Be transparent and direct when discussing risks and issues with executives. (It’s also important to be tactful, timely and aware of priorities so as not to be creating tempests in teapots.) Management can deal with problems when they know about them. Problems arise when they don’t know about issues and the potential impacts. Ask any Surgeon or ER doctor.
Do you have an OLA between your Marketing and Sales teams?
A written OLA can be used as an input into a requirements document of any Marketing Automation tool / Sales Automation tool interface project. All too often, these two departments use different tools that are more tailored to their specific functions. In order for information to pass easily between them an actual technical interface is typically required. If the operational process is understood and the necessary information to be passed between the teams is documented, then building this interface and setting up appropriate reporting tools can be done more effectively.
As a Founder, when do you seek help?
I’m reminded of the Product Management principles of Buy, Build or Partner, and feel in some ways this is doing that type of evaluation on the product of you as Founder. I believe stepping outside of yourself and doing this type of assessment is key to a Founder’s success and a great learning experience.
A Founder’s Path – Success Milestones
Infographic charting key milestones on a startup Founder’s path to success.
Do you think shareholder expectations stifle innovation?
It’s now 5 years since the implosion of the banking industry, fed partly by the short-sighted focus on near term profits and executive bonuses. With this lesson now imprinted in our memory, does it lead us to question if short term shareholder expectations have an impact on a large company’s ability to be innovative and pivot when the market goes off in another direction?
Those lazy hazy days of summer – how do you handle slow times at work?
With the summer now drawing to close, I thought it might be a bit of fun to reflect on some of the things I like to do myself and within my teams with these loose cycles to regenerate, keep motivated and get things done.
