After a couple years of blogging here, I've decide to grow up and move out - got my own place www.danmartell.com ... here's where you can find me:
Watch these 2 videos (in order!):
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a successful Silicon Valley CEO? We'll, recently at the TechCrunch50 conference, I was fortunate to hear from some of the best in the industry share their thoughts. Here are just a few ideas that were discussed.
Peter Thiel suggested that the best predictor to a startup success, is low CEO pay. He says:
The lower the CEO salary, the more likely it is to succeed.
The CEO’s salary sets a cap for everyone else. If it is set at a high level, you end up burning a whole lot more money. It aligns his interest with the equity holders. But [beyond that], it goes to whether the mission of the company is to build something new or just collect paychecks.
In practice we have found that if you only ask one question, ask that.
Now, that's only if you could ask one question - so in that context, it does make sense... and I would agree.
Using a different filter from Chris Sacca (Venture Investor, Private Equity Principal, Advisor), he suggested a list of life events that might act as a good filter.
- Traveled abroad
- Play sports (athletic)
- Worked a shitty job.
- Can show vulnerability
And lastly, and probably my favorite, was Yossi Vardi's (Tech Entrepreneur, Investor) thoughts.
- Be top talent
- Nice person
- Focused!
- Nimble
- Be in the right space
- Good listener
If I were to make my own list, I would probably include most of the ideas above - but I would definitely add passion, and the ability to attract top talent. Having a great team is definitely the key in all of this, and if the person can't attract, and play nice with others, it's usually a good indication of failure. (unless he's smart enough to put someone between him and the others, but that's another discussion altogether).
What would you add? Anything you disagree with?
All in all, it was a very exciting and exhausting three days. Jason and Mike put on a very grass roots event. All the companies presented extremely well, and there was only one technical glitch that I can remember. The real value for me was meeting the CEO's of the presenting, and Demo Pit companies; talking with Angels/VC's about emerging sectors; getting to know some of the characters in the Web 2.0 space; and making new friends in the San Francisco area.
Highlights:
- Joking around with Yossi Vardi about "other" Silicon Valleys around the world. What a nice guy.
- Hanging with Lauren and the puppet
- Meeting the whole Seesmic.com team.
- Chatting with Austin (Akoha) and learning more of his vision.
Top 3 Companies:
GoodGuide, Akoha, Atmosphir
Most Over Hyped
Blah Girls
Best Presentation
TonchiDot - "Look Up, Not Down" .... IMAGINE
I'm not going to lie, I'm still confused about Yammer winning the whole thing. I'm a fan of the team, and understand it make sense, however, I personally believe their were other companies more deserving from an innovation and market potential point of view.
What do you think? Did Yammer deserve top spot?
That's a great question. The truth be told, it's quite simple. I try to live my life by a simple question:
Using that as a compass, I'm always trying to push myself to next level. That was the main motivation for moving to SF.
Well... it all comes back to the question above. I'm 28 yrs old, and I want to ensure I set goals that are worthy of my life. This isn't a dress rehearsal, we only get one shot. So here I am.
Related
Telegraph Journal by David Shipley - Building a Bridge to Silicon Valley
The Perfect Balance by Chris Nadeau - Why Set Bigger Goals
Much in the same way Ford borrowed from the Meat Packers in Chicago, here's another great example of "business topology" applied within the airline industry:
[Souce: Signal vs. Noise]
Alaska Airlines saves millions by rethinking check-in flow
Hustle & Flow [Fast Company] takes a look at Alaskan Airlines’ effort to design a better way to get customers through airport check-in.
The airline studied theme parks, hospitals, and retailers to see how they handled similar situations. Then, the team built mock-ups in a warehouse using cardboard boxes for podiums, kiosks, and belts in order to find ways to increase efficiency.
The resulting makeover at the Seattle airport is likely to save almost $8 million a year (and means they won’t have to spend $500 million building a new terminal).
What other industries have you looked at lately for inspiration & solutions?
Question:
How do you know the path is the right path to take?
Answer:
When you don't feel prepared to take it.
Simple.
A few years ago, I found myself at the top of Blackcomb Mountain (Whistler, BC), staring down a chute that I definitely didn't feel prepared for. Right or wrong, I gave it everything I had. Good news, I made it out alive. Bad news, I had to buy new bindings. :P
Benefits of using Twitter
- Keep connecting with weak ties.
- Reduce phone calls asking "What's new?"
- Meet like minded people
- Be the first to know
Tips on How To Use It
Install Twhirl on your computer
http://www.twhirl.org/
Tips:
- If you put @[username] the person will see your message (aka Tweet) ex: Going running with @danmartell, @afoster
- Short URLS, Links = Great!!! www.moourl.com <- Paste long links to add to your Tweets.
References
Get Into Twitter or Get Out of Public Relations
http://www.pr-squared.com/2008/04/get_into_twitter_or_get_outta.html
Digital PR? No Twitter account is like no fax number in the 80’s
http://tweetpr.com/?p=16
Why Twitter Matters
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2008/tc20080514_269697.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily
I've had this on my Vision Board for a few months now, however, the other day, it seemed to be getting one step closer ... thought I'd share.
Mike Arrington (Founder of Techcrunch) recently spoke at Start-Up School. One of the points he made was in reference to Teddy Roosevelt speech, which he argues (and I agree) that start-ups are in the arena.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Reference
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