It’s a strange thing, it was just the other day while listening to NPR that it struck me, after more than three decades of experience in the industry, working directly for or around various fascinating entrepreneurs, it was now necessary to pass on the observations and experiences to others. . Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, none of whom worked a day in their life for an employer, this Entrepreneur thing has been in my blood, since childhood. However, this article is not about me, it is about four entrepreneurs who met on the road. Each one left their mark and made a difference. Each has a different story and set of achievements, however it’s interesting to see the common thread.
Entrepreneur One – a brilliant and gifted engineer, technologist and visionary, an insightful and powerful person who built the second largest computer manufacturer on the planet (at that time) – Ken Olsen – Digital Equipment Corporation. This impressive individual practiced what he preached. His credo was to place trust in people and he proclaimed that ultimately they would do the right thing! Mr. Olsen created a company that was undoubtedly an innovative, leading and industry phenomenon in technology, which at its peak was a $13 billion entity. The company was acquired by Hewlett Packard primarily for its service capabilities and the breadth of its worldwide customer base. Mr. Olsen resigned from DEC prior to the acquisition and turned the reins over to a Financial Executive.
Entrepreneur Two – A literal genius who has mastered the application of technology to identify and classify life-threatening arrhythmias (abnormal heart conditions). A natural leader, mentor and coach who put people in a special category and demonstrated his passion for the business by saying, “What motivates me is that we are saving lives and changing the quality of medicine.” Dr. Charles Feldman not only created and built CardioData, a leading provider of medical diagnostic systems for the cardiology market, but has also made numerous contributions to the industry in the educational and medical fields. A driven, relentless, and tireless leader, Dr. Feldman or Charlie, as he preferred, always allowed his people to innovate freely, without penalty, regardless of the outcome. CardioData was acquired by a company that is now a division of GE Medical.
Entrepreneur Three: One of the most ambitious and compelling people around, this infectious leader had the magic touch to attract and involve others in his vision. His original dream was to be the “Captain of the Ship” and build a technology-based company from the ground up to a $100 million state. After decades of brilliant moves, he fulfilled the vision, which resulted in an undisputed leading technology company surpassing the $360 million mark. This individual had a unique formula for stimulating Team commitment and was an unusual believer in “sharing the wealth” with those who made it possible. Jay Bertelli – CEO and Founder – Mercury Computer Systems embodies all the qualities one expects to read about in the Harvard Business Review. Mr. Bertelli recently retired from Mercury and has passed the baton to a new CEO to propel the company into the next phase of growth. Meanwhile, given Jay’s appetite, he continues to advise small and midsize tech companies on the challenges of “paving the way to ultimate success.”
Entrepreneur Four: without a doubt, one of the most entrepreneurial people I have ever worked with. A self-made entrepreneur who built and managed approximately six companies at the same time. All leaders in his field. And I still had time to make key contributions to industry groups and associations, publish ground-breaking books, privately advise some of the largest retailers, and teach merchandising at Harvard Business School. Despite industry sentiment (at the time), he challenged standards by introducing the open concept of selling to the retail industry that turned merchandising principles on their head. Serial CEO and founder Sidney Stoegel put his final digital footprint on Merchandata, which became a valued strategic partner and advisor to major retail companies who trusted his brilliance, ingenuity and extensive experience to pave the way. Spending 30 minutes with Sidney talking business was worth more than attending a year of seminars given by the popular speakers on the circuit. Sidney was a giver and willingly and willingly provided the benefit of his years of hard-earned experience to others.
Without restating the obvious, it’s clear after reading the profile of these Entrepreneurs that they are remarkable people. Everyone has a different story and if we dig deeper we would discover what motivates them which is a function of their unique background, history, family influence, experiences, psyche and other factors. You can also select common factors between them. A recurring theme is his emphasis on the “people quotient” and the appetite for voluntary giving. This article is a tribute to these remarkable businessmen, not hero worship.
Are entrepreneurs a reproducible breed? I’m not sure, however, no matter where they come from, what they’re made of, or what drives them to success, it’s clear that today’s business world offers easier access and entry for these unique individuals than ever before. . Given this tough-as-nails market economy we’ve endured, it’s reassuring that entrepreneurs continue to create new businesses, new job opportunities, and a never-ending source of wealth.
Copyright 2009
Performance Marketing Group
Edmond M. Hennessy