Some entrepreneurs are rude to Executive Assistants, treating them as second-class members of a VC team. While assistants aren't directly involved in the investment decision making process, they do have important influence.

Most VC firms have few employees. As in any small group, there is 'water cooler' talk, ensuring that most people know the dirt on lots of topics. Assistants participate in this process.

As a result, when an entrepreneur is rude to an assistant, the professional staff will definitely hear about it. Since the professional staff seeks to back people with good judgment, this can count as a strike against the entrepreneur.

In sum, if you don't broadly treat people with respect in life (which is preferred), at least be strategic enough to know that every impression you make on someone affiliated with a VC fund will impact the probability of your receiving an investment.

Comments

[Eric Wiesen]

Agree 100%, and this post applies to virtually all situations in the startup and technology worlds. Ultimately, these are people businesses, and as a startup, you are constantly facing an uphill battle for attention, capital and user focus, regardless of how impressive your technology is. Treat people right - regardless of how important you perceive their status to be - and that behavior will redound positively to you and to your business.

More importantly, follow Mark's advice because it's the right thing to do.