Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Gosh,  sounds very exciting.  I`m sure you will find someone within this community...makes me wish I had the expertise you are looking for.

Much success.

Try using the hyperlink button at the right with no add-on code.  If you`re getting the URL from a spreadsheet or Dreamweaver document, the clipboard may copy the special formatting along with the link itself. 

To answer Peter`s question, I would direct him to the source that I`m sure the StartupNation would direct him to - SCORE.  They may be just an advisory service, but they also know many CEOs who`d be willing to help out.

A Virtual CEO is tricky.  Obviously, you don`t want to give this person total control of your company.  Well, if that`s not going to happen, then he`s not a CEO but maybe a CFO-especially if they`re helping you do financial projections.  My advice would be to find someone who has some executive experience and offer them a small share (voting or non-voting) in the company in order to enlist their expertise.  But there are some things - such as creating business strategy, evaluating sales data, making direct mail campaigns, hiring the right printer, that you must handle yourself.

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"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.

I`ve actually use SCORE advisors in the beginning of my project for "proof of concept".  The great thing about SCORE is that I was able to narrow my search to advisors with specific experiences I was looking for.  They were only advisors.  I need someone to help me execute, have industry experience and contact to get that big contracts.  Offering equity in the company is part of the compensation and I`m more than willing to share the that for the right person. 

I was looking at Sloan Ventures site and saw some of the expertise on that team.  I wonder what I`d need to do to tap into their resources. Jeff & Rich?

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Peter Nguyen Founder 2Keene Ventures, LLC. www.premiersaver.com "Even heaven has a rainy day"

Then it sounds like you`re looking for an experienced sales VP.  You look like you have the financials, logistics, and operations down.  Now you just have to put the product out there aggressively.  The good news for you is that there`s no end of unemployed sales reps and executives in any industry.  Don`t turn down hiring on a lowly ex-sales rep to a higher position in your company.  After all, it`s the sales reps and not the VPs who have the contacts and take it with them when they are laid off.

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"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.

Thanks everyone.  I was able to find a network I can use : http://www.ceo-net.com/

 

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Peter Nguyen Founder 2Keene Ventures, LLC. www.premiersaver.com "Even heaven has a rainy day"

My firm does work very similar to what a Virtual CEO would provide.  We call it our Alliance Partner Contract.  For small and medium size companies we take on day-to-day responsibility.  It depends on the company what exactly those responsibilities are.

I must admit I am interested as to why you were looking for a network of virtual CEO`s, can you fill me in.

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Erik
www.usspin.com
www.unitedbusinessalliance.com