Session 9: October 20, 2008

Building the Startup Team

Summary

We start with a continuation of how entrepreneurs gather and manage resources. Today's focus is on human resources. In class, we will also work through a structured process to improve the functioning of each project team.  We have two objectives.  The first is to vary the types of learning processes in the course, by using experiential learning.  The second is to learn about group dynamics and how to improve the functioning of teams and groups that you find yourself in, both during your educational experience and in your career.

Required Readings (Policy on Required Readings.)

• Readings from the Textbooks:
• Technology Ventures (Dorf and Byers): Ch 12 The New Enterprise Organization (Highlights: 12.3, 12.4, 12.7, 12.9, 12.10)
• Watch the following short video clips:
• Vinod Khosla (KPCB) - It's the Team
• Gajus Worthington (Fluidigm) - Founding Team: Technical or Business Saavy?
• John Hennessy (Stanford) - A Good Team Needs Technical and Non-Technical People
• Eric Schmidt, Larry Page (Google) - Founding Team Dynamics

Study Questions (Policy on Study Questions.)

• In start-ups, what are the key actions that a founder or CEO must take regarding human resources?
• Using an exercise developed by the noted author Jim Collins, we will fill out a Team Process Evaluation Sheet during class to measure and improve your team's performance. Please review the sheet and give some thought to this before coming to class.

OAP Assignment (Policy on Online Assignments.)

See OAP project page.