Not Before Coffee

I’ve been working from home for just under 10 years. Given that I’ve been a single mom for most of that – providing a comfortable living for my kids and I – the fact that we just bought a new home in December – well, I’d say that qualifies me to be recognized as a “successful” online professional, does it not?

There’s no magical secret to my success – other than I’ve poured my heart and soul into everything I do and when it comes to my online relationships, I consider them genuine.

You’d never catch me providing fluffed-up lip service to anyone – whether I like them or not. If I’m asked a question, I’m going to answer it honestly. Sometimes the truth hurts, but when that happens, you can bet I’m hurting too.

Many times people will say don’t burn your bridges, but as far as I’m concerned, some bridges are better broken down to twigs before being burned so they can burn much quicker. However, when they’re being burned from both ends, who’s to say who is wrong?

Where is all this coming from?

For the last few weeks I’ve been laying low. I’ve been trying to process a hurt and anger that was unlike anything I’d felt thus far in my online career history.

Let me just say for the record that I respect b5media and I respect Jeremy – but what he has allowed the company to become is, well, still open to debate – because right now, I’m still processing…

It’s no big secret that I’ve worked for b5media for just over 3 years. Last year I took the position of channel editor because bloggers were being neglected. I didn’t really want to take on the task because I knew a day like this would come, but I did it anyway. There were people who needed quality leadership they could count on and trust. The former CE was a great person – just not as qualified for the hefty task they’d taken on. Later I would take on a channel of another CE who was being cut. She managed much like me – from the heart.

During my time in that position, I cultivated some of the most amazing friendships I could have ever imagined. These relationships, while completely virtual, possessed a substance that feels deeper than anything I’ve known on a local, physical existence.

On February 13, I was told very pointedly that “as of the end of February my channel editor and blogging services would no longer be needed.” I accepted the news and ended the call as quickly as I could. I then took my emotional self, curled up in a shell where I could sort out the news, attempt to heal and move on. I began erasing them from my life and online world just as they have erased others from theirs.

While I appreciated the fact that I’d not been dismissed as quickly and abruptly as others who had been relieved of their positions at b5, the extra time I spent was painful, very painful in fact. Fortunately that’s where being virtual has it’s greatest benefit. I kept my thoughts and opinions to myself and gave the best I could to my blogs and my bloggers.

Personally, my dismissal was easy to deal with. I truly believe when one door closes another opens.  For me, that usually means a good swift kick to get me moving in the right direction.

What I’ve found most painful to watch is the way so many bloggers were flushed from the system without warning. Earlier this week, bloggers were set to log on and begin their day as usual. When they went to log on, they were alerted that the migration to the new portal was underway.

Later that day, in some cases, several hours later, many received an email that basically said “Oh, by the way, your blog is being cancelled and you are no longer needed. You don’t have access to your blog, you can’t say goodbye to your readers, you are finished here, have a good life.”

Of course the email was more professional I’m sure, (at least I’d hope) but how it translated to bloggers is what matters to me. Must be the forever advocate in me!

That evening and next day – many of my former bloggers began emailing me, calling out on skype – asking what was going on.

I couldn’t answer. Mostly because I genuinely didn’t know – but also because I resist confrontation on any level. I’m just not wired that way.

Again, this is where virtual comes in handy. I bawled my eyes out. I sobbed because I’d lead my bloggers to believe the could trust – they could count on – they could stay and write to their hearts content. These are bloggers who counted on that money. They are mom’s, they are homemakers, they are people who were earning a living for more than a supplemental income to their husband’s and a pet. They have little mouths to feed.

You BET, I’m angry!

Not because of the new business model – IT makes sense. I think b5 is moving in a wonderful direction for growth. I think businesses have to change with the times. I applaud them for doing so.

What I am angry at is the cowardly manner in which these terminations are being handled. It’s disgusting, degrading and unprofessional at best.

I have to wonder if the cute little terminator that’s bulldozed herself into a place of power realizes that while she’s hoping bloggers don’t leave and burn bridges, that she’s already initiated the bridge burnings with the way she’s just dismissed them as if they were never really important. As if they didn’t deserve a bit of respect and consideration before being canned.

Late in 2008 my gut told me not to trust the person assuming so much power. I believed them and now I’ve lived to regret it. I hope that person wakes up and realizes what a horrible business practice she’s engaging in and changes her ways now. Because that which goes up, must come down – regardless of who is behind them providing the support for such heinous actions.

The few she has drinking the Koolaid won’t be enough to support her when karma comes knocking to rectify the wrong she’s served up.

Just sayin’