Anthony Marchese, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Sustainable Technology Entrepreneurship
for Scientists and Engineers
WEEK 15: THE NEW ENTERPRISE
O R G A N I Z AT I O N
Readings for today

Thomas Byers, Technology Ventures, 2010

Chapter 12 “The New Enterprise Organization”
The New Venture Team
(i.e. the founders)
The Two Pizza Rule Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com
argues that team size should follow the “two pizza rule”: just 2
pizzas should feed the entire team (i.e. 2 to 6 people).
The New Venture Team
(i.e. the founders)
Envirofit: Willson, Hudnut, Lorenz, Bauer
Apple: Jobs (charismatic leader) Wozniak (engineering
leader), Markkula (business and marketing)
Sprig Toys:
Abound Solar:
Characteristics of Effective Teams
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
All members share leadership and
ownership
Communication is continuous
Tasks and purposes are well
understood
People listen to each other
Most decisions are reached by
consensus
Feedback on performance is
frequent
Division of tasks is clear
Collaborative effort is the norm
Rely on each other and hold each
other accountable
Leadership
Supportive Behavior (helping)
high
Supporting
Coaching
Delegating
Directing
low
low
Directive Behavior (Telling How)
high
Leadership
Supportive Behavior (helping)
high
Supporting
Coaching
Target Area
Delegating
Directing
low
low
Directive Behavior (Telling How)
high
Seven Traits of Leaders
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Authenticity. Consistent actions and words
Decisiveness. Willing to act on imperfect information
Focus. Create a priority list and stick to it.
Care. Build relationships and social capital
People Skills. Offer feedback and coaching to team
members.
Communication. Stimulate conversation and
communicate vision.
Continuous Improvement. Keep learning and
energy flowing within the firm and retain optimism.
Board of Directors vs. Board of Advisors
A Board of Directors is a group composed of key officers of a
corporation and outside members responsible for general oversight
of the affairs of the corporate entity.
 Overseer of corporation
 Select and approve appointment of CEO and other officers
 Fiduciary responsibility: legal duty to act in the best interests of the
corporation and its stockholders.
A Board of Advisors is a group that might be formed to provide the
firm with advice and contacts.
 Members should have extensive skills and knowledge of field
(technology or business)
 Non-fiduciary and does not engage in legal or official actions of the
corporation.
 Free from liability.
Examples of Boards of Directors
Solix Biosystems
Ventria Biosciences
Firefly Medical
Organizational Design
The 9 Elements of an Organization
1. Mission and vision
2. Goals and objectives
3. Strategy
4. Capabilities and resources
5. Processes and procedures
6. Talent
7. Leadership and management
8. Shared values and culture
9. Structure and Style
Organizational Design
The 9 Elements of an Organization
1. Mission and vision
2. Goals and objectives
3. Strategy
4. Capabilities and resources
5. Processes and procedures
6. Talent
7. Leadership and management
8. Shared values and culture
9. Structure and Style
Elements of Organizational Design
Organizational Culture
Organizational culture is the bundle of values, norms and rituals that are
shared by people in an organization and govern the way they interact with
each other and with other stakeholders.
Closing Remarks: Strength of a Team
Strength of a Team:Vinod Khosla