Didem Altop’s Post

Should You Appoint Someone Else as CEO? In the dynamic world of startups, the decision of who should lead the company as CEO is crucial and often full of complexities. I recently came across an insightful article on SaaStr that dives into this very topic, exploring when and why founders might consider appointing someone else as CEO. Whether it's Founder Fit vs CEO Fit or Scaling Challenges, the decision to appoint someone else as CEO is multifaceted and deeply personal for founders.

What do you make of "founder mode"? VCs who haven't been founders themselves don't know how founders should run companies, and C-level execs, as a class, include some of the most skillful liars in the world. [The more diplomatic way of phrasing this statement would be to say that experienced C-level execs are often very skilled at managing up. And I don't think anyone with knowledge of this world would dispute that.] #growth #founder #manager https://lnkd.in/dij2kmnD

💡 The Qualities of a Successful Founder 🕴 Just like our portfolio companies led by the founders we support, CENITZ is a startup navigating its own daily challenges and strategic decisions. This firsthand experience gives us a profound appreciation for the qualities that define an exceptional founder: 💼 Hard Skills Paired with Vision: Founders need deep industry and technical expertise to navigate complex markets, but it’s the ability to envision beyond today’s challenges and execute on that vision that really sets the best founders apart. 🧭 Great Leadership: True leaders set a direction, instil a sense of purpose, and foster a culture where every team member feels valued and motivated to contribute their best. 💪 Resilience and Adaptability: Every founder faces setbacks. Those who see these as learning moments and adapt quickly really stand out. 🤝 Communication and Relationship-Building: A founder’s ability to connect meaningfully (with investors, customers, and the team) is essential for rallying support and building trust. 🕰️ Dedication and Drive: The journey from idea to impact is long. The dedication to see it through, paired with relentless commitment, often separates great founders from the rest. At Cenitz, we invest early, and that means prioritizing #people over everything else. We know that #founders with these qualities lay the strongest foundation for #success. 

Happy Friday everyone! Just wanted to share that I attended a fantastic social founders event yesterday hosted by Caroline Diehl MBE, the founder of social founders. It was truly an amazing event filled with inspiring stories and journeys from fellow founders and entrepreneurs. Being in the presence of so many incredible individuals really made me realise that I haven't been owning the title of founder enough. Do you ever feel awkward when someone refers to you as the CEO or founder of your company? For me, it used to feel strange as I was more familiar with working for companies with managers and CEOs. However, it's important to remember that we are in these positions for a reason. Each of us has our own unique story of how we began our founder's journey, and it started with us. It takes courage to step into these roles, especially for those of us who may be introverted or extroverted. Success often comes when we step out of our comfort zones, so I encourage you to embrace your ideas and bring something new to the world. Start now, do your research, and fill the gaps that you see. You have the potential to create something unique and make a difference. Remember, you too can be a captain of your own ship or plane, and you deserve a seat at the table. Share your story and inspire others to do the same. I hope this message resonates with you and empowers you to embrace your role as a founder. #founderjourney #embracethejourney #stepoutofyourcomfortzone #fearless #leadershipdevelopment #successjourney #changemanagement #makesadifference

*When the CEO Doesn’t Want to Be the CEO* Sometimes, the Founder CEO doesn’t want to run the company when it reaches the scaling phase. Instead, they want to focus on the thing they love doing, the thing that got the business to be successful in the first place. For some, this is: 📲 Product 💻 Technology 🧾 Sales For traditional VCs, this can be a HUGE red flag. Why? 🚩 It’s interpreted as a lack of belief in the company. 🚩 'Superhero' founders, who can do everything, tend to be glamourized. If a founder is honest about where they excel and where they don’t, this can scare VCs off. 🔄 *At Kennet Partners we disagree! 🚫* •⁠ ⁠We often encounter great companies where the founder does not want to be the person running the business, and we are okay with that. We recognise that they want to focus on other functional areas or, in some cases, just want to bring on more experienced management to take the company from Act 1 to Act 2. When founders don’t want the role of CEO we will work with them to find the best CEO out there so that the they can focus on what interests them. While we see our #1 job as being of service to Founders, we also believe that there is a place in the world of growth capital for companies where the Founder chooses not to be the CEO. Let’s redefine what it means to be a successful founder. 🌟 🌟 🌟

Founders, Let's Talk Challenges vs. Problems! I just read a great piece by Julie Penner that really got me thinking about the ups and downs of being a founder. As founders, we often juggle multiple challenges at once. Julie Penner's insightful article breaks down six key paradoxes we need to manage: ☑️Humility vs. Confidence: Project confidence while staying open to feedback. ☑️Optimism vs. Reality: Hold onto hope but stay grounded in market realities. ☑️Daily Focus vs. Long-term Vision: Balance day-to-day tasks with future goals. ☑️Control vs. Letting Go: Know when to lead and when to trust your team. ☑️Chaos vs. Order: Find the sweet spot between flexibility and structure. ☑️Hard Stuff vs. Soft Stuff: Balance tangible metrics with the human side of your business. Navigating these challenges is part of what makes the entrepreneurial journey so rewarding! What paradox are you managing right now? 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gGGQ4kUg

These are the common mistakes I see that crush businesses before they launch. ☟ 1) Off-loading major strategic decisions to other professionals Once you graduate from ‘idea person’ to Owner and CEO, it’s your responsibility to steer the ship. First-time founders who lack experience or self-trust will often become co-dependent on other experts instead of rising into leadership. Seek advice, but develop authority, too. 2) Investing in quick-turn, done-for-you services before getting hands-on It’s tempting to speed up the process of going to market by handing off work to fast and cheap service providers. But founders who rush through foundational stages of business-building, like branding and strategic planning, end up paying for it later. 3) Building a team too quickly that they’re not equipped to manage Having the right collaborators is make-or-break for a business’s survival. But even the most talented team members will flounder under leadership that isn’t sturdy. Grow slowly and prioritize people who align with your vision, not just the role. 4) Getting distracted by trends Getting caught up in trends can cause founders to overcomplicate their MSP (minimum sellable product) or convolute their brand. When you’re courting your first customers, clarity and consistency are key. 💼 What questions do you have about launching a startup as a first-time founder? #BrandWhisperer #StartupFounder

DNA Meeting with Marc of Brexcel Corporation. “I realized that we have different principles so the execution is different,” Marc told me about his experience working with another organization. The founder and CEO of Brexcel Corporation, Marc belongs to our Quezon City Hub. Together with Jesa and Mich who are on the other table, we met at Bo’s Coffee G5 for our DNA Meeting. Here are three key take-aways from our exchange: 1. Principles. “It’s easier to do business with people who have the same mindset as ours,” Marc shared to me. Exactly. When people have the same business philosophy, trust is quickly built. 2. People. “The people I admire are here, and if I want to be like them, I must embody their values,” Marc shared to me. I pointed to the Bo’s Coffee signage. “We love Steve. He’s one of the first few people who helped and advised us as an ecosystem,” I told Marc. This is why we do our meetings at Bo’s Coffee. It is our way of honoring him for believing in us before people knew who we were. 3. Personal Values. “People here have integrity,” Marc told me. “What makes you say that?” I probed. “People matches what they preach with what they do,” he replied. “Example, when we visited Ms. Mel, everything she told me was logical and factual,” Marc added. I explained that the principles we share are backed by the practices we do with personal stories as example. “The DNA book is the missing piece that helped me understand what I experience in the ecosystem,” Marc shared. More often than not, we are the walking and talking DNA that people get to read. Together with the DNA book, it transforms a simple meeting into a powerful experience. #GreatByDesign #AlwaysDayOne #CEO #Startup #Business #Leadership #ecosystem

In a startup 🚀, alignment and teamwork are essential to achieve desired results. When someone goes full speed in a different direction, the little startup wastes valuable time and resources. The person might believe their 200-meter sprint adds value, but it often results in an unexpected 😤 opportunity cost for the small venture. Chapter two of alignment focuses on the company's value system. Core Values aren't just for impressing shareholders or decorating the office with posters. Core Values should provide guidance on how everyone is expected to behave within the company. Too often this is not seen as such. Align your organization to unlock tremendous impact through synergies. GO TOGETHER - however tiny of a group you are! STAY BOLD 💪 Hans #teamwork #management #synergies #alignment 🚀 Let me help you Succeed in America! hans@bergmanbold.com +1 514-506-4260

I recently read Paul Graham's essay on Founder mode and here's what I learnt: Conventional wisdom on managing large companies might not be the best fit for founders. There's a distinct "founder mode" of operation that can be more effective, even if it breaks traditional management rules. Key Takeaways: Founders often face pressure to adopt a "manager mode" as their companies grow, but this can be detrimental. "Founder mode" involves a more hands-on approach, even if it means bypassing traditional hierarchies or micromanaging. Founders like Steve Jobs have successfully employed founder mode, suggesting its potential. The concept of founder mode is still being explored, but understanding it could unlock even greater success for founders. It's important to be wary of C-level executives who may prioritize their own interests over the company's. Overall Message for Founders: Don't be afraid to break the mould and operate in a way that feels right for you as a #founder, even if it goes against established management practices.