Both Sides of the Table

MAY 3, 2015

It spoke to me because it so resonates with my nearly daily advice to entrepreneurs and VCs alike. I went as far as to call it the best Tweet of 2015 so far because it encapsulated my advice so succinctly. All advice you receive is too generic to help you – you need to decide for yourself in your exact situation.

advice 332

advice peer-to-peer startup frameworks 332

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

For some aspiring to be tech entrepreneurs, I often suggest a two-step process, as I argued in this post that “ The First Startup Founder You Need to Invest in Is You.” But I also have advice for the 15% that really do want to be a startup CEO. Of course I’m not suggesting people shouldn’t start a company.

advice 334

advice peer-to-peer VC board 334

Entrepreneurs' Organization

MARCH 15, 2023

In March, EO recognizes and celebrates women entrepreneurs with its second annual EmpowHER virtual conference , which focuses on the specific challenges women in business experience. Women entrepreneurs will learn from experts how to navigate the three pillars of every woman entrepreneurs’ life: business, family and self.

entrepreneurs 264

entrepreneurs energy board entrepreneurship 264

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

I’ve written a few posts about boards recently as part of a series on the subject. I admit that I haven’t yet read it but I’ve had numerous discussions with Brad over the years about board structure & conduct and consider him a mentor on the topic. Offering a sparring-partner function on strategic decisions.

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board media mentorship advice 325

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 15, 2012

I recently read Brad Feld’s thought provoking piece encouraging founders to sit on the board of another startup company. We live in an era where the press espouses the entrepreneurs who have five startups. You’ll be on the other side of the financing discussions (a board member, rather than the CEO). .

board 294

board startup founder peer-to-peer founder 294

Hunter Walk

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

For startups, a good Board is better than no Board, but a bad Board is worse than anything. One component of a good Board is a high value add Independent Board Member, which in my experience, often doesn’t get added early enough (for a variety of reasons). I knew I wanted to help build it from the ground up.

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board collaboration energy advice 96

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

She actually IS the prototypical entrepreneur. But Tracy did what entrepreneurs do. Sam is the managing director of Launchpad LA and we were about to pick our 2012 class of entrepreneurs. In the first 5 minutes you’ll realize that she’s a classic entrepreneur. More on that later. That may soon change.

peer-to-peer 363

peer-to-peer entrepreneurs startup entrepreneurship 363

Entrepreneurs' Organization

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Heidi Zak , Elon Musk, Oprah, Warren Buffet, Kendra Scott , Sara Blakely and Bill Gates—entrepreneurs may appear quite diverse, but they typically share a few key qualities. What makes an entrepreneur? The adage couldn’t be more true than in the context of successful entrepreneurs. A passion for connection.

entrepreneurs 236

entrepreneurs peer-to-peer creativity networking 236

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 16, 2012

It has always surprised me that founders were so quick to fight over how many board members there were and so quick to agree to have as many board observers as people wanted. I have always been vehemently against board observers and wrote some of the reasons in this previous post. The Case for a Silent Observer.

board 289

board VC entrepreneurs investing 289

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 24, 2019

I have been writing a series on how startup boards get selected, who sits on them and what to avoid. I started this series in part to help entrepreneurs but also to help newer investors because I’ve know with so many new companies you have so many new board members and many people are trying to figure out there respective roles.

board 251

board advice founder construction 251

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? I thought I’d talk a bit about the differences I’ve experienced between being an entrepreneur & a VC – you know, from “both sides of the table.&#. On Being an Entrepreneur.

entrepreneurs 384

entrepreneurs startup VC real estate 384

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 13, 2010

It was difficult to make the transition to a “top down&# thinker but as a senior executive – and as an entrepreneur – you’re far less effective without this skill in your arsenal. And few people in my experience do this well so many board meetings wander. Tags: Startup Advice.

entrepreneurs 372

entrepreneurs consulting frameworks advice 372

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JULY 6, 2020

Like the downturns in 2008 and 2001, this has been a very trying time for entrepreneurs running startups. Many entrepreneurs are reliant on outside funding, whether angel investors, venture capitalists or strategic investors , to keep the venture going. I interviewed a number of prominent VC’s and entrepreneurs for my recent book.

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peer-to-peer startup advice entrepreneurs 321

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 23, 2015

We also spoke about what it takes to be an effective board member. On the one hand I often find that some board members are seemingly reading the board materials on the fly and don’t have a firm grasp of the business fundamentals while on the other hand some board members like to tinker in the running of the business.

advice 327

advice board VC investing 327

Entrepreneurs' Organization

FEBRUARY 28, 2020

While you may be a strong leader, she asserts, the ability to adapt your strengths to each new organization, or to changes within the organization—new board members, new staff members, new shareholders—is the quality that will help you remain successful. . Organizations (like people) are always in transition.

leadership 292

leadership peer-to-peer advice board 292

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 8, 2014

Associates often shadow partners at board meetings so that they can help follow up with the company on important initiatives between board meetings. I think it’s great for some people because it really does give you some solid benefits: board exposure / experience. Helping be the VC “presence” at key events.

investing 365

investing investment VC board 365

Entrepreneurs' Organization

MAY 22, 2020

When Pete approached me for advice, I recommended the “Failure-Proofing” strategy, which is a pragmatic and easy-to-use technique to defend against planning and project disasters. He recruited Ann, a member of the firm’s Advisory Board, to be an independent facilitator. 3 Key Steps to Preventing Disasters in Implementing Decisions.

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strategy entrepreneurs consulting creativity 317

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2013

Wouldn’t we be a bit hypocritical if we talked with entrepreneurs about innovation and change but we weren’t willing to take it on ourselves? Why should investors know all the tricks of the trade while first-time entrepreneurs operated at a disadvantage? Startup Advice' What’s up with that?

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ventures venture capital advice VC 343

This is going to be BIG.

AUGUST 8, 2011

Any success as an entrepreneur? He hasn't founded or built either a successful, let alone innovative company, and he hasn't raised $ to invest in those entrepreneurs. So how can a relatively junior VC hope to add any value to an investment and on a board--and is it enough value that you should have one on your board?

VC 275

VC peer-to-peer board advice 275

Entrepreneurs' Organization

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Many people think multitasking is a skill that women are naturally good at, but eventually working as an entrepreneur at a million miles an hour will take its toll. As female entrepreneurs, we are independent-minded and innovative, and this advice is critical for securing our future and the future of our families.

founder 262

founder advice entrepreneurship entrepreneurs 262

This is going to be BIG.

OCTOBER 3, 2016

At least, that's how a lot of entrepreneurs feel. Generally speaking, women are more inclined to listen well, work with others and to offer help--so when the job gets seen as just a lone, final yes/no, where you bark out advice after listening to a founder for five minutes, that might seem less interesting. So what gives?

VC 401

VC venture capital entrepreneurship advice 401

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JUNE 14, 2022

Contributed by Robert Glazer , a former EO Boston member who is the founder and chairman of the board of Acceleration Partners , a global partner marketing agency and the recipient of numerous industry and company culture awards. For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc.

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advice energy culture board 214

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 29, 2012

You need to see more patterns of success and failure than just the ones you experienced yourself as an entrepreneur. Great advisors help entrepreneurs come up with the answers themselves, versus just giving them all the answers as you see them from your own experience. Its certainly not a way to become a great advisor. 5) Focus.

peer-to-peer 309

peer-to-peer angel investing advice entrepreneurs 309

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 24, 2019

When you set up a board it is often initially a combination of the founders and the early investors. This post sets out how I believe founders (and investors) should think about independent board members having worked with many of them for the past 20 years. When an entrepreneur takes on investors who take equity (i.e.

board 187

board peer-to-peer VC funders 187

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2010

You’re not lecturing to a college class, you’re not at a cocktail party and you’re not chatting with a small group in a board meeting. – OK, I already said above that you can ask if people are entrepreneurs, investors, etc. Tags: Entrepreneur Advice Start-up Advice Startup Advice.

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advice VC entrepreneurs education 362

Berkonomics

MARCH 6, 2025

To most entrepreneurs, this often leads to an event whose resolution by a governmental agency or even a court seems unfair and illogical. So, my advice is simple. The chairman reviews the CEO, and if there is no separate chairperson, then the CEO should ask an outside board member to do so.)

entrepreneurs 71

entrepreneurs advice board investing 71

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 2, 2015

I can’t tell you how many people have thanked me for this advice and say their productivity increased exponentially. One area I’ve had much discussion with the companies in which I’ve invested in is bringing on board an operationally focused CFO. And board confidence matters in growing companies.

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board energy financing finance 338

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Board Meetings. Now, I’m pretty on the record that being an entrepreneur is about being great at The Do. How do VCs break out of group think when they are shuttling from one board meeting to the next, from one conference to the other and talking with all the same people? Conferences. Startups Are for Doers.

creativity 400

creativity venture capital entrepreneurs board 400

American Entrepreneurship

MAY 29, 2024

Update of Article dated July 7, 2019 Entrepreneurs too often work alone, missing opportunities to accelerate their pathway to success When starting or growing a new business the small business owner or entrepreneur should keep in mind that they are entering a lifelong pursuit of professional and personal growth.

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advice construction board strategy 98

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 7, 2015

One of my favorite entrepreneur-Twitterer weighed in, “You want to keep tapping into their collective intelligence so you keep saying ‘Thank you for the feedback’ and they keep sending it,” Ms. I know because I have been the beneficiary of their advice for years and have appreciated it. Morrill said. I agree up to a point.

startup 323

startup advice pitching VC 323

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 5, 2011

Advisors, investors and board members come in all shapes and sizes. I'm a strong believer in having a board, even at a seed stage, to report to and set strategy with. The most successful companies have strong boards and so as a good housekeeping practice, why not start acting like a great company as early as possible.

board 278

board advice consulting angel investing 278

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2014

I had an enjoyable conversation this morning with a young team straight out of college this morning and they were calling to ask advice on how to approach fund raising (angels vs. VCs, how to select a VC, etc.) Most entrepreneurs I encounter seem to make their decisions more on perceived brand, past successes and ability to intro.

VC 364

VC advice board leadership 364

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 27, 2011

I was meeting regularly with entrepreneurs and offering (for better or for worse) advice on how to run a startup and how to raise venture capital from my experience in doing so at two companies. Or “I’m a new entrepreneur, why would I offer advice on how to run a startup?&#. It really started simply enough.

startup 373

startup advice communities VC 373

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 6, 2020

We have been advising a lot of entrepreneurs so I thought I’d “open source” some of the advice I have been sharing. So my only goal is to give you insights into the conversations we’ve been having in case you don’t have the same access or advice. I am not claiming to be the world expert on this. It is not “free money.”

VC 279

VC peer-to-peer startup advice 279

TechCrunch

MARCH 6, 2023

Serial entrepreneur and seasoned investor Vinod Khosla has some strong, contrarian advice for the venture capital industry: don’t sit on your founders’ boards. Other VCs accuse us of being very active and very engaged — but the flip side of it is they vote on boards.

board 100

board advice founder VC 100

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 22, 2010

And for some strange reason entrepreneurs didn’t share this information. I’ve started from day one trying to build total transparency into my process with entrepreneurs. This starts with understanding how VCs and entrepreneurs often see valuation differently. Back then VentureHacks didn’t exist.

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founder VC venture capital entrepreneurs 405

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2011

The part of the movement that resonates the most with me (in my words) is that entrepreneurs should keep their capital expenditures really low while they’re experimenting with their product and determining whether there is a large market for what they do. This benefits you, the entrepreneur. It takes options off of the table.

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entrepreneurs incubation board VC 374