Comments on: 10 skills I look for before writing a check, Part 3: Detail Orientation, Competitiveness, Decisiveness

By: Alan White

Alan White — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:55:34 +0000

It’s intriguing that Mark uses the word “Skills” to describe these entrepreneurial qualities. Does that imply they can be learned or adopted? Some of the skills seem more like innate character traits. My takeaway is that these skills come naturally to some but can be learned by others. In any case, if you don’t have all or most of those characteristics, keep your day job or start a conventional small business in a market that isn’t hypercompetitive. I can do that!

By: JMS_Colorado

JMS_Colorado — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:30:01 +0000

Outstanding series, far more worthy of print, and even video, than the millions of the other self-help, how-to-run-a-business, how-be-successful, marketing hype (crap) out in today’s market. Practical, insightful, founded and proven while also so basic in many ways we ALL forget to “restate” and “rework” the obvious.

To share and organize this all at no cost or even a “freemium” click is admirable. Through offerings like this, our great global economy will soon thrive again… even if only a small percentage of the readers you’ve helped take to action with most if not all of your skills recommendations.

These 12 will be a barometer for the final grading our our soon to be released business plan.

Great Work!

By: Mark Suster

Mark Suster — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:45:40 +0000

I like win/win solutions and I’m a huge fan of Stephen Covey. But win/win still means you need to win also.

Regarding age, I’m always sizing up people’s age and how it might be a strength or weakness to them. But… there is no “right” or “wrong” age. In different people it may help or hinder.

By: Lee G Turley

Lee G Turley — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:08:09 +0000

Mark, this really is great insight, especially for fledgling entrepreneurs. Could you give me a little clarification on “nice guy” and how “win win” (Stephen Covey) comes into play with competitiveness?

Also, and more importantly, when a 24-year-old stands in front of you to present his/her first start-up and team, what are you thinking? How are you perceiving them in context of their age? Are you considering their age? Are you looking for experience in their team to compensate? If they have more experienced members on the team would you want them at the helm even if they are not the ones with the vision?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:52:05 +0000

I’ve been working in the IT industry as a programmer for three years, during which time I’ve learned that the qualities you say make a good entrepreneur are the same ones that also make a good manager. I didn’t realize this until I read this post. Thank you for sharing your insights as an entrepreneur as well as a VC.

By: Whitefawn

Whitefawn — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:23:43 +0000

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the blog writings.

I agree with Startupguy. There are very few early stage investors, and angels went undercover.

By: Startupguy

Startupguy — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:50:14 +0000

There are a few early stage investors, not many are doing deals these days.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:22:03 +0000

Very nice to hear the other side of the story, what you think, and how you interpret signals. But these things are not set in stone, correct? I assume you make exceptions and ultimately decide on a case-by-case basis?

By: Mark Suster

Mark Suster — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:12:07 +0000

Thanks, Jordan. Yeah, it’s kind of hard to really appreciate if you haven’t been there.

By: Mark Suster

Mark Suster — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:11:34 +0000

Thank you for the feedback. To clarify – I REALLY value integrity. I tried to keep my points to “what it takes to succeed” rather than just “what it takes to get a check from me” which is why the integrity point was the final thought. Hope that was clear.

I would also say that you need not be afraid of all VCs. There are many that have very high integrity that can be confirmed by many people over several years including: Gus Tai, Jon Callaghan, Howard Morgan and many, many more. There are many advantages to having capital as you grow or I wouldn’t be a VC.

Good luck with the start of your entrepreneurial career.