I’ve been thinking seriously about closing down RCG over the last couple of weeks. I know I’ve been here before and changed my mind, but this time I’m a lot more serious.
You may have noticed that I have been a bit quiet recently. This is because I’ve finally come to the decision that I’m not as committed to RCG anymore, and I’m unlikely to post very often in the future.
Here’s just a few of the main reasons:
1. I’ve got nothing to write about anymore.
In some respects I’ve had a rant about most of the things I felt I needed to express, and there’s little else to say. And, there’s little point just writing for the sake of it.
2. This website zaps my time
I often get asked the question about how long I spend writing my blog. Well, it’s not just the writing. This blog occupies my thought processes far too much, approving and deleting comments is time consuming, as is responding to the comments. I estimate that I have been spending between 5-10 hours per week on average, although it could be more than this!
3. I need to spend more time on my business
The business very much runs itself, but I know that my key managers would prefer it if I concentrated on work far more than I do. Considering I’m effectively the Sales Director of Conservatory Outlet and am committed to bringing on new dealers, I’m remarkably lazy and spend too little time targeting new business. This is partly because we’re achieving strong growth from existing dealers, but I really should get out on the road and talk to potential new dealers more.
4. I want to spend more time on charity work
You may be aware that I spend a bit of time helping fundraise for Heal. Well, I see this as a stepping stone to a far more active participation in charity endeavours in the future. I’m currently looking at setting up a new charity dedicated to helping various projects throughout the world. For this to be successful, I need to put the time in.
5. I want to spend more time with my family
As I type this my two boys are tapping away on their laptops. In some respects it is a sad indictment of modern family life that we all spend far too much time staring at screens, and I really should be engaging in a more positive way with my boys.
6. I have achieved what I wanted from RCG
In many respects this blog has been great for me. It has raised my profile in the industry more than I could ever have imagined when I first started writing two and a half years ago. It has opened doors for me, and I have made many new contacts I would never have made had I not started the blog. But, in some respects it has done it’s job. I can’t see that it will necessarily open new doors in the future, or at least not in the same way.
7. I can’t be myself
In the early days I used to be far more ‘renegade’ with my posts. Now, because many of my competitors, suppliers, customers and trade organisations are reading, I have to be so careful what I say. I’ve had various threats of being sued, and you start asking what’s the point! So, I just can’t be myself anymore.
8. I can’t give away secrets
Following on from the above, I have all sorts of things I would love to say about why I consider my company and it’s dealers are bucking the trend in a depressed industry. But, I can’t share such thoughts here because I am effectively giving away trade secrets to competitors. There is an argument that by being generous good things come back your way, but I’m afraid my dealers don’t always see such a benefit understandably.
9. It’s time to grow up
I very much feel like I’m in a gold fish bowl with everyone looking in, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. I do think that on the whole this website has been good for me, but there have been times when I have made a bit of a fool of myself. So, I feel it’s time I grew up a bit!
10. GlassTalk is better
Finally, I feel that in the long run, the new GlassTalk website has far more potential than my humble blog. This website is all about me, but the GlassTalk website is all about everybody in the industry. This is my website, but GlassTalk is independent.
So, I feel that if you’ve enjoyed reading my blog over the years and enjoy the debate I have encouraged, then please consider spending more time on the GlassTalk website. And, I’ll be there joining in.
I’m keen to be webmaster of the GlassTalk blog, and am really keen to open the blog up to new opinion from anyone who has a serious opinion they wish to express. I might even add the odd guest post there myself.
But, from now on I have to say I’ll be writing stuff on this website far less often, if ever.
(PS. I reserve the right to change my mind).
