A lesson about vision, change, and the essence of our work
Dear readers,
As founder and CEO of Rowisoft, I have a story to tell that not only opens a chapter in our company history, but also provides deep insights into the dynamics of corporate culture and vision. Today I'd like to talk a bit about the sale of our cloud ERP system to a German corporate in 2020 and the resulting turmoil.
It all began promisingly. At Rowisoft, our philosophy has always been clear: We create simple, effective software solutions that offer our customers real added value instead of letting them sink into administrative abysses. We initially shared this ethos with the management of the newly founded spin-off to which our product switched. But as in so many stories, things turned out differently than expected.
Only months after the handover, the management of the spin-off changed, a new managing director came on board, and with him, the once shared vision disappeared. Suddenly, PowerPoint presentations dominated the office landscape, and new employees — including developers — were hired without really being introduced to the heart of our product. It seemed as though the new management was taking a completely different course that was not well received either internally or externally.
The conclusion from this experience? Corporate culture and vision are fragile but fundamental pillars of every successful company. Maintaining them, particularly through transitions and changes, is a challenge that requires tact, commitment and sometimes tough decisions.
The lesson here is multi-layered. First, a shared vision is the backbone of every collaboration. It loses its strength if it is not cared for. Second: The correct training and understanding of the end product is essential for every employee, especially in software development. And thirdly, customer relationships are based on trust in the product and the people behind it; maintaining this trust is essential.
And: In large companies, changing a contact person can suddenly have previously unimagined effects. Previously closed Gentlemen's Aggreements suddenly lose effect. Even though I'm a big fan of handshake-sealed agreements myself, I would still sort out essential things in writing for the benefit of our customers in the future.
The story of this development is a reminder that the core of a product or service — the solution to a real problem — must never be lost sight of, no matter what changes a company undergoes. It is also a reminder that the culture and values that shape a company are the true foundation for long-term success.
Let's work to keep our visions alive and run our companies with integrity and authenticity. With Mister James, our brand-new CRM system, we not only want to prove that we can do it better, but also want to help you improve your customer relationships and win more customers.
Until next time,
Robert Wismet
