
Well, everything is now official. So I can cast discretion aside: As of January 1, 2006, I will become an employee of Microsoft Corporation.
…pause…pause…pause…
For many of you, this probably comes as a huge surprise. And in fairness, it is a surprise for me as well. I have been with Sprint for almost nineteen years. So this change is huge. But this change is welcome. For a better understanding of the reasons for my decision, please read the attached resignation letter.
From: Olsen, Lorin B [IT]
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 8:27 AM
To: RnI-Computing
Subject: FW: Resignation
Team,
By now, each of you has had a chance to read the note that Wing sent to the entire team. In addition to his comments, I wanted to forward my resignation letter to each of you. It is a very strange thing to open my decision-making process to a wider audience. But by doing this, I wanted to ensure that each of you understood my motivations for this change.
I am truly inspired by the next wave of change that is going to sweep across the IT industry. And I want to be a part of the engine of change, not just watch the changes as they happen around me. With this in mind, I have decided to join my skills and abilities with the thousands of others that work for Microsoft. I believe that over the next few years, we will all be witness to yet another “sea-change” in computing technology. We will move from “Internet” computing to “now” computing – where IT is part of almost every task we will perform, and in real-time. We will move from computing as a reference resource to computing as the means to conduct our daily affairs. Is this new? No. But it will become ubiquitous. And I want to be a part of the engine of change.
As noted in my resignation letter, this decision is very difficult for me to make. After all, Sprint was the reason that I moved my family to the Midwest. Consequently, Sprint will always be part of the joy that I feel as an immigrant to the Midwest. But it is now time to broaden my career and my ability to impact the IT industry. As a parting gift, I offer each of you my prayers for your personal and professional success. May God bring you joy and peace as you labor in the fields. After all, there should be joy in the journey!
Sincerely,
Lorin Olsen
Sprint Nextel
IT Research & Innovation
Phone: ###.###.####
Mobile: ###.###.####
Email: Lorin.Olsen@sprint.com
“Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841–1935)
_____________________________________________
From: Olsen, Lorin B [IT]
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 10:25 AM
To: Lee, Wing K [IT]
Subject: Resignation
Wing,
As you know, I am the father of four wonderful children. And as a father, you know that every life decision that we make comes with both excitement and uncertainty. With these dual emotions at play, I am excited (and apprehensive) to inform you that I will be terminating my eighteen-year professional relationship with Sprint Nextel, effective December 31, 2005.
My reasons for departing Sprint are simple. I am seeking professional growth and the challenges of new opportunities. For eighteen years, I have been in senior management and senior technology positions within Sprint’s IT organization. From these positions, I have been part of the decision-making process that has led to many of the key IT infrastructures that are in use throughout Sprint. But over the past three-and-a-half years, I have not been able to achieve a level of success that is commensurate with my capabilities or my aspirations. And while I continue to be grateful for every opportunity that I have experienced, I truly need to be challenged in order to be satisfied.
With these aspirations in mind, I have been in active discussions with Microsoft for the past several weeks. Their Midwest region is in desperate need of the skills and excitement that I can offer. After a few weeks of careful (and heart-wrenching) introspection, I have decided to resign from Sprint and accept a position with Microsoft. I do not come to this decision casually. I have carefully considered and urgently prayed about this decision. And while I am saddened about the professional and personal ties that I will be leaving, I am nonetheless excited about the future that awaits me. I serve a living and loving God who has promised to walk with me into any and every challenge that I will face. Therefore, I will step out boldly and confront the new challenges that He has set before me.
It is my hope that this decision will cause you (and Sprint) no undue difficulties. Indeed, it is my hope that both you and I will be able to see the new opportunities that exist for both of us. I will remain a loyal Sprint customer as well as a loyal friend to the many associates I will no longer be working with. I wish you (and my many Sprint friends) an immense amount of success as you tackle the challenges that are before you. Indeed, I will pray for your personal and professional success in the future.
Sincerely,
Lorin Olsen
Sprint Nextel
IT Research & Innovation
Phone: ###.###.####
Mobile: ###.###.####
Email: Lorin.Olsen@sprint.com
“Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841–1935)
Well, there it is. Like the conquistadors, I don’t want to look back. All of my attention and energy will now be focused on providing real value to my new customers. And I can’t wait to get this party started!
-CyclingRoo-
Tags: Microsoft