Read Online Terminal Value by Thomas Waite - Free Book Online

the road show.”
    Dylan sat back and wrinkled his brow. While it wasn’t his company anymore, being kept out of the loop just didn’t sit right. It was still his division. “Well, Christine, I’d appreciate it if next time you want to communicate with my division about any issue, you’d work through me.” He silently wondered if she was still angry about the incident with Rich several months ago.
    â€œYou were out of your office.”
    â€œI’m often out of my office, Christine. It’s part of my job.” Christine raised her eyes, but not her head. Dylan felt the room closing in on him. “What can I help you with?” he asked, changing the subject.
    â€œWe’ve decided to limit the road show to only Art, myself, and Sandeep—with our support staff, of course.”
    â€œWhat?” Dylan responded, shocked. Even though they had never discussed the road show except in the abstract, he had always assumed he’d be part of it. “Are you serious?”
    â€œI’m sure you were hoping to go with us, but we don’t want you distracted from running our mobile computing division. The last thing we can afford is to stumble while we’re out selling ourselves to investors.” She continued to watch the scrolling information on the screen.
    â€œBut, Christine,” Dylan protested, “a huge piece of what makes us attractive to investors is our mobile computing business. And the MobiCelus reputation is an important asset for our offering. I really need to be there.”
    â€œOur success isn’t going to be determined by just our IPO. We need you and your team to make sure our numbers continue to improve so our stock value will go up over the long run.” She did not raise her eyes toward him but kept her famous multitasking activities moving.
    Dylan struggled to maintain his composure while his anger seethed just under the surface. His numbers were fine, and taking ten days to go on the road wouldn’t be a problem. Christine was wrong. Showcasing their phenomenal mobile computing expertise and clients was absolutely critical to the stock offering. “Christine, you can’t do this. You know how important our expertise will be seen on the street. Given the acquisition of MobiCelus, I think people will be really surprised not to see me there. Besides, who the hell else is going to describe our work?”
    â€œArt will handle that,” Christine said. “And he’ll need you to help get him prepared.” She stared at him for just a moment, then her eyes returned to the charts flicking along the bottom of the screen.
    Dylan felt the blood rising above his collar, and his anger surged. “Art knows nothing about mobile computing—absolutely nothing. As one of the world’s foremost experts in this field, I have proven myself many times over. This is an incredibly stupid decision.” For the first time since selling his firm, Dylan knew he didn’t like having a boss. “Art will get slaughtered if he can’t answer a tough question.”
    â€œYou don’t think Art can handle it?” Christine stopped multitasking and looked up at him, a glimmer of a smile curling her lips.
    The moment she asked it, Dylan knew it was a loaded question. He refused to answer it. “I guarantee you my going on the road show won’t impact my division at all. And it’ll do great things for our IPO.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” Christine returned her attention to her computer monitor and tapped at the keyboard. “Art and I talked it over. The decision is final.”
    Dylan stared at her and then turned his attention toward the window. He took a deep breath. “I’m asking you to think about it for a couple of days. Let me talk to Art—”
    â€œThere’s no point,” she countered, her deadly nails continuing to tap on the keyboard. “He wants you to help him get