the probability of success
is equal to one minus the probability of failure.” The too cute concept
being communicated herein is that the lower you make the probability of
failure, the higher becomes your probability of succeeding. Knowing how
to fail, and then not doing it, becomes a big part of knowing how to
succeed.
Here in Silicon Valley, we see a lot of failure. Sure, local brand name companies, from Hewlett Packard to Google, make Silicon Valley look like a series of spectacular successes, but we have graveyards filled with the bones of that nobody ever knew, aside from some venture capitalists who lost a lot of money funding them. As an angel investor, many failures waiting happen come to me for investment.
There are many “rules” to success. Here are the most important rules for not failing, plus a bonus rule for excelling.
3. Personally bank two years' worth.
As a founder, you may have to go a while without a real paycheck. If you go bankrupt while your company is struggling to its feet, you may take the company down with you. Before you go into your startup full-time, make sure you have enough cash to pay all your essential bills for two entire years. It takes most companies three years -- a full product development and release cycle -- before they are solidly on their feet. Stay on your feet until your company is too.
Here in Silicon Valley, we see a lot of failure. Sure, local brand name companies, from Hewlett Packard to Google, make Silicon Valley look like a series of spectacular successes, but we have graveyards filled with the bones of that nobody ever knew, aside from some venture capitalists who lost a lot of money funding them. As an angel investor, many failures waiting happen come to me for investment.
There are many “rules” to success. Here are the most important rules for not failing, plus a bonus rule for excelling.
1. Be frugal.
At one time in Silicon Valley, new hires at tech firms were being given free leases on BMWs. The companies that did that -- and burned through all their investor cash -- are not with us anymore. Business has ups and downs. Part of surviving the down cycles is to not blow all your cash during the up cycle. Humorist Dave Barry once said the government needed the Department of Louise, consisting of a single mom named Louise who would disapprove any spending that was not absolutely necessary. You need to be your own Department of Louise.2. Bank for disaster.
There are down cycles, and there are calamities. I ran Micrel Corporation for 37 years, 36 of them profitably (on a GAAP basis). We had our share of stumbles, but we once lost a customer who represented 25 percent of our revenues. This caused significant hardships. Cash will get you through times of hardship better than an empty bank account or endless bridge loans. Bank your excess, and keep at least three months of operating capital in reserve. This way you can survive even the deepest of downturns.3. Personally bank two years' worth.
As a founder, you may have to go a while without a real paycheck. If you go bankrupt while your company is struggling to its feet, you may take the company down with you. Before you go into your startup full-time, make sure you have enough cash to pay all your essential bills for two entire years. It takes most companies three years -- a full product development and release cycle -- before they are solidly on their feet. Stay on your feet until your company is too.
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