Seat at the Table

I’ve always believed that the core energy of a successful business is confidence.  It’s a show of confidence – with experience, knowledge and action to back it up – that makes customers, investors, partners and employees want to work with a business.

So if 2009 is the year of doom and gloom, how does a business put on a positive, confident face without seeming out of touch with reality?

One fantastic, and fun, example comes from First Round Capital.  Their message is simple, effective and to the point – do your best to have a good year in 2009 and stay on your toes.  They are not saying have a good year or that they will do well.  They are saying you should focus your energy that way but be vigilant (it reminds me of a favorite Ronald Reagan phrase – Trust, But Verify).

Here’s their terrific holiday video, with their portfolio companies, that sums it up.  Watch to the end.

http://holiday.firstround.com/

Thank you to Fred Destin who’s blog brought this to my attention: http://www.freddestin.com/blog/2008/12/from-firstroundcapital—finally-a-2009-cheer-that-makes-we-want-to-post.html