Comments on: Who not to take money from…

By: Mark MacLeod

Mark MacLeod — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:52:00 +0000

I have met many people that fit this description

By: JM

JM — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:23:00 +0000

The Condescending VC-Talks at you not to you. Says things like “a good CEO/Founder would…” Treats you like an inexperienced noob that is wasting his time.

By: Tori MacLean

Tori MacLean — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:59:00 +0000

Definitely not unique to just Alberta, just the market I’m most familiar with in Canada.

By: Mark MacLeod

Mark MacLeod — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:24:00 +0000

I didn’t check your experience. It was you who was questioning mine.

I’m also just winding you up a bit

By: Steve Davies

Steve Davies — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:15:00 +0000

Really? Is that a serious question? I was investing in startups back in the early 90s, running incubators and large industry JVs in media and telecoms, but I don’t measure my experience in years – some of the most important lessons were learned in a 3-5 year period.

Anyway, the perhaps the point I took most issue with was in reference to generalists (or multi-skilled specialists as I read your definition). I’ve met a lot of very talented people over the years who can stand toe to toe with the best expert in a particular field and yet do so in ‘many’ fields – don’t be so quick to write them off as generalists..

By: Mark MacLeod

Mark MacLeod — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:05:00 +0000

OK, so I need to ask how would years not have an impact on experience? And what is your experience in this? At least you’re scottish…

By: Mark MacLeod

Mark MacLeod — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Add the 12 years prior raising VC.

By: Steve Davies

Steve Davies — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:59:00 +0000

Since when do years equate with experience? As I said, I very much disagree on those two points which I presume must reflect what you’ve experienced in that time.

By: Mark MacLeod

Mark MacLeod — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:47:00 +0000

My lack of experience? You’re funny. I’ve been in this space since 99. What’s your bar for when you consider someone to be experienced?

By: Steve Davies

Steve Davies — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:02:00 +0000

Well I can see two of those I would disagree with, the outsider and the generalist, which seem to reflect your lack of experience rather than stand as genuine principles to avoid.

In fact anyone who uses a list to dictate their choices in life has questionable credibility.

Everyone needs to start somewhere, and therefore everyone at some stage was an outsider – my advice, use your own brain and judge people on the value they are able to bring, not which club they belong to.

And as far as specialists-vs-generalists – let’s clarify the meaning of those descriptions. A generalist who knows nothing in depth, then sure, don’t be stupid by asking someone for help who has no experience of your sector, but we don’t live in a world of specialists – there are many people whose talents extend beyond a single facet of expertise, so don’t dismiss someone just because they know too much – that would be the most stupid mistake of all..