Hi Fastlane forum,
I've just joined the forum after recently discovering MJ's books and reading them back to back. I feel like my eyes have been opened to a world my heart has been trying to tell me about for years. I'm excited (and scared) to make a change now. Having read the books I can honestly say I have been well and truly sucked in by the slow lane script! That said, I have always hated it. I have been racking my brains for an alternative for years but never been able to put my finger on it until I read MJ's books. It all makes sense now! Thanks so much for opening my eyes with 2 amazing books MJ!
I currently work as a sales rep for a software company in the UK, mostly working from home or traveling overseas. I'm 31 years old and have been in the same industry for 8 years. I’ve had plenty of success, earning decent money (much more than a lot of my peers), however, despite this, I have been finding it more and more difficult to find the motivation to continue recently. I am a more than capable salesperson, but without that hunger and motivation, my results have taken a hit lately as I look for alternatives. The deep-down realisation of the slow lane has killed the motivation and fire I used to have, but fortunately, the Fastlane/Unscripted option has re-lit my fire and poured petrol on it!
I have never ran a company before but I do have an idea for a business that I believe fits the CENTS criteria and I’m inspired to get started. However, before taking any drastic action I'd like to share my situation with the forum. I am not asking for life advice from strangers, nevertheless, I would really appreciate any insight from anyone that may have experience in this specific area.
I have discussed this idea with a close friend of mine who works in a similar industry and has the technical ability to help build the product and we are currently in the very early stages of discussing going into partnership.
Without going into too much detail on the idea, the business would essentially be taking a similar product to market to the one I currently sell for my employer, however with some key improvements and aimed at small-medium sized businesses (rather than large corporates that my employer primarily focuses on serving). It is very likely that I would like to use my current employer as a supplier for my new business (although not mandatory).
So, I was thinking about getting started on a prototype in my spare time before quitting my job and going all-in (although I could do this and live off savings for approx. 12 months while getting the business setup), when I thought, let's just check my employment contract first to make sure this is all legal. I'm not a legal professional, however, after reading the contract it seems my employer basically owns me and my ideas! It mentions not being able to work for another company or get involved in business outside of my job role without their consent. It also says that any intellectual property rights (e.g. business ideas and products created by me) that are in any way related to their business belong to them.
Now, my business idea has actually been tried twice by my employer before (half-heartedly), once with a partner which generated decent revenue but they decided to end and migrate the customers directly (the partner didn’t have control) and once on their own which flopped before it even got launched due to internal politics (it's a large multi-national corporate). I don't believe this is currently a priority for them so I don't think they would take issue in me starting the business from a competition perspective (if I use them as a supplier and they benefit from it). That said, they are clearly not going to want me starting my own business while being a sales rep for them as the job takes a lot of time and effort. The side business would be a huge distraction from my day to day job and vice versa.
Without asking for legal or life advice, I'd be intrigued to hear if anyone else has experience with this scenario and what they did about it. Or if anyone has any comments/questions that highlight something I haven't thought about, that would also be hugely appreciated of course.
Looking forward to getting stuck in on the forum and contributing as much as possible!
Many thanks,
Juke
I've just joined the forum after recently discovering MJ's books and reading them back to back. I feel like my eyes have been opened to a world my heart has been trying to tell me about for years. I'm excited (and scared) to make a change now. Having read the books I can honestly say I have been well and truly sucked in by the slow lane script! That said, I have always hated it. I have been racking my brains for an alternative for years but never been able to put my finger on it until I read MJ's books. It all makes sense now! Thanks so much for opening my eyes with 2 amazing books MJ!
I currently work as a sales rep for a software company in the UK, mostly working from home or traveling overseas. I'm 31 years old and have been in the same industry for 8 years. I’ve had plenty of success, earning decent money (much more than a lot of my peers), however, despite this, I have been finding it more and more difficult to find the motivation to continue recently. I am a more than capable salesperson, but without that hunger and motivation, my results have taken a hit lately as I look for alternatives. The deep-down realisation of the slow lane has killed the motivation and fire I used to have, but fortunately, the Fastlane/Unscripted option has re-lit my fire and poured petrol on it!
I have never ran a company before but I do have an idea for a business that I believe fits the CENTS criteria and I’m inspired to get started. However, before taking any drastic action I'd like to share my situation with the forum. I am not asking for life advice from strangers, nevertheless, I would really appreciate any insight from anyone that may have experience in this specific area.
I have discussed this idea with a close friend of mine who works in a similar industry and has the technical ability to help build the product and we are currently in the very early stages of discussing going into partnership.
Without going into too much detail on the idea, the business would essentially be taking a similar product to market to the one I currently sell for my employer, however with some key improvements and aimed at small-medium sized businesses (rather than large corporates that my employer primarily focuses on serving). It is very likely that I would like to use my current employer as a supplier for my new business (although not mandatory).
So, I was thinking about getting started on a prototype in my spare time before quitting my job and going all-in (although I could do this and live off savings for approx. 12 months while getting the business setup), when I thought, let's just check my employment contract first to make sure this is all legal. I'm not a legal professional, however, after reading the contract it seems my employer basically owns me and my ideas! It mentions not being able to work for another company or get involved in business outside of my job role without their consent. It also says that any intellectual property rights (e.g. business ideas and products created by me) that are in any way related to their business belong to them.
Now, my business idea has actually been tried twice by my employer before (half-heartedly), once with a partner which generated decent revenue but they decided to end and migrate the customers directly (the partner didn’t have control) and once on their own which flopped before it even got launched due to internal politics (it's a large multi-national corporate). I don't believe this is currently a priority for them so I don't think they would take issue in me starting the business from a competition perspective (if I use them as a supplier and they benefit from it). That said, they are clearly not going to want me starting my own business while being a sales rep for them as the job takes a lot of time and effort. The side business would be a huge distraction from my day to day job and vice versa.
Without asking for legal or life advice, I'd be intrigued to hear if anyone else has experience with this scenario and what they did about it. Or if anyone has any comments/questions that highlight something I haven't thought about, that would also be hugely appreciated of course.
Looking forward to getting stuck in on the forum and contributing as much as possible!
Many thanks,
Juke
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