May 7, 2009

Back when I started at ImageWork in 2001, all I really had were strong technical fundamentals and confidence. The beauty of growing up in a small company is that it is much akin to deep frying <insert your food of choice here> - you get immersed into high pressure situations and it is sink or swim from there.

At ImageWork’s deep fat fryer, Gee Yip was the benchmark people measured themselves against. No matter who I spoke with, Gee was highly regarded for his spirit, his skills and most importantly - his dedication. As an impressionable 19 year old, I was lucky enough to work with him on a few gigs and it is an experience I will always cherish. After all, what good are fire hoses of knowledge without thirsty people?

A classic Gee-ism was a Kofax Ascent Capture solution demo we did for a customer up in Albany. Me and Gee toiled hard for 2 days to get the demo “just right” - one proven, the other eager to impress. Sure enough the demo went great! The customer was happy and interested - and all the buttons I clicked worked! Once the customer left the conference room, we proceeded to pack-up our workstations and scanners, strapped it to the trolley. Yours truly however was still high from the demo’s success and happened to miss a power cord still stuck in the extension slot… Gee reminded me about it, and I went over and got it out and quickly tried to shove it into the first available slot in the trolley…

“Zubin! No - wrap that cord up neatly and put a band around it so it stays together!” said Gee exclaimed. Sure enough I did as I was told… but I did feel a bit offended that of all the things that could be said at that time - this cord was the focus. I never understood it then. But after 8 years, I definitely understand it now.

The intent had nothing to do with the cord - and more to do with the work ethic, dedication and attention to detail it took to be who he was. It’s a lesson I deliver, with interest, to my colleagues today. If you have high standards and demand less than that from others - you are doing a disservice to yourself, them and the organization you serve.

I never interacted too long with Gee, he left a few years after my joining - but he was always there for me; always mentoring, always sharing and always encouraging experimentation and education. Those aspects didn’t need years to appreciate.

At 10.30pm, May 5th 2009, Gee Yip passed away. To the father, the husband, the leader, the ImageWorker and friend - Rest in Peace and God Bless You.

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