Coburn Ventures Podcast #34: Questions for Management, Part 1: John Dillon
Jan 21, 2021
John Dillon, a seasoned CEO with experience in both private and public sectors and currently leading Aerospike, shares invaluable insights on corporate leadership. He discusses the critical relationship between shareholders and executives, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and transparency. Delving into the traits of successful CEOs, Dillon highlights how the dynamic of IT departments can offer competitive advantages. Additionally, he shares anecdotes that reveal the power of well-prepared questions in investor relations, driving home the need for genuine engagement.
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Early Investor Meeting Impact
- John Dillon shares a memorable early meeting with an investor that led to a genuine friendship.
- This interaction showcased openness and served as a model for investor-CEO dialogues.
Build Trust Before Details
- Start investor-CEO relationships with trust, assuming honesty rather than deception.
- Building rapport leads to more open and transparent communication about the business.
Prefer Small Zoom Meetings
- Prefer one-on-one Zoom meetings with CEOs over large group calls to build rapport.
- Avoid sharing sensitive insights in large group investor calls to protect your competitive advantage.