Just a small thought snippet about a blog I've read ….
I Founded a couple of companies, I bought a couple of companies, Merged a couple of companies – and I even sold one. Still surviving and happy with the things I’m doing.
The good thing is, I learned a lot from these experiences.
As reaction on the blog of Bruno Segers he mention's from his experience the 5 basic principles for his new venture:
1. Not working on a payroll
2. Don't take the lead of a multinational organisation
3. Don't take the lead of a stock listed company
4. No company where unions are too strong represented
5. No politics.
Well I think I've done all that and the strange thing is. I don't see myself as a serial entrepreneur. I see myself as somebody who want to change the world (even glad with small mini-mini-mini- things I can contribute) and make other people happy. Doing small things, trying to create some impact.
This makes me happy and gives me a lot of energy.
No multinational organisations, but working with companies in other countries.
No payroll for those who take ownership and responsability
No Public listed stocks, but stakeholders you can talk to and give you the power and energy to go on
No unions, but people you can talk to as your own family, and empower them to believe in the story you have to tell
and of course – be open – be honest and respectful – no politics
The company I started with DFC Software Engineering 21 years ago still exists and is super valuable as a bespoke software specialist.
Also The spin-out I created from DFC (Geosparc) is even more valuable, and is after 6 years already bigger than DFC. Generating global revenue but with a strong focus on the European market.
Maybe we should spin-out a third company out of Geosparc Which will grow in 3 years towards a bigger company than Geosparc… 🙂
D.
Hey Dirk, prior to creating a third company, please make Geosparc the successful company we all are expecting. This mission and its success is very important for Geosparc's shareholders who will show long term patience.
In the businessmodel of Geosparc, we want to work work with partners. Until know, anything we did ourself was succesful and then followed by others.
We need partners creating their own products, so maybe Geosparc should invest in such an initiative to be able to scale this model to.
my 2c
Thank you Jonas, for your confidence. But creating and building a great company is not about the founder. It is about people. The following quote is expressing exactly what is needed.
"Hire and promote first on the basis of integrity; second, motivation; third, capacity; fourth, understanding; fifth, knowledge; and last and least, experience. Without integrity, motivation is dangerous; without motivation, capacity is impotent; without capacity, understanding is limited; without understanding, knowledge is meaningless; without knowledge, experience is blind." — Dee Hock, founder of Visa.
This, and writing the story of the dream you want to accomplish.
And of course the will to reach the sky.
D.
Good idea. Given your experience, I guess coming up with the name is the hardest part. After that, it's just a matter of taking the company to the skies. Small potatoes for a visionary entrepreneur 😉
Hope you can change that world, with whatever company you'd like, though. If we all contribute a bit, the burden shouldn't be too much to bear.