Leadership and Management
How Do You Build A Moat Around Your Startup?
Investors love asking startup CEOs what the barriers to entry are in your business. It’s a trick question because investors know very well what the barriers to entry are in your business. So, why do investors ask this question if they already know the answer to it? I’ll explain that to you in this video.…
Read MoreHow Do You Get The Most Out Of Your Team?
Growing your startup means you have to grow your team. But that’s just the start of scaling your startup. There’s a second important step that you have to master to effectively scale. If you don’t implement your startup, your startup will not scale. That’s what today’s video is all about. I hope you like it.…
Read MoreCan You Be A Successful CEO Without Taking Risks?
“I told “Ray” not to screw it up,” I said to my friend, “Aric”, at dinner. My family and I were in town, visiting colleges for Avery, so we took the opportunity to have dinner with Aric. Aric laughed. Four years earlier, Aric introduced me to Ray because he felt I could help Ray build…
Read MoreYour Company Culture Starts With You
Of all the things that will influence the success of your startup, your company culture is at the top of the list. And, a successful company culture starts at the top with you, the CEO. In this video, I’ll describe the steps you can take to improve your startup company culture. Yes, it start with…
Read MoreWhat Do You Do When An Investor Gives You Bad Advice?
“I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!” I screamed to myself as I walked to my car. I had just gotten the snot beaten out of me by the partners at one of my investors, “Donald Ventures.” I had been asked to present and update to the partnership by “Raul,” the partner leading…
Read MoreThe Four Keys To Being A Great Leader
If you want to be a great startup CEO, then you’re going to have to learn how to be a great leader. So, what are the keys to being a great leader? In this video, I go deep, as I walk you through the four keys to being a great leader. There’s lots of detail…
Read MoreHow Do You Become A Great Manager?
In order for your startup to scale, you’re going to need improve your startup management skills. That’s what I’ll address in today’s video. We cover a lot of ground in this video including having the right environment to be an effective manager, the unintended effects of your decisions, demotions, and how to effectively manage your…
Read MoreWhat’s The Best Mindset When You’re Getting Started?
It was the summer of 2009, and we were closing in on our Series A funding. I wanted to update my fellow co-founders on our progress, so I scheduled a meeting at the local Starbucks. Three of my four fellow co-founders were on time for our 11AM meeting. We were waiting on our Chief Technology…
Read MoreWhat Do Great Startup CEOs Do?
There are ten things that great startup CEOs do that other startup CEOs don’t do. These 10 things, interestingly enough, are things that you can do too. I go deep in this video as I walk you through the ten things that the great startup CEOs do that the other startup CEOs don’t do. I…
Read MoreShould You Be Breaking Things To Move Fast?
“We’re ready to push the button,” Jeroen, my co-founder and VP Engineering, said to me. “You’ve signed off on all the design changes that needed to be made?” I asked Jeroen. “Yes. Sid has done everything on the list,” Jeroen said. “Okay, then let’s do it.” And with my agreement, we just spent $180,000 “taping…
Read More