the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Team Management: From your experience, what are the 'key' rules to building a great team for the long-term?
JS
JS
Jeff Ski Kinsey, Entrepreneur & Marketing Mad Man™ answered:

Great question with a number of answers, some of which might amaze you. Let's keep it simple: hire "A" team members. Period. There was a [at least one] blog post about how hiring "B" or "C" devs would destroy a startup within weeks. Same of any team. I love the expression, "Close enough for Rock & Roll", but that never works for hiring talent. And, if you don't know, every position is a 'talent' position in a startup. Sure, all the comments you have ever read about teaching and demanding team members pull their own weight, etc. are valuable. But start at the beginning. Plus, know that you cannot instill knowledge into others... they must seek it, consume it, and apply it for themselves. Final note for startups: hiring amazing talent from established firms is a huge challenge. Can they perform when there is no budget or assistants to do the work? Communicate what we call in the military, "Commanders Intent" and let the "A" players figure out the details.

Talk to Jeff Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.