OpenView Blog » George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com A blog focused on agile development, business development strategies, content marketing, corporate venture capital, lead generation and SaaS best practices. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:00:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Your Reputation is Your Integrity: Don’t Compromise Either One for a Shorter Path to Success http://blog.openviewpartners.com/business-integrity-building-and-maintaining-your-reputation/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/business-integrity-building-and-maintaining-your-reputation/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:10:42 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=31918 Your reputation is the only thing you can truly carry with you throughout your career. Maintaining business integrity allows you to cultivate that reputation.

Your Reputation is Your Integrity: Don’t Compromise Either One for a Shorter Path to Success" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/business-integrity-building-and-maintaining-your-reputation/feed/ 0 Building a Sustainable Business: Learning from Groupon’s Mistakes http://blog.openviewpartners.com/building-a-sustainable-business-learning-from-groupon-mistakes/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/building-a-sustainable-business-learning-from-groupon-mistakes/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:36:32 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=31407 Searching for proof that building a sustainable business requires more than just short-term success? Look no further than Groupon and make sure you learn from its mistakes.

Building a Sustainable Business: Learning from Groupon’s Mistakes" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/building-a-sustainable-business-learning-from-groupon-mistakes/feed/ 0 The Decision Maker’s Mark: Why Being a Leader Means Not Being a Waffler http://blog.openviewpartners.com/leadership-decision-making-lessons/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/leadership-decision-making-lessons/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:29:49 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=30129 Nothing can paralyze a business more than a leader who is tentative or hesitant about making decisions. Here are lessons I learned that can help you with your own leadership decision making.

The Decision Maker’s Mark: Why Being a Leader Means Not Being a Waffler" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/leadership-decision-making-lessons/feed/ 0 Want to Drive Efficient Growth? Focus on the 3 Things that Matter Most http://blog.openviewpartners.com/drive-efficient-growth-focus-on-3-things-that-matter-most/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/drive-efficient-growth-focus-on-3-things-that-matter-most/#comments Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:17:56 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=29187 The biggest mistake most expansion-stage companies make is trying to do too much. The key to achieving sustainable, efficient growth is focusing on the three things that matter most.

Want to Drive Efficient Growth? Focus on the 3 Things that Matter Most" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/drive-efficient-growth-focus-on-3-things-that-matter-most/feed/ 0 Are You Prepared to Pivot? Why Modern Corporate Strategies Must Be Transitional http://blog.openviewpartners.com/corporate-strategy-preparred-to-pivot/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/corporate-strategy-preparred-to-pivot/#comments Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:31:06 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=28020 Your corporate strategies should never be etched in stone, or even written in permanent marker. They should be responsive and adjustable to current and future market needs -- in short, you need to be prepared to pivot.

Are You Prepared to Pivot? Why Modern Corporate Strategies Must Be Transitional" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/corporate-strategy-preparred-to-pivot/feed/ 0 The Importance of Saying “No” in Business (and Explaining Why Not) http://blog.openviewpartners.com/importance-of-saying-no-and-explaining-why-not/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/importance-of-saying-no-and-explaining-why-not/#comments Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:31:42 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=26800 Despite what many "yes men" would have you believe, giving "no" for an answer is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it could just save your company.

The Importance of Saying “No” in Business (and Explaining Why Not)" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/importance-of-saying-no-and-explaining-why-not/feed/ 0 The Truth Hurts: Why the Customer is NOT Always Right http://blog.openviewpartners.com/why-the-customer-is-not-always-right/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/why-the-customer-is-not-always-right/#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:04:14 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=25733 It may be contrary to everything you’ve heard or been told, but it’s true: the customer is not always right. Just because a customer wants, needs, or expects something doesn’t mean you should deliver it. Doing so might ultimately take your business in a direction it shouldn’t be going.

The Truth Hurts: Why the Customer is NOT Always Right" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/why-the-customer-is-not-always-right/feed/ 0 Listen Up! If You’re Not Tuning in to Employee and Customer Feedback Then You’re Not a Leader http://blog.openviewpartners.com/leadership-skills-listening-to-employee-and-customer-feedback/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/leadership-skills-listening-to-employee-and-customer-feedback/#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:23:33 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=24498 I've got news for leaders who prefer the sound of their own voice -- if you’re not using your ears, you’re not leading at all. One of the most valuable leadership skills is listening.

Listen Up! If You’re Not Tuning in to Employee and Customer Feedback Then You’re Not a Leader" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/leadership-skills-listening-to-employee-and-customer-feedback/feed/ 0 People Are Your Only Sustainable Strategic Advantage http://blog.openviewpartners.com/people-are-your-only-sustainable-strategic-advantage/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/people-are-your-only-sustainable-strategic-advantage/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:21:28 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=24270 Regardless of how great your products and ideas are, your people ultimately build, sell, and support them. The world’s best companies are able to continuously recruit and retain outstanding people and cultivate employee loyalty.

People Are Your Only Sustainable Strategic Advantage" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/people-are-your-only-sustainable-strategic-advantage/feed/ 0 Change is the Only Constant You’ll Face: 3 Secrets to Successful Business Change Management http://blog.openviewpartners.com/business-change-management-3-secrets-to-becoming-successfully-adaptable/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/business-change-management-3-secrets-to-becoming-successfully-adaptable/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:47:02 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=23606 Great businesses are able to grow in good times and bad, largely because they’ve mastered three secrets to business change management.

Change is the Only Constant You’ll Face: 3 Secrets to Successful Business Change Management" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/business-change-management-3-secrets-to-becoming-successfully-adaptable/feed/ 0 10 Entrepreneur Leadership Lessons from My 25-Year Software Career http://blog.openviewpartners.com/10-entrepreneur-leadership-lessons-from-my-25-year-software-career/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/10-entrepreneur-leadership-lessons-from-my-25-year-software-career/#comments Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:51:17 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=23151 In this new blog series I will share 10 specific business philosophies and entrepreneur leadership lessons gleaned from a 25-year career in software.

10 Entrepreneur Leadership Lessons from My 25-Year Software Career" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/10-entrepreneur-leadership-lessons-from-my-25-year-software-career/feed/ 18 Being A Good VC Is Like Being A Good Father http://blog.openviewpartners.com/being-a-good-vc-is-like-being-a-good-father/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/being-a-good-vc-is-like-being-a-good-father/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:29:45 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=21394 At the end of the day, the best compliment a good venture capitalist can receive is the same one fathers will hope to receive this Father's Day.

Being A Good VC Is Like Being A Good Father" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/being-a-good-vc-is-like-being-a-good-father/feed/ 0 3 Fatal CEO Mistakes http://blog.openviewpartners.com/3-fatal-ceo-mistakes/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/3-fatal-ceo-mistakes/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:40:57 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=21359 Everyone makes mistakes -- even CEOs -- and the important thing is to learn from them. Or better yet, avoid the mistake by learning from others.

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/3-fatal-ceo-mistakes/feed/ 0 Leveraging the Board of Directors: A Teachable Moment For CEOs http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceo-advice-leveraging-board-of-directors/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceo-advice-leveraging-board-of-directors/#comments Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:29:19 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=20998 A goal of every CEO and board of directors member needs to be addressing "elephant-in-the-room" challenges and responding with teachable moments.

Leveraging the Board of Directors: A Teachable Moment For CEOs" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceo-advice-leveraging-board-of-directors/feed/ 0 Don’t Be Haunted By “IP” Mistakes http://blog.openviewpartners.com/dont-be-haunted-by-ip-mistakes/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/dont-be-haunted-by-ip-mistakes/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 18:08:29 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=20159 When it's time to raise capital these five IP mistakes can come back to haunt founders and/or CEOs, regardless of what stage their company is in.

Don’t Be Haunted By “IP” Mistakes" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/dont-be-haunted-by-ip-mistakes/feed/ 0 Why One of Your Board Meeting Goals Should Be Addressing the Elephant in the Room http://blog.openviewpartners.com/why-one-of-your-board-meeting-goals-should-be-addressing-the-elephant-in-the-room/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/why-one-of-your-board-meeting-goals-should-be-addressing-the-elephant-in-the-room/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:57:43 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=19430 One of the functions of a board meeting should be to discuss any issues or problems, no matter how prickly. That means addressing the elephant in the room.

Why One of Your Board Meeting Goals Should Be Addressing the Elephant in the Room" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/why-one-of-your-board-meeting-goals-should-be-addressing-the-elephant-in-the-room/feed/ 1 One Billion Dollars… Was Instagram Worth It? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-billion-dollars-was-instagram-worth-it/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-billion-dollars-was-instagram-worth-it/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:39:54 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=19089 One thing that the Instagram acquisition proves is that if you get the user experience right, magic can happen when it comes time for an exit or an IPO.

One Billion Dollars… Was Instagram Worth It?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-billion-dollars-was-instagram-worth-it/feed/ 2 Have What It Takes to Be a Strategic Leader? 6 Habits to Pick Up Now. http://blog.openviewpartners.com/have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-strategic-leader-6-habits-to-pick-up-now/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-strategic-leader-6-habits-to-pick-up-now/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:30:41 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=18493 Today's companies need adaptive and strategic leadership now more than ever. Here are six habits of leaders who fit the bill.

Have What It Takes to Be a Strategic Leader? 6 Habits to Pick Up Now." target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-strategic-leader-6-habits-to-pick-up-now/feed/ 2 OpenView… We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby http://blog.openviewpartners.com/openview-weve-come-a-long-way-baby/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/openview-weve-come-a-long-way-baby/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:00:49 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=18005 In the last five years, OpenView Partners has gone from a fledgling company with nine team members to becoming a top-10 venture capital firm. Here are just a couple of the highlights from our short history.

OpenView… We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/openview-weve-come-a-long-way-baby/feed/ 0 9 Surefire Ways To Destroy Employee Morale http://blog.openviewpartners.com/9-surefire-ways-to-destroy-employee-morale/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/9-surefire-ways-to-destroy-employee-morale/#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:31 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=17838 Over the years I have witnessed numerous ways in which companies, founders, CEOs and managers have hurt employee morale, which in turn hurt company performance and in some cases doomed them to failure. Here are nine great ways to do just that.

9 Surefire Ways To Destroy Employee Morale" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/9-surefire-ways-to-destroy-employee-morale/feed/ 2 Build A More Successful Company: Learn to Listen! http://blog.openviewpartners.com/build-a-more-successful-company-learn-to-listen/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/build-a-more-successful-company-learn-to-listen/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:00:12 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=17555 Learning to listen to your employees, customers, partners, board members or stakeholders is truly the key to understanding... and understanding is the key to building a better business.

Build A More Successful Company: Learn to Listen!" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/build-a-more-successful-company-learn-to-listen/feed/ 1 CEOs: Looking to Boost Your Slowing Growth? Try These Ideas http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-looking-to-boost-your-slowing-growth-try-these-ideas/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-looking-to-boost-your-slowing-growth-try-these-ideas/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:00:18 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=17267 I was checking out a few blogs this week and I read Phillip Morettini’s (Morettini on Management) blog post titled, “Flattening of The Growth Curve” that I thought I would pass on. In the post, Philip discusses how you can try to boost your companies growth when it starts to slow down. He talks about…

CEOs: Looking to Boost Your Slowing Growth? Try These Ideas" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-looking-to-boost-your-slowing-growth-try-these-ideas/feed/ 0 CEOs: Fire These Employees If You Want to Grow Your Business http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-fire-these-employees-if-you-want-to-grow-your-business/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-fire-these-employees-if-you-want-to-grow-your-business/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:27:54 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=16990 I was checking out the Small Business Section in the WSJ today and came across an article by guest columnist Mike Michalowicz. I have read several articles by Mike in the past and this one, like his others, is worth passing along. In his column, Mike talked about how important it is to have a…

CEOs: Fire These Employees If You Want to Grow Your Business" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-fire-these-employees-if-you-want-to-grow-your-business/feed/ 1 CEOs: 6 Ways To Run Better Meetings http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-6-ways-to-run-better-meetings/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-6-ways-to-run-better-meetings/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:28:05 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=16658 Put an end to those endless, one-sided, do-nothing meetings with these tips for running a better corporate meeting.

CEOs: 6 Ways To Run Better Meetings" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-6-ways-to-run-better-meetings/feed/ 1 A VC Defines His Perfect Day http://blog.openviewpartners.com/a-vc-defines-his-perfect-day/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/a-vc-defines-his-perfect-day/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:39:47 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=16033 For a VC, there's nothing quite like watching portfolio companies and their founders grow.

A VC Defines His Perfect Day" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/a-vc-defines-his-perfect-day/feed/ 1 CEOs: Why Belichick and the Patriots Lost the Super Bowl http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-why-belichick-and-the-patriots-lost-the-super-bowl/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-why-belichick-and-the-patriots-lost-the-super-bowl/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:52:51 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=16287 The real reason why the Giants upset the Patriots on Sunday (hint: it has little to do with Wes Welker's dropped pass) and how it relates to small companies.

CEOs: Why Belichick and the Patriots Lost the Super Bowl" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-why-belichick-and-the-patriots-lost-the-super-bowl/feed/ 2 What CEOs Can Learn From Bill Belichick… http://blog.openviewpartners.com/what-ceos-can-learn-from-bill-belichick/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/what-ceos-can-learn-from-bill-belichick/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:24:07 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=16081 As we know this is Super Bowl week and all the hype that goes with it. However one thing that stands out between the teams playing is the ongoing high level of success the Patriots have had since Bill Belichick became their coach. During the interviews that have been written, I read Kevin Faulk’s response to…

What CEOs Can Learn From Bill Belichick…" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/what-ceos-can-learn-from-bill-belichick/feed/ 1 Go with a VC That is More Than a Rolodex: Part 2 http://blog.openviewpartners.com/go-with-a-vc-that-is-more-than-a-rolodex-part-2/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/go-with-a-vc-that-is-more-than-a-rolodex-part-2/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:28:59 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=15586 Last week I wrote about how OpenView and OpenView Labs work with our portfolio company’s founders, CEOs and Management Teams after we invest venture capital in their expansion stage software company. Some of you who know us understand our philosophy in building great companies. We don’t believe it is about the money or growth capital…

Go with a VC That is More Than a Rolodex: Part 2" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/go-with-a-vc-that-is-more-than-a-rolodex-part-2/feed/ 0 Go with a VC That is More Than a Rolodex http://blog.openviewpartners.com/go-with-a-vc-that-is-more-than-a-rolodex/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/go-with-a-vc-that-is-more-than-a-rolodex/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:45:05 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=15334 Remember the old joke… “I’m a VC and I’m here to help”? Well, at OpenView Partners it is no joke. We have a firm where the mission after we invest venture capital is to help founders, CEOs and their management teams build great companies with a focus on every company reaching a successful exit (not…

Go with a VC That is More Than a Rolodex" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/go-with-a-vc-that-is-more-than-a-rolodex/feed/ 0 Happy New Year… And You’d Better Be Running http://blog.openviewpartners.com/happy-new-year-and-youd-better-be-running/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/happy-new-year-and-youd-better-be-running/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:31:22 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=14801 Last week being the first week of the New Year, I flew to Boston on Tuesday 1/3 to meet with the OpenView Team to accomplish several objectives: We did out annual retrospective as a team against the firms 2011 goals We set our annual 2012 goals for the Outbound, OpenView Labs and the Investment Teams…

Happy New Year… And You’d Better Be Running" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/happy-new-year-and-youd-better-be-running/feed/ 0 One CEO’s New Years Resolution: Win/Loss Reviews http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-ceos-new-years-resolution-winloss-reviews/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-ceos-new-years-resolution-winloss-reviews/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:28:15 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=14278 I was just touching base with each of my CEOs as we wrap up the year asking them to send an update to the board with their projected close for the quarter. In my discussion with one CEO he gave me the update on where they would finish against the budget in bookings and revenue.…

One CEO’s New Years Resolution: Win/Loss Reviews" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-ceos-new-years-resolution-winloss-reviews/feed/ 1 Lies Entrepreneurs Tell… http://blog.openviewpartners.com/lies-entrepreneurs-tell/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/lies-entrepreneurs-tell/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:00:56 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=14001 In Tech Crunch last week there was blog titled “The Lies Entrepreneurs Tell” by AshKan Karbasfrooshan the founder and CEO of WatchMoJo. The 5 lies he lists are: Lie No. 1: “I have no regrets” or “If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t do it any differently” Lie No. 2: “It’s not personal,…

Lies Entrepreneurs Tell…" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/lies-entrepreneurs-tell/feed/ 0 CEOs Looking For Board Feedback, Try This http://blog.openviewpartners.com/board-feedback/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/board-feedback/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:00:05 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=13924 At OpenView Partners, a point person plays three roles over the lifetime of a portfolio company: Investor: this is the least amount of time since we wear this hat during negotiation and due diligence before we invest growth capital in an expansion stage company and then at exit time. Board Member: this is the role…

CEOs Looking For Board Feedback, Try This" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/board-feedback/feed/ 0 What Startup To Build? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/what-startup-to-build/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/what-startup-to-build/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:07:58 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=13749 I read Steve Poland’s guest post at Tech Crunch last week. While I enjoyed his post, what I really enjoyed was the image that accompanied it: OpenView Venture Partners invests growth capital in expansion stage software, internet software, software leveraged services or software based appliance companies that are generating bookings and or revenues of at…

What Startup To Build?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/what-startup-to-build/feed/ 0 CEOs: With 8 Days ’til the End of the Year, Do You Know What Your Sales Reps Are Doing? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-with-8-days-til-the-end-of-the-year-do-you-what-your-sales-reps-are-doing/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-with-8-days-til-the-end-of-the-year-do-you-what-your-sales-reps-are-doing/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:54:33 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=13602 For many of you, the end of the fiscal year is fast approaching and the common assumption is that all of the sales reps are busy closing deals at a feverish pace right up until midnight Hawaii time on Dec. 31. That is not the case. Yes, some sales people will be busy right up…

CEOs: With 8 Days ’til the End of the Year, Do You Know What Your Sales Reps Are Doing?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-with-8-days-til-the-end-of-the-year-do-you-what-your-sales-reps-are-doing/feed/ 0 Hiring Issues: Follow-Up To “One CEO’s Definition Of A Perfect Day” http://blog.openviewpartners.com/hiring-issues-follow-up-to-one-ceos-definition-of-a-perfect-day/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/hiring-issues-follow-up-to-one-ceos-definition-of-a-perfect-day/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:50:32 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=13383 I received a lot of positive feedback on the blog I wrote about a discussion I had with a successful former CEO I promoted and mentored as a management team member at Oracle, followed throughout his career, learned as much from them as I gave and consider a great friend. After I wrote the blog…

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/hiring-issues-follow-up-to-one-ceos-definition-of-a-perfect-day/feed/ 0 FY 2012 is Coming: How to Keep the Customers You Have http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-how-to-keep-the-customers-you-have/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-how-to-keep-the-customers-you-have/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:58:34 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=13323 The last several weeks I have written a couple of blogs about how some of our portfolio companies have adopted some new processes to improve their customer service. These companies have goals of keeping the customers they already have and growing their top line revenues while improving profitability. Here are my previous posts: FY 2012…

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-how-to-keep-the-customers-you-have/feed/ 0 CEOs… Avoid These 5 Common Strategy Mistakes http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-avoid-these-5-common-strategy-mistakes/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-avoid-these-5-common-strategy-mistakes/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:56:51 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=13144 2012 is right around the corner, and while many people are in the holiday spirit, most CEOs and management teams in early and expansion stage software companies are heads-down finishing out their fiscal year while at the same time defining their strategy for the upcoming new year. In doing my weekly reading I came across…

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-avoid-these-5-common-strategy-mistakes/feed/ 2 One CEO’s Definition Of A Perfect Day http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-ceos-definition-of-a-perfect-day/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-ceos-definition-of-a-perfect-day/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:20:09 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=12976 A week ago after I had a discussion with a good friend who is also a successful former CEO on several topics I wrote a blog titled “So You Think You Want To Be A CEO: What You Should Do“. During our discussion, we talked about his definition of a “Perfect” day as CEO. I…

One CEO’s Definition Of A Perfect Day" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/one-ceos-definition-of-a-perfect-day/feed/ 4 FY 2012 is Coming: CEOs, Are You Measuring Innovation? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-are-you-measuring-innovation/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-are-you-measuring-innovation/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:51:29 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=12839 Marty Cagan is a partner in the Silicon Valley Product Group for Product Management. Earlier this year, Marty helped OpenView and it’s portfolio companies when he led a Quarterly forum on Product Management. The purpose of the forum was to help CEOs, Development leaders and Product Managers… …understand industry best practices in terms of roles and…

FY 2012 is Coming: CEOs, Are You Measuring Innovation?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-are-you-measuring-innovation/feed/ 0 So You Think You Want To Be A CEO: What You Should Do http://blog.openviewpartners.com/so-you-think-you-want-to-be-a-ceo-what-you-should-do/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/so-you-think-you-want-to-be-a-ceo-what-you-should-do/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:43:19 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=12725 If you you think you want to be a CEO, what should you do? I was talking to a former CEO who had a very successful exit almost two years ago. This a good friend who I have known for over 20 years now. I first met him when I interviewed him to take my…

So You Think You Want To Be A CEO: What You Should Do" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/so-you-think-you-want-to-be-a-ceo-what-you-should-do/feed/ 5 Support Strategy: Everybody In the Pool http://blog.openviewpartners.com/support-strategy-everybody-in-the-pool/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/support-strategy-everybody-in-the-pool/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:56:31 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=12432 A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog sharing a support strategy that came out of a quarterly operational review we do with our portfolio companies titled “2012 is Coming: CEO’s, Service Your Customers Like BMW.” Today I wanted to share another strategy for support that came out of the operations reviews at one…

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/support-strategy-everybody-in-the-pool/feed/ 4 CEOs: Teach Your Team The No Whining Rule http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-teach-your-team-the-no-whining-rule/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-teach-your-team-the-no-whining-rule/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:39:05 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=12335 When OpenView Partners invests growth capital in an expansion stage software company we work closely in developing the CEOs and their management teams in order to help them execute their strategies and build great companies that achieve strategic exits for everyone. As the CEO you should spend your time working with the management team setting…

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/ceos-teach-your-team-the-no-whining-rule/feed/ 0 Superhero CEOs Share Their Top 5 Scaling Lessons http://blog.openviewpartners.com/superhero-ceos-share-their-top-5-scaling-lessons/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/superhero-ceos-share-their-top-5-scaling-lessons/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:54:55 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=12147 Now that we are all back after the Thanksgiving Holiday trying to work off too much turkey with trimmings and whatever else was on our holiday tables, I thought I would share a light article that I read this week when I came back. At OpenView we are big fans of learning from other successful…

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]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/superhero-ceos-share-their-top-5-scaling-lessons/feed/ 0 FY 2012 is Coming: CEOs, Service Your Customers Like BMW http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-service-your-customers-like-bmw/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-service-your-customers-like-bmw/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:51:10 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=11997 OpenView Partners believes that building great software companies is not about the growth capital we invest but about how the CEO and management team leverage the capital to improve their operational execution. This will allow them to scale the business rapidly to dominate the market segment they target. As operationally experienced venture partners, we don’t…

FY 2012 is Coming: CEOs, Service Your Customers Like BMW" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-service-your-customers-like-bmw/feed/ 0 FY2012 is Coming: CEOs, Why Not Consider Raising Prices? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy2012-is-coming-ceos-why-not-consider-raising-prices/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy2012-is-coming-ceos-why-not-consider-raising-prices/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:44:47 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=11910 2012 is right around the corner and CEOs and management teams in early and expansion stage software companies are in the middle of strategy and budget planning sessions and everyone is looking for ways to generate more bookings and revenue growth. We all know the common way this is done is by companies spending more…

FY2012 is Coming: CEOs, Why Not Consider Raising Prices?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy2012-is-coming-ceos-why-not-consider-raising-prices/feed/ 0 FY2012 Is Coming: CEOs, What About Your Management Team? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy2012-is-coming-ceos-what-about-your-management-team/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy2012-is-coming-ceos-what-about-your-management-team/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:43:49 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=11803 In preparation for 2012, over the last several weeks I have covered the importance of making sure your mission and vision are on target and that your board is still relevant. This week I would like to cover the need for the CEO to take a hard look at Your current management team Your 2012…

FY2012 Is Coming: CEOs, What About Your Management Team?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy2012-is-coming-ceos-what-about-your-management-team/feed/ 0 Innovation Lessons from the WSJ’s Entrepreneurship Contest http://blog.openviewpartners.com/innovation-lessons-from-the-wsjs-entrepreneurship-contest/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/innovation-lessons-from-the-wsjs-entrepreneurship-contest/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:55:45 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=11645 Despite having spent 30+ years in the software industry where innovation, disruption and creative ideas are recipes for success, I am always looking for ways to think about improving businesses from all industry sources — ideas that I can share with OpenView Partner’s portfolio company CEO’s and management teams to help them build great companies.…

Innovation Lessons from the WSJ’s Entrepreneurship Contest" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/innovation-lessons-from-the-wsjs-entrepreneurship-contest/feed/ 0 FY 2012 is Coming: CEOs, Is Your Expansion Stage Board Still Relevant? http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-is-your-expansion-stage-board-still-relevant/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-is-your-expansion-stage-board-still-relevant/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:26:05 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=11291 Last week I talked about how a CEO or Founder who is planning for 2012 should make sure that their Mission and Vision are still on target based on how the company, the competition and their markets have evolved over the last 12 months. Last year I wrote a blog post about how OpenView Partners…

FY 2012 is Coming: CEOs, Is Your Expansion Stage Board Still Relevant?" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

]]> http://blog.openviewpartners.com/fy-2012-is-coming-ceos-is-your-expansion-stage-board-still-relevant/feed/ 0 New Survey Tool is Every CEO’s Crystal Ball http://blog.openviewpartners.com/new-survey-tool-is-every-ceos-crystal-ball/ http://blog.openviewpartners.com/new-survey-tool-is-every-ceos-crystal-ball/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:39:01 +0000 George Roberts http://blog.openviewpartners.com/?p=11248 Every founder / CEO in the software industry I know would love to have a crystal ball to help them and their management teams make the right decisions when it comes to strategic issues like New product offerings that will grow revenues The right competitive messages that will resonate with their prospects in their current…

New Survey Tool is Every CEO’s Crystal Ball" target="_blank" style="font-family:sans-serif;text-decoration:none;" >ᔥ via OpenView Blog

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