Data Domain was founded in late 2001,
and when Frank Slootman left a larger,
more established company to hop on
board as CEO in 2003, it already had its
share of young company issues. At that
time, the business didn’t have
a sales staff or
customers, and Slootman himself had to
sell the first half dozen or so customers.
To make Data Domain a player in
the data storage market, Slootman
articulated a set of values for everyone — including himself — to live by.
He also created a plan and vision for
the company, which didn’t include
being acquired or any other exit strategy. Instead, he focused on making
Data Domain an independent and
self-sustainable business.
He also defied conventional wisdom.
Instead of bringing on a team of managers with a trail of accolades following them, he chose to hire people who
showed great potential and whose
greatest accomplishments were yet to
come. He also ruffled some feathers
by choosing to go overseas early in
the company’s life instead of establishing itself here first. While many
thought this was a mistake, it allowed
the company to diversify its revenue
streams, accelerate growth and block
competition.
Slootman’s vision and risks have
paid off. The company’s revenue grew
1,450 percent from 2005 to 2007, and
at of the end of last year, it had 1,500
customers in 23 countries.
HOW TO REACH: Data Domain, (408) 980-4800 or
www.datadomain.com