Some important observations from Intel's former Chief Executive & Chairman, a man recognized as having a monumental role in the success of Intel and Silicon Valley. As summarized in the 1/12/09 issue of Business Week, he is credited with saving the U.S. chip industry and Intel in the 1980's. Currently an advisor to Intel, here are some of his tidbits of wisdom:
- Only the paranoid survive.
- The Valley's techies don't worry enough. He sees shortsightedness and shortage of ambition in Silicon Valley.
- What really infuriates him is the concept of the "exit strategy". That's when leaders of startup companies make plans to sell out to the highest bidder rather than trying to build important companies over a long period. "Intel never had an exit strategy."
The greed being bemoaned in our culture today isn't limited to the banking/brokerage industries. There's a pervasive mentality - human nature I suppose - to cash-in/get rich quick. The growing sophistication of the global economy (see Friedman's The World is Flat), and the global economic tsunami that became headline news beginning back in September 2008 all heighten the importance and value of Grove's observations and guidance.
- The Valley's techies don't worry enough. He sees shortsightedness and shortage of ambition in Silicon Valley.
- What really infuriates him is the concept of the "exit strategy". That's when leaders of startup companies make plans to sell out to the highest bidder rather than trying to build important companies over a long period. "Intel never had an exit strategy."
The greed being bemoaned in our culture today isn't limited to the banking/brokerage industries. There's a pervasive mentality - human nature I suppose - to cash-in/get rich quick. The growing sophistication of the global economy (see Friedman's The World is Flat), and the global economic tsunami that became headline news beginning back in September 2008 all heighten the importance and value of Grove's observations and guidance.
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