The poet Theodore Roethke once said, “In a dark time, the eye begins to see.” And in the wake of these recent layoffs, in this dark time of tremendous insecurity and uncertainty, it is imperative that we maintain a clear vision — both of the way things are now and of the way they will be.

It probably comes as a surprise to no one that after our merger with Calco Pharmaceutical and the consequential layoffs, I have called everyone together. I am not going to pull any punches in this discussion. You are my staff, and I want to be frank with you. I want to tell you what I know about the immediate future of this company. I want to empower you with these facts. I want to create an atmosphere of security, understandably no easy task when some of our coworkers have just been downsized. But we now need to move forward to ensure our own jobs. And I believe together we can do this. Today, I'm going to share with you the three-step plan that is going to take this company into its next phase of existence.

Let me first say, though, that no more layoffs are in the immediate future. If you are sitting in this meeting listening to me, you do have job security. Please take that in. This company needs you. All of your jobs are essential. This is a fact.

Now for our three-step plan for a better, more lucrative future: merging, identifying, and modifying. Step One: Merging. Change is never easy. Transition is often uncomfortable. But the outcome can reap tremendous benefits for all. The merging phase of the three-step plan is going to be the hardest. The way we are used to doing our work is going to be questioned. Our operations and methods will be closely scrutinized. It is enough to make the most secure worker feel a little shaky. But, hear me, this is just part of the process. Nothing about this phase is personal. We are not looking to cut back any more. We are looking to move forward.

You will not be alone during this phase of our plan. This is the most important thing for you to remember. I have an open door. If you need help, please come to me. If you need reassurance and guidance, please come to me. If you just need someone to hear your frustration with this process, please come to me. I am not just paying lip service. During this first phase, my sole job is to be there for you and to make this difficult transition easier for you. Your job during this first phase is to become more aware. Pay attention to what is going on; make observations about what is working and what is superfluous. Think about the positive changes you'd like to see here. Keep notes. The more you notice, the more you can participate in the exciting changes taking place.

Awareness leads us into step two of our plan, identifying. We need now to identify changes we need to make; we also need to identify what already works. Your notes and observations from phase one are critical in phase two. If you're happy here, your comments can help indicate what we need to continue doing to keep you happy; if you are unhappy with what you see going on, they can be used to make changes. But, if your voice isn't heard, you can't be part of the solution. Phase two gives you a real opportunity to create a more idealized work environment. I am not just asking to hear the voices of department heads. I want to hear everyone's opinions — executives, assistants, associates, and staff. During phase two, everyone's opinion carries equal weight. We cannot correct problems we don't know about. I cannot urge you enough to speak out. Please, take advantage of your power.

After we have merged and identified our strengths and weaknesses, we will be ready to move onto phase three, the modification stage. This is the point in our process where we will put your feedback into action. After the corporate department receives your input and analyzes it, we will work on the necessary retooling and revamping to take our company into the twenty-first century.

In summation, what may seem like a dark time of uncertainty to you right now, actually provides an opportunity, as Roethke observed, to see more clearly than ever. Open your eyes. Take notice. Make suggestions. Help us to notice, to identify, and to modify. And if you do, I promise you that you'll find the future looking brighter than ever.