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Wayne Spivak President & CFO

HBR - Forget Business Plans; Here’s How to Really Size Up a Startup

Asked on Sept. 1, 2015

According to Jim Dougherty in his Harvard Business Review article, "If you want to really understand a firm’s strategy—whether it’s a start up or Fortune 500 firm–you need only two documents: the compensation plan and the pricing plan." What do you think? http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/10/forget-business-plans-heres-how-to-really-size-up-a-startup/

Answers

Ken Stumder Finance Director / Controller • October 21, 2013

Thanks Wayne - good read. I am inclined to agree with Jim's assertion that the comp plan and pricing model are management's expression of its go to market strategy - and especially the point that this may be incongruous with its stated strategic objectives. I love these quick "health checks" that can be taken when evaluating a business whether it be as an incoming exec or as an investor.

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