I read this post on TechCrunch where a London VC calls out EU start-up teams for not working as hard as their Silicon Valley counterparts. There is certainly a case to be made here - I have often commented to friends on the same issue. One obvious counterpoint is that I see European startups paying WAY WAY less for talent than Silicon Valley alternatives, even when London is such an expensive city to live in. But the beef I have is with all the snarky comments to the effect of “I don’t live to work, I work to live”.
It’s a phrase I used to hear a lot as a hiring manager for a big US multinational back in the late nineties. Primarily from young guys, straight out of college.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Why do so many entrepreneurs have VC issues?
My Monday morning begins with catching up on a bunch of VC blogs and other start-up-related feeds. I think there’s a wealth of knowledge being communicated daily to entrepreneurs, but many won’t touch it for some reason.
First on my reader today was Fred Destin asking why entrepreneurs hate VCs. It’s something that annoys me when I talk with fellow entrepreneurs - this anti-VC thread, almost as though we’re all supposed to join in venting about how bad they are. I’ve been told I have VC Stockholm syndrome when I suggest that perhaps it’s worth working a little towards accommodating the VC occasionally isn’t a bad thing. Maybe that’s true. Maybe it’s just that I have tried to put time and effort into understanding what VCs need out of me and my company in order to mutually align goals and increase my chances of success in building a billion dollar company and changing the world. Maybe both.
First on my reader today was Fred Destin asking why entrepreneurs hate VCs. It’s something that annoys me when I talk with fellow entrepreneurs - this anti-VC thread, almost as though we’re all supposed to join in venting about how bad they are. I’ve been told I have VC Stockholm syndrome when I suggest that perhaps it’s worth working a little towards accommodating the VC occasionally isn’t a bad thing. Maybe that’s true. Maybe it’s just that I have tried to put time and effort into understanding what VCs need out of me and my company in order to mutually align goals and increase my chances of success in building a billion dollar company and changing the world. Maybe both.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Ads & Twitter (and Disqus) - reposting some comments
I recently commented on one of my favourite VC blogs - Both Sides Of The Table
As an aside, this is the first time I’ve done this. I am usually a lurker. But I like Disqus - the idea that if I comment it’s not lost in the ether, it’s easy for me to keep track of. Now my comments are a conversation, and part of my constant process of learning.
As an aside, this is the first time I’ve done this. I am usually a lurker. But I like Disqus - the idea that if I comment it’s not lost in the ether, it’s easy for me to keep track of. Now my comments are a conversation, and part of my constant process of learning.
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