A VC in Vacationland
Seeking the next gen supply chain technology breakthroughs
recent posts
- The Role of Generative AI in Supply Chain Investment Strategies
- AI’s Impact on Supply Chain Investment Strategies
- The ‘New Normal’ is now the ‘No Normal’ in Supply Chains
- SRR—Sustainability, Resilience, Risk Management: The Latest Supply Chain Buzzwords & Investment Opportunities
- 3PLs–Investing in the Next Generation of Outsourced Supply Chain Solutions
about
Category: Managing start-ups
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I frequently lecture my portfolio companies (and other entrepreneurs who ask) to always be planning for exit. Why should you be planning for exit when you are trying to raise money to start your company? In simple terms, it is critical to structure your operations, customers, products and sales to make them friendly to your…
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By now, you have probably joined Linkedin, Plaxo, Facebook or the myriad of other business networking sites that have emerged in recent years. These are generally useful tools to keep track of friends and business associates. The best part is that their information is updates (by them) when they changes jobs, etc. But now there…
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They do not figure out how to monetize their business model. I repeat. The biggest mistake most entrepreneurs make is not figuring out how to monetize their business model. My shortest post ever. And I don’t think I need to explain it in a lot of detail. If not, let me know and I will…
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Lou Holtz’s pep talk to his team before a big game always included WIN-What’s Important Now as his final reminder to them before going out on the field. After every play, ask yourself, what’s important now? What should I do best to be successful? This is great advice for anybody involved in a start up. …
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"Jack & Jill went up the hill To fetch a pail of water Jack fell down and broke his crown …
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Last week, we examined the conditions under which a founder should leave the company that they started and grew. This week, we look at when a founder should remain active in their baby. How can founders be involved? Critical Relationship Management–Founders often have very close relationships with key customers, channel partners and employees. Finding ways…
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Let’s get the band back together! One of my son-in laws recently revived his band, after a seven year and two grandkid hiatus, to play at a close friend’s wedding. Since we had never heard him play, we invited ourselves to the post reception party (as in "It’s OK, I’m with the Band"). Let’s just…
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Most of us have now heard about "helicopter parents"–they rush into their children’s lives at school, sports or whatever and attempt to manage their activities. Not the best learning experience for the child and a real pain in the neck for professionals who have to put up with the parents and their requests. I’d like…
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I have just sat through another 65 page PowerPoint presentation on the strategy for one of my portfolio companies. It was the the second one in as many months. This one was facilitated by an outside strategy consultant and was requested by a number of board members, who seemed very satisfied with the results. I…
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A number of my portfolio companies have been recently been considering raising additional investment capital, even though they are growing rapidly, are cash flow positive and have a leadership position in their marketplace. Often, I find the rationale behind the decision to raise cash to not be supported by the reality of their business world. …
A VC in Vacationland 