Square Zebra

The Female VC:

The first VC I ever went out with was a portly gentleman who's claim to fame was Telecommunications. I believe he asked me out because I impressed him with my knowledge of the color code. I actually found the post where I mention our first introduction:

Dec. 21/2000 - I went to an open house last night for a cmt company downtown in the Pioneer district.... Party itself was ok - met some interesting people. Lots of cute geeks, CEO wannabe's, (and) a VC thrown in for good measure...."

As time has passed I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of VCs and there is a common thread I have noticed... There are very few women VC's. (How annoying is that?)

According to a study from Growthink Research of Los Angeles and re:invention, inc., in 2003, women founded only 84 out of 1,860 companies profiled and received $783.8 million worth of venture capital. That amount was just 4.2 percent of the total $19 billion doled out to all companies in the study.- Inc Article

I think there are a few characteristics of VC's I have noticed and maybe women need to tap into them:
1 - Educated Risk Taker: As opposed to stupid risk takers. (They have MBA's from Harvard not University of Phoenix Online.)
2 - Competitive without personal attachment.
3 - Game Orientated (Be a team player AND the star quarterback.)
4 - Confidence! Make a decision without checking for everyone's approval. When's the last time you saw a guy ask his admin assistant for her (his?) opinion on in investment?
5 - Ability to adapt. VC's can change course on a dime if the data shows the need for it. And they know how to cut their losses and move on.
And the most important:
6 - There is no $ ceiling. To expand: I think most women, internally put a cap on their earning potential. Instead of viewing money as a means to an end they see it as a validation of where they fit in the social circle. (I stole that point from Barbara Stanny)

According to vfinance.com the typical Angle Investor "invests in one to four deals a year, looks for a 22 to 50 percent return on investment, and is most likely a self-made millionaire." - Article

Mr. Rich once told me: "Investing is a game of wits. The money doesn't define who I am. I just enjoy being smarter then everyone else at the table."

PS: Painting is done by Christina Saj

Leadership...

Leadership.... boy does that word annoy me more now then ever before. Why? Because 9 times out of 10 those that spout off they have the new fangled leadership "know how" all they really have is a new fad of touchy feely.

Want my definition? (Of course you do, you're here aren't ya?)

Leadership = Wisdom There, that's it.

So how does one (me/dictionary) define wisdom?
1 - The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight
2 - The sum of learning through the ages

I consider Solomon the 'wisest of writers' I have ever come across. His thoughts:
1 - A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels
2 - A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.
3 - He that has wisdom loves his own soul;...
4 - For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Sum Up:
A leader will:
1 - A leader will be able to discern and judge what is true
2 - A leader will continue to increase his/her learning
3 - A leader will listen first then make a decision
4 - A leader will value him/herself
5 - A leader will spend time in the council of the wise
6 - A leader will know there is nothing of monetary value that carries more worth then wisdom.

The man (woman) who wanders out of the way of understanding (wisdom) shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

My Fake Interview with Microsoft:

R took me out on Saturday night for a deli dinner and flick (Shark Tale.) At some point our conversation turned to the interviewing habits of Microsoft. R, apparently, has been getting feedback from interviewee's (and co-workers) that he is a "difficult" interviewer. To which I replied with "Duh, you're kind self-centered prick at times." (Don't you love relationships when you can be completely honest towards the the other persons mammoth faults?) Our conversation at Cinerama and my fake interview as follows:

R: I just think they should know what they are talking about.
D: Yeah but do you? Come on, if there are more complaints then compliments doesn't it lead to the fact you might be off centered and not the interviewees?
R: Let me interview you.
D: It would be entertaining to find out where you're screwing up at. It's not like you had any other job except working at MS. (Wouldn't want to hire anyone with outside experience! eek)
R: *glares*
D: *smiles sweetly*
R: Give me a project.
D: Have I done anything? ... *thinking*... Opened the first international office in Canada for a non-profit.
R: How did you do that?
D: Told em Canada was my bitch and they had to do what I said....
R: *stares*
D: OK... OK, serious... *deep breath to become professional*: It was brought to my attention we, the Executive Staff and Board of Directors, had many requests for our company to open locations in different areas of the world. Via an investigation we decided on Canada, the UK, and Japan were our best choices both culturally and legally. Canada was our first choice. I headed up that project.
R: How did you head it up?
D: First I had to create a process, in attempt to relieve any risks or obstacles that might occur. That included, location, dealing with trademark questions, legal issues,
R: *interrupting* So you dealt with lawyers?
D: See this might be the first of your problems, interrupting people.
R: You were going off on a tangent.
D: You can't let someone finish a thought.
R: *Stares at ceiling* Do you think the roof is a square or a rectangle?
D: *looks up*
R: Did you deal with lawyers?
D: Yes I did.
R: And?
D: And what?
R: You're comfortable dealing with lawyers?
D: I didn't say that. I said I dealt with them. If the job requires me to do something, even if I'm not comfortable with it, I can do it. I have no qualms about moving past my comfort zone. Change is something you have to deal with in life and at work.
R: What process do you use to hire people?
D: Process of HR.
R: What is that process?
D: I don't know, I don't work in HR.
R: You're being difficult.
D: You're staring at the ceiling trying to figure out if it's a square or a rectangle. How the heck did you ever get a job as an Engineer?
R: I'm Indian - they assume I'm good with computers.
D: Good point.
R: I think marketing would be fun.
D: God help us all.
R: Ever hire anyone?
D: Yes.
R: How did you do that?
D: Sent out a query, looked over responses, picked top 5 applications and did a series of interviews. *taking a deep pause...* Just kidding! I put everyone in a room and played itsy-mini-minie-mo.
R: You have really pretty eyes.
D: That's sexual harassment.
R: Shhhhh... the movie is about to start.

FC vs the Readers:

There is a collection of opinions, a debate if you will, over at brand autopsy concerning the future of Fast Company.

But is Fast Company still fast?

I’I'll admit there was a time (post dot-com meltdown and pre-John Byrne becoming editor-in-chief) where Fast Company seemed to lose its way. The articles lacked the zip and relevance they once had. And, the design of the magazine became too slick and too sterile. - blog

One of the most prevalent comments was FC just doesn’t speak to readers like it once did. It seems many folks believe FC’s mission circa 1996 no longer resonates in the bottom-line reality-based business environment of 2004. - blog pt.2

I encourage you to put your two cents in... results will be forward off to the editors of FC.

Mr. Rich... the Interview!

My interview with a slighly well known successful entrepreneur who I will call Mr. Rich (so he doesn't kill me for using his real name.) Everything said below is mostly true.

Me: Mr. Rich, what is your motto for management?
Rich: Find sheep.

Me: Sheep?
Rich: Yeah, sheep. Sheep do what you tell them to do and only baaaw when they are cranky.

Me: Uh, OK. So you view your employee's as sheep?
Rich: I sure do - You are either part of the herd or telling it what to do.

Me: Do your employees know you call them sheep? Do they care?
Rich: They probably know but I doubt they care. I pay them above industry standard, we provide a very flexible work schedule, great benefits, and a host of other options.

Me: So verbal abuse is OK as long as it's softened with money?
Rich: That about sums it up.

Me: Huh...... *slight pause*
Me: Before you decide to buy a company what do you look for?
Rich: Three things, who is my competitor, how much money can I make, and when will I make that money.

Me: What was your quickest turn around?
Rich: My latest venture. Had a profit in 6 weeks.

Me: Can I be blunt and ask how much you make an hour?
Rich: I make around 150K an hour

Me: Sh!t
Rich: I should be making 300K an hour.

Me: Isn't that greedy?
Rich: If I have the potential to make 300K an hour but I'm only pulling in 150K something isn't right. Its the same if you make 7 bucks an hour but your education and background says you should be making 14 an hour. What's stopping you from making that 14?

Me: Economy?
Rich: Bull. Economy can only take a small part of the blame. Its not trusting yourself to make that much. No one has faith in their abilities anymore. They don't trust themselves or think they are worth 14 an hour. My employees are paid above industry standard because they are worth more then that. They're a smart group.

Me: Even though you call them sheep?
Rich: *smiles* Yup!

Me: Do your employees have a nickname for you?
Rich: Yeah, I get called selfish prick a lot.

Me: How do you feel about that?
Rich: I feel fine about it. Didn't I just say my employees were smart? I am a selfish prick.

Me: Let's get back to your businesses. Have you ever failed on any business ventures?
Rich: Define failure. *pauses* Sure, lots of times from my own view but probably only one failure from the industry standards.

Me: Tell me about it. What was the business?
Rich: Drive by donuts. My partner and I were going to drive by all those software companies and sell coffee and donuts.

Me: That's a really stupid idea.
Rich: Yeah it was.

Me: Tell me about your family? Are they proud of your successes?
Rich: I'm the family idiot.

Me: Your kidding!
Rich: Nope. I'm considered the weakest link. My sisters are MD's. All my uncles have PhD's in physics, math, etc. One of my uncles is a rocket scientist who moonlights as a nuclear scientist. My aunts have MBA's. My mother keeps wondering when I'm going to get a real education and job. I'm the only member of my family that didn't make it into Mensa. I'm the only one with just a BA.

Me: Wow!
Me: Do you think you attempt to prove your worth to your family by making all this money?
Rich: Do you psychoanalyze everyone like this?

Me: Basically
Rich: You need to get laid more.

Me: Tell me about it.
Rich: Wanna do it?

Me: Sure. I charge 300K an hour

Good Girl...

I'll be the first to admit that I like hearing that phrase. "Good girl, Danielle." But apparently that is not the most empowering phrase out there.

As a child I would silently beg for those words and as an adult I have found I still silently beg for the 'job well done' phrase. Is there anything wrong with wanting praise? No, I don't believe so. It's value statement to who we are. Proving we are likable. I think the trick is comparing the level of praise for the level of self-esteem. Especially within the work environment.

If we judge ourselves by a standard of our own worth rather then the standard set up by others (be that a boss, co-worker, employee) we have more confidence to push our boundaries to their fullest extent.

In Dr. Lois P. Frankel book "Nice Girls don't get the Corner Office,” she states in mistake 19

"Likeability is a critical factor in your success. People get promoted, demoted, hired, and fired based on how likable they are. There's a little girl in all of us who wants to be liked - and there's nothing wrong with that. It's when the needs of the little girl overshadows the rational, adult woman when we get into trouble." - p56

One tip Dr. Lois P. Frankel gives when confronting issues that we would normally back down from in order to be 'liked' is: "When people get angry or annoyed with us, its' often for the purpose of getting us to do what they want. Don't fall for the ploy."

Women in Leadership?

Today in my writing group we discussed the power of women in leadership. Mainly how women lead differently then men. Although things were stated as "more nurturing" and "better communications" I didn't feel those were directly related to simply being a woman. I think a good leader would have those skills regardless if they were a male or female. Thus creating my list:

What Skills a Good Leader Embraces:
1. Listens
2. Communications
3. Tapped into the company environment
4. Looks for Win/Win situations
5. Has ability to make tough decisions
6. Negotiation
7. Creates long term benefits
8. Responsible
9. Accountability
10. Evokes passion

None of them seem gender specific in my head.

Agree/Disagree?

Change

Dana VanDen Heuvel posted a quick little step-by-step guide for change management via Booz, Allen, Hamilton.

My favorite:

6. Overcommunicate. Tell a consistent story through multiple, redundant channels

I remember a professor in my junior high speech class giving me this advice... "Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them. - Repeat as necessary." - Figure that is always the best way to deal with clients. Apparently there is no such thing as to much communication. Good rule of thumb when doing a bid as well.

Just popping by...

Just popping online for a few minutes. I'll officially be back on the 5th of May. In the mean time :) ...

Corporate Bull**** Generator for those that are in the mood to say "Hey, my boss says that!"

You betcha!

Can you really keep a client after you loose a bid to a competitor? I say "sure" but you have to know what to do. Here are a few from my common sense files:

**This list is based on no statistical or concrete data and is nothing more then a personal opinion.

1 - Don't be a Clucking Hen: No matter what happened don't bad mouth them to your other clients or people in the industry. Gotta vent? Write it down in a locked journal, call your mother, best friend, stop a stranger on the street.

2 - Gracias: Smile and thank them. The positive last impression is the most important impression you will ever make. "Thank you for the opportunity to meet and learn more about your business. I wish you success in all your endeavors." will go a lot farther then "*#&% you!"

3 - Eeebie-Jeebies: No stalking allowed. They chose someone else and you have to accept that. Don't add them to your newsletter list (unless previously requested) don't email them every other week to say "how's it going" and for pities sake, don't just "drop by."

4 - Merry Christmas: Do send them company Christmas card, birthday card (if sole proprietorship), etc. If you feel comfortable, personalize if with a hand written "Merry Christmas!" It's ok to send out a 'reminder.' It is not ok to bombard with junk mail.

5 - Basket of Eggs: Don't place all your energy into one possible client. Just like your portfolio your client list should be diversified. It will be a lot easier to breath and accept their refusal if you are not emotionally evolved before the work has even started.

Bottom line - Positive words and actions will go a lot farther in the long run then any hype built in the beginning. Is there a possibility of never having them as a client? Yup. But is there a a better chance of them remembering positive things and forwarding you on to others or even calling you back at a future date.... You betcha!