Chương 57: Book 3 - Chapter 4 A

Before the important June 20th meeting, I needed to meet with Jennifer.

"Why don't you offer a conference room here at The Mayo, John?" Jennifer asked me.

"A conference room here would instantly make this feel like my meeting, and I want the new Board to own their decisions. I'm just a Board member and a shareholder. I do need to be there for the first meeting but I'm hoping you can help run it."

"I can help until you find a CEO. Then that person needs to run the meeting," she said, looking at my face.

"Before you even suggest it, don't ask me to be Chairman. I'm only taking your seat because you asked me to. That's as far as I'm going." I smiled.

"Don't worry, Jennifer. You're not the smart, powerful woman I want running that company."

"Moving on," she sighed.

"Is everyone here?"

"Yes, I put them all up in the luxury suites with the balconies. As host, I want them to be as comfortable as possible," I told her.

"Alright, let's go over the details you've not had time for," she said.

"First of all, the company has a tentative name. BCHS Software. The initials of everyone involved in alphabetical order." I started laughing.

"What's wrong?" she asked with concern.

"No, it's fine, please continue," I said as I desperately tried to get control. At the meeting, the first thing we had to do was rename the company.

"Too many people are referring to BCHS as Bitches," Gary Carlston of Brøderbund complained.

"The same thing is happening at Sierra," Roberta Williams of Sierra On-Line agreed.

"So the first thing to do is get a better name for the company," I said.

"We could rearrange the letters," Blake Sanders suggested.

"CHBS—that's the order everyone got involved."

"CHBS? That's Chubs," I said, to laughs around the table.

"We could just create a new name," Ken Williams of Sierra offered.

"Axis," said the previously quiet Cathy Carlston.

"That's intriguing," Blake said.

"Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it," Ken agreed.

"I like it because it is the central point where our three companies meet," I agreed.

"Do we have an agreement?" Gary asked.

"Let's make it more formal," my lawyer and advisor, Jennifer Parz, suggested.

"All in favor please raise your hand." Everyone around the table raised their hands.

"The motion carries."

"One additional thought," Cathy offered.

"Axis Productions is better than Axis Software. It better reflects the diverse nature of our combined businesses, and allows us to refer to the divisions as Studios: Sierra On-Line Studios, Brøderbund Studios and Heartland Studios."

"That's brilliant, Cathy," I complimented. Roberta Williams of Sierra agreed.

"I've been worried that the name of our divisions would disappear. Sierra On-Line Studios sounds magnificent!" Jennifer took the lead again.

"All in favor of the company officially being Axis Productions, and the three divisions to be referred as Studios." Everyone raised their hands.

"Unanimous, motion carried," Jennifer announced.

"I believe we have three CEO's to interview next?" Ken asked. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. One by one, three potential CEOs entered, each presenting their qualifications and vision for Axis. When the final one was finished, Jennifer escorted them out and sat back at the table.

"So, each company brought one potential CEO for Axis. Do we have any thoughts?" Jennifer asked them.

"I didn't like any of them," Blake said bluntly.

"Even the one I invited. He didn't seem to get that marketing was his key function."

"They did go on about production costs and distribution, didn't they?" Gary Carlston of Brøderbund said.

"I have to ask," I said.

"You did give them all the same paperwork about the responsibilities the new company has, and what is being left to the divisions, right?"

"Yes, they all got the same document and mission statement," Ken agreed.

"Then why didn't anyone mention the magazine?" Cathy asked. Thoughtful looks passed around the table as they considered Cathy's question. The room fell into contemplative silence, and they had looks of worry. The whole merger needed the right CEO at the helm.

"I have an idea," I said.

"Gary, Doug, could you work for Cathy?" Cathy's eyes widened in understanding, a stunned look as she comprehended instantly what I was suggesting. This was one smart woman.

"No problem at all from my end," Doug answered immediately. Gary thought about it.

"She does know marketing. She's been brilliant with educational sales for Carmen Sandiego. I could handle that if everyone else agrees."

"Would that be a conflict of interest?" Blake Sanders of Heartland asked.

"I don't see how. As CEO, she would be on our Board as Chairman, but her position would only have a vote in the event of a deadlock between the shareholder votes. Cathy would need to grant her share proxy to either Doug or Gary to represent her vote on the Board," I said. The Williams of Sierra exchanged a quick glance and nodded in unison.

"We can accept that," they said.

"I don't know," Blake began.

"Look at it this way, Blake: you control a twenty-five percent share, giving you one vote. I control another twenty-five percent share, also with one vote. If we agree, we just need one of the Williams, who split their twenty-five percent share, or one of the Carlstons, who also split their twenty-five percent share, to agree, giving us a majority. If we can't get one of those four to agree, we still have the option to convince Cathy."

"That goes for us and Gary and Doug also," Roberta added.

"I'm also impressed by what she's done with Carmen Sandiego and her naming ideas, so I'm willing to agree," Ken added.

"Okay, let's give it a try. If it doesn't work out, we can revisit bringing in an outside CEO," Blake agreed. Jennifer gave me a half smile, understanding now what I had said before.

"So, a new motion: Cathy Carlston will be the CEO of Axis Productions," Jennifer said.

"She will serve as Chairman of the Board, with her vote only to be used in case of a tie between shareholder votes. All in favor, raise your hands." Every hand went up.

"Congratulations, Cathy," I told her.

"Cathy Carlston has been unanimously chosen to be CEO of Axis Productions. Cathy, if you would like to Chair the meeting, I'll continue as Secretary," Jennifer told the excited woman. The following week was consumed by relatively easy negotiations, hashing out the myriad of intricate details. Everyone wanted it to work. There were issues with where to put the company headquarters, production facilities and a hundred other major decisions that needed to be made.

Cathy skillfully navigated the room, her calm demeanor and insightful solutions effectively smoothing ruffled feathers and garnering consensus on the decisions. By the end of the week, the Board's enthusiastic congratulations and renewed confidence made it clear they were thrilled to have her at the helm.

"Cathy, are you sure you want the main office in Tulsa?" I asked her.

"Yes, I need the separation from my brothers, plus everything is so amazingly inexpensive compared to California."

"You are comparing Bay Area prices, there are still some cheap places in California."

"Like what? Bakersfield? No. Thank. You. Tulsa is fine, and you'll put me up until I get my own place, won't you?"

"Gladly," I responded.

"I'll donate four two-bedroom apartments on level thirteen at The Mayo when they finish construction. They can serve as residences for you and each studio when they visit. Until then, feel free to use your hotel room as long as you need."

"Good, because I can get a great price on a lease for office space across the street at OneOK."

"Have you picked a production location?" I asked her.

"Not yet. I want to look around more before deciding. I did find someone to head up the new magazine," Cathy added excitedly.

"That's great! What's it going to be called?"

"Axis Magazine. The tag line is: Where Hardware Meets Software," she said, her eyes fixed on my face, gauging my reaction.

"Nice," I acknowledged.

"Let me know if you'd like me to contribute any articles or reviews. I'll be out of town for a bit during the summer."

"That's a great idea! Maybe I can get each Studio to submit an editorial on the state of the industry."

"Just spread them out," I advised.

"People are going to want to see pictures of new computers, new games and exclusive sneak previews of upcoming products."

"Of course," Cathy confirmed.

"It's not just about our company, even though our products will get advertised in it."

"The magazine can't survive on our company's advertising revenue alone. Take a look at Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. They use a time-tested format, it balances technical information with engaging visuals and broad appeal."

"I'll do that. Thanks, John. Your crazy idea put me here, and I'm having an immense amount of fun, despite the pressure."

"You are very welcome, Cathy. I know you'll do great," I told her.