Let me start with a trite statement, so we can all agree with it and get it out of the way. Change is hard. There are, however, fundamental steps and considerations that you can take to smooth out these transitions. In this post, let’s focus on developing and implementing process into a startup that has…
Month: April 2019
Coffee Review: El Salvador Monte Verde by Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co
Please note: Our posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks! Whole bean Brewing methods: manual pour-over and french press Grown between 1,200 – 1,500 meters in the Santa Ana region of…
Developing and Growing Corporate Culture
I see some version of the following questions crop up fairly frequently, especially in the startup community, so I figured I’d take a moment to share a few thoughts. The questions go something like this: How should we take steps to implement a healthy corporate culture that will strengthen as we grow? If we’ve taken…
My Favorite Non-Business Book
I don’t do much reading that’s not business-centric and when I do, I’m typically looking for something that has a lesson that can be used for business, leadership, or management. I’ve been re-reading and pondering one such book, Stone Soup. I find it teeming with great advice. Here are a few business lessons we can all…
Leveraging The Endowment Effect
Why individuals or teams thinking that their projects are most important, can be excellent and incredibly damaging at a growing company In business, the endowment effect means that someone thinks that his or her work, project, or deadline is what’s most important and must be resourced and prioritized as such. This is often discussed as…
On Building Credibility
Being credible at any stage, but especially as a startup Credibility manifests itself in different ways, whether in reference to a person or an entity, with values that are shared or unshared, and any sort of historical context or existing relationships between the parties. Webster’s defines credibility as–I’m kidding, I’m only kidding! Read on, discerning…
What is Operations at a Startup?
Or, what does a COO, VP, or Head of Operations do at a growing company? Given my idiosyncratic background, having touched a lot of different business functions (product, project management, marketing, people or the dreaded “human resources”, recruiting, talent management, sales, partnerships, client success) and operated as a director, manager, founder, president, and department head…
Coffee Review: Equator Coffee Mocha Java Blend
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks! Whole bean Brewing methods: Chemex manual pour-over I tried my first cup of Equator coffee a few years ago in Marin County, CA,…
Lessons Learned From A Young Leader and Founder
With over a decade of hindsight since my first role as a leader at a very successful startup, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the mistakes I made and challenges I faced. The points below are specific to my experience, but hopefully have broad applications. In an effort to keep this from becoming ten…