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TOP IDEA: Kate Hutchinson I work for a small startup and the head of a medium sized startup has started hassling me. We both offer similar services (but distinct ones), and this guy is super aggressive. He taunts me on Twitter, and when proposing a "partnership" told me that I (CMO) was not important enough to talk to, want to see the CEO. Have you ever encourntered this kind of hositlity? How did you deal?

79 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs

Kevin Garcia: He's trying to establish dominance from the outset. My reply would be that he isn't important enough to waste the CEO's time. Respect goes both ways.
79 weeks ago
Kate Hutchinson: Happily my CEO is behind me. His response was "Tell this guy I'm out of town and you are in charge." The sticky thing is that a partnership ...MoreHappily my CEO is behind me. His response was "Tell this guy I'm out of town and you are in charge." The sticky thing is that a partnership between our companies could be a great opportunity, and I want to tread carefully. Otherwise, I'd tell him to take a hike.
79 weeks ago
Kevin Garcia: Yeah, that can be potentially hazardous, if a great partnership was in jeopardy. The flipside of that is whether he would treat his partners any ...MoreYeah, that can be potentially hazardous, if a great partnership was in jeopardy. The flipside of that is whether he would treat his partners any better than he treated you. This may be a warning sign.
79 weeks ago
Kirk Ackerson: I agree with Kevin - while the partnership opportunity might be good from a business perspective, you'll still need to work with this guy to make ...MoreI agree with Kevin - while the partnership opportunity might be good from a business perspective, you'll still need to work with this guy to make the partnership work. If he acts this way now, he likely won't change his attitude yet you would be contractually bound to him in a partnership. It's arguably better to simply compete with him now and see how things develop over time.
79 weeks ago
Kate Hutchinson: Good point... my office was analyzing what he said during our phone call this week, and well, we think he might be scared of us, because we're a ...MoreGood point... my office was analyzing what he said during our phone call this week, and well, we think he might be scared of us, because we're a startup, but have backing from a major European firm. I'd much rather out-compete him, but at the moment, he has far more endorsements than we do.
79 weeks ago
Zachary Stark Jones: Character often trumps in a service business, in the long term. A current employer of mine broke with a multi-year partner because the guy was so ...MoreCharacter often trumps in a service business, in the long term. A current employer of mine broke with a multi-year partner because the guy was so obnoxious that, once the clients in our space got to know us / him, they wouldn't take meeting with us because they couldn't stand his style. Hold him out a bit, let the time get under his skin and the truer colors will show, then he'll get a proper taste of the arrogance he so glibly hoists upon others.
79 weeks ago
Kevin Garcia: Zachary is right on target. He may have more endorsements now. How many of them is he burning off? How do they feel about him/his firm? Will they ...MoreZachary is right on target. He may have more endorsements now. How many of them is he burning off? How do they feel about him/his firm? Will they be viable to you guys in the long term? Are they cash endorsements, or trade only? How about his employees? Are people at his start-up happy? If your instinct is telling you there is something off, there probably is.
79 weeks ago
Jamie Nacht Farrell: I've been in the same situation; actually in a start up as the SVP Marketing - and someone only wanted to speak with my CEO. While all I wanted ...MoreI've been in the same situation; actually in a start up as the SVP Marketing - and someone only wanted to speak with my CEO. While all I wanted to do was break the man's neck ( ; I saw that the long term ROI would be better if I checked my ego at the door. I drafted and email "from my CEO" and had my CEO actually send it to the other company. The email was very simple / respectful. It stated,

"Hi _______________

While I appreciate and am honored that you would like to work with me; it is a policy of mine not to discuss business dealings until a relationship has been established with my CMO. She is my right hand and runs this aspect of our business. Once she is able to, or chooses to recommend you, I will be happy to meet with you at that time. Until then, I'm sure "Ms. Hutchinson" will make time to read and discuss your proposal".

Would your CEO send that for you? If yes, it works every time ( ;.
79 weeks ago
Kevin Garcia: Jamie, right on target. And by all means, I don't mean throw the relationship out the window, but rather,do your due diligence & research. It ...MoreJamie, right on target. And by all means, I don't mean throw the relationship out the window, but rather,do your due diligence & research. It could turn out he simply would rather avoid wasting his time if he feels the CMO might not take things seriously, and is coming across as arrogant when he really isn't. Either way, Katie's comment about being careful with the situation is absolutely warranted.
79 weeks ago
Butch Phelps: I agree he is trying to hold a dominance over you. Reply back to him and say, he must first give the proposal to you so you can see if the CEO ...MoreI agree he is trying to hold a dominance over you. Reply back to him and say, he must first give the proposal to you so you can see if the CEO would even be interested. Chances are, it will be a low ball proposal in the beginning. However you will level the playing field.
79 weeks ago
Gen Y Guru: I would ignore the rival man. I would spend more time continuing writing blogs, tweeting, and doing things to grow your company. If the rival is ...MoreI would ignore the rival man. I would spend more time continuing writing blogs, tweeting, and doing things to grow your company. If the rival is spending all his time slighting you, then it will eventually come back to bite him in the ass!
79 weeks ago
Jamie Nacht Farrell: I disagree on ignoring if the partner company can drive revenue and better your business. There are 100s of partners I have worked with over the ...MoreI disagree on ignoring if the partner company can drive revenue and better your business. There are 100s of partners I have worked with over the years who are ego maniacs and have acted like the one you've described. For the betterment of the business (especially a start up business), we sometimes need to check our egos at the door and try to work together. If, after beginning to work together, he does not change - sure - ignore him and end the relationship. However, many times we find that once we get to know someone a bit better and we start working together, people change.
79 weeks ago
EricHFriedman: depends on what you want to gain/lose here.
79 weeks ago

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