Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
The State of the Canadian VC industry
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that VCs are heading for the door. “Not since the dot-com bust has the industry experienced as much turnover as it is now”. Partners from some of the biggest funds have retired or otherwise moved on. The same is true at all levels of these funds.
Healy Jones, a friend and former Associate at Atlas Ventures gave his very personal account of why he recently left the VC industry here. Its definitely worth reading. What should we make of all this turnover? Is this just part of the normal cycle of expansion or contraction that all industries go through? Or is there a bigger story here?...
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
Some suggestions for Canadian VC
For the 2nd time in a week, I read a pretty negative article about the Canadian VC industry. The latest being the Financial Post reporting on Canadian VC investment hitting a six year low. I’ve posted on Canadian VC returns in the past. The numbers speak for themselves and are not great…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
Financing Agents
I often speak with entrepreneurs looking for help in raising money. If you’re a 1 st time entrepreneur, don’t have a CFO and don’t have relationships with investors, where do you turn? One source out there is the agent - a person or firm that helps you raise money in exchange for a cut…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
Personal goals: What’s in it for your team?
The management team at one of my companiesrecently went offsite for some strategic planning. We covered the usual stuff (priorities, competition) and came out with some great thoughts and action plans. However, the two day session started off on a more personal note and I’d like to share that with you…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
Does your board add value?
Done right, board meetings can add tremendous value to your startup. Done wrong, they can just be a waste of time…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
Software M & A Market Update
I recently attended a seminar put on by Corum, one of the leading software M & A advisers. Here’s what they had to say about the state of the software / Internet M & A market…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
What happens when there’s a new CEO
It was big news in tech circles last month when we learned about the appointment of Carol Bartz as the new CEO of Yahoo!. With 13,000 employees and a languishing stock, she’s got her work cut out for her. Her appointment got me thinking about what happens to companies of all shapes and sizes when a new (outside) CEO shows up…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
The Board Meeting
In over 9 years of attending board meetings, I’ve seen my share of good and bad ones. The worst ones just go through the motions: management presents an update while board members check their blackberrys and tune out. The best meetings really tap into the deep experience and insights that board members, by virtue of the seniority that qualifies them to be on your board, can bring. Here’s my recipe for a good board meeting…
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
2009: The Year of the CFO
Economist Magazine has declared 2009 to be " the year of the CFO ". According to the highly esteemed publication "power will ebb from visionary bosses to the chief financial officer"...
Mark MacLeod
The CFOs Corner
The new hire checklist
Given the current economic climate, fewer companies are hiring these days. While the best candidates still have jobs, employers can still afford to be more picky when it comes to assessing potential team members. Here’s what I look for in all new hires. You won’t find this on the job descriptions, but nobody gets in the door without these traits…