Yesterday Cale Bruckner had his 13th anniversary with Palo Alto Software. Vie Radek had hers on April 15, Connie Muller this Thursday, and Jake Weatherly and Teri Epperly next year.

So I know that 13 years is nothing compared to Microsoft or IBM or General Motors, but what’s cool about these anniversaries is that there were only 10 or so employees back in 1995, and most of them are still with us.

That, in small business, is an achievement. Their achievement, putting up with the ups and downs of a small software company; and ours, in keeping the good people.

There are 45 of us now. When Vie and Cale and Connie started, Business Plan Pro was in its first version, and was just barely making it in retail. Today it’s in its eleventh version.

The picture here was taken just two months shy of 12 years ago, in November of 1996, at a roller skating rink. The people shown here were more than half of Palo Alto Software’s employees at that time. The key people missing who are still with us are my wife Vange, who (I think) took the picture; and Jake Weatherly, who had just joined.

From the left, you have me, Luke Walsh (now with Right Media, a Yahoo subsidiary), Cale Bruckner, Connie Muller, Cristin Berry, Vie Radek, and Teri Epperly.

If you add Vange and Jake back into the picture, who were very much a part of it but not pictured, then the only people from back then that we’ve lost were Luke, now at Right Media; and three others, also not pictured, one who retired in his late 50s, one who moved to the East Coast when she married, and one who, well, didn’t fit. And he’s doing well on his own, in sales. Cristin, also pictured, was 13 when that picture was taken, but she’s also been a full-time employee since she graduated from Whitman College four years ago.

And I might add that it’s been more than 18 months now since the new management team took over, and Vie, Cale, Connie, Teri, and Jake are still with us. That speaks a lot for continuity, and what’s good about them, and us. That makes me proud.

Tim Berry
Founder and President
Palo Alto Software

Tags: employees, family business, longevity, Small Business, startup, Success
Posted on September 25th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

It was just a coincidence…maybe. But just last week, after reading Tim Berry’s True Story: Business By Handshake post on his Planning Startups Stories blog, I was watching for the umptyteenth time, the movie Casablanca and saw one scene with an entirely new light.

Monsieur Rick is negotiating the sale of his saloon, Rick’s Cafe American, to his friendly rival, Signor Ferrari keeper of the Blue Parrot.

A waiter brings tea to Rick and Ferrari, who sit alone at a table in a secluded nook off the main room.

Ferrari: Shall we draw up papers, or is our handshake good enough?

Rick: It’s certainly not good enough. But since I’m in a hurry, it’ll have to do.

Ferrari pours a cup of tea for Rick, who takes a sip.

Ferrari: Ah, to get out of Casablanca and go to America! You’re a lucky man.

Rick: Oh, by the way, my agreement with Sam’s always been that he gets twenty-five percent of the profits. That still goes.

Ferrari: Hmmm. I happen to know that he gets ten percent. But he’s worth twenty-five.

Rick: And Abdul and Carl and Sacha, they stay with the place, or I don’t sell.

Ferrari: Of course they stay. Rick’s wouldn’t be Rick’s without them.”

Rick: Well, so long.

Rick gets up, followed by Ferrari. They shake hands to seal the deal. He walks to the door, then stops and turns around.

Rick: Don’t forget, you owe Rick’s a hundred cartons of American cigarettes.

Ferrari: I shall remember to pay it… to myself.

—Warner Brothers Pictures 1942, screenplay by Julius J Epstein, Philip G Epstein, Howard Koch

Classic!! There is the business deal by handshake.

And there’s more business there. Taking care of partners. Recognizing the value of employees to the success of a newly acquired business. Squaring up of existing debts.

Watch the film again sometime. It is much more than a romantic adventure. It is filled with business. Up front business, shady business, back room business, intrigue business, political business. Business business everywhere!

Steve Lange
Senior Editor
Palo Alto Software

Tags: business sale, buying a business, Casablanca, employees, handshake, selling a business
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 | No Comments »