Early Brexit: what have we learned?

Let me first clarify: this is not an article about the UK leaving the EU. This is about our own Brexit, how our UK Head Quarters filed for administration and left us empty handed. However, the article will give you some idea's how to deal with unexpected situations.

First, let me explain the situation. The company I worked with for the past year asked me to join them during an exhibition. I knew them for a good couple of years, they offered me a reasonable deal and I decided to give up my own company and to join their bigger group. They were established for over 40 years, with over 150 staff and 15 offices around the globe. I was going to develop the mainland Europe business as a company director and we started off in Germany. What could go wrong?

Unfortunately, the owners did not share the full details of the business. Until the last day of business, they claimed the company was healthy & wealthy. 3 weeks before the administration, we signed a lease contract for an additional office, 6 weeks before we moved the main German office to a new and bigger location to facilitate the future growth. When (a few weeks before the administration) reports came that the company was in trouble, the owners denied the situation and claimed these were lies, pointing out that they did not make these investments in the future for no reason. Looking back, all info about the troubles were 100% correct. In this situation, what do you do? Do you trust your own employer, or do you believe the external news?

Lesson learned: in difficult situations, go by the facts and cut out emotions. People (and companies) will always protect themselves first, and worry about you later. Do proper research and ask critical questions.

Brexit advise: don't get dragged into emotional situations. Check the facts, wait for legislation to be finalized and focus on your own future by following the new set of rules & regulations. Don't make decisions based on what newspapers or business partners tell you.

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After the company filed for administration, the responsible people disappeared and the administrators stepped in. Their only interest is to collect money for the debitors. These people have a neutral stand in the discussions between the company and yourself. They will not work for your benefit.

Lesson learned: even though you might be legally right, and the company owes you something (in our situation salary payments & compensation for expenses), what is not there cannot be given out. The rules have changed after the company filed for administration and we can only go with the new set of rules.

Brexit advise: adjust to the new rules and regulations as soon as possible and see this as an opportunity, not as a problem.

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So what was the next step? Keep as much business on board as possible, and focus on my own future. Quick decisions to adjust to the new situation were required. Within days I re-registered my old company so I could continue serving my customers as I did with the previous company. There was no time to relax, no time for emotions. This will come later. Securing my own future, a workplace for staff (where possible) had priority.

Lesson learned: always have a plan-B. I was lucky to have a plan B-minus. Although I was not prepared, I could quickly restart the old company and continue with as limited disturbance as possible for my customers and my staff (unfortunately not all of them...)

Brexit lesson: don't only work on plan-A, also have a plan-B. In uncertain situations, make sure you can choose from a couple of options to secure your own future.

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Conclusion: keep in control. Also when the rules of the game have changed. Also when the game has changed completely. Don't look back in bitterness, but look forward with a posititive attitude, embrace the new situation and look at opportunities that surely will arise.

Our own Brexit happened unexpected, unannounced and although some people knew it was coming, they ony worked for their own benefit and disappeared immediately after the event happened.

Although we have ongoing issues, and still work on these many issues as a result from the company going into administration, we only work on things that will benefit our own future. The old has gone, the now is here.

Brexit will be the same: the old will be gone, the now will be there. The people who caused Brexit will not be available any longer, they probably benefitted personally big time and think they secured their own future. They don't care about the mess they created for many others.

Don't stress yourself out by looking back, but embrace the new situation, look at opportunities and only start looking back when there is sufficient time and you secured your future. For sure, the leaders who caused the issues will be taken care of, if any wrong doing can be proven, the benefits they took by creating the mess will not take them very far... but don't make this fight your main focus. Leave that to legal professionals. The now is here.