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Sandra Florence
BUS 1010 400 Su16
July 30, 2016
e-Portfolio Reflection

What did you learn by creating the signature assignment? Be specific

I completed the e-Portfolio assignment for two reasons:
1. It was required for the class and I strive to obtain excellent grades.
2. I have a deeply personal decision to make which related to the assignment.
I will focus my reflection on reason number two. I have worked for Paychex for 24 years. I am a wellrespected Senior Area Service Manager covering the Salt Lake City and Seattle markets. Last year, the
company re-organized and plans to reduce our real estate footprint nationwide. This means we will
slowly move employees from 80+ locations across the country into 12 service centers. The service
centers are located in areas of the country where labor and business real estate are a good value. At the
present time, neither Salt Lake nor Seattle fall in that category. This means that to stay in management, I
will either need to move to a service center location or leave the company. By the time we complete the
planned movement, neither of the locations I manage will have service employees and my job will be
dissolved.
This assignment was perfect for me to examine my options. I started by exploring the requirements for
the new Service Center Manager position. It was surprisingly difficult to get a copy of the job
description. I was ultimately able to get it from the recruiter. Honestly, I wondered why they werent
more readily accessible. I dont understand the harm in publishing them to the company intranet where
any employee can explore opportunities by comparing and contrasting different positions. After obtaining
the job descriptions, I noted a few differences, but there were no additional requirements that I dont
qualify for. Next, I spoke with a couple of managers that currently work in these positions. The most
valuable discussion occurred with the manager that had been in the test market for 2 years. He was

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surprisingly candid about his experience, and he described a plethora of challenges. I have never been
afraid of a challenge and the challenge in and of itself would not deter me.
Next, I examined the financial impact. I moved to Seattle because Paychex asked me to and paid for my
relocation. I took a hit financially. Although they paid the actual costs to relocate, the increase in salary
did not offset the cost of living difference. When I moved to Seattle, I did not consider the possibility that
the company would elect to move the service providers out of state. Seattle is one of the fasted growing
markets that we sell in and I assumed Paychex would want to maintain a local presence in a growing
major metropolitan market. I was wrong. Because of my assumptions, I invested a great deal of money
into remodeling the home I purchased in Seattle. After completing my initial assignment, I have gathered
some more information. Of course you never know until you list and sell, but I dont believe I would
break even on my home as I originally surmised. In June of this year, there was only a 1 month supply of
houses for sale in the Seattle area. (Richardson, 2016) This makes it very much a sellers market. I
would likely be able to sell my home for $151,000 more than I paid for it. When you factor in that I have
invested almost $100,000 in improvements, I would still walk away with a profit. Prior to this
assignment, I assumed that I would lose money if I sold.
Next, I looked at the job market. There is a wealth of opportunities in the area for management positions.
If I stayed in Seattle and left Paychex, it is likely that I would take a cut in pay. Most jobs paid about
40% less than I currently earn. This would be a significant financial hit.
If I moved, the company would pay my relocation costs, but when I retire, I would bear the cost of
moving back home to be closer to my children. Based on the estimated costs of relocation, the increase in
pay would not cover the entire costs to move back in the time frame I plan to work. However, compared
to the potential decrease in pay if I stay in Seattle, it would still make financial sense to make the move.
Completing this assignment has helped me determine that it makes financial sense to make the move. For
years, my career moves have been motivated by a positive (or perceived positive) financial impact. If I

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followed my normal pattern of thinking, this would not even be a close decision. However, as I explored
the factors for making my decision, I found that I kept coming back to the notion that I really dont want
to move. I love where I live. I dont need as much money as I currently earn. I can live on far less. If I
stayed, I may just have to work a few more years before I could retire. Honestly, that wouldnt bother me
if I enjoyed what I did.
Before I started this assignment, I was completely focused on what made the most advantageous financial
sense. Although I cant explain why, this persistent research has had an unexpected consequence. I have
become in touch with much less concrete elements. I am factoring in my feelings and emotions. This is
new territory for me. I am not used to allowing emotion to play a major role in financial decisions.
Perhaps exploring the emotional side of decision making is a whole new signature assignment. But for
now, I am staying in Seattle in spite of the negative financial consequence.

Works Cited
Richardson, N. (2016, June 16). The Housing Market Accelerated to its Fastest Pace
on Record in May. Retrieved from Redfin:
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2016/06/the-housing-market-accelerated-to-itsfastest-pace-on-record-in-may.html