Musings of a West Texas Business Venture

One Less Employee

Erik and I have been pondering what to "do" with our very first employee. When he signed up, he was a great super-star, and did some amazing development. However, over time, he has begun desiring to go back to India.

About a month ago, he approached us to let us know that he wasn't interested in the long term benefits of being a stock holder, or of the possibilities for where he could go as the company grows. He is, however, interested in more cash to ensure that when he goes back to India, that he has as much money as possible. We've had several long discussions about the possibilities that may be available for his needs. However, I've noticed that his "heart" or enthusiasm has been somewhat lack luster of late. This creates a bit of a problem, because I see the issue as having two possible outcomes:

• Take control of the product he's working on, and ensure that we get to production with it in a very rapid manner.

• Leave Resolution Systems to make more money at another job.

I called him at 10pm on Saturday night, mostly because I'm impulsive, and partially because I wanted to see how he would react to me calling him at such a late hour. Although he was a bit concerned (or seemed to me), he took the call well, and we agreed to meet at a coffee shop on Sunday @ 3pm.

He was there promptly, and we had a great discussion about what he wanted to do between now and when he was going to India. Our discussion was much as it was before, that he wanted to make as much money as possible before going back, and that he was hoping to get us to "give" him more money. He also explained that he's unwilling to take the sorts of risk that he might have been prior to making the decision to go back to India.

This creates a bit of a problem for us. We're in a startup mode. I understand that his needs have changed, and that he needs / wants more money. He also understands that we don't have the resources to pay him more money (nor would it be beneficial to do so). In an ideal world, I'd have more resources to pay him, and we'd be done.

I asked him a seemingly simple question ... "What would he do if he were in my position?" The result was "I would try to find more money." Though, the answer was disheartening, as he's our very first employee, and has been with us the longest, it was the answer I assumed he would propose. After some more back-and-forth, we decided that Resolution Systems would not be able to create the financial atmosphere that he was expecting or hoping for. And, without further ado, he quit.

I'm sorry to see him leave, he's been a valuable asset, and it's unfortunate that he'll be leaving. Erik and I will wish him the best in his future endeavors.

posted by Anthony Presley @ 2:27 PM