This document provides background information about W. Scott Webber, including his experience founding and leading several successful software companies. He outlines key ingredients for startup success, such as a compelling concept, well-developed business and operating plans, strong management team, necessary infrastructure, adequate funding, and competitive product. Webber emphasizes defining goals and strategies, putting proper systems and processes in place early, developing a strong company culture, and securing sufficient funding to achieve a leadership position in the market.

1. W. Scott Webber
Chairman & CEO

2. My Background
I have had the good fortune to be involved in many
successful software ventures
 Pansophic Systems - General Manager
 Software Artistry – CEO
 Corepoint Technologies – CEO
 Performance Assessment Network – Incubator,
Director & Mentor
 Installshield – Director
 Autobase – Chairman & CEO
 BidPal – Chairman & CEO

3. My Background
 Funding
 I have acquired venture capital
 I have been a venture capitalist
 Liquidity Events
 I have acquired companies
 I have had companies acquired
 I have taken companies public

4. My Background
Actively engaged in fostering economic growth in
the community
 Founded Technology Partnership in 1997 to foster
growth in Indiana technology economy
 Served on numerous corporate and not-for-profit
boards

5. Ingredients for Success
Compelling concept
Well thought out business plan
Well-defined operating plan
Strong management team/organization
Necessary infrastructure
Create a corporate culture
Adequate funding
Competitive product

6. Business Plan/Begin with the end in mind
 Well thought out, realistic 3-5 year
plan
 Envisioned the go-to-market
strategy prior to investing in
the business
Resources necessary for
successful execution are
identified
 Lofty goals can be achieved
with focus & preparation
Business Plan

7. Operating Plan
Define where you are going and how you are going to
get there
You are much less likely to achieve your goals if
you haven’t defined them
Implemented annual operating plan (GOSPA)

8. Goals...are supported by...
Objectives...which are reached by executing...
Strategies...which set the direction for your...
Plans...which are executed by the...
Activities...of the day, month, and/or year
GOSPA Defined

9. Strong Management Team/Organization
It is a company’s management team that will most
impact its success
Success is most likely achieved when members of the
senior management team have already been where you
are going
 Brought in a seasoned management team that knew how
to achieve the objectives

10. Organizational Development
Hired over-qualified employees at all levels
 Fewer talented employees accomplish more
 Positions grow to meet employee expertise
 Most high growth company failures are due to running out of
management talent
Implemented career development planning for employees
to prepare them for future responsibility
 Leadership Retreat

11. Infrastructure
Put systems in place proactively – less time consuming
than reactive approach
 Salesforce
 Intacct
 Logistics
Planned processes will result in greater productivity
Structured processes insure repeatability of success

12. Define the Culture
Created a statement of Culture
Lead organization by example
Communicate with employees
 Quarterly company meetings
 Semi-annual company training
sessions
 Quarterly employee/CEO
luncheons

13. Adequate funding
Don’t dribble funds in, get enough funding early to
take leadership position in fast-paced market –
especially in technology where coastal firms WILL
be growing rapidly
It’s about winning, not control
 5% of $500 million worth more than 100% of $5
million!

14. Investment Sequence
Product
Distribution
Customer service & support
Infrastructure

15. Competitive Product
It’s not about having the best product
 Microsoft didn’t have best product
 Oracle didn’t have best product
 SAP didn’t have best product
It’s about having a competitive product & executing
better than the competition!
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have the best execution,
AND the best product!

16. W. Scott Webber
Chairman & CEO
Thank you!