• Mike Smerklo

    Thoughts on the entrepreneur's journey, leadership and life
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    "If there is dissatisfaction with the status quo, good. If there is ferment, so much the better. If there is restlessness, then let there be ideas, and hard thought, and hard work. If man feels small, let man make himself bigger." - Hubert Humphrey

    • Sep
      20

      What The Economist Got Wrong About the Decline of Silicon Valley

      by mike smerklo

      In summary, I would assert that the article is only half right – the data points they highlight about Silicon Valley are correct, but their assumptions about what that means for the future of innovation are wrong.

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    • Dec
      03

      Thoughts on the Current Startup and Venture Landscape

      by mike smerklo

      Investor Connect – Episode 154 – Michael Smerklo of Next Coast Ventures

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    • Jul
      23

      Are You a Glass Eater?

      by mike smerklo

      At Next Coast Ventures, we often get asked what an ideal investment looks like for us. What metrics do we look at to assess a business model? What’s our sweet spot? What makes us write the check?

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    • Apr
      04

      Advice For Entrepreneurs On Board Management: Mind The Information Gap

      by mike smerklo

      One, simple conversation with a mentor led me to realize that a Board can be the pivotal difference between success and failure during your entrepreneurial journey.

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    • Jan
      30

      The 3 Mistakes I Made as a CEO Learning To Manage Time

      by mike smerklo

      As a CEO, smart time management is critical to success. Let me tell you a dirty little secret: It doesn’t always come naturally, especially to entrepreneurs that become executives.

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    • Nov
      08

      Know Thyself, Know Thy Leader: Steps To Hiring A Successful Sales Leader

      by mike smerklo

      Getting sales right is the key to taking your idea, dream or emerging growth to the next level. Only by knowing thy self will you be able to know thy sales leader when you see them.

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    • Oct
      23

      Thoughts on Scaling a Sales Force (among other things)

      by mike smerklo

      I was fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss the ups and downs – and share lots of mistakes I made – in scaling the sales function.  Thanks much to James Lattin for moderating this session at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

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    • Aug
      14

      Help Us Get to SXSW’s 2018 Lineup

      by mike smerklo

        Wow, SXSW is coming soon and for a reasonably new resident of Austin – cheers to two years! – it is incredibly exciting time for me and for my venture firm, Next Coast Ventures. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I am a “south-by’ virgin, having only heard great things about this event, … Continue reading Help Us Get to SXSW’s 2018 Lineup

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    • More Posts

      Sep 20 What The Economist Got Wrong About the Decline of Silicon Valley
      Apr 26 Of Dogs. Of Miracles. Of Dogs Named Miracle…
      Apr 20 I Am the CEO … So Why Am I Confused About How I Should Spend My Time?
      Feb 22 What Entrepreneurs Can Learn About Public Speaking From (UGH..) Donald Trump
      Feb 15 How Entrepreneurs Can Think Like Venture Capitalists
      Nov 15 Are You Truly Ready To Be An Entrepreneur?
      Mar 09 Should the Customer Success Function Report to the Head of Sales or the CEO?
      Dec 28 OK GRAMPS – Now WTF Am I Supposed To Do With My Life?? (Part 2)
      Dec 01 Hey GRAMPS, Got Any Career Advice For a Young Buck Like Me?
      Nov 02 What Do Great Sales Leaders and Cats Have in Common? (Part 4 of 4)
      Oct 26 What Do Great Sales Leaders and Cats Have in Common? (Part 3 of 4)
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