[geeks] Discretion

[Lionel Peterson]

--- "Geoffrey S. Mendelson" <gsm at mendelson.com> wrote:
> I'm attepmting to start a company. At this stage we're in the looking
> for finacing stage. Like all things it starts out small and grows to
> the point that it's beyond my immediate control. 

I would provide these people with the tools and the restrictions to
enforce they "do the right thing"...

I would suggest giving each of them a secure email address, which has a
web interface (access from office),a nd conduct all corporate
communications via those email accounts. I would further attempt to
block any of those addresses from accepting email from any ID not on
your short list of team members.

I would encourage the use of cell phones for all calls, perhaps going
so far as to use caller-id and ask those that break the policy to call
back "from a secure line".

Finally, I would attempt to secure an agreement that their involvement
in the project is contingent upon them being able to freely
participate, and they need to testify that they have secured the right
to participate in the project from outside forces (employers,
non-compete clauses from previous employers, etc.) - and stipulate that
failure to do so may render their partnership in the project invalid.

I do not participate in the world of startups, but hope to soon - these
are my thoughts on the matter,


=====
Lionel

"Nothing would please me more than being able to hire ten
programmers and deluge the hobby market with good software"
Bill Gates, in "An OpenLetter to Hobbyists" dated February 3, 1976

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