In 1974, the faithful son—affectionately known as “Bonehead” by his father, Pops—returned to the family flooring business with a vision to modernize operations. After three years of active Navy service and earning a degree in economics and accounting, he was eager to contribute to the legacy built on hard work and dedication. Pops, a respected figure in the flooring industry, represented tradition and grit.
Initially, the faithful son had considered various career paths, but his loyalty to the family flooring business was unwavering. When Pops expressed his hope that he would join the company, the faithful son felt a deep sense of purpose. He dedicated himself fully to the family operation, spending years building relationships with flooring dealers and gaining valuable insights into their needs for products and services. This market intelligence revealed significant inefficiencies and a lack of margin control, which were major obstacles to their growth and profitability. This realization sparked a search for flooring industry-specific software.
To their surprise, they discovered that no such software existed. Driven by his commitment to the family business, the faithful son took the initiative to create it himself. He spent months developing an effective software system designed specifically for the unique challenges of the flooring industry, focusing on inventory management, invoicing, and payroll.
Pops managed the business with calm precision, often seen with his pipe, a yellow notepad, and a calculator. The NCR 399 posting machine hummed in the background, generating invoices and managing receivables. Margie, their dedicated employee, was crucial to their success, understanding the machine as well as Pops did. The thought of losing her was daunting; she was the backbone of their operation.
One evening, as the faithful son shared his vision, Pops replied, “We don’t need the cost of a fancy computer system, Bonehead. This NCR has always done the job.” The faithful son, deeply respectful of Pops’ experience, countered, “You may not see the need for it, but Margie certainly does. She’s overwhelmed with paperwork, and this system would ease her burden while improving efficiency.”
Pops considered the implications. “If Margie leaves, we’ll be in serious trouble. I can’t operate that machine, and neither can you.” Anticipating his father’s concerns, the faithful son leaned in with conviction. “This software can handle everything Margie does, but with greater speed and precision. It tracks inventory, matches orders to deliveries, and ensures we won’t lose track of three thousand square feet of tile like last month. Plus, it’ll improve our margin control and profitability.”
Pops remained quiet, contemplating the familiar hum of the posting machine. The missing tile incident had cost them both time and money, highlighting the need for change. “Are you saying this setup can replace my NCR?” he asked, curiosity mingling with skepticism about the significant cost of upgrading from the trusted NCR 399 to the more advanced NCR 8455.
“It can do even more than that,” the faithful son replied, presenting neatly printed invoices. “It integrates everything—inventory, sales, accounts payable, receivables, and commissions—all streamlined and accurate.”
Pops scrutinized the papers, comparing the figures to his handwritten notes. The speed and accuracy of his son’s system impressed him. “Well, I’ll be,” he said, surprised. “You may have found something worthwhile here.”
Though not a grand endorsement, it marked a pivotal moment for the faithful son. He understood how much Pops valued tradition and precision, and witnessing his father’s willingness to consider a new approach felt significant.
“Alright,” Pops said, setting the papers down with newfound hope. “But if Margie walks, you’re responsible for ensuring this thing doesn’t crash.”
The faithful son smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude. This was more than a technological shift; it was a partnership based on mutual respect and loyalty. Together, they could navigate the future while honoring the incredible foundation Pops had built in the flooring industry.
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