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Chapter 5 - Afternoon April Fools Day, 2003 - Episode 4
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Email, April 1, 2003
From: Aaron Smyth [mailto:aaronsm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:01 PM
To: Donna Langhorne; Dom Montain; Frank Folger; Joan Johnson; Lew Marigold
Subject: staff meeting action items
Action Item Owner Date
Prepare press release re Montain promotion eveg 4/3/03
Check contracts re conversion and ms aaronsm 4/2/03
Check with Barcourt re strategy donnal 4/3/03
Prepare draft new company positioning eveg; frankf 4/7/03
Employee walkabout donnal 4/2/03
Produce list of equity customers lewm 4/8/03
Propose sales comp plan frankf 4/1/03
Approve sales comp plan donnal 4/2/03
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:04 PM
To: Aaron Smyth;
Cc: Dom Montain; Frank Folger; Joan Johnson; Lew Marigold
Subject: RE: staff meeting action items
Aaron:
Thanks for getting this out fast. Just a couple of corrections.
I said one owner per ai and I meant it. eve owns the new company position.
Lew, no reason for it to take a week to get the list of equity customers. let's have that tomomorow.
There is NOT going to be a new sales comp plan other than the fact that we're not going to pay cash comp for noncash sales. Just want to make that clear.
From: Aaron Smyth [mailto: aaronsm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:05 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: RE: staff meeting action items
But eveg works for frankf???
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:06 PM
To: Aaron Smyth
Subject: RE: RE: RE: staff meeting action items
Eve is going to report directly to me. frank doesn't add any value in managing her. haven't told him that yet.
Doesn't matter though; only ONE owner per ai. otherwise noones accountable.
From: Dom Montain [mailto:domm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:08 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: staff meeting action items
We've known for a year this what we had to do. Sure a lot easier without Lar trying to keep his wet dream of the ultimate holding company alive. Maybe he knew what he was doing when he shot himself.
From: Eve Gross [mailto:eveg@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:09 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: staff meeting action items
Donna:
I'm really enthusiastic about this new plan and new positioning. I think we can pull it off; I do. I also know that you knew for a while that this is the right thing to do for the company. I'm sure Larry would have come around to this view eventually.
A also want to tell you privately, woman-to-woman, that I think you are doing a great job of taking command in a man's world. The guys respect you and this is gonna work; I know it!
Eve
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:15 PM
To: Eve Gross
Subject: RE: RE: staff meeting action items
Thanks. I'm counting on your help.
From: Lew Marigold [mailto: lewm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:15 PM
To: Joan Johnson
Subject: Staff Meeting
Joannie:
Do you think she can pull it off? Frank is really pissed. She told me to bring up those numbers.
Lew
From: Joan Johnson [mailto:joanj@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:17 PM
To: Lew Marigold
Subject: RE: Staff Meeting
She is certainly a controlling so and so.
Let's see if she really goes around and talks to the peeps. That'll be one test of whether she really wants to be a good CEO or just wants to give orders. She sounded like she was listening to us - except for Frank. Wow!
From: folger27@hotmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:15 PM
To: john.handler@shrecuiters.com
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL
John:
How have you been; long time no talk. You still hitting the long ball? Got the slice fixed?
Look, I'll get right to the point. You've probably read that our CEO shot himself last night. Obviously, things are a bit up in the air here. Donna Langhorne is the new CEO and a board member's become chair. They're both urging me to stay on because obviously I'm key to bringing the company forward just as I've been responsible for much of its success so far. In fact, I think I'll be offered a healthy raise and some more options.
But I've got to know what my alternatives are. I've enclosed an updated copy of my resume for your confidential perusal. Obviously, I'd be looking for a position of EVP of global sales or higher; I think I'm ready for a CEO job maybe at a well funded start-up. Would like your input on what’s available. Comp should be at least $275K base with at least as much more in incentive upside plus generous options.
Company doesn't know that I'm looking so please use my hotmail address above and don't pass my name around without clearing with me first.
Best to Frances.
Frank Folger
From: John Handler [mailto: john.handler@shrecruiters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:20 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: Recruiting
Donna:
Congratulations. Very sorry to hear about Larry but I know that hackoff.com is now in good hands.
I saw from the press release that you will be conducting searches for both a board member and a CFO. It goes without saying that Sherman Hanson Recruiters would like to help. As I'm sure you know, we are the leading retained search firm for the software industry. You and I met many moons ago at Esther Dyson's conference. I was very impressed by your presentation there.
I should tell you in confidence that we are receiving resumes from some of your key people who are understandably exploring their options. I sincerely hope that you don't lose anyone you value but, of course, stand ready to help with any vacancies.
I would appreciate a chance to meet with you at your convenience to explore what Sherman Hanson can do to help hackoff.com.
Sincerely,
John Handler
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:20 PM
To: John Handler
Subject: RE: Recruiting
John:
I do remember how drunk you were at Esther's conference. I don't remember whether it was at that conference or another one that the organizers had to pay off the waitress you fondled.
If you start hunting in my staff, I will personally cut your balls off. Needless to say, you will also not get any business from hackoff in that case.
Who contacted you?
Sincerely,
Donna Langhorne
From: John Handler [mailto: john.handler@shrecruiters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:25 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: RE: Recruiting
Thanks, Donna:
I think you may have a problem in Sales and Marketing at the EVP level. I’ll have my admin call your office to set up an appointment at your convenience.
Sincerely,
John Handler
From: John Handler [mailto: john.handler@shrecruiters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:26 PM
To: folger27@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: CONFIDENTIAL
Frank, buddy,
Good to hear from you. Golf is not being kind to me, not that I get out that often.
Obviously, we will respect your need for confidentiality; discretion is what we do for a living.
That being said, despite the excellence of your resume, I'm not sure you should look for quick results or take too hard a line on your compensation requirements. Times aren’t what they used to be. Although your qualifications are excellent, there are a large number of people on the market with superficially similar experience. And there isn’t nearly the hiring going on that there was.
We will certainly keep your resume in the active file and see what good matches come up.
Thank you very much for thinking of Sherman and Hanson. We’ll have to get out and hit some someday soon.
Sincerely,
John Handler
From: Dom Montain [mailto: domm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:26 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: Are you available?
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:30 PM
To: Dom Montain
Subject: RE: Are you available?
Come
From: Aaron Smyth [mailto:aaronsm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:01 PM
To: Donna Langhorne; Dom Montain; Frank Folger; Joan Johnson; Lew Marigold
Subject: staff meeting action items
Action Item Owner Date
Prepare press release re Montain promotion eveg 4/3/03
Check contracts re conversion and ms aaronsm 4/2/03
Check with Barcourt re strategy donnal 4/3/03
Prepare draft new company positioning eveg; frankf 4/7/03
Employee walkabout donnal 4/2/03
Produce list of equity customers lewm 4/8/03
Propose sales comp plan frankf 4/1/03
Approve sales comp plan donnal 4/2/03
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:04 PM
To: Aaron Smyth;
Cc: Dom Montain; Frank Folger; Joan Johnson; Lew Marigold
Subject: RE: staff meeting action items
Aaron:
Thanks for getting this out fast. Just a couple of corrections.
I said one owner per ai and I meant it. eve owns the new company position.
Lew, no reason for it to take a week to get the list of equity customers. let's have that tomomorow.
There is NOT going to be a new sales comp plan other than the fact that we're not going to pay cash comp for noncash sales. Just want to make that clear.
From: Aaron Smyth [mailto: aaronsm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:05 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: RE: staff meeting action items
But eveg works for frankf???
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:06 PM
To: Aaron Smyth
Subject: RE: RE: RE: staff meeting action items
Eve is going to report directly to me. frank doesn't add any value in managing her. haven't told him that yet.
Doesn't matter though; only ONE owner per ai. otherwise noones accountable.
From: Dom Montain [mailto:domm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:08 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: staff meeting action items
We've known for a year this what we had to do. Sure a lot easier without Lar trying to keep his wet dream of the ultimate holding company alive. Maybe he knew what he was doing when he shot himself.
From: Eve Gross [mailto:eveg@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:09 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: staff meeting action items
Donna:
I'm really enthusiastic about this new plan and new positioning. I think we can pull it off; I do. I also know that you knew for a while that this is the right thing to do for the company. I'm sure Larry would have come around to this view eventually.
A also want to tell you privately, woman-to-woman, that I think you are doing a great job of taking command in a man's world. The guys respect you and this is gonna work; I know it!
Eve
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:15 PM
To: Eve Gross
Subject: RE: RE: staff meeting action items
Thanks. I'm counting on your help.
From: Lew Marigold [mailto: lewm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:15 PM
To: Joan Johnson
Subject: Staff Meeting
Joannie:
Do you think she can pull it off? Frank is really pissed. She told me to bring up those numbers.
Lew
From: Joan Johnson [mailto:joanj@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:17 PM
To: Lew Marigold
Subject: RE: Staff Meeting
She is certainly a controlling so and so.
Let's see if she really goes around and talks to the peeps. That'll be one test of whether she really wants to be a good CEO or just wants to give orders. She sounded like she was listening to us - except for Frank. Wow!
From: folger27@hotmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:15 PM
To: john.handler@shrecuiters.com
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL
John:
How have you been; long time no talk. You still hitting the long ball? Got the slice fixed?
Look, I'll get right to the point. You've probably read that our CEO shot himself last night. Obviously, things are a bit up in the air here. Donna Langhorne is the new CEO and a board member's become chair. They're both urging me to stay on because obviously I'm key to bringing the company forward just as I've been responsible for much of its success so far. In fact, I think I'll be offered a healthy raise and some more options.
But I've got to know what my alternatives are. I've enclosed an updated copy of my resume for your confidential perusal. Obviously, I'd be looking for a position of EVP of global sales or higher; I think I'm ready for a CEO job maybe at a well funded start-up. Would like your input on what’s available. Comp should be at least $275K base with at least as much more in incentive upside plus generous options.
Company doesn't know that I'm looking so please use my hotmail address above and don't pass my name around without clearing with me first.
Best to Frances.
Frank Folger
From: John Handler [mailto: john.handler@shrecruiters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:20 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: Recruiting
Donna:
Congratulations. Very sorry to hear about Larry but I know that hackoff.com is now in good hands.
I saw from the press release that you will be conducting searches for both a board member and a CFO. It goes without saying that Sherman Hanson Recruiters would like to help. As I'm sure you know, we are the leading retained search firm for the software industry. You and I met many moons ago at Esther Dyson's conference. I was very impressed by your presentation there.
I should tell you in confidence that we are receiving resumes from some of your key people who are understandably exploring their options. I sincerely hope that you don't lose anyone you value but, of course, stand ready to help with any vacancies.
I would appreciate a chance to meet with you at your convenience to explore what Sherman Hanson can do to help hackoff.com.
Sincerely,
John Handler
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:20 PM
To: John Handler
Subject: RE: Recruiting
John:
I do remember how drunk you were at Esther's conference. I don't remember whether it was at that conference or another one that the organizers had to pay off the waitress you fondled.
If you start hunting in my staff, I will personally cut your balls off. Needless to say, you will also not get any business from hackoff in that case.
Who contacted you?
Sincerely,
Donna Langhorne
From: John Handler [mailto: john.handler@shrecruiters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:25 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: RE: RE: Recruiting
Thanks, Donna:
I think you may have a problem in Sales and Marketing at the EVP level. I’ll have my admin call your office to set up an appointment at your convenience.
Sincerely,
John Handler
From: John Handler [mailto: john.handler@shrecruiters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:26 PM
To: folger27@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: CONFIDENTIAL
Frank, buddy,
Good to hear from you. Golf is not being kind to me, not that I get out that often.
Obviously, we will respect your need for confidentiality; discretion is what we do for a living.
That being said, despite the excellence of your resume, I'm not sure you should look for quick results or take too hard a line on your compensation requirements. Times aren’t what they used to be. Although your qualifications are excellent, there are a large number of people on the market with superficially similar experience. And there isn’t nearly the hiring going on that there was.
We will certainly keep your resume in the active file and see what good matches come up.
Thank you very much for thinking of Sherman and Hanson. We’ll have to get out and hit some someday soon.
Sincerely,
John Handler
From: Dom Montain [mailto: domm@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:26 PM
To: Donna Langhorne
Subject: Are you available?
From: Donna Langhorne [mailto: donnal@hackoff.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 2:30 PM
To: Dom Montain
Subject: RE: Are you available?
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