A definitive book for any CEO - first time or otherwise - of a high-growth company.While big company CEOs are usually groomed for the job for years, startup CEOs aren't - and they're often young and relatively inexperienced in business in general.
Author Matt Blumberg, a technology and marketing entrepreneur, knows this all too well. Back in 1999, he started a company called Return Path, which later became the driving force behind the creation of his blog, OnlyOnce - because "you're only a first time CEO once."
Now, more than a decade later, he's written Startup CEO. As the fifth in the StartUp Revolution series, this reliable resource is based on Blumberg's experience as a startup CEO and covers a number of issues he's faced over the dozen years he's been a CEO.
Engaging and informative, this book is essential reading for any, and every, CEO.
Startup CEO
by Matt BlumbergI really want to be able to strongly recommend this to most of the startups I work with on a daily basis, but it's not for early stage startups. I have to keep in mind that this series of startup books originated with Brad Feld from Foundry Group, a venture firm that invests in Series A & B rounds. The vast majority of the startups I see and work with are at the angel and seed level of capital and growth. As such, advice such as annual 360 reviews is not the most critical advice I would offer early stage startups.
The title may have been better as "Scale-up CEO" and targeting companies that have found a scalable, repeatable business model.
With the idea in mind that this is for "scale-up" executives, then I heartily recommend it. But for me and my audience, it's something to aspire towards.
