# Leading a Company Through an Acquisition with Fiix Software CEO James Novak

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2022-01-18
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

James Novak, CEO of Fiix Software, explains how the company was acquired by Rockwell Automation, detailing the strategic evaluation of stakeholders and the importance of maintaining cultural alignment during the transition. He shares lessons from his previous tenure at BlackBerry, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation and the value of building a high-performing team. Novak outlines Fiix’s CMMS platform, which helps manufacturers move from reactive to predictive maintenance by integrating cloud software with machine-level data from Rockwell’s ecosystem.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=0) Introduction: James Novak and Fiix Software
- [4:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=271) James Novak's Career at Microsoft and BlackBerry
- [8:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=517) Defining Fiix's Company Vision and Values
- [12:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=745) The Rockwell Automation Acquisition Process
- [19:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=1157) Integrating Culture and Managing Stakeholders
- [25:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=1532) Post-Acquisition Surprises and Ecosystem Scale
- [28:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-18-leading-a-company-through-an-acquisition-with-fiix-software-ceo-james-novak#t=1697) Explaining Fiix CMMS and Maintenance Journeys

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Fiix Software (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- BlackBerry (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- 2Cats Cocktail Lounge (other)

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- [CEO and Co-Founder of PRIMEPULSE Klaus Weinmann at KATEK's Festival fo Electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-03-23-ceo-and-co-founder-of-primepulse-klaus-weinmann-at-kateks-festival-fo-electronic) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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