Managing management

Let there be light.
You've successfully raised the cash, now you have to execute.
But first a thought. What kind of manager are you going to be? One that is passionate about his venture, meaning, getting the product out in perfect form, winning deals at all costs, pushing your sales and development teams to their limits? Or perhaps, A manager who is passionate about the people he has employed, keeping them happy, focused and motivated to the cause, enticing them to commit to every item in your execution plan.

Whichever your style, you'll find that at the end of the day its all about getting the young company from point A to Z (Z stands for zillion dollar exit). However or whatever type of manipulation or salutation you adapt while taking this long and bouncy ride, you'll need the basis or the foundation of your firm to be in line and in synch with your cause. I refer here to senior management. Recruiting the right people for those few senior positions, will determine the ability of the company to plan, execute, produce, deliver and deploy on the one hand and attract, market, prove and sell on the other. And let's not forget the effort put in maintaining a healthy and sustainable relationship with your clients. Without the right people on board these goals will not be reached.

 Who should be recruited?

Top notch tech wizards? Perhaps a sales ace? Hot shot CFOs? MBAs? PHDs?

I believe in two things when recruiting. Chemistry (a) between the candidate and yourself is the basis for the relationship. Remember this journey is going to be long and bouncy. A little analogue I use is, recruit the guy you'd like to find sitting next to you on that transatlantic flight. Everybody has flaws and knowledge gaps and no one is perfect, but if you get the relationship right, most problems are resolved in a decisive and productive manner. It's vital that your company solve its issues by discussion and not through thousands of pathetic emails. The second, is that your team as a whole must cover all needed skill sets and characteristics. You'll always need the one that is business minded, the creative one, the one that can present the sales pitch and of course the tech guy. And then there is the pedantic, the lazy guy that always has the solution, even the nasty boss type is needed to be mean when everybody is late on deadlines. You need an array of skills and characteristics at the top of your organization each covering for the other's gaps. Remember, no one is perfect and if someone thinks he knows it all, get rid of him today. The company must be driven by senior management as a team.

Teamwork at the top means teamwork throughout the company. Good relations, productive thinking and a rainbow of skills and characters will all shower success to your newly established firm.