London Computer Company
London Computer began by filling the need of a "customer" with a software application need. The first customer of this now, 14-person firm (with 5,000), was his father, who needed a better way to manage and track rents for his part-time business. When he wrote this first version of what would become Rent Manager, he was in grade school. In 1986, he began selling an "improved version" of Rent Manager on the "buddy of a satisfied user" and "dad recommendation" basis. In1995, Hegemann began to grow London Computer full time.
His "principles" for managing a good place to work are simple and few: "It's important to me that people like coming to work everyday. I'm just a firm believer that if I make them happy, then they are going to treat customers good and we're going to sell more and that seems to work for us. " "I also believe," he says, "If I treat employees with respect and they will treat customers with respect."
Hegemann notes that he interviewed and hired all of the new staff, which has doubled over the last year. He is very careful in selecting new employees because he is looking for people who want to produce and participate. " Iif you can get them to do that," Hegemann says, "then a lot of things happen that are all good."
His firm's web site advertisement about working at London Computing says it all:
"We are a growing company and there is opportunity for producers to advance. LCS offers training, a competitive and progressive compensation package, and comprehensive benefit plan that includes; full health, paid vacation, matching 401k, recognition awards, and bonus opportunities for all of you over-achievers out there."
Copyright: Ned Hamson 2005