Stories
We’ve all heard it before—the tale of the IT professional who decides they’ve had enough of corporate nonsense and sets out to build something better.
- Agile First
In the world of agile, where everything is "sprints" and "scrums," our Founder is a true believer—but not without his skepticism. The story dives into the hype around agile methodology, showing how even the most well-meaning businesses can end up in an endless loop of "stand-ups" and "retrospectives." Consulting firms made a fortune selling this revolution, even when it didn’t fit, turning functioning companies into chaos in the name of agility. Spoiler: Not everyone survived the transformation. - The Security Audit (TISAX)
TISAX—the stuff of IT nightmares. A so-called security certification that feels more like a full-scale invasion by the Ministry of Magic. As the Information Security Officer struggles to keep things together, the entire company braces for impact. Picture a marathon of data destruction, endless meetings about "Zero Trust," and laptops that self-destruct at the slightest hint of a breach. In the end, the company emerges poorer—but at least they have a shiny new certificate to show for it. - The Tax Audit
The Founder’s worst nightmare. Freshly graduated tax auditors descend on the company like a pack of hungry wolves, eager to find something—anything—that doesn’t add up. What starts as a routine audit quickly spirals into an absurd battle of wits as they question expenses like pizza for late-night coding sessions. In the end, it’s not the numbers that matter, but how well you can distract them with endless reports and documentation that no one ever reads. - Project Controllers and Project Trolls
This story unveils the true villains of the IT world: controllers with a penchant for numbers and project trolls who specialize in sowing confusion. As developers try to keep their code clean, these trolls crawl out of their caves, armed with Excel sheets and Gantt charts, ready to turn every meeting into a battle for sanity. The real challenge? Surviving the people, not the project. - The Tender Process: Round Three - The AI Gambit
In the thrilling world of procurement, where every deal feels like a high-stakes poker game, our heroes face their greatest adversaries: the buyers from the automotive industry. After battling through endless rounds of negotiations, it’s time for the final showdown. Will they seal the deal, or will the bad cop/good cop routine break their spirits? And what happens when the buyers casually suggest that they found AI developers online for 20 euros an hour? Let the chaos begin. - Work-life balance mantra
Welcome to the modern workplace, where work-life balance is the new mantra. This story explores how life balance and meaningful projects have replaced the old "work hard, party harder" mentality. The developers no longer dream of being rock stars—they just want enough time to sleep and maybe work on something cool. The Equality Operator and Employer Branding step in to keep things balanced, ensuring that no one burns out in the process. Well, at least that’s the idea. - Over the Air Hacking
What could possibly go wrong when you develop cybersecurity tools for connected cars? This story follows the company’s descent into madness when their penetration testing tools are misused to hack vehicles—over the air. Suddenly, they’re faced with lawsuits from OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) demanding compensation for damages in the billions. The insurance company bails, the lawyers circle like vultures, and the firm teeters on the brink of collapse. - Opfesoft First (Apple juice first)
The founder’s firm might be all about cutting-edge tech, but they’re still in Bayern, where laptops meet lederhosen. This story blends business with Bavarian flair, as the founder navigates the peculiar politics of the region, where a simple drink order can speak volumes. “Opfesoft First,” a slogan coined by a local politician, stands as a metaphor for the disconnect between tech innovation and the rural traditions that still hold sway. Along the way, the Founder reflects on the crazy startup scene in Munich, where tech and beer mix at conferences like Bits & Pretzels. - Lockdown, Short-Time Work, and Corporate Dividends
COVID hits, and the company’s projects in most sectors are dead in the water. The team is forced into short-time work, struggling to stay afloat while the clients cancel everything. The worst part? Reading about those stock listed companies handing out massive dividends to shareholders while their projects are on life support. With half the crew in short-time work, the Founder starts eyeing the survival strategy, all while trying to keep morale afloat. - The Business Bank
Banks love to promise support in good times, but when the storm clouds gather, they’re the first to pull the plug. This story features the company’s relationship with their bank, which, as Mark Twain once said, "lends you an umbrella when the sun shines and takes it back when it rains." As the company faces tough times, the bank’s idea of help is more about red tape than actual assistance. The moral? Always keep a stash of cash on hand. - The 1000 Bitcoins Project
A decade ago, when Bitcoin was barely worth anything, the company mined a few thousand coins during a student project. Fast forward to the present, and those long-forgotten coins are now worth millions—if only they could find them. The DPO’s strict deletion policies have left the team scrambling to recover backups. This treasure hunt story takes a thrilling twist as the team tries to decrypt old archives, wondering if they’ve just thrown away their retirement fund. - The Albatross
Just when things couldn’t get worse, a legendary 81-year-old professor shows up with a wild idea for a blockchain startup. He’s got a vision, and he wants the Founder’s team to help. The professor’s motives are twofold: to fix the bad blockchain implementation and leave a legacy for his daughters. While the team isn’t sure what to make of him, they can’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe, this albatross has landed to bring them luck. - Who Needs a Workers' Council? The Rise of the Equality Operators
Who needs a workers' council (Betriebsrat) when you’ve got Equality Operators (EO)? This story highlights how the EO team took over internal politics, ensuring fair pay, equitable treatment, and enough gender stars to fill a constellation. As tensions rise, the EO steps in to settle disputes, wielding their power with grace and a healthy dose of bureaucracy. It’s all smooth sailing until a client gets too demanding—then they crack down, hard. - No Co-Operative
When M&A firms come knocking, offering to buy the company, the Founder realizes it’s time to think about the future. A fellow entrepreneur suggests turning the company into a co-op, giving the employees a stake. But after a survey, it turns out that only a few people are really interested into owning co-op shares—they prefer the flexibility of real stocks with dividends. So, the search for a proper succession plan continues, with the Founder stuck between tradition and innovation. - Beauty Contest, Business Tinder, or Just Go to the Beer Garden?
How do you sell your company while preserving its soul? The Founder contemplates three possible routes: entrust the sale to an M&A firm, sift through offers on a marketplace, or simply meet prospective buyers over a beer and see if the vibe is right. In the end, the question isn’t just about finding the highest bidder, but about finding a buyer who understands the company’s culture—because selling a company is a bit like finding a life partner.