Meet Innovator of the Week
Janice Leahy
CEO, OIKOS Software
Please provide a 30-second pitch about your company.
OIKOS Software, Inc. is a provider of cloud-based financial applications for planning, reporting and analytics. Our mission is to improve process performance and increase key stakeholder satisfaction through logicality and defect reduction. Operative reporting features reduce internal cycle time to close allowing financial departments to meet strict deadlines.
Who or what was your best resource for starting your company?
OIKOS Software came to be from an idea within my former professional service advisory firm. I took applications developed during this time and decided to commercialize these applications based feedback I received from clientele. The small business practice group within Devine Millimet in Manchester helped me incorporate in 2013. From there, I strategically placed a strong board of directors in addition to a start-up advisory committee. Our board has proven invaluable to the direction, strategy and operation of the business.
Also, the connections I’ve made through Alpha Loft, the NH High Tech Council (NHHTC) are priceless. My membership in NHHTC has also led me to other valuable resources within TechWomen|TechGirls and Live Free and Start (LFS). LFS was instrumental in taking an idea I was advocating of rebating R&D tax credits and turning it into a piece of New Hampshire legislation. The coverage of the legislation was picked up by the NHHTC and news media. Our business was happy to be part of that process.
What was your biggest obstacle in starting your company and how did you overcome it?
There were a few challenges: First, getting product commercialized to market was a huge undertaking, and missing opportunities due to a time delay could prove costly. I was focused on time targets and software development investment costs. In addition, I didn’t want OIKOS Software product offerings to be US-centric; so many businesses have a multi-national footprint. I saw a gap in the way typical reporting systems approach global businesses. So, I wanted to close that gap and offer customers a reporting solution to fit their needs. Our first revenue booking was with a public company headquartered outside the US.
Also, being a female CEO means working harder to establish ‘street cred’ for the business, generate buzz, engage channels and leverage customer success.
Finally, we have formidable competition in the space we’re in right now. We have worked to establish unique differentiators. For example, we engage propriety software methods critical to financial reporting results that are not offered by the competition.
What’s the best advice you have received?
Don’t let ‘Best’ get in the way of ‘Better’. Think about it, the message is powerful.
What about the NH lifestyle appeals to you?
Just about everything. This is my serenity. As I drive to my office, I view mountains in the distance. The state is so very beautiful. New Hampshire is a fantastic state to raise a family, which I’ve done. Now, the new baby I’m raising here is this company. NHHTC’s women’s groups are really taking hold though I’m only an observer at this point. I find people more accessible and willing to help one another.
What does the future look like for your company?
Well, I’m in to win. I believe in OIKOS Software. We are continuing outside software development of new products and upgrades to existing products. OIKOS Software’s market penetration consists of small-cap & medium-sized businesses and divisions of large companies. To grow our revenue quickly, we must add new customers, sell additional services to existing customers and encourage existing customers to renew their subscriptions. As we build our channels, strategic partners, and alliances, I expect our global reach to expand as well.
With the right creative team, a strong marketing and sales team, and everyone in between, we will continue to grow business’s traction and value. It’s my job to make that happen.
Connect with OIKOS Software on Linkedin, Twitter, YouTube
Connect with Janice Leahy on Linkedin.
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