Leadership and Management
How To Negotiate Like Your Life Depends On it
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon in October. I had done my research. I had waited patiently for a day like this for a couple of weeks. If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get expert feedback on your pitch this week. “Thank you,” I said to myself.…
Read More7 Survival Tips For Startup CEOs
“Hey Brett. Congrats on getting your company funded. I’ve heard the horror stories, and I was just wondering how many hours you’re working?” Kent asked me in an email. The horror stories of founders working 100 hours week on end are commonplace. The reality, or at least my reality, was different. If you’re serious about…
Read MoreWhat Are The 11 Painful Things You Need To Do As CEO?
I was talking to a Venture Capitalist early on about our company. Out of the blue the VC looked at me and said, “Well you’re the CEO, so you get to deal with investors like me. “And that’s why you get more stock than the others.” If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero…
Read MoreWhat Are The Five Fatal Mistakes That Will Kill Your Business?
Did you know that it took me three founding teams before I was able to get the right team to start my company? It’s true. If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get expert feedback on your pitch this week. Team number one failed because my two co-founders…
Read MoreWhat Are The Challenges When You’re Getting Started?
“I just want to be able to breathe,” I said to Irwin and Winston, two VCs I was meeting with as I began raising our Series B funding. The second I uttered those words, I wanted them back. I thought my words exposed my inner feelings, but Irwin and Winston just moved on with the…
Read MoreWhat Are The 17 Biggest Surprises When You Founded Your Company?
I remember talking with Jeroen, my fellow co-founder and VP of Engineering. Jeroen smiled at me and said, “I’m in line at the market and I just want everyone to start moving faster! If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get expert feedback on your pitch this…
Read MoreThe Right Way For You To Handle A Competitive Threat
When I worked at Maxim Integrated Products, we used to have our planning meetings over at the Peppermill restaurant in Cupertino. I think it’s gone now, but it was a great venue for us to meet at. If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get expert feedback on…
Read MoreThe Five Traits To Look For In A Problem Employee
“They even got me an apartment to stay in when I went to Shanghai,” “Tommy”, my new VP Sales said to me. It was offhand comment Tommy made about his time consulting with another startup that was based in China. If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get…
Read MoreThe Five Signs You’re Not Thinking Big Enough
“Why are you worried about selling your company?” I asked Fred. “You’re just getting started, and you’re worried about selling (your company)? That doesn’t feel good to me.” If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get expert feedback on your pitch this week. I had just met Fred,…
Read MoreShould You Be Afraid To Tell Your Team Bad News?
“Tina, can you help me get all the VPs together? I need to meet with them right now. It’s urgent.” “Okay,” Tina said. If you’re serious about raising your funding, join Zero to Pitch Gold now and get expert feedback on your pitch this week. “Have everyone, including you, meet me in the large conference…
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