How would you foresee yourself spending your time in this small company?

Of course that depends somewhat on the precise definition of my role, but only partially. Ironically, the fun and challenging aspects of guiding a small business to growth are also the tough and risky parts. My role will be largely to ensure that the foundation is laid for stable growth. Otherwise, we will encounter unacceptable risks in areas such as development methodologies, quality assurance, customer relations, the company’s reputation, employee satisfaction, etc.

So, of course I’ll be expected to wear more than one hat and it’s understood that this will require a significant investment of my time, which would be divided among the following:

•     Ensuring that the technology and development methodologies are as effective as possible. As explained above, this involves prudently applying what I already know, constantly remaining abreast of new techniques and (especially) encouraging my colleagues to do the same. Documentation is an important part of this, from business requirements to technical specifications, but ideally this task will be shared.

•     Optimizing the manner in which customers use the existing products. This is to ensure that they are satisfied and that they are likely to expand their own product base, as well to recommend these products to their colleagues and friends.

•     Understanding and addressing what will be the “next big thing” in this area. Since the company is already generally involved in a particular aspect of software development (e.g. developing home healthcare applications for the mobile computing market), then what are the specific needs of the market that are not yet being addressed?

•     Better still, is there a need that participants aren’t even aware of yet, just like all the people who didn’t have cell phones or PCs just a few years ago? Is there room for expansion to other markets, such as retirement homes, outpatients, veterans, halfway houses for psychiatric patients, etc?

•     Addressing all maintenance issues for the current products that are already in the field.

Protecting the company’s reputation, by rapidly identifying and correcting problems in existing products, is critical to word of mouth and other means for growing the business.

•     Making presentations to potential and existing clients, in order to support the efforts of the sales staff. Since I’m knowledgeable, sincere and (of course) modest, I can simplify difficult concepts to make them easily understandable and accessible. Incidentally, this approach can also include using my communication skills to compliment and enhance the company’s ongoing marketing initiatives, as well as to the periodic efforts required to seek further financing.

•     Last but not least, I would spend a lot of my time working with the development staff to determine what motivates each of them and how they can best realize their own

potential (more on this below).