Congrats to The Great Team At GIPS

For the past 19 months or so, I've had the good fortune to work with an amazing leadership team at GIPS (Global IP Solutions). Ever since I met CEO Emerick Woods after his appointment, and then his team of Joyce Kim, Jan Linden, John Gallagher, John Hermansen and the rest, the rapport, respect and results have always been the way they should be. Right on gameplan.

GIPS acquisition by Google, also makes for the second company I've had the good fortune to work with to land there, with the first being GrandCentral (now Google Voice). Both companies had similar qualities. Both needed counsel on their approach to Social Media. Both wanted to leverage the blogosphere to make up for the shortcomings of traditional media. Both had leadership teams that asked for, took and executed on our advice, but most of all, both companies were full of extremely competent, resourceful, professional and most of all extremely nice and very pleasant people to work with. The team at GIPS, like the team at GrandCentral, were always quick to respond, decisive and knew how to capitalize on an opportunity. In a word, they "listened."

And with this acquisition, for me and my agency, Comunicano, the number of companies to "exit" or in this case "get bought" in the last 8 years now has hit 18. Alec Saunders referenced that feat in his very well written post yesterday. GIPS came to my agency and I in the same way the other 17 had. We were asked to work with them. In this case the door opener was trusted friend and colleague, Jim Courtney, who has known Emerick Woods for longer than most dating back to their days at Quarterdeck. Jim always said that Emerick is the consummate professional, and someone who knows how to win. Looks like Jim's matchmaking ability came through.

To win in this game means to know what the trophy is. In this case it was being acquired by a larger company. Other times it's an IPO and in some cases it's being part of a roll-up. Regardless of the desired outcome, when that day comes, the team that got them there just became more valuable to where they end up next. For the team at GIPS this is a badge of honor, to be bought by Google, and as someone who was able to watch things unfold, reaching the desired outcome was all because of flawless execution and never losing sight of its goal.

Congratulations on playing the game right.

Comments

[twitter.com/radinfo]

More than a congratulatory post, Andy. You expressed nicely how to have success: know your goal; be coachable; build a winning team.