Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2014

I know I can’t be in every deal and I know that the easy part of being a VC is writing the first check in a deal. You have to decide how hard to help with downstream marketing for your deals. A little Groucho Marx always helps. If an accelerator is writing you they’re also writing 25 other VCs.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Invest Press Startup 374

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 27, 2013

Understanding where your VC partner sits in their respective fund and where their fund is in the cycle of its investment lifecycle will help you understand your VCs behavior. In addition to helping manage the board Chris also helps represent the interests of the angel investors / common stock holders.

Tips 365

Tips Email Venture Capital Blogging 365

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 1, 2010

By the time of my second company MySQL was a much more robust solution and worked well when you had to read a lot of information but was less performant on “write&# activities. As a content management system we had lots of write activities and went with Postgres. This is invaluable in helping the management team.

Startup 308

Startup CTO Coach Technical Review CTO Hire 308

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

But it’s PacMan.&# I forgot to get him on record on the show, but Gregg writes all the lyrics for the big presidential videos they’ve done – you can see where the humor of JibJab comes from. Any takers in a trade for helping do some write-ups against whatever you want? Advice, coaching, intros?

Startup 303

Startup Venture Capital Pricing Writing 303

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 1, 2010

VC’s Want to Help! “The overwhelming majority of VCs I’ve worked with get up in the morning and think about how they’re going to help their portfolio companies that day.&#. . Most VC’s want to help. So help your VC’s help you. Yet they WANT to help. We want to help.

Startup 301

Startup Venture Capital Software Review Email 301

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

It is never as rewarding when you’re the coach (but coaching has many other benefits. They had a prominent NorCal investor already so I thought a SoCal lead would make sense – that I could help them in a more hands-on way. Write things down. We helped the write out their requirements for a system.

Outsource Development 333

Outsource Development Software Review Technical Review News 333

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

It is never as rewarding when you’re the coach (but coaching has many other benefits. They had a prominent NorCal investor already so I thought a SoCal lead would make sense – that I could help them in a more hands-on way. Write things down. We helped the write out their requirements for a system.

Outsource Development 328

Outsource Development Software Review Technical Review News 328

Berkonomics

AUGUST 17, 2023

Their investment should be structured with the help of a good attorney who understands the mutual goal of maximum leverage of funds with minimum interference in your business decisions. I was so enthusiastic that I coached the entrepreneur to approach his mother, who invested $50,000 under the same terms as my investment.

Invest 296

Invest Capital Startup Entrepreneur 296

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2011

As a courtesy if you enjoyed his write-up please check out his startup company, ChannelStack. Through his research he helped bring ARPANET to Philadelphia in 1973. First Round Capital invests heavily in its own infrastructure to help add value to the portfolio companies. They have sixteen people on staff.

Capital 284

Capital Venture Capital Technical Review Startup 284

socalTECH

JUNE 13, 2011

Well, Los Angeles-based KarmaGoat (www.karmagoat.com) has figured out a way to help people get rid of those unwanted items they have--and provide those proceeds to charity. That gift of livestock can help families out of extreme poverty. Did the experience at Anderson help you with starting the company?

UCLA 256

UCLA Startup Ideas Help 256

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

So I know I’m getting myself into a bit of trouble by writing this. If they’re not running their business then perhaps the wrong person was picked as CEO or perhaps they need more mentorship / coaching to better allocate their time. It’s very common for startup companies to have COO’s. CEO’s run things.

Startup 325

Startup Technical Review Sales Report 325

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2021

In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities. Don’t forget business writing and communication. Get involved in startup-business incubator activities with peers at school.

Entrepreneur 149

Entrepreneur Tips Writing Coach 149

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

"The best way to prepare [to be a programmer] is to write programs, and to study great programs that other people have written. This frugality was evidenced by the fact that everyone at Microsoft, even Gates, flew coach until well into the late 1990s. One Of The Most Important Startup Skills. "The " [Tweet this quote].

Tips 275

Tips Startup IP Santa Barbara 275

Berkonomics

JUNE 29, 2017

Their investment should be structured with the help of a good attorney who understands the mutual goal of maximum leverage of funds with minimum interference in your business decisions. I was so enthusiastic that I coached the entrepreneur to approach his mother, who invested $50,000 under the same terms as my investment.

Invest 243

Invest Entrepreneur Sales Startup 243

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 2, 2010

As a VC I’m acutely that a “yes&# decision to support an entrepreneur can do just that, yet I only write 2-4 of them per year and maybe another 3-4 as an angel. Being helpful doesn’t mean telling every person their ideas are great. I’m sure somebody helped you along the way – you can pay it forward.

Startup 352

Startup Help Blogging Entrepreneur 352

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2019

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them nearly ten years ago. What they need now is some coaching from more experienced business leaders, to catch up and overcome some unique qualms and challenges. Today they are in every business, and will likely comprise 50 percent of the workforce by 2020.

Tips 127

Tips Mentor Coach Guide 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2022

Phrases like “holding people accountable” imply negative consequences or punishment, rather than rewards or providing the freedom and coaching to team members to choose their own actions, and pursue what matters most to them. It’s up to you to build that relationship by listening to their needs and concerns, and offering help where you can.

Coach 145

Coach Slides Social Network Metrics 145

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

I plan to write about it early next year when we’re all through. But you realize that you can be more helpful as a coach. And yes, I sleep better at night as a coach. So it is now publicly known that we have closed $150 million in our 4th fund. We have a little more to go until the finish line.

Blogging 420

Blogging Press Entrepreneur Venture Capital 420

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Before I tell you my reasons for never doing a deal that a banker intro’d I have to preface by where I think bankers are enormously helpful on VC deals. Recap: Our goal is to find investors who pay the highest price and to help make sure that investors can’t tell whether they’re getting a good deal or a bad deal.

Startup 361

Startup Venture Capital Pricing Technical Review 361

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them over ten years ago. What they need now is some coaching from more experienced business leaders, to catch up and overcome some unique qualms and challenges. Today they are in every business and will likely comprise 75 percent of the workforce by 2025.

Mentor 134

Mentor Coach Guide Startup 134

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Before I tell you the reasons I’m concerned about investment banking intros, I should start by saying I think bankers are enormously helpful for entrepreneurs in raising money. We are judging how well you are coached on stage. They do this because they have amazing skills at writing business plans. Big difference.].

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Startup Pricing Invest 347

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2023

I always struggle with coaching along these lines, so I was pleased to see some excellent guidance on tactics in making decisions in a new book, “ The Leap To Leader ,” by Adam Bryant. Being prescriptive can help people get to the right outcome faster. In addition, I find that most big decisions require research.

Help 94

Help Framework Statistics Startup 94

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 10, 2014

If you’re an early investor like I am that often means writing the first $2-3 million check into a business that previously had either survived on fumes or on a $500,000 angel round. You’re the coach, mentor, cheerleader. One of the interesting things about being a VC is that you often see companies in transition.

Startup 381

Startup Resource Venture Capital Activity 381

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Before you start your business, think hard about your vision for fulfillment, and write it down. Assemble a complementary support team to help you. Nor can they succeed surrounded by “yes” people, or “helpers” rather than help. Don’t wait for a crisis to decide what is important. Mentor others to share what you have learned.

Satisfaction 173

Satisfaction Mentor Coach Entrepreneur 173

Tech.Co

JULY 9, 2024

For every budding business struggling to break through, there’s probably a business grant out there to help. If the thought of writing a proposal is making you anxious, we also explore how AI can be used to assist with the grant-writing process. Platforms like ChatGPT can also act as a useful proofreader.

ChatGPT 149

ChatGPT Writing Commerce News 149

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 2, 2011

In Poly Sci I learned critical thinking and writing. Maybe off-shoring could become more on-shoring and helping drum up employment in places like Detroit. If I’m counseling young people I often coach them to consider getting degrees that will be practical for becoming more employable when they graduate.

Education 322

Education Startup Incubator Class 322

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2014

In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities. Don’t forget business writing and communication. Get involved in startup-business incubator activities with peers at school.

Writing 111

Writing Coach Incubator Entrepreneur 111

Eric Greenspan

APRIL 11, 2019

As parents, isn’t it our responsibility to nurture them and help them achieve? Mine is writing this blog post, indirectly. The NHL thing didn’t work out, but the training, development and achievements along the way are deeply rooted within them, and this is helping them find something equally great, or maybe even better.

Writing 179

Writing Ideas Startup Coach 179

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 5, 2011

I’ve started writing up some of those sales & marketing lessons and I plan to continue to build that section out over time. So I did want any rational person who wants to improve does – I hired a coach. there is a nascent industry to try and help you with this, too. They’re in beta).

Sales 316

Sales Pricing Startup Customer 316

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

Therefore, I was pleased to see some good insights and recommendations in a new book, “ Intrinsic Motivation ,” by Stefan Falk, a McKinsey & Company performance coach. If the plan requires many steps and many details, it helps to write down the plan to make sure it is clear and complete before starting.

Coach 110

Coach Satisfaction Activity Startup 110

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 25, 2009

I write this post as a warning to pick your VC’s carefully. There are people like Gus Tai who any entrepreneur who’s worked with him well tell you is that he has helped coach them into building a great business. They knew enough about your project to have an opinion but not enough to help.

Venture Capital 297

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur 297

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 6, 2014

Plus, if she does have areas where we could coach her on improvement it would help to know that coming in.” It would be helpful to know these coming in so that if we do hire her we understand where to focus before she joins. This is when I realized just how helpful it can be to have somebody else making some of the calls.

Startup 302

Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Report 302

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 16, 2010

You need to know all the personalities before the meeting and you need to have a coach at the VC or customer that helps you control the meeting tempo from the insider (and don’t be afraid to politely ask for help from them doing this before the meeting – but only if you have established a good relationship with them first).

Slides 358

Slides Venture Capital Startup Summary 358

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2016

In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities. Don’t forget business writing and communication. Get involved in startup-business incubator activities with peers at school.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Tips Writing Coach 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 28, 2018

In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities. Don’t forget business writing and communication. Get involved in startup-business incubator activities with peers at school.

Startup 97

Startup Writing Coach Incubator 97

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2011

They’re essential in helping us get our jobs done because they specialize in something we do not. If you’re raising your B round, you’ll likely get huge benefit from your A round investor helping with introductions. Middle Men. Middle People? They exist in all forms of work and life. Recruiters. You name it.

Venture Capital 319

Venture Capital Pricing Startup Outsource 319

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

I favor the more cautious approach, and would offer the following insights to help you make the right decisions: Join a startup or take a role in an existing business. Check out local sources for coaching and assistance. Don’t be shy about networking for advisors with business experience for coaching and mentoring.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Tool 114