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…
Author: dancoyle
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…
Wine Review: 2016 DIME Red 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! Body: full | Sweetness: dry | Alcohol: 13.5%Region: Santa Barbara County, California With notes of anise, black cherry, and cocoa, this wine is…
Got Hired At A Startup? Begin By Learning
Startup people are productive go-getters that know how to scrape and grind their way to making things happen. In nearly all situations, this is an awe-inspiring attribute to have. If you’re this type of person, or you hire these types of people, there’s one time that I’d watch out for these tendencies: being newly hired…
Startup Leaders: Early-Stage Must-Haves
With all that goes into getting a startup up and running, it’s easy to miss some important aspects. Below are a few things to make sure you have, and are ready to deliver on; especially as you start to staff up. Strategy Unless you’re self-funding (or at least self-seeding) this is likely something you’ll need…
Startup Leaders: Get These Things Right For Your Staff
It’s easy to chalk certain things up to being at a startup. With everyone being stretched for time and resources, leadership often misuses the concept of “that just comes with the territory” to shirk certain responsibilities. It’s imperative that leaders get certain fundamentals right and make small, consistent, incremental improvements. Here are a few areas…