Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

After 11 years at my company, I will be moving to full time consultant with my own company in the next two months, but will remain the exclusive marketing consultant for my current company. I need suggestions (or links to ideas) on the best way to announce my employment status change to the organiziation. I have 5 direct reports who will be transitioning to new managers and many projects that will also transfer to others. We just acquired another company and I will be working on rebranding, marketing and web development as a consultant.

Thanks!