Banks, Risk, and the Original Mr. Potter

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AI-generated image of a bank

Like a lot of startups, we looked at our banking situation with the news that Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank in the United States went belly up. The failures highlight our complicated relationship with banks and bankers but provide valuable lessons for tech startups and business leaders.  There is now concern about more bank failures and the overall … Read More

Beware the Ides of Consultants

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image of a watch face

March 15 is the ides of March.  It’s the day in 44 BCE that Julius Cesar met an unceremonious end at the pointy part of Roman senators’ sharp daggers. Around 60 to 70 senators are thought to have been in on the plot.  William Shakespeare made the whole thing famous, along with the quote, E tu Brute, which you are … Read More

Finding a Path to Pathfinders

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finding a path through the woods

Existing companies and B2B tech startups have a similar problem.  How to know that the person you are tapping to expand the business, lead a team into a new market, and otherwise help blaze new trails has the right set of deep skills to be successful? A recent survey by a trade group for universities in the United States shows … Read More

Lessons from Self-Managed Teams

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If one thing the COVID pandemic taught the knowledge worker, they didn’t need to be in their office to do their job—no matter what their bosses said. Some employers and employees are now engaged in a battle to see who will win the power struggle to determine if, when, and how often people will have to gather in person. Can … Read More

Dating, Sales, and Startups

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two people gazing into each other's eyes

Dating sucks. Okay, let’s refine that one. Dating sucks, except for the genetic freaks that would qualify to be on Love Island. They are not bereft of choice. Still, even for them, the odds may be good, but the goods may be odd.  For B2B tech startups or any business looking into new markets, the behavior of potential clients is … Read More

Your Gut is Not Always Good at Hiring

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As a B2B tech startup, you have likely already experienced the challenges of building and scaling your business. From developing a product that meets the needs of your target market to securing funding and building a strong team, the journey of a startup is often fraught with obstacles. One of the most significant challenges that many startups face is hiring … Read More

Why Startups Should Manage Recruitment Directly

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person holding a tv remote control

When you are a startup, you have to take every opportunity to get your name out in order to attract customers and talent.  Yet, many startups give up a massive opportunity for increasing name identity.  This happens in a number of areas, but critically when they are seeking their first salesperson. Startups often turn to recruiters to fill this role … Read More

Why Are You Throwing Money Away on Recruiters?

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Road sign saying Wrong Way

If it’s expensive, it must be good.  That’s a common bias we don’t want to admit we have, but we often fall for it. There’s also a saying in large organizations that someone never got fired for hiring the most expensive solution if it bombs. Not true if you went with the cheap approach and failed.  This brings us to … Read More