Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 23, 2022

Every startup lucky enough to get some traction gets to the point where they decide to hire some “regular employees” for sales, marketing, and administrative tasks. This commitment to hire people who think like entrepreneurs, or instill an “owner’s mindset” in every employee, should be a high priority in every business.

Startup 337

Startup Technical Review Employee Hiring 337

TechEmpower

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Employee and Contractor Details: How many full-time W2 employees and contractors do they employ, and where are they located? What are the employees and contractors' skills? Project Management: Get a clear understanding of the company's process. Is there a project manager? An account manager?

Software Development 295

Software Development Software Developers Software Review Software 295

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 3, 2022

Some of the companies with the best team cultures, including Zappos , even go so far as to offer new employees $2,000 to quit after the first week on the job if they don’t feel a fit with the team assigned. Team managers in a hurry to hire often skip references, assuming they won’t get the real story anyway.

Hiring 337

Hiring Technical Cofounder Cofounder Retention 337

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2022

Leaders are judged on key elements of execution, including a focus on priorities, ensuring clear accountability, managing decision making, mobilizing others, adapting quickly, and communicating execution urgency. Good performance management is more about rewarding desirable behavior than penalizing bad performance.

Technical Review 323

Technical Review Due Diligence Valuation Leadership 323

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2020

The allocation of shares among the founders, and the number and size of outside investments, will tells volumes about the health, stability, and management of the business. One more key employee or one more investor will probably not turn the situation around. Calculate employee stock option values and vesting times, as well as salary.

Technical Review 436

Technical Review Due Diligence Sweat Equity Burn Rate 436

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2022

If they or you find it hard to trust others, love to work alone, always have to be in control, or insist on micro-managing, it may be time for change or looking elsewhere. Neither partner needs to be managed. Some people are too independent to be partner material. Believe in the same ethical and diversity boundaries.

Partner 385

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Cofounder 385

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2021

The CEO must focus on key management team hires and assume a few mistakes which need to get fixed. As one company Chairman says, "The common elements I see in first time CEO's: a) they don't hire fast enough, b) they don't fire fast enough, and c) they don't manage their board and investors well."

Exit Strategy 407

Exit Strategy Leadership Founder Networking 407

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2022

Business ethics are more about religion than management or leadership. An ethical culture deals with managing values between the individual and the company, to best handle the inevitable conflicts that crop up in every business. Ethics can’t be managed. The reality is different.

Software Review 291

Software Review Offshore Entrepreneur Leadership 291

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2022

Manage customer service. Personnel Manager. On the other hand, there are some roles in a startup where Boomers are probably not the best candidates: Constantly-on-the-road sales territory management roles. Boomers are more likely to give you the time and guidance that you need, and give your executive team additional visibility.

Advisory Board 368

Advisory Board Dividend Angel Investor Cofounder 368

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2022

Employees are still too often thought of as a commodity, to be acquired “just in time” for the lowest cost, and managed as a disposable asset. Employees are often ineffective because they don’t care about their work or because they don’t possess the skills to contribute. Subjectively measuring employee engagement.

Analytics 303

Analytics Hiring Open Source Employee 303

Steve Blank

JANUARY 17, 2023

Venture Studios are an “idea factory” with their own employees searching for product/market fit and a repeatable and scalable business model. I don’t have a killer idea, or a technical team, but I do know how to build, grow, and manage teams.”. Firms asking for greater than 60% are actually hiring an employee rather than a founder.

Technical Cofounder 368

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 368

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2020

One of the things I’ve learned in working with aspiring entrepreneurs is that managing and leading a team is a scary venture into the unknown for many people, even if they have worked as a business professional for years. Understand both leadership and management. You don’t have to be a boss to be a leader or a manager.

Leadership 380

Leadership Demand Management Founder 380

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

Rounding out the team with employees and freelancers. Successful startup teams today have a mix of remote employees, freelancers, and contractors. Set milestones and manage to those targets. Fundraising through online platforms and crowdfunding.

Intellectual Property 404

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 404

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2021

I recognize this is a revolution in the way most companies and employees work today, viewing work as a set of tasks with no passion, new members selected primarily on past experience and functional skills, and viewing conflict as something to be avoided or a sign of failure.

Developer 387

Developer Startup Social Media Internet 387

TechEmpower

MARCH 4, 2024

Other Notable Functions Generative AI is poised to revolutionize supply chain management by enhancing demand forecasting, enabling businesses to anticipate market changes and adjust inventory accordingly. It can also optimize logistics through route and delivery scheduling, leading to reduced operational costs and improved delivery times.

Generative AI 295

Generative AI CTO Hire Fractional CTO Software Review 295

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2021

Chip Bell and Ron Zemke, who are experts in this area, provide some of the best specific insights I’ve seen, in the classic book “ Managing Knock Your Socks Off Service.” The process must be employee friendly, as well as customer friendly, and have feedback mechanisms to correct poor results. Make your service deliver process “happy.”

Technical Review 385

Technical Review Salary Metrics Matching 385

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2021

This is the last step of the process, where surprises in the evaluation of the management team, documentation, and personnel problems can derail the investment. Make sure the Business Plan and all related documents are current, synchronized, and in the hands of every key employee. If everyone gives a different story, you have no story.

Technical Review 380

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Angel Investor 380

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

Building and managing a business is a wholly different world from building an innovative solution. Learn how to build and manage a small team. What you learn will apply to employees. People management is key to every business success. Board members provide inexpensive expertise.

Advisory Board 356

Advisory Board Bandwidth Cofounder Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2021

Only the best leaders and CEOs pay real attention to how and when people commit, how employees accept accountability, and how they win. Great CEOs humbly invest the time and energy to walk the halls, travel to customers, and hold regular employee meetings, with real listening. Manage the conflicting demands of leadership.

Leadership 340

Leadership Framework Demand Employee 340

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 3, 2021

In reality, the best business process innovations usually come from regular employees on the front line of your business, just trying to do a better job and better serve customers. Current research indicates that innovation is a discipline, it can be maximized, measured, and managed through formal processes.

Technical Review 431

Technical Review Leadership Operations Networking 431

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2022

Personal loans from individuals, employees and board members. As in any company, they can lead to employee problems, or messy legal issues. An example would be getting free office space by agreeing to be the property manager for the owner. Personal loans are certainly an option, but should be avoided if possible.

Angel Investor 327

Angel Investor Equity Technical Review Exit Strategy 327

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

Set up surveillance systems When it comes to physical security, an on-site surveillance system provides deterrence against possible breaches done on-site in addition to ensuring the safety of employees. For this reason, you need to implement a set of guidelines that employees must follow if they require access.

Security 167

Security Technical Review Software Review Startup 167

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 14, 2024

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assign permissions based on an employee’s role within the organization. Encourage employees to avoid using easily guessable information such as birthdays or common words. Doing so reduces the complexity of managing multiple systems and enhances security by providing a single point of control.

Software Review 168

Software Review Security Technical Review Database 168

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Automation software can precisely handle repeatable tasks, freeing employees to focus on strategic initiatives. Project management tools help teams stay organized, track real-time progress, and facilitate seamless communication. Ergonomic furniture reduces fatigue and improves posture, leading to healthier, more focused employees.

Technical Review 167

Technical Review Software Review Agile Operations 167

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Clear, effective business documentation creates clarity in the minds of employees, stakeholders, and external partners and eventually builds trust for seamless operation. This is especially true for businesses that rely heavily on technology and outsourced services, such as those utilizing Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

Technical Review 119

Technical Review Software Review Operations Technology 119

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2021

Hiring virtual assistants for each specific project can be a lot more efficient and cheaper than hiring and managing employees. Generate revenue around the clock. Use the Internet to outsource staff. Start with sites like Elance.com and Guru.com for specialized tasks you can’t do yourself.

Technical Review 312

Technical Review Software Review Internet Revenue 312

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 21, 2024

Running a business comes with various challenges, and managing business risks is one of the most critical aspects. An effective risk management strategy plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability and prosperity of any business. Communication Plan: Ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged in risk management.

Technical Review 167

Technical Review Global Reputation Employee 167

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

The Technician’s Perspective sees the business as a place in which people work to produce inside results for the Technician, producing employee income. As startups grow, they quickly realize that they need a third personality, called the Manager, to build systems and processes.

Technical Review 341

Technical Review Social Media Startup Internet 341

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2020

No matter how talented you are, it doesn’t matter unless managers can see those talents and think of you as an invaluable employee, or a game-changing manager, or the person whose name is synonymous with success. Manage your whole image, rather than ignore it. Your personal life is now public.

Startup 331

Startup Technical Review Social Network Reputation 331

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Even the busiest leaders find time for management by walking around, and actually listening to their people. Top employees are leaving for better opportunities. In my experience, employees usually leave if they are not satisfied with you, rather than a salary level or role definition.

Leadership 301

Leadership Founder Salary Demand 301

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 4, 2023

In the wake of recent struggles , the people you need and want are looking for a new human focus from their leaders and managers in today’s chaotic and competitive labor market. You really hearing employees also augments engagement levels and business results. If possible, let the project be based on the employee's own ideas.

Leadership 279

Leadership Employee Community Cost 279

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Before you act, shut up and listen to employees, customers, and futurists. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Your challenge will be to break down silos, manage diverse and inclusive perspectives, and capitalize on cross-functional insights. Define realistic metrics to keep track of progress.

Technical Review 252

Technical Review Silicon Valley Software Review Metrics 252

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2022

I too often see people who are quick to make excuses, blame failures on peers or customers, or see management as the reason for their lack of productivity. Don’t expect your manager and other leaders to always see your contributions. Accountability requires that you manage your own efforts, as well as keep others up to speed.

Philadelphia 274

Philadelphia Technical Review Engineer Metrics 274

YoungUpstarts

MARCH 16, 2023

Kate Pritchard of People Insight shares a few reasons why employee wellbeing is important for both the individual employee and the organisation as a whole. The post How Can Startups Manage And Promote Employee Wellbeing? appeared first on Young Upstarts.

Employee 245

Employee Management Startup 245

The Startup Magazine

JULY 2, 2024

Employees seek more than just financial rewards; they want a fulfilling work experience that aligns with their values and career goals. Ensuring transparent pay and benefits, where employees understand how their compensation is determined and what benefits they are entitled to, promotes trust and fairness within the team.

Development Team Review 148

Development Team Review Retention Salary Hiring 148

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2021

Recognize that employee morale impacts your brand. If employee morale is down, your brand will be negatively impacted. Ask employees for feedback, and commit to fix problems before you feel brand impact. Attempts to do this have resulted in more confusion than value, as well as high management and marketing costs.

Leadership 426

Leadership Management Brazil Differentiation 426

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

The current pandemic, for example, has been a hit to most businesses, both in terms of servicing customers, as well as protecting employees. Over time, Jobs managed to temper his perfectionism and succeed in the bigger consumer market. The result is missed opportunities, emotional in-fighting, and blame.

Social Media 330

Social Media Entrepreneur Revenue Internet 330