How to get everyone at your startup to work as hard as you
If you have not read Jason Calacanis's post on "How to save money running a startup" - you should. Its a good read. Mostly money saving tips for software / internet startups alone. I know more entrepreneurs who do a much better job of saving money when they are not funded yet.
I was struck by post 11 as was Jennifer but for different reasons:
11. Fire people who are not workaholics. Come on folks, this is startup life, it's not a game. don't work at a startup if you're not into it—go work at the post office or starbucks if you're not into it you want balance in your life. For realz.
Not sure I agree with this 100%.
The passion, zest and commitment for the "idea" or "goal" or "mission" drops about 10% for every new person you add to the team.
What I mean by that is that your #1 employee (outside of founders) is 10% less committed to the idea than you (since it was not theirs) and the #2 hire is 10% less committed than #1 and so on. In all the startups I have started (4) this is a hard fact you have to face. Before you get all upset about that %, realize its a rough number.
Which is why Paul Graham's piece is true about large companies. Employee #383 is looking for a paycheck and a job NOT to change the world.
Second point: Read Om Malik's "What the past three months have taught me". If you are an obsessive compulsive type realize this is where you are headed.
I dont advocate perfect balance. That usually is not possible as a startup founder. But killing yourself doing a startup is so NOT worth it.
I was struck by post 11 as was Jennifer but for different reasons:
11. Fire people who are not workaholics. Come on folks, this is startup life, it's not a game. don't work at a startup if you're not into it—go work at the post office or starbucks if you're not into it you want balance in your life. For realz.
Not sure I agree with this 100%.
The passion, zest and commitment for the "idea" or "goal" or "mission" drops about 10% for every new person you add to the team.
What I mean by that is that your #1 employee (outside of founders) is 10% less committed to the idea than you (since it was not theirs) and the #2 hire is 10% less committed than #1 and so on. In all the startups I have started (4) this is a hard fact you have to face. Before you get all upset about that %, realize its a rough number.
Which is why Paul Graham's piece is true about large companies. Employee #383 is looking for a paycheck and a job NOT to change the world.
Second point: Read Om Malik's "What the past three months have taught me". If you are an obsessive compulsive type realize this is where you are headed.
I dont advocate perfect balance. That usually is not possible as a startup founder. But killing yourself doing a startup is so NOT worth it.
I've only done startups over the past 10yrs and this idea of no balance is bullshit. It can be done especially now with virtual collaboration tools. I enjoy a family of four and doing another startup.
I do agree fully that employee dilution is a problem in the early stage. Stay lean and hungry until the venture is on the runway or off the ground.
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John
Very good point. I have to agree that balance can be achieved, but very few people can.
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nice post Mukund and your "10% rule" is spot on. Jason is looking for attention anyway he can get it. You could not pay enough to work for a schmuck like him
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I agree with Jennifer. A startup requires a huge commitment to get up and running. Everything has to be invented, reinvented, created and marketed. There is NO room for fat or leaving at 5 PM. One of my colleagues once told me that your company is only as strong as the weakest employee. I agree, people tend to dumb down as less performing staff come on board. Having employed 30 people in an company that developed online communities since 1995, the one thing I learned (late) was to fire anyone who did not put the customer before themselves. Ball games, family events and other things are secondary to the customer and the process in a start up. If you want a job that gives you balance work for a big company.
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Unfortunately, I have to agree with Don on this topic. A startup takes time and commitment and it isn't something for everyone. When hiring and this is the expectation (that level of commitment) it is important that you inform the employee about it. You would be surprised how many "good" candidates will decline after fully understanding this point.
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