Dear VCs: measure and monitor the right things and returns will increase. But how? This week we continue walking through our framework (and some of our tools) to derive smart, data-driven KPIs. Again, let’s start with the “why.” KPIs, and reclaiming them from guesswork, is a favorite topic of mine…

Measure and monitor the right things and returns will increase. But how? Here’s a look into our process and some of our tools to derive smart KPIs. (Spoiler alert: it’s analytical, not guesswork.) First, the “why.” I write and talk at length about KPIs. The underlying philosophy is: the process…

A lot of VC investing is driven by cognitive bias. The bad news is that it’s a drag on return. The good news is there’s a solution. …

Point of Information: what’s a Mystery Shopper? A Mystery Shopper is a type of field researcher who poses as a regular customer to evaluate the performance of salespeople, customer service representatives, and other elements of customer experience (CX). I’m using this term somewhat cheekily. More broadly, this is “On-site Market Research,” and it’s not just for CX…

The Puzzle has a Name Generally (and I realize this is an oversimplification, but…), a fund’s existing portfolio is the driver of return. New companies (or any new asset) represent only potential return. It’s a puzzle, then, that VCs spend so much more time on sourcing new companies than managing the positions of the ones…

In a perfect world: your brilliant investment thesis would be enough to fundraise successfully with reasonable effort. In the real world: it’s not. At first glance—i.e. the only glance most funds get—your fund looks no different than the staggering number of VC funds an LP meets in a month/quarter/year. In…

This is true (and often overlooked). The "belonging" is indeed a two-way street.

It’s been just under 2 months since YC advised its founders to hunker down in light of the recent market downturn. When I read it, I mostly agreed — I am wired for bootstrapping and sustainable growth in all market climates. But it struck me as missing something. Granted, it…

What a wonderful way to phrase this. 👏🏾