CodeGear Phase 2
Bootstrapping a startup is never an easy task, but bootstrapping a 200ish person $75m startup with 23yrs of history could be an almost impossible thing to get right. Fortunately for us we had Ben Smith as our CEO throughout this first crucial first chapter for CodeGear. Ben did a brilliant job organizing, building, and leading (by example) CodeGear through what could have been a very rocky phase of our new organizations life. Instead of a rocky start this was a defining phase where we have come together both as employees, customers and community for a single purpose and vision – to build a company where developers matter. In the first chapter of our company, we’ve built a completely new JBuilder line based on the Eclipse core that beats IBM/Rational and NetBeans, we released the best Delphi in years, and we introduced the first true RAD PHP development environment and framework. We have many more things in the works and we still have a lot of work yet to do but we have a great running start, business foundation, and the best customers in the world.
I’ve had the chance to spend some time with Jim Douglas, our new CEO, who is joining CodeGear at an important time to lead us through our next phases of growth. Jim impresses me as someone who “gets it” and really understands the importance of the “customer experience”. I think these are some areas where we’ve made some big improvements in the past year, but it’s clear to me that Jim will be pushing us even harder to raise the bar to the next level of customer experience and satisfaction in everything we do. I’m looking forward to working with Jim and specifically on continuing to increase the quality of the customer experience from purchase to installation all the way thru development and deployment.
I really want to thank Ben for his leadership, guidance, and integrity in getting CodeGear off to this great start. As the founding CEO, Ben’s stamp will always be on CodeGear.
Go CodeGear! Go Developers!
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Posted by Michael Swindell on April 3rd, 2007 under Uncategorized |Server Response from: blog1.codegear.com
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April 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Hmmm, I think I’m getting worried over this. Right when you guys were off on a (imho very!) good start, you change your game yet again.
My advice: if you don’t want a rumbling community (or at least as little as possible) get this guy to blog within the next 24 hours. Blogging has been the unofficial reachout to your customers for a while now, and will ease us way more than any official news.
In the meantime I’ll wait a few days to make up my mind…
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Hmm..Thisconcerns me and I am sure that the community is concerned. First it seems like D2007 for Win32 and Delphi for PHP were rushed out of the door before the end of a quarter and not because "they were ready", and now we have a new CEO.
You cannot blame us for being concerned! CodeGear certainlydoes not need to generate FUD via its own actions, leave this to those who have already relegated CodeGear to the grave.
Very careful steps are needed here! No more missteps please! I echo the comment that the new CEO needs to Blog soon and often.
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Swindell
Thank you for the comments. I have to say it was one of the most incredible experiences since when I helped stand up a new federal goverment organization right after 9-11. Just like then, what made it great was the passion and committment of the team I was part of.
I look forward to the ongoing work with the team.
April 4th, 2007 at 6:28 am
The King is dead long live the King.
Ben, great job and good luck with your future endeavors. You wil be missed, and your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Jim, you have very big shoes to fill. The CodeGear community has very high hopes and aspirations for the future of CodeGear and its development tools (Delphi especially, my bias of course).
One piece of advice though: either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. One way or another, the CodeGear warriors are comming through. Victory is for the bold and not the feint of heart. We shall not be denied the spoils of the CodeGear Wars.
Good luck, best wishes, and welcome to the CodeGear community.
Tom Martin
Delphi Centurion
http://delphicenturion.blogspot.com
April 4th, 2007 at 7:06 am
One has to be concerned. CEO turnover is not exactly a sign of stability; it can be perceived as you are not sure what direction you are really going in and who is best to lead it. It’s almost akin to guess work.
April 4th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Mr. Swindell,
James Douglas has a background in the chips/electronics sector. I highly doubt there is much "customer experience" in that.
CodeGear needs a CEO who understands software developers. Someone who is a visionary in the area of software
development, someone who sets the agenda. Someone who isn’t afraid to lay down roadmaps.
We all have to be vigilant before CodeGear heads again in the wrong direction.
IDL
April 4th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
> My advice: if you don’t want a rumbling community (or at least as little as possible) get this guy to blog within the next 24 hours.
Even better than a blog - ask Jim questions listen to him tomorrow, Thursday!
Join Jim Douglas, new CEO of CodeGear, and developer relations this Thursday April 5th at 8am (PDT) and 5pm (PDT) for a live chat and Q&A session.
http://dn.codegear.com/article/34366
April 5th, 2007 at 7:44 am
> Even better than a blog.
Responding to my own comment (hmm). I didn’t mean to imply that the chat was a replacement for blogging.
April 6th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
You have hired a known corporate wrecker as your CEO Why ??????
You have proceeded to release a BUGGGGY Delphi for PHP. Why ????????
The new Codegear seems more dysfunctional than the old Borland.