Maria Lourdes C. Capilitan

SysAnal(O0A)

July 15, 2008

Case Study

Ann Winblad

Cofounder, Open Systems, Hummer Winblad

            In 1976 Ann Winblad started Open system. it is an accounting software company. She was one of the people who knew what software startup is. In six years they sold the company worth $15 Million. I didn’t know that there are people who misunderstood Ann W. like her parents thought she was over the top because of being clueless about the software industry. I just learned to Ann that she never quit because she knows someone will learn a lot from this experience such as optimizing time and being a positive thinker.

            Their company started as consulting company. The company were chosen under a request for proposal. They decided to start a program to build accounting systems for smaller computer which is based on the accounting class of Ann W.

            One of the major turning points of Ann Winblad is when they work for CADO computer guys. Based on their experience they learn about pricing strategies and how to collect money from people. They created blue light special. They didn’t worry about their competitors. Even a lot of company’s offers accounting software. They have office in an apartment there was fire because of faulty wiring. It was in the air conditioning unit in the back of their building. The building was Kenwood.    

When they are in the show called ComDex in Hilton Convention Center in Las Vegas, they met Betty,she is very good in building a booth. She decided to create in e for Ann’s Company. The booth is made of solid oak with neo signs. An accident happens a man was stuck to the booth but they got the man without sawing the booth.

They have many mentors in their company. They have lawyers. Ann thought of herself as a typical founder because she is good at figuring things out and building skills. She added that being a venture capitalist is interesting because you will be forced to challenge people in how to teach and not tell to the people. She also thought of being herself as judge of good management teams because she was once a start up founder. She also wanted to understand to people on topics like how do they work, how they think, and how to be successful. The mistakes regarding entrepreneurs are distinguishing the differences between the inventor and being a CEO. They will have conflict on which they will focus theirselves.

The advice that Ann Winblad said is that first, try not to give too much perspective advice. Second, you have to have tactics to get to strategies to get aspiration goal. Third, people starting start up must find leverage points.