Identify and Fix Dysfunction Before It’s Too Late
Every investor I know can tell you at least one story about a great startup team that failed, even though it was well-funded and staffed with qualified and smart people…
People & Management Posts
Finding the Right CFO for Early Stage Ventures
Every investor is looking for the “dream team” of executives to put money on. Often I find that experienced investors scan ahead to the management page of a business plan,…
Build an Effective Advisory Board
If you are an entrepreneur for the first time or entering a new business area, it’s usually worth your time to assemble an Advisory Board of two or three executives…
Fun Fosters Startup Innovation
I’m convinced that people who have fun at work are more innovative, as well as happier. I don’t have any big scientific studies to prove this, but in my considerable…
Don’t Let Unconventional Job Titles Send the Wrong Message
It’s your startup, so you can give early partners any title you want, but be aware of how potential investors and peers might perceive it. VCs and angel investors like…
Gen-Y is Changing the Face of Business
A lot of executives have noticed that the workplace is being flooded by a new generation of workers, and they are questioning who will be the winners, and who will…
Assessing Roles and Assigning Startup Equity
One of the first tough decisions that startup founders have to make is how to allocate the equity among co-founders. A seemingly easy solution to this problem would be to…
The Five Levels of Business Relationships
In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, relationships are everything. You can’t start a business alone. You need partners, team members, investors, vendors, and customers. But people don’t realize that…