Scott Weiss
Scott Weiss
Scott Weiss is a venture capitalist at the Silicon Valley firm Andreessen Horowitz, joining in April 2011 as the firm’s fourth general partner. A native of Sarasota, Florida, he founded and was CEO of IronPort Systems, which Cisco acquired in 2007 for $830 million. Weiss has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
CountryUnited States of America
brightest home
For me, the brightest years at IronPort were without a doubt the darkest years at home.
connect greet standing
As CEO, I had a standing 30-minute meeting every Monday to greet and connect with new hires.
ceo companies good mechanism
Most companies don't have a good mechanism to give the CEO real, honest feedback.
avoid companies learning smaller
Working at a big company sucks - avoid it. Smaller companies are 10 times better for learning.
carries experience lasting
The first day, week and month of an employee's experience carries a lasting impression.
almost believe case experience helps share stories studies substitute
While there's no substitute for real experience, I believe it helps to hear and share stories of resourcefulness in action - almost like case studies in school.
absolutely break clutter credible deals expert hard matter money subject top
It's really hard to break through the clutter and get the attention of the top investors, as they typically only look at deals that come in from a warm, credible referral. There's absolutely nothing more credible than getting an endorsement from a well-known subject matter expert who has already put their own money into your company.
authentic essential
An approachable and authentic CEO is essential to fostering a high-performance, open communications culture.
definitely noticed suggest
I wouldn't suggest that being resourceful has anything to do with doing something illegal or unethical, but I've definitely noticed a pattern of being 'creative.'
buy high meal priority stop team work
When a team has to work over a weekend, make a high priority of being there as well, even if it's just to stop by and buy them a meal to show your appreciation.
best board ceos checking elected extensive means members reference sheet term themselves
The best board members aren't elected by default. CEOs that set themselves up with their choice of board member - which means getting more than one term sheet and doing extensive reference checking - are better off.
attend believe breakfast busiest business drive owners pack partner possible school
It's just not possible to be a real partner if you aren't materially participating. I believe even the busiest business owners must drive a carpool, pack a lunch, help with homework, make a breakfast or dinner, and consistently attend school events.
board business explore help opinions poles problems sharp surface
The thorniest business problems will surface at the board meetings, and the different, sharp opinions help to better explore the poles of the arguments to make better decisions.
helpful home rarely stated values
One of the stated values at IronPort was 'work/life balance,' but I wasn't living it. I was rarely home. And when I was home, well, let's just say I wasn't particularly helpful or cheery.