Finding product-market fit before you run out of cash, patience or passion for the problem you are trying to solve is the race you are running when you launch your startup. But what is it? How do you set SMART Goals against this concept, and how do you know when you’ve found it? My favorite […]
The Blog
The Reality Distortion Field Has Only One Weakness
This post is for all of the Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, and advisors of early-stage companies in the room. A quick word about managing the budget and cash flow process with the founders/CEO’s you advise. Someone asked me last week how to manage a planning process where the always optimistic CEO is pushing […]
The Sunk Cost Fallacy – The Roadblock to Meaningful Change
Have you ever ordered too much food at a restaurant, only to end up with a stomach ache because you felt you needed to clear your plate? Have you ever held on to a stock far to long, watching it go down day after day as your losses mount, reluctant to sell until somehow you […]
It’s The 60 Percent In The Middle That Will Kill Your Company
The 20 – 60 – 20 rule of thumb is a great framing to keep in mind as you think about where to invest in your company, and where you need to dig deeper to avoid throwing good money after bad. Here’s how it works. 20% of the initiatives in your company represent clear winners. […]
If All We Have Is Opinions, Let’s Go With Mine
“If we have data, let’s look at the data. If all we have are opinions, let’s go with mine.” This is a famous quote by Jim Barksdale, the former CEO of Netscape. When I’m advising members of a leadership team that is struggling to break through with their founder, I pull out this quote. Founders […]
Valuation Makes The Headlines, But Liquidation Preferences Allocate The Cash
Do the math. Understand your cap table’s waterfall. And remember. Valuation gets the headlines. Liquidation preferences get the cash.
Staying True to Your Values: Learning from Substack’s Crowdfunding Decision
Exploring the consequences of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term trust and transparency in the startup world, as illustrated by Substack’s recent fundraising approach.
From DTC to AI: Lessons in Navigating Business Model Shifts
We can learn from the experiences of DTC and digital media to reinforce the importance of business model adaptability in the face of constant change.
The Ripple Effects of SVB’s Failure: Navigating the New Normal for Startup Funding
The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank will lead to fewer lending options and more onerous terms for startups. Here’s what you should do.
Mass Extinction Event for Startups? Are You Default Investable or Default Alive?
For many startups, the next 12 months will be challenging. Default Investable or Default Alive. Know which path you are on.
The Pivot – 2 Traps You Must Avoid
Your startup journey will be filled with dead ends, false starts, and long treks down the wrong path. When it’s time to pivot, there are two traps to avoid.
Don’t Be The Hound. Pick Up Your Head.
When building a startup, it’s easy to put your head down to focus on the obstacle in front of you. Don’t be the hound. Pick up your head.
