They tried to be something they were not. The COO thought we should be as big as Cisco. He said at one kickoff "my biggest fear is that I will screw this up for all of you" at that time we were on top of the world. Well, that's exactly what he did and doesn't even know it was him that created the inflection point. He says he could not control the CEO (c'mon your'e a big boy and on the BOD).
I also hold the board responsible for this epic failure. The PTC mentality from 1990 just isn't the right way today. I remember getting 8 new headcount and asking where am i going to put them, there's no room, the PTC BOD member said "some will live and some will die, that's just the way it is". He thought he was a field general during WWII. "We will over hire as a quota strategy".
Well I disagree. As someone that cares about my people, I couldn't watch them die. So I left. After a few years I'm still resentful for what they did. We had it in the palms of our hands. These leaders at Sprinklr and on the board are considered to be visionary and special people. I disagree so completely. They are dinosaurs and should be extinct. They got lucky with an IPO from Cisco, PTC and Epsilon. It's amazing that Battery ventures let them do it. (now I question Battery). Other than having money, these leaders are clueless on how to build a company and how to treat people. The 3 year years I spent there were the best and the worst of my career. It's amazing how 3 people can take a beautiful unicorn to its knees. (Epsilon, PTC and Cisco, Maybe Battery).
I now lead other team with empathy and passion. We are doing great in 2018. It's not 1990's anymore. Adjust and/or morph or get out of our space PTC people.
