Monthly Archives: February 2019

02/21/19

Scaling Talent in a Growing Startup

Today we talk about how a company scales its talent as the company grows. Can it be done? What do you need to watch for?

So, a conversation that recurs from time to time is this — the talent with which you found and initially grow a company may not be strong enough to grow the company in the mid to long term, and get to the Promised Land.

When you are a band of brothers or sisters, it is beguiling to believe that you have the right mix of people to grow the company to its ultimate size.

This is how co-founders think of themselves when they first found the company. They are killers, happy, genial killers, but still killers. Look at these sweet co-founders.

Image result for images of lions

Beguiling.

Continue reading →

02/19/19

Twenty-fifth Amendment to the US Constitution

A gray, rainy day in the ATX — a good day to trim trees?

So, lately we’re been hearing a lot of talk about the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the US Constitution. Let’s do some research, shall we?

Here’s a picture of the Founding Fathers in Philadelphia hammering out the Constitution. The US Constitution was drafted over a period of 116 days from 25 May 1787 to 17 September 1787.

The American Revolution ended on 3 September 1783. It took a long time to finalize the Constitution and it had a provision to amend it.

Image result for images us constitution

First, contrary to the talking heads, the 25th Amendment was not the work of the Founding Fathers. I listened to an idiot on Fox News for half an hour talking about what the Founding Fathers intended.

The 25th Amendment was submitted to the states on 6 July 1965. It was ratified on 10 February 1967.

Continue reading →

02/18/19

George Washington, The First Great American

The story of George Washington and the creation of the Continental Army, the fight against the British in the American Revolution, and his presidency is an American tale of greatness. Every American should know it. Here is but a brief view of it.

Washington the Commander in Chief and President

While much is known of Washington’s life as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army (huge startup success) and ultimately President of the United States, not very much has been written about his exploits until he attained those positions.  Here is the picture that America has in its minds eye of Washington, our first President.

Washington was 43 years old when he accepted the call of his countrymen to form an army to lead the colonial rebellion against the British.  Life expectancy in the Colonies was less than 40 years at that time.   Washington would live to be 67 years old.

Continue reading →

02/16/19

Census 2020 and Reapportionment

Big Red Car here getting ready to take a long drive to the Hill Country, but first a few words on the census and reapportionment.

Every ten years the United States conducts a census. It is done in order to reapportion the seats in the House of Representatives.

There are a fixed number of seats — 435. Right now, a Congressperson represents 712,000 persons.

Image result for images us capitol

Continue reading →

02/15/19

Coaching, Mentoring Distance

A CEO I used to coach, who terminated our relationship when he sold his startup, calls me and we get chatting about how a coach (or a mentor) relates to the CEO.

He is complimentary and says, “Whatever you did worked for me.”

I say, “It wasn’t an accident.”

So, what is the right distance for a coach or a mentor?

Continue reading →

02/13/19

Spartacus Speaks – An Exclusive Interview

Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, sat down with the Big Red Car in Zilker Park in Austin By God Texas along the banks of the dammed Colorado River known as Town Lake or Lady Bird Lake for a free ranging interview about his Senatorial career and his decision to run for President of the United States.

“Welcome to Austin, Senator. Have you ever been here before?”

“Yes, but I can’t remember when. What a lovely city. Not to be critical, but I think you need a good washing. Sorry.”

“Well, I actually need a good paint job, if the truth were known. But, we’re here to talk about you and your decision to run for President. Where would you like to start?”

Booker cleared his throat, turned a powerful profile to the skyline and said, “Let’s begin with my upbringing.”

Continue reading →

02/11/19

Smarter Than A Billionaire?

Another slightly gray Monday in the ATX though it will be 65F before the day is over.

So, do you think you are smarter than a billionaire?

Let’s use our friend Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, as our test sample billionaire. BTW, richest guy in the world and all that. Guy’s worth what? $140,000,000,000

If you have been watching the news, you are aware of some exciting changes in Jeff’s relationships. He is divorcing his wife of some quarter of a century, Mackenzie. Here they are in happier days.

Image result for images jeff and mackenzie bezos

OK, stop right there. Mackenzie is going to come out of this OK. First, Washington State is a community property state; there is no pre-nup; her next husband will be taller and more hirsute. So, don’t cry for me, Argentina. She gets half? She’s the richest woman on the planet.

Continue reading →