Although I was hugely successful and well-paid, I found speaking engagements for this organization unappealing. After three great years, I wanted to resign on my own terms with class. Most importantly, I wanted to retain the rights to the copyrighted work I had created. Part of the solution was finding my replacement. If you've been a valuable asset, replacing yourself makes your departure easier to manage. The purpose of this letter was to close the door on my returning to the program, so I presented the decision as final. Jerri was Martin's administrative assistant.
TO: Martin Parker
Subject: Bill Frank exiting the seminar business
Sent via e-mail and USPS Priority Mail
Martin,
You contacted me in November, 20—, to create a leadership development program for upcoming CEOs—and it's been a whirlwind ever since. You've proven your concept and the program has grown dramatically. Good for you.
I see you've planned a course for next year—and you may or may not want to use me—but I need to let you know I'm exiting the seminar business. It's been fun and challenging, but my corporate consulting practice is booming [more than 325 corporate clients now], and my Internet projects are expanding. It's a tough choice, but I've made the decision to stop speaking.
If you want to continue using the Birkman, I've found a great replacement for me:
Max Dampier, PhD (Certified 1994)
Max Dampier Consulting (New York, NY)
Telephone: (212) 555-1212
E-Mail: maxdampier@gmail.com
Max has written a book for Birkman International called "The Birkman Reader." He's taught seminars at Stanford and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, among others. I've told Max you might contact him, although I did not mention you specifically.
Most importantly, I've created 45 copyrighted works that I plan to publish myself, so please remove them from your present and future publications, including books, manuals, course materials, hard drives, and websites. I'm sure Jerri will recognize them, but I've attached a PDF itemizing my copyrighted works.
Martin, it's great to see your success, and I wish you many years of double-digit growth.
:Bill