What do you do when you have helped build a successful software company, attracted some of the best technical talent in the world, and are achieving steady double-digit top-line revenue growth? Bart Copeland, CEO, the Management Team, and the board of directors of ActiveState faced this challenge. What they did might surprise you.
For many management teams an industry-leading solution with consistent year-over-year revenue growth would be enough; however, in mid-2010, the management team at ActiveState took a hard look at their business. The team wanted to look for opportunities that could drive triple-digit growth. Why? The leading technology companies that were truly pushing the boundaries of greatness were growing in the triple digits (at least the new product lines were). ActiveState’s management team wanted ActiveState to be one of those companies. They also felt it would mean that ActiveState’s employees could grow in their respective roles, as employee growth is very important to management. They also realized that they could sustain their growth but there was going to come a time, they didn’t know when, that things would start leveling off. When that happened, the market would not see the value in what ActiveState has to offer.
When things are going well it takes true courage to step back and look at your core strategy. ActiveState went through a strategy process that engaged the entire company. My take away ideas from the collaboration of Bart, his management team, and their experience at ActiveState include:
- Never stand still.
- Challenge yourself, the board, and your leadership team.
- Be true to your core values.
- Involve your employees in change.
- Make it fun.
- Change the world.
You know you are working with a people organization when the employees have such a fabulous name like Activators. The management team recognized that retaining their amazing team meant giving them a new challenge. By involving all the Activators in the process they are changing a trillion dollar industry.
These insights were taken from the People chapter of my book Wind In Your Sails: Vital Strategies That Accelerate Your Entrepreneurial Growth. Learn more at windinyoursails.coachdjgreer.com.
