Unexpected Gifts

Contributing Writer

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a friend of mine, Ansgar Dierkes.  Ansgar and I worked together about 5-6 years ago when we were both with TMP Worldwide Executive Search.  At the time, Ansgar was a Partner in our Frankfurt, Germany office, and I was traipsing around the world rolling out our new database and global business process.

Since then we’ve both moved on to other firms, and Ansgar recently opened his own search firm, Dierkes Partners, Gmbh based in Frankfurt.   Ansgar was in the process of purchasing the software we used at TMP for his new firm and reached out to me to see if I still had copies of the manual we wrote and the training handouts we used in our original roll-out back in 2002.  Being a total packrat I had most of the material and emailed off what I could, photocopied the rest and dropped it off with the US Postal Service.

Then, the other day I’m sitting at home making lists of all the things I have to get done before heading off to spend Christmas with my family when FedEx shows up with a case of wine: 6 bottles Felipe Rutini 2005 Malbec (Argentina) and 6 bottles of Nobilo 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – with thanks and holiday wishes from Ansgar.  Needless to say I was (am) completely overwhelmed!   

Cheers to unexpected gifts.  Merry Christmas, Ansgar!