day 881: Capital: Part Three - Value

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth"

 The issue with lots of investors (and Board of Directors for that matter) is that for what they were selected doesn’t necessarily translate to what the company or organization needs.  Investors what bring capital to the table many times don’t have either relevant industry experience or subject matter knowledge to really help the company along in the early days.  What they bring forward it money and something that they have accomplished along the way that got them into the investor seat.  This could have been that they were part of a company homerun exit for the firm and because of this they brought them inside to the investment firm.  Lots of times though that same very successful person will not have the depth of operating experience that the CEO/Founder craves.  They will certainly have tons of financial savvy and knowledge, connections with other investors and that network can be important for sure.  There are many investors who feel like their greatest contribution is helping the company land the next round of funding at an up valuation. And again, there is great value in that, but it’s not everything.  Founders/CEOs/Senior Team members should really not look to their financial investors to be the be all and end all. Instead they should be sure to look to round out their Board, fill in the gaps and ensure that around the table is a great blend of people who all share the same values, principles and desires for the future of the company.

Paul tells us where it is that we must stay focused and look towards for what we need to grow. How easy it is for us to get “distracted and swayed” by the advice of the world around us.  Look no further than the number of self-help and self-improvement books that are published each year.  Need a new diet, a new attitude, a new outlook, a new look, a new anything, and there is a book for it.  Add in the motivational and inspirational speakers, CDs, podcasts, websites, etc. and there is no shortage for ways to better and grow.  But, Paul tells us not to expect that true growth and value-add to come from these things.  He directs us back to the one always trusted, always relevant and always value-adding voice and that is the voice of God in our lives.  As we look around us to for the value that others can bring to us, let’s not put our faith there.  Let’s be sure and recognize that the truth only lies with Him!

Reference: 1 Corinthians 3:7  

day 880: Capital: Part Two - Ideas

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth"

New investors are exciting because they bring fresh thoughts and ideas to a business.  But, they also bring naive and inexperienced views to a business that they haven't been in the trenches with long enough to begin making declarations.  The smart capital investors will take their time to listen, learn and then begin to express their thoughts/points of view. I have always encouraged anyone who is new into a situation to be sure for a good period of time to end every sentence with a question mark.  Anything other than that, even if it is a soft suggestion that ends in a period, will be heard as an exclamation point and cause the people who are taking the input to say things to themselves like; "What does she know?", or "He hasn't been here long enough to understand our business", or "Who does he think he is?".  These can all be avoided with intelligent and thought-provoking questions, such as, "Have we ever thought about this differently?".  Simple to do, hard to stay to disciplined to do.  But, if we want our best ideas to be listened to and heard, we need to be sure that we have earned our place to provide that input.  Earning is different than purchasing the right, and that is where many new investors get tangled.  It's a good thing to remember that no place in the terms or purchase agreement did it say that the investment provides the ability to have all ideas listened to and implemented.

We must also check ourselves in how we present our own ideas to others.  The same value of listening and learning before we speak can make a difference in our relationship with co-workers, bosses, customers, etc.  I have thought that part of the reason that Jesus taught in parables was because He wanted our minds to be reasoning and thinking while we listen/read His words.  He could have been really prescriptive in His directions but He chose another method, which gave Him so much credibility with so many because those on the receiving end could see and hear themselves in His words.  We should take that model to heart and think about what our words are expressing about who we are, and more importantly, what others are seeing as a reflection from us.  Let's strive today for that reflection to be the face, mind and ideas of Christ.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 3:7