I 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.
Publisher’s Summary
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.