Insights on leadership, entrepreneurialism and management
Picking your first Board of Directors
Read moreCongratulations! You have grown your business to the point that you need a board of directors (BOD). The good news is that you have been successful enough to need a BOD. The bad news is that you need a...
Episode 22: Key to hiring the best employees
Read morehttp://toughthingsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/Episode-22-Key-to-hiring-the-best-employees.mp3Hiring really good employees predisposes your company toward success. But how do you do this? Ray Zinn knows how, having run the Silicon Valley semiconductor company with the lowest employee turnover rate.
Plans, Funds and Thinking
Read moreGo-to-market plans seem nearly out of vogue in Silicon Valley. After leading the most consistently profitable semiconductor company, and by doing so becoming the longest serving CEO in Silicon Valley, I decided to help a few startups with mentoring...
Episode 19 – Being Driven but not Being a Slave Driver
Read morehttp://toughthingsfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/Episode-19-Being-Driven-but-not-Being-a-Slave-Driver.mp3Entrepreneurs are driven. How can they remain driven without driving their employees crazy? Ray Zinn, the longest serving CEO in Silicon Valley explains to a special guest interviewer where the divide is between motivation and slave driving.
Debt: the toothsome tiger
Read moreCheap money is like cheap food. It tempts some people to overeat. Money has never been cheaper. Some nations, attempting to re-inflate their economies, are actually issuing zero percent loans to banks in the hope they will offer nearly...
The Advice to Follow … Or Not
Read more“You shouldn’t work for anyone.” That odd advice came from my boss over 40 years ago. It was insightful, timely and genuine guidance from a man holding a large purchase order from Texas Instruments for a product we did...