Bob CollinsGeek Squad founder Robert Stephens couldn’t say much about the company that made him rich when he sold his company to Best Buy. His contract with the company, which he left in 2012, prevented him from doing so. Now the handcuffs are off and he’s talking, the Pioneer Press’ Julio Ojeda-Zapata writes today.
“Everyone I know in Silicon Valley can’t believe there is not more excitement going on there,” Stephens says of the Richfield-based company which has been trying to regain its footing in recent years.
Stephens also released a memo to the company that he sent when he walked out the door two years ago.
“The public is rooting for us,” he wrote. “How many turnaround stories have we seen? The public is used to them and even expects them. The only thing people love more than seeing a giant fall, is seeing it humble itself, and resurrect itself.”
He added: “Admit our mistakes. Immediately. They will forgive us. We then must work tirelessly to avoid repeating mistakes. If we’re going to make a mistake, it should always come from trying to create some amazing new customer benefit. Customers will always cheer those ‘failures.’ “
Stephens, a member of the American Public Media board of trustees, told Ojeda-Zapata that he proposed using the talents of Silicon Valley to create a new Best Buy “to experiment with fresh, promising tech-retail approaches.” The company rejected the idea.
