SYNC w/ John Greathouse 03/30/2010 Summary
Driving deals that have generated a sum of more than $350 million in shareholder value, CPA John Greathouse is a savvy yet daring businessman whose exploits for tech start-ups such as Computer Motion, Citrix Online, and CallWave have dubbed him a tour de force in business development and finance management. “I’m not a big reader of hot business books and trends,” says Greathouse. “My approach is elemental rather than academic.” This entrepreneur’s proven methodology looks to such analogies as the tribe, the band, and the trendsetter for effective team building and business strategy. “I look at a successful team and ask what makes them successful,” says Greathouse. “Bill Gates and Steve Jobs had an army of great people around them.” And these individuals, Greathouse is quick to point out, were effectively positioned within the company according to their talents and orientations.
The Band: Defining The Beatles
- Creativity & Flexibility: They were willing to do anything within legal means to win.
- Complimentary Talents & Balance: Four John Lenins wouldn’t have been as successful, says Greathouse. “The tension between them was what made them great.”
- Common Vision: They said they would be bigger than Elvis, believed it, and took incremental steps to make it a reality.
- Mutual Respect: They could have hard conversations and stay together.
- External Cohesion: When it came to talking to the public, they were on the same page.
The Tribe: Knowing Who’s Who & Proper Positioning
- Hunters: producers, tactical
- Skinners: administrators, communicative
- Chiefs: CEOs, make it work, cohesive
- Shamans: creative, visionary thinkers
- Tribal Elders: Board of Directors, offer sage advice
The Trendsetter: Dance Dance Revolution
This person is willing to be the first one on the dance floor in order to get the party started. Every start-up should have one. “Be that crazy person who is willing to dance alone,” says Greathouse. “It just takes a few brave souls to start a revolution.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frd0CPYuZgU&feature=fvw
Players: Who to Hire, How, and When
Where is your company developmentally? Do you need beach volleyball players (entrepreneurs and risk-takers) who will assume multiple positions to keep the ball in the air, or indoor players (employees) with set positions?
“Don’t hire an employee at the start of a company unless there is a place for him or her,” says Greathouse. Equally important is the ability to recognize raw talent. Some people are wrong on paper, but right in person, he says. As for reference checks, “The best references are non-references.” Think of a mutual acquaintance, and—in a positive manner—ask him or her how you might help this potential hire excel at your company. This will encourage a more authentic response and give you a better understanding of the person’s strengths and weaknesses.
Four Things a Successful Start-up Must Do:
1) Network: to find potential investors and to meet potential team members
2) Sell: to raise capital (funding) and to recruit team members
3) Negotiate: so you don’t give away your company
4) Build
“If you don’t like to do one of these things, you need someone on your team who does,” says Greathouse.
Hot Quotes:
“It just takes a few brave souls to start a revolution.”
“Only hire superstars.”
“Hire slow, fire fast.”
Books:
Yes! - Noah J. Goldstein
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
The Mouse Driver Chronicles by John Lusk & Kyle Harrison
They Made America, PBS Series (based on the book, They Made America, by Harold Evans)
Blog:
www.infochachkie.com
-Christie Myers
