Good Luck ... from Sumathi

Dear Rob

It’s been only few months since I joined your team…I had really started enjoying working with you. Our interactions (though very few) have been very nice and content.

I was very much excited and proud when I was offered this job. Your calm, positive and professional attitude gave me confidence to speak up my mind and made me feel happier that I have made the right decision of moving to your team. I wish I had got a chance to work with you for a longer period of time.

I will certainly miss a good manager…

I wish you good luck & success in all your future endeavors.

Will surely keep in touch.

Here is a picture of our little one, Vignesh…new joy in our life.

And one of my favorite pictures with my husband.

Warm regards,

Sumathi

You are one of the Managers\Mentors who will be remembered forever..... Naveen V

Hello Rob,

            It was a shock for all of us when we first heard that you will be leaving HP in a month time. It took us a while to come out of it and felt some what better after speaking to you later in 1-1.

            It’s still fresh in my memory when I have received a call from you on 14^th Jan 2008 with an offer in your team, I can never forget that day. I was on bed recovering from my leg injury then. For sure I can say that you are one of the best Manager under whom I have worked for. When I have joined the team initially I was bit nervous as I have never worked with a remote\virtual Manager. It was the team and yourself who has made me feel comfortable. From personal front I will be missing a good Mentor more than a Manager as I have learned a lot from your as to how to be an good listener, respect each and every ones opinion, guide us in correct path when ever we have stuck with an road block either at work or at personal front. You are one of those Mangers with whom we can speak our mind, this shows how comfortable we are with you being our Manager. Though it is short period I have learned a lot from you.

            As the world is so small I hope we cross again in future and for sure will keep in touch with you.

           

Thanks,

Naveen.

We part to meet again......from Pam

Dear Rob,

I am full of envy because 3 days from now, you’ll be living a life that I can only dream of!  ( I'm referring to the extended vacation trip)

This year I celebrate my 15 years in HP.   And in all the 15 years, I’ve only had 2 bosses who quit on me.  One was my director when I was still the APJ finance manager.  And you’re the 2nd lucky one. 

Before I get caught up in my frivolous ramblings, I’d just like to say thank you for showing me the human side of HP.   I recalled not long ago, when I was struggling to make sense of my erratic working hours which was robbing me of home life and work life balance, I raised the matter up to you during our 1:1 call.  You listened with empathy and after you shared your perspective, I felt a whole lot lighter, even though nothing has really changed.

This is your gifting Rob!

I came into your team in Dec, 2007.  I was feeling jaded from over a decade of managing people and wanted a new environment.  Project Management is something new to me and I wasn’t sure I was suited for it.  Someone I spoke to said you were a very nice manager, and that’s why I applied for it.

Just thought you should know this.

And who knows, one day I may also take the plunge… and quit to become a full time stay at home mom… or make jewelry and start a blogshop ….or sell my homebaked cupcakes ..  the possibilities are endless.

(These words would not have come out of me if you were still my manager)  So much for open and honest communication!

Anyway, as the saying goes "we part only to meet again " so we really never know how our paths will cross in future. 

Below are some of my family photos I like to share with you here...

Wishing you and your family, peace and happiness as you embark on a new journey.

God bless,
Pam

Me and my 2 girls, Tammi (5) and Sofia (1.5yrs).. 

Taken when my family travelled to perth during Dec 09's shutdown... Up to then, I've always thought wombats were small and cuddly. 

At my daughter's 5th birthday party recently...

The world is round...and shrinking by the minute...hope to see you soon Rob !! From Meera

Dear Rob

Its been 3 years since we first met and the memory is still fresh in my mind. I remember waiting anxiously at the reception of the Depot Road office waiting for you and Kwee Yin (we were to have lunch together as a follow-up to our phone conversation). But once we got talking, all that anxiety just vanished. You were so friendly in your approach, that it didnt feel like I was here applying for a role and was being "interviewed" :-). I couldnt wait to hear back from you and when I finally did, I actually jumped up and down a bit in the conference room from where I took the call. People that know me well will tell you that its really uncharacteristic of me to be emoting that way :-), but thats how happy this job offer made me :-).

I have had a great time working with you Rob. Though we got to meet each other only once after that, our weekly conversations gave me the chance to get to know you a little better and you are undoubtedly one of the best managers I have had the opportunity to work with !! I will always look at you as a role model as I take on bigger challenges in the future.

As I now take on the new role of being a mom , I will remember all the chats we had about the joys (and tribulations) of parenthood, raising children etc.

I will miss you Rob...and I wish you the very best as you start a new chapter in your professional life.

I sincerely hope we can keep in touch. We look forward to seeing pictures from your QLD trip and hope you have a great time with your family. We are also waiting to see you in Singapore sometime soon...I know a great place to grab a beer :-)

Cheers and best wishes
Meera

Here's a picture of the new light of our life..Kyra !!

One with my husband taken in your part of the world :-)...at the Twelve Apostles during our Aus trip in Dec '09

This Short Interaction, I wish could be extended :) - Ranbir

Hi Rob,

I was late I suppose to get into your team. Only to know a few of the team members in person and the rest of the team are yet to be met in person.

However, the little interaction that I have had with you, has been very nice, clear and concise.

You have been instrumental in my shift in career within HP and I must thank you for that. I only wish this interaction and association could have extended a little.

I wish you all the very best for everything you plan for future. Wish you happiness and success!

Unfortunately, I do not have any pics with colleagues here to share with you. But am attaching a couple of personal pictures of me and my wife herein. We are just two of us as of now. The project is in planning stage for the next phase of life. Btw, I hear from the rest of the teammates that I have come to the right team. This team has a track record for people being blessed with babies. Am looking forward on same. ;)

Thank you again and best wishes! Will remember you for sure.

Regards,
Ranbir

You personify the HP Way

Dearest Rob,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being there for me over the last 5 years.

When you took me in to the LHTP program, I was frustrated with my career progress in HP.  I still recall during the interview, I spoke with much truthfulness and angst about how I've felt, and such candor would have turned many hiring manager running.  But you gave me a chance.

Over the next 5 years, you've been a great manager, an inspiring leader and most importantly a mentor to me.  I've excelled, stumbled and sometimes just stagger along, but you never failed to be there for me.  For all that you've done for me, all that you've taught me, I'm forever grateful to you.  Thank you Rob!

Though we may part now as boss/subordinate and as colleague, I feel strongly that our relationship will turn now towards one of friendship that develop on the years we have worked together.  I look fowrad to opportunities to visit Australia again, and chances for us to catch up over some beers!  Or should you visit Singapore, please don't forget to call me.

If I were to sum up one of your greatest strength as my manager for the last 5 years, it is that you personify the HP Way.  It's a great loss to our team and HP that we are losing a superb manager like yourself.

Wherever  your career brings you to next Rob, I wish you the very best in all aspects of life.

Please stay in touch & have a great wonderful vacation with your family.

Warmest regards,
Kwee Yin

You cannot be replaced...from Anil

Hello Rob,

We were in for rude shock when you announced your decision to move out of HP, it took a while for us to reason it out.

Not many managers have gained the trust, respect and confidence of the team as you have.Your management style is definitely a good example for us to follow. You are open minded, encouraging and transperant. Our team meeting is a very good example of that, where each team member could easily speak his mind.You always valued the opinion of each of the team member.

Personally it is a great loss to me that you would no longer be my manager. I would miss a good mentor, great friend and an able guide.

I am not sure how things will be after you leave, but I know one thing for sure it will never be the same again. You cannot be replaced.

It has been a great experience to have worked with you for these many years. Thanks for all the things that you have done for me.

I would like to wish you and your family all the very best as you embark on a new journey. Hope our paths cross again. Will keep in touch.

Thanks,

Anil

We Will Miss You Rob... from Shanmukh

Dear Rob,
You have been great, we will miss you, working with you a pleasure always .. Four years passed away so fast since you became a manager to all of us..
you are always a great inspiration to us, great listener, a great guide, coach , Mentor, well wisher and last but not least.. always helps us in providing the right decisions and suggestions in our work .

Here , A bunch of Daffodils for you and to your family ,

To let you know that ..
We miss you Rob.. 
You will always be remembered in a special way,
As you leave to take a new road,
Here's wishing you Opportuities,Success,and most of all Good luck to you in all that you do and may success follow you wherever you go
All the very best for your new venture ,
Hope we will get a chance to work you in our small virtual world.
Good Luck and Good bye.

From Shanmukh and Family.

Shanmukh and Family@2009

From Marie-Odile

Well Wishes ...from EMEA

Thanks for your contribution to our team during the last 4 years; you have always been committed to your job and your team, very much employee caring and respectful to others; always impressed by your ability to stay calm and step back when needed.

I really hope to have the opportunity to go back to your beautiful country  and meet you there.

Enjoy the time out with  your family and good luck for the next step in your life,

- Isabelle Ranc

It has been a pleasure to work with you during the last 10 years. Thank you for being a good manager, a great colleague and a friend.

I wish you all the best in your new journey, make the best of it!!

Hasta pronto,

- Monica Garcia Romero

Singapore Team

Vidya, Meera, Kwee-Yin, Shanmukh & Pam
celebrating Meera's birthday

Hi Rob,

One of the plus point of having a Singapore team is that we can sometimes meet for team gathering, lunch or birthday celebration.  Of course, the minus would be we don't have your participation in team gathering other than the annual F2F team meeting.

This is one of the last or recent team picture we have, and I would like to share this great Singapore team picture with you Rob.

Cheers!
Kwee-Yin

Photo Memories - Journey to Mysore

Mysore Trip - One of the most memorable trip for myself.  To this day, I still love the ambient and the food at this rest stop.

Rob enjoying a drink and the morning sun

The scrumptious breakfast

One of the guide I believe at Mysore, not those street vendors
who tested our patience and limits. 

Rob & Kwee-Yin with Mysore Palace in the backdrop.

Photo Memories from Bangalore - Dinner @ Shanmukh's Home

Dear Rob,

It must have felt like yesterday when we had a team meeting in Bangalore, and Shanmukh invited us to his beautiful home.  Here's a couple of pictures with our gracious host. 

Dinner @ Shanmukh's Home

A group picture with Shanmukh & his wife

Rob trying his hand at Rangoli with rice flour.

Singapore Flyer - when you were here in May 2008

You can also view related videoclips on youtube at the following links.

singapore flyer 1
singapore flyer 2
singapore flyer 3

Don't forget us Rob!!!