Newsletter #51: Why VCs Don’t Actually Build Unicorns

SCALE UP Newsletter #51

Welcome to Scale Up, the smarter way to grow with fractional executives.

In this edition:
💰 VCs Don’t Start Unicorns: #1 Lesson You Should Know
🚀 The Rise of the Fractional CMO & CDO
📚 10 Best Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Should Listen To

Let’s dive right in. 👇🏼

PODCAST: How to Give Your Team the Feedback They Actually Need

How does giving critical feedback affect your team's success? Researchers Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall believe many managers waste too much time fixing weaknesses instead of building on strengths.

In this episode, they share tips on how to have more effective conversations about performance by concentrating on your team members’ strengths.

hbr.org

VCs Don’t Start Unicorns: The No.1 Lesson From Andreessen Horowitz

Venture capitalists are like roosters: they announce new beginnings but don’t create them. Even top VC funds like Andreessen Horowitz learned this the hard way when they left Miami because nobody was there.

They moved to Miami expecting a surge of successful startups from people leaving New York and California, but the vibrant startup scene they hoped for never developed. Now, two years later, they’re packing up and leaving. This situation offers key lessons for entrepreneurs, city planners, and VCs.

forbes.com

The Rise of the Fractional CMO & CDO

Consulting isn’t a new idea, but recent events have created a lot of opportunities for executives to offer their services on a part-time basis. 

We’re seeing more executive-level marketers and data professionals becoming fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) or Chief Data Officers (CDOs). These experts work with multiple clients, giving them access to their skills and experience at a lower cost than hiring someone full-time for a C-suite position. 

The author spoke with several marketing and data experts in the Asia-Pacific region to dive deeper into this trend.

bandt.com.au

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After I Read 40 Books on Money - Here's What Will Make You Rich

In this video, Mark Tilbury condenses lessons from 40 money books, emphasizing mindset shifts, habit-building, and strategic wealth creation through unique skills, investments, and scalable systems.

The 10 Best Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Should Listen to for Growth, Strategy and Success

To stay ahead in business, you need to keep learning from industry leaders, investors, and innovators. Podcasts are a great and convenient way to do this—they offer real stories, expert advice, and valuable insights from people who have built, scaled, and sold successful companies.

If you’re serious about boosting your business, adding these 10 podcasts to your routine is a smart choice.

entrepreneur.com

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