Derek is the cofounder of Viddsee, a creator platform for premium short form content with over 3B+ views, 40M+ monthly reach, and 5K+ filmmakers.
With 15 years as a media and technology leader, Derek has worn multiple hats – from developing products to selling content IPs. And his passion lies in growing communities around content, building empathy with IPs and characters, and driving action through impactful storytelling to shape culture.
Guest Author: Derek Tan
The end is where we start from
What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning
Been hearing a number of layoffs happening (Lazada, Twitch, Discord, Amazon Prime Video and folks close to heart), and I like to share my own experience going through this process of transition
To the ones affected, do let the process run its course. Before we can start again, there’s an ending, a neutral (in-between) zone and then a new beginning.
Loss is the first act of the process:
1. Physically, our emails and work chats close, our to-do lists struck off, that thing you need to get back to your boss, team or client is no longer our responsibility. This is an easy external process of change
2. Mentally, we may not yet process this sudden change. We hold on to that identity when asked what’s our job title, your relationship with your colleagues. It’s a process of letting go, and can take time depending on the amount of time you invested
3. Emotionally, a string of emotions come in – anger, sadness, confusion.. you experience stages of grief as it can be traumatic. Time will heal. People around you will support you. And trust it will help bring comfort. But the emotions creeps in still.
And in order to move to the neutral zone of being, you need to acknowledge what is ending. Let the process run its course.
End the chapter. Pause. Then start a new chapter or book even. You got it 👌
#layoffs #layoffsupport #transition
PS if anyone is looking for folks in content programming, production, sales, marketing, corp comms or mobile app development in SG or ID, please let me know.
