Planning exit alternatives is not about accurately predicting the twists and turns, false starts, and failed negotiations. It is about creating alignment early and an objective framework that is dynamic and constantly updated to help you stay objective when the stakes are high.
I am the swing voter that neither side is speaking to. I used to think there were LOTS of us. Now, I am fearful that the divisiveness – unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime – continues to grow and that the leaders on both sides are advancing it, depending on it and taking advantage of it.
I was recently at an event where I was approached by an older gentleman, we’ll call him “Joe”. He immediately asked about my net worth. When I gave him a couple of non-answers, he skillfully turned up the manipulation factor. “You know, on the West coast, real VCs talk all the time about where they made their money”.
I'm kicking off my Reading List with Scott Kupor’s book Secrets of Sand Hill Road. This is a fantastic resource to help early-stage CEOs better understand Board room dynamics. I encourage CEOs to read this book from cover to cover and keep it within reach.
Recently, I was working with a Founder/CEO through some fairly complex and challenging issues. In this case, I was not a member of the Board, but instead acting as an advisor/coach to the Founder. And, the issues being worked through were significant – not an exaggeration to say that the combination of issues could be fatal for this company.
Entrepreneurs often ask me, how do you know whether it is time to give up or keep fighting? The answer is different for every unique situation. In the case of facing my phobia of the water, I will keep fighting.
I work closely with entrepreneurs to navigate fundraising challenges, level-up talent, scale teams, manage board dynamics, and position for exits. I look forward to sharing these ideas and others with you here on my personal blog.
The last two weeks have been full of travel. It started with a Board meeting in Toronto, then a long weekend in Scottsdale with girlfriends, and finally a few days in the Bay area for meetings and the second annual AllRaise VC Summit. As I came out of a powerful, supportive weekend with friends into the energy of the largest gathering of female VCs ever, I started to reflect on the strong, positive shift in the tech community and broader women’s movement.