Saturday morning before the sun is up and I am going to tell you folks what this site means to me so if you want a friendly read this morning, get your cup of joe and here we go….. I agreed to accept a position in Sea Ray Boats so that I can have the privilege of continuing my career with this great company. With any luck and the good Lord willing, I hopefully will be of service to you guys for some time to come. I have not posted nor commented on my situation simply because there are people around us all that truly need our thoughts and support. Rusty is a big boy and was willing to take life as it was handed to me.
I would not be telling the truth if I suggested that I was comfortable through all of our recent consolidations and personnel changes and honestly thought my time was soon to end as well. In the 90 day notice of my plant being closed, 75 days went by with not much chance of being retained and I understand that. I have said before that a person can only expect good things to happen in ones life, if you appreciate what has been given to you up until today. And for that reason alone, I can only thank Sea Ray Boats from the bottom of my heart for everything they have done for me. I have raised and educated two wonderful daughters by myself only because of Sea Ray’s support. And then there was the post by Jims380…….
I have had the privilege of knowing Jims380 for years upon years. We first met when he purchased his 380 Sundancer brand new and it was he that insisted I monitor the old SRO and now CSR for insight to customers’ discussions; and I have been here ever since. Jim started a thread in my regard that I considered unnecessary and unexpected. Business is business and Rusty is not that big of a deal. Once I was made aware of the post I called Jim and asked why…he had an opinion of the company that he considered himself to be part owner of (stock holder and he’s right!) I hung up telling him that I thought that posting was not the right thing to do and he responded by saying he did not care what my shortcomings were. Then others added on, and on and on. I have to give The Administrator a praise here for closing the thread as it ran it course and made its point…..Did it ever make its point.
Friends and Bosses, it is NOT a cliché nor is it anything short of the absolute one hundred and ten percent truths that the customers have spoken. I owe each and every one of you my most heartfelt thanks and without a doubt, I owe each of you……my job. I truly believe the offer only came after the short but strong campaign that began with Jims380 posting and a few calls with some new executives in my company. You guys who made those calls, it is an honor to be supported by the level at which you guys play and I am amazed at how you gain access with no hesitation…..is it any wonder why you are where you’re at in this man’s world….the biggest of winners, who would rather let you and I walk the bases in front of the big crowd after they just hit the fricking thing out of the atmosphere…kind of didn’t think men like you guys actually existed any more.
Want to also tell you about another gentleman I met recently that has made an impact on me as well. As a result of your hue & cry approach I was contacted by a new guy to my company and he told me that he was not only flooded but also learned by a few phone calls on my behalf. He spoke words that hit me solid; he said “I get it!” That would not have happened without you folks and for my new President to say to me, way down the pipe, that he now has a firm understanding of the power of consumer input for our brand. You may understand that I had some serious reservations about my position in this company when I was not going to be talked to regarding retention until this forum spoke its mind. I still am not sure that I belong as strongly as I would prefer but I do know and did say to one man that I wanted to be on his team. That will now happen full speed ahead but the self imposed roll will still be to keep you knowledgeable and excitable about these cool-ass [sic] boats called Sea Rays, period. I said I wanted to work for you…the owners. Mr. Tim Schiek said he would be delighted if I would consider staying and that I may be an asset to his plans for our company.
It was about fifteen years ago when I became disenchanted with corporations that seemed to have no living soul. I found myself to be most comfortable around humans in lieu of processes and graphs, so I decided to work for the customer, under the umbrella of Sea Ray Boats. It has been a great relationship that brings my talk to a full circle closure.
Think about what has transpired with your company this past year and then put yourself in my shoes and to know that it was the customer who won this one. I will remain at your service for as long as the graphics on the side of your boat say…Sea Ray, and to that young entrepreneur that started it all….Jim, you did this nonsense…. and I am forever grateful! Thank you Sir.
And Thank You All for what you did that made all the difference in one guy’s life.
Your Captain,
Rusty Higgins
I would not be telling the truth if I suggested that I was comfortable through all of our recent consolidations and personnel changes and honestly thought my time was soon to end as well. In the 90 day notice of my plant being closed, 75 days went by with not much chance of being retained and I understand that. I have said before that a person can only expect good things to happen in ones life, if you appreciate what has been given to you up until today. And for that reason alone, I can only thank Sea Ray Boats from the bottom of my heart for everything they have done for me. I have raised and educated two wonderful daughters by myself only because of Sea Ray’s support. And then there was the post by Jims380…….
I have had the privilege of knowing Jims380 for years upon years. We first met when he purchased his 380 Sundancer brand new and it was he that insisted I monitor the old SRO and now CSR for insight to customers’ discussions; and I have been here ever since. Jim started a thread in my regard that I considered unnecessary and unexpected. Business is business and Rusty is not that big of a deal. Once I was made aware of the post I called Jim and asked why…he had an opinion of the company that he considered himself to be part owner of (stock holder and he’s right!) I hung up telling him that I thought that posting was not the right thing to do and he responded by saying he did not care what my shortcomings were. Then others added on, and on and on. I have to give The Administrator a praise here for closing the thread as it ran it course and made its point…..Did it ever make its point.
Friends and Bosses, it is NOT a cliché nor is it anything short of the absolute one hundred and ten percent truths that the customers have spoken. I owe each and every one of you my most heartfelt thanks and without a doubt, I owe each of you……my job. I truly believe the offer only came after the short but strong campaign that began with Jims380 posting and a few calls with some new executives in my company. You guys who made those calls, it is an honor to be supported by the level at which you guys play and I am amazed at how you gain access with no hesitation…..is it any wonder why you are where you’re at in this man’s world….the biggest of winners, who would rather let you and I walk the bases in front of the big crowd after they just hit the fricking thing out of the atmosphere…kind of didn’t think men like you guys actually existed any more.
Want to also tell you about another gentleman I met recently that has made an impact on me as well. As a result of your hue & cry approach I was contacted by a new guy to my company and he told me that he was not only flooded but also learned by a few phone calls on my behalf. He spoke words that hit me solid; he said “I get it!” That would not have happened without you folks and for my new President to say to me, way down the pipe, that he now has a firm understanding of the power of consumer input for our brand. You may understand that I had some serious reservations about my position in this company when I was not going to be talked to regarding retention until this forum spoke its mind. I still am not sure that I belong as strongly as I would prefer but I do know and did say to one man that I wanted to be on his team. That will now happen full speed ahead but the self imposed roll will still be to keep you knowledgeable and excitable about these cool-ass [sic] boats called Sea Rays, period. I said I wanted to work for you…the owners. Mr. Tim Schiek said he would be delighted if I would consider staying and that I may be an asset to his plans for our company.
It was about fifteen years ago when I became disenchanted with corporations that seemed to have no living soul. I found myself to be most comfortable around humans in lieu of processes and graphs, so I decided to work for the customer, under the umbrella of Sea Ray Boats. It has been a great relationship that brings my talk to a full circle closure.
Think about what has transpired with your company this past year and then put yourself in my shoes and to know that it was the customer who won this one. I will remain at your service for as long as the graphics on the side of your boat say…Sea Ray, and to that young entrepreneur that started it all….Jim, you did this nonsense…. and I am forever grateful! Thank you Sir.
And Thank You All for what you did that made all the difference in one guy’s life.
Your Captain,
Rusty Higgins
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