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A short thread on a few topics
That touch our startup ecosystem
Penned over the long weekend here in
That touch our startup ecosystem
Penned over the long weekend here in
1) Hiring
Its interesting to probe founder self-awareness & emotional maturity
Whats your superpower?
What are the superpowers you *don't* have, that you'll look to fill in these hires?
Its easy to have an answer (many!) to the first question,
Rarer for the second
1/n
Its interesting to probe founder self-awareness & emotional maturity
Whats your superpower?
What are the superpowers you *don't* have, that you'll look to fill in these hires?
Its easy to have an answer (many!) to the first question,
Rarer for the second
1/n
2) Startup Boards
Don't expect board members to have all the answers
A better approach is keeping your board updated so *they* come prepared with fresh & incisive questions
If founders ask all the questions and the board answers them.. its the wrong board/wrong startup!
2/n
Don't expect board members to have all the answers
A better approach is keeping your board updated so *they* come prepared with fresh & incisive questions
If founders ask all the questions and the board answers them.. its the wrong board/wrong startup!
2/n
3) Customer & Growth orientation
can you intuitively insert yourself in your customers' shoes, visualizing the Boardroom (b2b) & Living room (consumer) buying evolution
can you consistently win + remain their indispensable platform/app
capturing a growing share of wallet
3/n
can you intuitively insert yourself in your customers' shoes, visualizing the Boardroom (b2b) & Living room (consumer) buying evolution
can you consistently win + remain their indispensable platform/app
capturing a growing share of wallet
3/n
4) Interviewing
I'm surprised just how few candidates actually use the opportunity to ask the interviewer thoughtful questions. Its a precious chance to research your target and show how much you really covet the role.
Make the time to prepare and take the time to engage!
4/n
I'm surprised just how few candidates actually use the opportunity to ask the interviewer thoughtful questions. Its a precious chance to research your target and show how much you really covet the role.
Make the time to prepare and take the time to engage!
4/n
5) Relationships
If you need a pre-defined agenda for your catch up, its a business association.... not a relationship
One wraps "your zoom ends in 5 mins",
the other “ hey, lets get a refill (virtual for now :-)"
Both have an important place, but shouldn't be confused
5/n
If you need a pre-defined agenda for your catch up, its a business association.... not a relationship
One wraps "your zoom ends in 5 mins",
the other “ hey, lets get a refill (virtual for now :-)"
Both have an important place, but shouldn't be confused
5/n
6) Pitching/Raising
Go in with a product-first approach & frame it as a conversation > pitch
Some well-worn cliches, but all stand intact
"Raise money when its available"
“Ask for feedback, you may be lucky and get
" (the corollary is also true :-)" courtesy @BKartRed
6/n
Go in with a product-first approach & frame it as a conversation > pitch
Some well-worn cliches, but all stand intact
"Raise money when its available"
“Ask for feedback, you may be lucky and get
" (the corollary is also true :-)" courtesy @BKartRed 6/n
7) "Its always Day One"
But how you keep up the fight & battle complacency?
When you feel you’ve cracked it but can't stay for the long game, bring in others hungrier & pass on the reins for that project/domain
Where you're "done" = could be someone's next big challenge!
7/n
But how you keep up the fight & battle complacency?
When you feel you’ve cracked it but can't stay for the long game, bring in others hungrier & pass on the reins for that project/domain
Where you're "done" = could be someone's next big challenge!
7/n
Founder qualities:
Be Great at
Recruiting (invests in people)
Growth orientation ('T2D3' in b2b; intense user loyalty for b2c)
Persuasion & Persistence (10 "no's" before 1 yes)
Relentless execution (unafraid & unbiased)
Intellectual honesty (no tolerating “broken stuff”)
8/n
Be Great at
Recruiting (invests in people)
Growth orientation ('T2D3' in b2b; intense user loyalty for b2c)
Persuasion & Persistence (10 "no's" before 1 yes)
Relentless execution (unafraid & unbiased)
Intellectual honesty (no tolerating “broken stuff”)
8/n
