Equity Governance

 
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 Start with the end in mind.  What is the best structure for your company to thrive in the winds from competitor, government, employees and technology?

If your success is driven by business development, avoid loading up on people and process designed for processing the business developed. Why? Because there will always be bumps in the road; if you are assuming success, and it does not come at the pace you project, you will have an organization too rigid to adjust and a team great at defense but unable to move the ball!

As you build out your board, whether just friends/advisory/independent, consider what unique talent / contacts / experience each brings to your situation. If they are a reflection of the leader, they are not needed (and they will conclude they can do your job better than you, and they may become your replacement).

Allow your legal counsel to play devil’s advocate to help stress test your operating assumptions.