Ultimately , he initiated the company 's sale to Borland .
While at Ashton - Tate , Esber had several strategic merger discussions with the likes of Lotus and Microsoft which were all rejected by a strategically inept board .
Esber initiated the company 's sale to Borland .
While at Ashton - Tate , Esber had several strategic merger discussions with the likes of Lotus and Microsoft which were all rejected by a strategically inept board .