We can’t remember any company asking IMAGINE if we want to interview their General Manager who is “leaving” the company. Odd, I thought. Jim Ball gave his official notice in March that he would leave National Boston Video Center as their General Manager, effective May 31. He doesn’t have a bigger or better job to go to. But, there was a party anyway (at the House of Blues, no less)! He has been a fixture there for over 12 years, stepping up to a “temporary” position when his twin boys were still quite small.
And what will Jim Ball do next? Well first, he’s taking a little time off to spend with his 15½ year-old twin boys hiking the Rocky Mountains. And after that, well, he’s not defining, but rather divining or searching for his future. He doesn’t know what he’ll be doing. He’s talking to a lot of people.
Jim Ball’s future will be entrepreneurial because now he possesses those operative convictions. Not-so-suited originally for the job he is leaving behind, he genuinely embraces and will not let go of the culture of the National Boston company, which is hard to describe except to say that on the company web site he is labeled as “Executive Something.” That’s followed by, “While we're not really sure what Jim does, we're pretty sure he's in charge of some really important things…. If you were to look at where National was 3 years ago and then look at it now, then Jim would be the guy largely responsible for a lot of that. Pretty good, huh?” Then you have to note that all of this is listed under “Lies.”
Suffice to say, it appears there are 30 - 35 people who love their work, like the space they work in, and have fun. The secret is someplace in the last line.
A creative person, Jim Ball may have dashed into his left-brain or he could have crawled, dragging his feet into his left-brain. But, during those initial months he had to get there, accelerated number crunching demands it. If you remember, there was a recession in the late 80’s when he ascended to his leadership roll. I’m told he was somewhat overwhelmed at how much time administrative work takes up. When he agreed to take the job, it was only supposed to be for a limited time. Now here it is, 10 year later. Here’s a man who composes music, who is a film director and has other creative bents to pursue.
Make no mistake, Ball has had a championship entrepreneurial run for all these years, accomplishing all that needed to be done. He says he feels lucky to be in a position to build a business working with creative teams, solving problems, designing successful experiences. Ministry of Design, the newest award-winning member of the National family, is his incarnation. He’s discovered that he is a quick learner. Over all, he knows the time has come to find another place to try out those ideas he’s been incubating, perhaps to ultimately create a company of his own. All with a positive spin, “change is good,” he says.
Actually, Jim Ball approached Tom Sprague, National Boston co-owner, about a year and a half ago about leaving the company. Economically speaking, they agreed it was a very bad time to strike out on your own. So, he stayed to help prepare for his departure. A year ago Kathy O’Toole came aboard and worked with Jim’ she is the new GM. Economically speaking, it still might not be a good time. But, most agree 2004 will be better and Jim’s hope is to get swept up as the economy redevelops around a stronger dollar and a presidential election year (a production perk for most everyone in the business). He believes that the end of an ultra-cold winter and the end of the War in Iraq will signal a “change in the mindset of the region and the nation.” And an opportunity for Jim Ball to spend a little more time in his right mind! PUB