January 2022

Hi Gang,

In case you’re missing it…

Ironically, it’s a beautiful week in San Francisco… nary a raindrop in sight. The market is serving us torrential winds and rough waters, however. Is this the correction we’ve been bracing for? It may be a rude awakening for those who have ridden the wave for the past several years, but as FDR said, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”

What else is on your mind? A few thoughts and observations from where I sit, in no particular order…

• With our plans to return to hybrid work thwarted, I’m finding it increasingly intolerable to live out of a suitcase (metaphorically).

• In the senior ranks, local candidates and/or those who will relocate still have the upper hand. No one expects 5 days in the office, but investors and management want committed and focused team members. Being ‘in the neighborhood’ remains important.

• It seems like less of a “Great Resignation” and more of a “Great Flirtation” in our industry.

• We are predicting the rise of the COO! A majority of our CEOs (and other C-suite leaders) are first-timers. With management teams attempting to steer the ship remotely, new leaders joining, so many newly public companies, and yet still plenty of venture capital at the ready, CEOs need a strong set of hands to help mind the business. Enter the COO phenotype with strong operational chops and the necessary EQ to combat the challenges we unearthed in the recent Pulse Check Survey.

• Not sure what to make of hybrid conferences live/virtual… BioCom’s Partnering Conference in February will be an interesting experiment. I’m very ready for a field trip… hope to see you there IRL.

Thoughts? Would love to hear from you.

Fair winds,

Jackie