Guys/gals, I can't tell you enough how much it pays to just get in the game. If you have to go small on your first deal to get in the game, then go small. Those "off market" deals that you couldn't find when you were just a "searcher"? They will find YOU once you're in the game and are an "operator." Infinitely easier to raise equity and debt capital once you're already in the game as well. Do whatever it takes to get in the game.

AI Interview question We live in an age of miracles. But a pre-requisite for any company to harness these miracles is that employees should be excited - and proactive - about learning how to use them. To test this, I’d suggest a new 2-part interview question for every candidate, whether CFO or CSR (customer service rep). (a) How will you use AI to make your job more effective? (b) what steps have you already taken to learn about AI tools in your field?" This interview question tests for several things: 1. It tests if candidates are proactively engaging with new technology rather than waiting to be trained 2. It reveals their practical understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations in their specific role 3. It shows whether they view AI as a tool for augmentation and productivity rather than just automation 4. It gives insight into their learning mindset and adaptability 5. It helps assess if they can think strategically about incorporating new tools into their workflow Strong candidate responses might include: - Specific examples of AI tools they've experimented with and lessons learned - Realistic applications for their role, not just generic AI use cases - A balance between enthusiasm and pragmatism about AI's capabilities - Concrete examples of how they stay updated on AI developments in their field Weak responses might be: - Vague statements about AI being "the future" without specific applications - Only mentioning obvious tools like ChatGPT without deeper understanding - Showing resistance or anxiety about AI's role in their work - No evidence of self-directed learning or experimentation - Unrealistic expectations about AI capabilities Founders and leaders: I’d suggest a question (or even session!) as part of every interview loop, to help identify candidates who will help your company succeed in this age of miracles. I’d go as far as to suggest that candidates who do poorly in this question should not get an offer, even if they excel in other parts of the interview.

I just gave Operator a picture of a paper bill I got in the mail. From only the bill picture, it navigated to the website, pulled up my account, entered my info, and asked for my credit card number to complete payment. We are so back 🚀