article thumbnail

Leaving Government for the Private Sector – Part 2

Steve Blank

Laura Thomas is a former CIA operations officer. Most of her lessons were applicable to any government employee venturing out to the private sector. Strategy and Operations roles: These roles help make sure vision, resources (budgets and people), and the market opportunity are aligned. Read part one here. They need you.

article thumbnail

10 Creativity Mistakes Jeopardize Long-Term Survival

Startup Professionals Musings

Here is my summary of the ten top creativity mistakes we both still see too often: Criticize any new idea or employee suggestion. An even better alternative could be stock options, linked to the long-term success of the company. A natural human reaction to any new idea is to point out potential weaknesses.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

How Great, Operationally-Focused CFO’s Can Transform Your Business

Both Sides of the Table

And it turns out that employee reviews matter. Stock option top-ups after a few years are vital retention mechanisms. Didn’t have employees sign non-solicitation agreements? Didn’t have employees sign non-solicitation agreements? Yet being a buttoned up company requires all this. Shame on you.

article thumbnail

7 Costs To Consider Before Taking Your Startup Public

Startup Professionals Musings

If you want to give stock options, or have already been giving them, the employees will love the liquidity of their options, and the thought of selling shares for a profit. Most startup founders voluntarily exit or are pushed out, and the fun is gone. Analysts want escalating profits.

Cost 319
article thumbnail

What Do Boards Actually Do?

Both Sides of the Table

As a starting point the board is intended to have legal and financial responsibilities to a few key constituencies: shareholders, debt holders, creditors, employees, government and major parties with whom the business operates. ICOs certainly have a place in startup financing.

Cofounder 217
article thumbnail

10 Ways To Trample And Smother Business Innovation

Startup Professionals Musings

Here is my summary of the ten top creativity mistakes we both still see too often: Criticize any new idea or employee suggestion. An even better alternative could be stock options, linked to the long-term success of the company. A natural human reaction to any new idea is to point out potential weaknesses.

article thumbnail

Choke the Churn: How to Prevent Employee Turnover in Startup Businesses

Up and Running

In my time, I learned a thing or two about the importance of preventing employee turnover. Aside from the time-consuming tasks of screening potential employees, interviewing, and re-hiring , losing and replacing employees is expensive. On average, it costs nearly three times an employee’s salary to replace them.