Ask HN: I don't enjoy being a CTO. Now what?

Post by mxuribe » Mon, Jun 13, 2016, 3:19 PM UTC

DelaneyM wrote: post #90

goshx wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's funny how you hit the MBA nerve there. I've been considering going that route, but with the intention to get more involved with people from different backgrounds than anything else. I don't want the MBA to move away from my position as CTO, but to improve my abilities in other areas of the business and networking purposes. Would you still recommend not getting the MBA in that case? This is all in preparation to…

An MBA provides only one thing: the opportunity to stop doing engineering. Do you want to stop coding/building things, and instead build teams & business? Then do an MBA. There really is a lot to learn; it's not the irrelevant piece of paper it's often made out to be. The usual caveats apply (right school/program, work hard, etc.) Do you want to be a higher-impact engineer? Don't do it. Apply to YCombinator, build mo…

Post by mxuribe » Mon, Jun 13, 2016, 3:21 PM UTC

DelaneyM wrote: post #64

WhitneyLand wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given your technical background, be sure to involve someone with a strong sales/marketing point of view whether that's a cofounder, investor, or friend. Moreover make sure it's a relevant point of view. For example, someone with a great b2b pedigree won't necessarily add the most value if you're starting a consumer focused company. Most importantly, best of luck to you -

tl;dr: My first hire, and ideal cofounder, would be a really great CFO. (When I frame myself as a technical leader, there's a quick assumption that I don't grok sales/marketing. If I introduce myself as a "Harvard MBA & angel investor", there's an immediate conclusion that code is beyond me... Nice to know that, when both are presented, the engineer wins. :) ) That said, sales is one of the easiest areas to hire for.…

Post by ffumarola » Mon, Jun 13, 2016, 3:23 PM UTC

up_and_up wrote: post #97

Maybe seek out a VP Engineering role at a smaller company. To me VP of Eng is usually more hands-on technical vs CTO which is more strategic like applying technology to business and big picture. Not sure how old you are but a CTO role might make more sense later in life.

Post by pcl » Mon, Jun 13, 2016, 3:28 PM UTC

DelaneyM wrote: post #64

WhitneyLand wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given your technical background, be sure to involve someone with a strong sales/marketing point of view whether that's a cofounder, investor, or friend. Moreover make sure it's a relevant point of view. For example, someone with a great b2b pedigree won't necessarily add the most value if you're starting a consumer focused company. Most importantly, best of luck to you -

tl;dr: My first hire, and ideal cofounder, would be a really great CFO. (When I frame myself as a technical leader, there's a quick assumption that I don't grok sales/marketing. If I introduce myself as a "Harvard MBA & angel investor", there's an immediate conclusion that code is beyond me... Nice to know that, when both are presented, the engineer wins. :) ) That said, sales is one of the easiest areas to hire for.…

Post by dangoldin » Mon, Jun 13, 2016, 3:31 PM UTC