Many startups have a great product that’s viable, marketable, and ripe with potential. But if that was the only indicator of success, then nine out of 10 startups wouldn’t fail. The annals of startup history wouldn’t be littered with instances of companies like Friendster or Color that had fantastic products, but eventually sank. The truth … Continue reading “What Is Causing Startups to Go Bankrupt?”
Author: Shellye Archambeau
Ms. Archambeau is the CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based, Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and Quality Management software company that helps companies around the world improve their business performance. Under Ms. Archambeau's leadership, MetricStream has grown into a recognized global market leader with over 1000 employees around the world. The company has been recognized for growth and innovation, and has been consistently named a leader in GRC by leading independent analyst firms.
Ms. Archambeau has proven global business expertise combined with public policy passion. As a member of the board of directors for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a nationally recognized organization focused on fostering a cooperative effort between business and government officials to address major public policy issues affecting Silicon Valley, Ms. Archambeau has led initiatives and Washington, DC delegations to address regulatory compliance and improve governance. She served on the Board of Directors, and the Audit and Technology committees for media research company, Arbitron, Inc. [NYSE: ARB] from 2005 until acquired by Nielsen in 2013. She currently serves on the board of directors of Verizon Communications Inc. [NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ], a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services.
Ms. Archambeau is a sought after speaker who has presented on GRC issues around the world to Fortune 500 corporations, members of Congress, and associations including IIA, ISACA, and NASDAQ. Ms. Archambeau is frequently quoted in top-tier media including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Compliance Week, Silicon Valley Business Journal, and currently pens a column on leadership and entrepreneurship for Xconomy. In April 2013, Ms. Archambeau was named the “#2 Most Influential African American in Technology” by Business Insider.
The Five Major Tech Trends of 2016
As we draw closer to the end of 2016, it is important that we take a moment to look back and reflect on all of the ways technology has inspired us, and transformed the way we live and do work. As technology becomes more pervasive in our lives, we increasingly look for simple but secure, … Continue reading “The Five Major Tech Trends of 2016”
What Startups Can Do About Cyber Attacks
A cybersecurity report by Ponemon Institute, in association with Keeper Security, found that in the 12 months leading up to June 2016, 55 percent of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) experienced a cyber attack, while 50 percent encountered data breaches involving customer and employee information. These statistics belie the common notion that cybercriminals attack only … Continue reading “What Startups Can Do About Cyber Attacks”
Balancing Risks and Opportunities: The Board’s Perspective
People start a business for many reasons. Some do it out of sheer passion, while others do it to create wealth and economic growth. Yet, underlying it all is a willingness to take risks. Entrepreneurs and established companies make risky decisions every day in the hope that those risks will translate into better opportunities, better … Continue reading “Balancing Risks and Opportunities: The Board’s Perspective”
There’s Never Been a Better Time for Female Tech Entrepreneurs
When I was a young girl, I knew that I wanted to run my own business someday. In fact, I would end up leading almost every club or team that I got involved in at school. However, by the time I actually began my career, I was well aware that the odds were not entirely … Continue reading “There’s Never Been a Better Time for Female Tech Entrepreneurs”
“Innovation” in a Competitive Startup Economy
Seventy-three percent of U.S. adults agree that we’re living in an age of significant innovation. Indeed, the pace at which new products and services are being developed is truly incredible. In 2014 alone, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted a record 300,678 utility patents – the most issued in a single year, ever. … Continue reading ““Innovation” in a Competitive Startup Economy”
The Power of Big Data for Startups
These days, the National Football League, BMW, and Uber have something in common — they’re all experimenting with big data in exciting new ways. The NFL is using big data to help football fans track how fast and how far their favorite players sprint during a game. BMW is using big data to help drivers … Continue reading “The Power of Big Data for Startups”
Four Strategies for Startups to Finish the Year Strong
It’s that time of the year again. While many are looking forward to the holiday season and counting down to the end of the year, businesses are engaged in the planning process for next year. No matter the size of your business, now is a great time to reflect on the past year, evaluate what … Continue reading “Four Strategies for Startups to Finish the Year Strong”
The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets
If you’re a startup or small business based in the U.S., chances are that you’re engaging with other emerging markets in some way or another. Perhaps you’re serving customers in those markets – or you have partners, suppliers, or consultants located there – or perhaps some of your team members are based there, or traveling … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets”
Five Obstacles That Impede Startup Innovation
If you’re building a startup, chances are that you’re aspiring to innovate – to create something new or do something differently. In fact, innovation and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. However, many startups unwittingly create obstacles that hamper innovation in their organization. What are some of those obstacles and how can you avoid them? Fear … Continue reading “Five Obstacles That Impede Startup Innovation”
3 Things Startups Need to Know to Move to the Cloud
Despite concerns around data security, businesses are optimistic about the cloud. In fact, software-as-a-service adoption has more than quintupled from 13 percent in 2011 to 72 percent in 2014, according to a cloud computing survey conducted by North Bridge Venture Partners and Gigaom Research. For startups, the cloud has always been a great equalizer, enabling … Continue reading “3 Things Startups Need to Know to Move to the Cloud”
My Best Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Tech Startups
What an incredible time to be a tech startup! The opportunities out there are just tremendous. Digital payments, wearable technology, mobile healthcare, virtual reality and gamification, predictive analytics, and green tech—these are just a few of the startup areas that are expected to be big this year, according to venture capitalists and industry experts. “Full … Continue reading “My Best Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Tech Startups”
The Risks and Opportunities in a Startup: Age 5 Years and Up
In my last two articles, I explored the top risks and opportunities that startups face during their first five years of existence. In this conclusion to the series, I’d like to discuss the final phase of startup growth—Year 5 and up. If your business has made it to the crucial 5-year mark, that’s a good … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities in a Startup: Age 5 Years and Up”
The Risks and Opportunities in a Startup: Age 2-5 Years
In my previous article, I discussed the key risks and opportunities that startups face when they’re just starting out. This time, I’d like to go one step further to the second phase of a startup’s growth: age 2-5 years. This is a critical period. The initial excitement of starting a business is over, and now … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities in a Startup: Age 2-5 Years”
The Risks and Opportunities in a Startup: Age 0-2 Years
It’s a great time to start a tech company. The economy is recovering. The business opportunities are immense. And thanks to the boom in seed investments and crowd-funding it’s easier than ever to raise money for the business. Meanwhile, cloud computing has leveled the playing field by minimizing upfront costs, while social media has made … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities in a Startup: Age 0-2 Years”
What I’ve Learned From 25 Years in the Tech Industry
Building and running a successful startup in America’s fiercely competitive tech industry is never easy. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution or manual for how to go about it. But as they say, experience is the best teacher. So it’s my pleasure to share with you some of my own experiences and observations in building and managing … Continue reading “What I’ve Learned From 25 Years in the Tech Industry”
Key Risk Conversations to Have With Your Board and Investors
Building a startup is a risky business. The only way to stay ahead of the risks is to be aware and informed about them. The board of directors, in particular, needs to know enough about the risks in the business to make well-rounded strategic decisions. As for investors, most of them do their own risk … Continue reading “Key Risk Conversations to Have With Your Board and Investors”
Three Key Workplace Policies that Startups Can’t Afford to Ignore
Most startups are focused on getting their business off the ground. As a result, they usually delay policy development until a later date. But here’s why it’s important to draft and implement certain policies right at the start of your business: Policies pre-empt and prevent misunderstandings between employees and employers about obligations and behavior at … Continue reading “Three Key Workplace Policies that Startups Can’t Afford to Ignore”
Cultivating Accountability in the Workplace
Accountability is one of the most important aspects of any business. A company that holds its employees accountable for the choices they make and the tasks they perform witnesses high levels of productivity and efficiency. In a startup too, a shared sense of accountability among employees makes all the difference in how they approach their … Continue reading “Cultivating Accountability in the Workplace”
4 IT Mistakes All Startups Should Avoid
Information Technology (IT) can be a startup’s biggest asset. Take, for instance, the cloud, mobile devices, and social media—they have all opened up exciting new business opportunities for startups, while also offering them the tools to grow their business powerfully. Yet, we have seen multiple startups make critical IT mistakes. Consequently, their business operations become … Continue reading “4 IT Mistakes All Startups Should Avoid”
4 Ways to Stop Social Media from Blowing Up In Your Startup’s Face
Social media offers startups a powerful platform to cost-effectively market their products and services, get their brand recognized, and engage with a wide audience of customers. Yet social media also throws up multiple risks. Many of these risks—be they security and privacy risks, compliance risks, or reputational risks—are not new. However, companies have become more … Continue reading “4 Ways to Stop Social Media from Blowing Up In Your Startup’s Face”
5 Practical Tips for Startups to Develop a Solid Brand Reputation
Every company wants to build a strong brand. However, for startups in today’s crowded marketplace, it can be quite challenging to get a brand noticed and recognized. I believe it’s always a good idea to study the best brands in the world, and see how they do things. So here are a few key tips … Continue reading “5 Practical Tips for Startups to Develop a Solid Brand Reputation”
4 Tech Trends That Will Impact Risk and Compliance Efforts in 2014
Once business organizations reach a certain size, their leaders have to start thinking systematically about how to structure reporting relationships to ensure vital information reaches the top; how to identify and account for the internal and external risks that could hobble the company; and how to ensure the organization is complying with a skein of … Continue reading “4 Tech Trends That Will Impact Risk and Compliance Efforts in 2014”
Four Reasons to Encourage Employees to Take Smart Risks
The economic downturn and subsequent market volatility have made risk into a four-letter word. Employees, in particular, are growing increasingly risk-averse, afraid of layoffs and the prospect of extended unemployment. Many of them opt to be cautious rather than brave, to stick to the status quo, and to keep their heads down, rather than challenge … Continue reading “Four Reasons to Encourage Employees to Take Smart Risks”
Four Startup Challenges that Technology Can Help Solve
Many startups think that their greatest challenge is to get funding. Sure, that’s tough. And when you do find a willing investor, half the battle is won. But after that, the real work begins. You need to build a good team, put in place processes and infrastructure, innovate, and of course, pursue aggressive marketing strategies. … Continue reading “Four Startup Challenges that Technology Can Help Solve”
The Top Five Traits to Look For in Prospective Startup Employees
Most successful entrepreneurs will tell you that the fastest way to kill a startup is to hire the wrong people. It’s true. As someone who has helped build multiple startups, I cannot overstate the importance of assembling a stellar core team. They are the ones who will transform your ideas into reality, and help you … Continue reading “The Top Five Traits to Look For in Prospective Startup Employees”
Complying with Regulations Doesn’t Have to Slow Down Your Startup
These are exciting times for innovators. Arguably never before have the right opportunities, circumstances, and technologies come together as they have today to create such a fertile ground for the creation of new products and services. Yet one of the biggest obstacles along the way is the increasing burden of regulations. And the ones who … Continue reading “Complying with Regulations Doesn’t Have to Slow Down Your Startup”
Why Women Tech Execs Can and Must Thrive on Risk
The stereotypical image of women as risk avoiders is changing fast. More women are occupying the boardroom, making important strategic decisions, and taking on high-risk responsibilities as CEOs, CFOs, and even chief risk officers. As a woman who worked her way up to various executive roles, and now as the CEO of a governance, risk, … Continue reading “Why Women Tech Execs Can and Must Thrive on Risk”
Creating a Strong and Sustainable Innovation Culture
Steve Jobs, one of the greatest innovators of our time, famously said, “Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have…It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and how much you get it.” Jobs’ quote is one that I work to embody every day in my role as CEO of … Continue reading “Creating a Strong and Sustainable Innovation Culture”
The Top 5 Risks Confronting Startups
You might have a great idea for a startup. You may be passionate, driven, and ready to go. But how ready are you to manage your risks? Many startups fail because of ineffective risk management. So how do you avoid a similar fate? It all depends on how well you understand and manage your risks. … Continue reading “The Top 5 Risks Confronting Startups”