Change

Oct 8 2007

One of the great things about Doba is that I believe we’ve made changes when and how necessary to keep the business growing and evolving. When I announced to the company that we’d been ranked #23 on the Inc. 500 list, I presented “23 Things That Got Us Here” and “23 Things That Will Get Us To Where We Want To Go”. The only thing on both lists? Change.

We’re making some more changes at Doba. Blaine Nielsen is going to take over my job as CEO. We’ve been moving in this direction for about a year now. We took a big step in that direction a few months back when Blaine became the President and COO and I added Chairman to my title. Blaine does the day-to-day details, the metrics, the accountability, the management of Doba and our team extremely well. I’m going to continue to be Chairman and President for Doba. And focus on 30,000 foot view strategic initiatives and progress by providing that input and direction and vision to the rest of the AWESOME executive team we have at Doba. (learn more about Doba’s Board and Exec team) I’m also going to be heading up the process of adjusting and moving Doba’s product ‘up-market’. Watch for that next year. The nice thing for us about not having outside investors in Doba is that this is a plan that I came up with and that I presented to the other cofounders and worked to get into place.

Change is not easy. But for me, change is fun and something that I embrace with both arms wide open.

So here’s to Change. I’ll leave you with a few quotes I drummed up about change:

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. — Confucius

When you are through changing, you are through. — Bruce Barton

He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. — Harold Wilson

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. — W. Edwards Deming

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8 Comments; Filed under Change, Doba, Personal
  • http://jordy.gundy.org/ Jordy

    Congrats, Jeremy. I’ll be interested to hear about your new pursuits.

  • http://jordy.gundy.org Jordy

    Congrats, Jeremy. I’ll be interested to hear about your new pursuits.

  • http://www.sendsider.com/ Jeff Barson

    You know Jeremy, we’re going to have to have lunch. Maybe now you’ll be able to make it to Fight Club…

  • http://www.sendsider.com Jeff Barson

    You know Jeremy, we’re going to have to have lunch. Maybe now you’ll be able to make it to Fight Club…

  • Jayson

    It is my first time to leave a reply but I am an old visitor to your blog Jeremy. I am a serial entrepreneur as well and have loved your blog. You remind me of a quote by Calvin Coolidge (30th president of US (1872 – 1933) that I have often gathered strength from as I endeavor to make the right changes (Doba mngt. team) in my business and personal life that will produce the best long term outcome.

    He said “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

    Your willingness to ‘Press On’ as you have created a successful business combined with your willingness to make hard decision for your company, even if you are not in the day to day, will give your organization the new breath it needs to make it to the next level and continue to succeed. It will also give you the chance to focus on your persistent passions and in return it will breathe life back into the organization in your new role. I am sure it was hard for Bill Gates to let go so he could be given the chance to return to his original passion and as a results of that decision there is , debatable, a “better balance in the force.” Congrats!

  • Jayson

    It is my first time to leave a reply but I am an old visitor to your blog Jeremy. I am a serial entrepreneur as well and have loved your blog. You remind me of a quote by Calvin Coolidge (30th president of US (1872 – 1933) that I have often gathered strength from as I endeavor to make the right changes (Doba mngt. team) in my business and personal life that will produce the best long term outcome.

    He said “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

    Your willingness to ‘Press On’ as you have created a successful business combined with your willingness to make hard decision for your company, even if you are not in the day to day, will give your organization the new breath it needs to make it to the next level and continue to succeed. It will also give you the chance to focus on your persistent passions and in return it will breathe life back into the organization in your new role. I am sure it was hard for Bill Gates to let go so he could be given the chance to return to his original passion and as a results of that decision there is , debatable, a “better balance in the force.” Congrats!

  • http://jeremyhanks.com/ Jeremy

    Jeff – let me know next time fight club is around, and I’ll be there.

    Jayson – thanks! Great quote BTW!

  • http://jeremyhanks.com Jeremy

    Jeff – let me know next time fight club is around, and I’ll be there.

    Jayson – thanks! Great quote BTW!

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