Re: CCIE Certification - OT

Hmmm....

Here we go again... The Social Contract by Darby....

Kinda works like this:

1. We want Pre-Nup. That is we want to be able to take our certifications
on the road. Otherwise, what was the point? Truly.

2. If we work for a company or partner then we expect a certain level of
compensation for our efforts and the company expects to pay a given a
compensation for that effort. Kewl.

3. If we get hired as a CCNA or CCNP and we later become a CCIE then you'd
think a given company might be happy about this: Bragging rights, Larger
discounts, Silver or Gold Status, Retain/Maintain Silver or Gold Status
etc. Usually larger discounts translate directly to $$$ aka that thing we
call revenue or just plain cash.

4. If the company values the employee (and other employees) then it stands
to reason that the company will do what's right or at least maintain the
facade of doing so. However, we live in a treacherous world sometimes and
this is just not the case. I can't understand why a company that profits on
its reputation would badger a person who customers probably look up to and
admire and attained a CCIE. Hmm... Penny wise and Pound Foolish.

5. Even companies like my little non-Cisco Partner plan on the event an
employee might attain a certification or even a CCIE and even have a written
policy for this event. Bonus, Raise, Reimbursement, and of course Training
to get there not to mention a little time off to take the exams. Note we
are not a Cisco partner either. It just makes sense to invest in people who
are in essence representing and / or supporting the company.

When it doesn't work like this, I've seen this:

1. Employees (CCIE's) get a wild hair and decide they can start their own
firm. And since they know a lot of people who they currently support, they
whisper softly, and they make friends with their old clients and leave them
a forwarding address (after grumbling a bit sometimes). Ouch! Hate when
this happens. I saw two firms suffer at the hands of very trusted, very
technical, very business savvy former employees who became disgruntled and
one Fortune 500 that had the same problem from former employees - some might
say they were the brainshare and when they left they took their own clients
with them. Anyway any stupid former employer who seeks to burn CCIE's or
other very knowledgeable employees should be very mindful of this and many
are and forge very binding legal clauses. And then...

2. Those employers soon find they really have a hard time sueing their
former clientelle and expecting repeat business. Truly lovely paradox. And
they have a hard time depending on the State or other laws of seeking and
being awarded damages against the employees who poached the former
clientelle in the first place. Ouch!!! Lots of fun stuff there.

You see people have got to be allowed to go forth and earn a living and
competition is just that. It sucks to be an employer who is brain dead and
who must find out the hard way how life is and how legal trips and traps may
work.

Now if anyone has ever seen a case where an employee has been made to
suffer, legally or otherwise, please let us know.

Also if any company has ever been sued and lost to a Cisco employer or other
employer that would be interesting as well.

Now the last guy who owned a company that I knew once upon a time even tried
to sue a City in Florida over a lost bid to another company where a former
employee joined the company and then used his credentials (he supported and
designed those networks you know) and won the bid. The former employer was
enraged and sued to his heart's content. Sad case of another broken heart
in Orlando.

Funny thing - later that employee took the majority of the tech talent from
second company (a Cisco Partner) and took a nice portion of their clients
too. Seemed like a habitual thing to me.

Moral of Story: It's not wise to step on the toes of those whose asses you
may have to kiss tomorrow - or something like that.

Again we do have a court system - look in Orange County Florida for a
precedent or two if you are the rogue employee soon to be
entrepreneur/tycoon.

Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
Received on Sat Jul 11 2009 - 00:41:01 ART