09/14/19

CEO Shoptalk — Fragility

In the early days of a startup, when you are running on pure adrenalin, co-founders are in constant contact. Every new development is shared completely, you are likely to be in close physical proximity, and the novelty of it all creates a glue that binds the co-founders together thereby provoking a level of communication that ensures the founding team is fully informed.

At the beginning you are giddy with communication.

This chaotic time builds trust and generates confidence. It is a heady and energetic time. It is the camaraderie that soldiers create on the battlefield. Co-founders are at war against the market, so that comparison is not a great leap.

But, then the company raises money or gets traction or screams, “We have product-market fit, y’all!” and the closeness that was there at the crib side of the new baby begins to change.

Roles are more distinct, there are spheres of responsibility, employees are hired, parts of jobs are delegated, board members begin to deploy their wisdom, and the pace begins to quicken.

The ability for the co-founders to attain full communication and full knowledge of what is going on is tested by the actual progress.

It is at this junction in time — almost verifiable by a watch — that the strength of a co-founding team is tested.

And, the test is this — Is the organization robust (as it relates to co-founder communication) or is it fragile?

The answer, dear reader, 104% of the time is that the relationship is hopelessly fragile. It is the normal state of affairs because it requires specific work, organization, and that most precious of all commodities in the universe — time, to beat the fragility out of your fledgling company.

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11/20/16

Communities, echo chambers, fan clubs

Communities, echo chambers, fan clubs, Big Red Car? What?

Big Red Car here, holding down the fort while The Cripple (The Boss and his little ruptured Achilles tendon, suck it up, buttercup) is in New York with the elites. [I think he’s been rioting in front of the Trump Tower, but he swears he hasn’t. Who really knows?]

So, the Big Red Car has been thinking about the creation of communities on the Internet, blog communities, to be precise.

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12/2/13

The Power of Video — Get Some

Big Red Car here.  Well, Old Sport, is it going to be 82F and sunny today here in the ATX.  On Earth as it is in Texas.

So The Boss is working with several CEOs and they have been discussing the use of video in their businesses.  An interesting discussion indeed.  Let’s listen in, ya’ll.

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06/30/13

The Global Bullshit Theory and Meter

Big Red Car here.  The Boss is enjoying the cool weather in Santa Fe and me and the house sitter are enjoying the ATX.  Sure it’s a bit warm but the house sitter — and about ten of his friends — are enjoying the pool and the Big Red Car.

Last night we went down to Sixth Street west of Congress and we had a blast.  [Please do not tell The Boss because well, the house sitter was a bit wild last night.  I am not supposed to be driving around when folks are drinking.  And, Old Sport, folks were drinking.  And drinking.  And drinking.  But, hey, I get the young folk — they just want to have fun.]

So, The Boss was laughing the other day about his Global Bullshit Theory and the attendant Global Bullshit Meter.  It works like this.

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06/7/13

Company Culture — Clear Definition

Big Red Car here.  OK, Old Sport, summer is here.  Going to have a few isolated thunderstorms today and then it is going to to be hot, hot, hot for the rest of June.  Oh, I love summer!  Summer in the ATX!  On Earth as it is in Austin, Texas!

So, let’s get back on the Company Culture rant and today we are going to talk about the notion of Clear Definition.  WTF, Big Red Car, what is that?

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