Sustainable Technology Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers
Anthony Marchese, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
WEEK 15: THE NEW ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION
Readings for today Thomas Byers, Technology Ventures, 2010
Chapter 12 “The New Enterprise Organization”
The New Venture Team (i.e. the founders)
The Two Pizza Rule Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com argues that team size should follow the “two pizza rule”: just 2 pizzas should feed the entire team (i.e. 2 to 6 people).
The New Venture Team (i.e. the founders)
Envirofit: Willson, Hudnut, Lorenz, Bauer
Apple: Jobs (charismatic leader) Wozniak (engineering leader), Markkula (business and marketing)
Sprig Toys:
Abound Solar:
Characteristics of Effective Teams1. All members share leadership and
ownership
2. Communication is continuous
3. Tasks and purposes are well understood
4. People listen to each other
5. Most decisions are reached by consensus
6. Feedback on performance is frequent
7. Division of tasks is clear
8. Collaborative effort is the norm
9. Rely on each other and hold each other accountable
Leadership
Supporting Coaching
Delegating Directing
Sup
port
ive
Beh
avio
r (h
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Directive Behavior (Telling How)
low
high
highlow
Leadership
Supporting Coaching
Delegating Directing
Sup
port
ive
Beh
avio
r (h
elpi
ng)
Directive Behavior (Telling How)
low
high
highlow
Target Area
Seven Traits of Leaders1. Authenticity. Consistent actions and words2. Decisiveness. Willing to act on imperfect
information3. Focus. Create a priority list and stick to it.4. Care. Build relationships and social capital5. People Skills. Offer feedback and coaching
to team members.6. Communication. Stimulate conversation and
communicate vision. 7. Continuous Improvement. Keep learning
and energy flowing within the firm and retain optimism.
Board of Directors vs. Board of AdvisorsA Board of Directors is a group composed of key
officers of a corporation and outside members responsible for general oversight of the affairs of the corporate entity.
Overseer of corporation Select and approve appointment of CEO and other
officers Fiduciary responsibility: legal duty to act in the best
interests of the corporation and its stockholders.
A Board of Advisors is a group that might be formed to provide the firm with advice and contacts.
Members should have extensive skills and knowledge of field (technology or business)
Non-fiduciary and does not engage in legal or official actions of the corporation.
Free from liability.
Examples of Boards of Directors
Solix Biosystems
Ventria Biosciences
Firefly Medical
Organizational DesignThe 9 Elements of an Organization 1.Mission and vision2.Goals and objectives3.Strategy4.Capabilities and resources5.Processes and procedures6.Talent7.Leadership and management8.Shared values and culture9.Structure and Style
Organizational DesignThe 9 Elements of an Organization 1.Mission and vision2.Goals and objectives3.Strategy4.Capabilities and resources5.Processes and procedures6.Talent7.Leadership and management8.Shared values and culture9.Structure and Style
Elements of Organizational Design
Organizational CultureOrganizational culture is the bundle of values, norms and rituals that are shared by people in an organization and govern the way they interact with each other and with other stakeholders.
Closing Remarks: Strength of a TeamStrength of a Team: Vinod Khosla
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