When I say the next generation of talent is likely to be interviewing us grey beards rather than the other way around, folk usually give me that ‘OK Den’s lost the plot’ look. In email, they suggest I’m over excited about the impact of MySpace. Well – nice to see validation:
Jeff Cornwall, director of Belmont University points to a Wall Street Journal article (subscription required) that talks about 40-50-year old VCs and 20-something entrepreneurs. It’s funny but I can see the point about acting your age:
Remember, you are about the same age as their parents in many cases. The more you try to act like them, the more they will roll their eyes and laugh at you when you walk away.
Coincidentally, Zoli Erdos recommended I read Ben Casnocha, an 18 year old entrepreneur currently making his way around Europe in a gap year. He’s in Spain at the moment, recording his adventures. We’ve had some interesting email conversations. He’s suffering from the heat – I’ve suggested keeping away from Madrid though it’s on his radar. Waaaay too hot in the summer.
So the next time some pimply kid strolls into your office asking for advice about his/her Internet business, how much respect will you give? How will you listen? Do you know the difference between Internet business models and traditional goods and service models?
Technorati Tags: entrepreneurs, generation G
