Core Beliefs

Core Beliefs

Ethics and integrity come above all else (ahead of survival).

In all relationships treat others as you wish to be treated.

Cooperative behavior is better for everyone involved.

Great rewards require investment of time as well as resources.

Progress requires change; great progress requires great changes.

Passion and perseverance mean that failure is only temporary.

There is great joy in working hard and long to achieve a difficult goal.

The greatest personal rewards come from helping others.

(Note that honesty, fairness and the Golden Rule occur redundantly. That is deliberate. These beliefs are worth repeating.)

Mathematical Principles for Behavior

Always maximize the total positive sum in any relationship. (von Neumann & Morgenstern).

Apply the "cake slicing" principle of fairness.

Accept and utilize Parkinson's law (Parkinson).

Leverage the effect of compound growth curves.

Heed Mr. Micawber's rule for happiness (Dickens).

Utility (axiomatic measure of value) is not proportional to dollars (von Neumann & Morgenstern).

Ratios can be maximized by minimizing the denominators (apply to return on investment).

Maxims

Slow and steady wins the race (especially with a sustained compound growth).

Innovate constantly and become the "innovator's dilemma" for others.

Do what you believe in. Believe in what you do. Do it with passion. Have fun.

Never give up. If necessary, find another way to keep going.

Enjoy your work, but be ready to work hard for what you want.

If you don't like your job, invent a new one.

Always to thine own self be true.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (worth repeating -- again).

Although these beliefs and principles sound idealistic, they are sufficient to derive an alternate model for venture capital that doubles the return on investment!

(Also see the Arithmetic of Venture Capital.)

These principles allow a company to maximize its probability of surviving and thriving. They also allow it to manage either high grow or downsizing. They optimize long term results.

The application of these principles can best be learned by doing. That is the method used in the Business Area courses.

For further discussion of the Core Beliefs, in particular explanations of the "Mathematical Principles", go to the Core Beliefs page in the Wiki area.