Humbling moments should last longer…
Posted by: InfoSpurtz on: September 17, 2010
If there’s one thing the ‘loud’ Americans, the ‘preppy’ Brits and the ‘anal’ Germans offer ‘complacent’ Greeks by way of common sense schooling, it’s that we (as consumers, clients, potential collaborators, colleagues …) all like to have our feathers fluffed. I, for one, hasten to return the favor – and quite generously too! However, when you’re stepping on my feathers, the ones you INVITED into your space – … it’s a different story, and I must object.
The last paragraph of a post, ‘Greek Prime Minister refers to Openfund as example of innovation and growth’ notes:
“It is with this in mind that we would like to announce that the new call for proposals will open towards the end of September – and we would be happy to receive for consideration any entrepreneur’s application”
That is all well and fine, and kudos to you. However, in your excitement over internal developments and subsequent haste to announce them both on Facebook and on your blog via the post ‘The Openfund IV – Call for proposals opens’, you #failed to close the chapter on the previous CFP!! I can’t for a minute believe ANY of what has transpired since yesterday is ‘advisable’, “innovative”, inspires and affirms “trust and support” or convinces anyone that you will be able to meet “even higher” goals in view of the fact you have fallen seriously short of previously set goals. I guess the “uniquely humbling … moment” was just that – a moment.
As such, the last paragraph of the post ‘Greek Prime Minister refers to Openfund as example of innovation and growth’ really reads more like this:
“It is with this in mind that Now that all of Greece knows us, we would like to announce that the new call for proposals will open screw over the last round of applicants and open a new call towards the end of September – and we would be happy to receive for consideration any entrepreneur’s application”.
In brief, and related to our submission to ‘The Openfund III – Call for Proposals Opens’:
We submitted, you responded, we reviewed, … you disappeared >>—-> *???*
Deadline #1: Inaction. On our inquiry: “Oh, yes … we will now contact you September 03.”
Deadline #2: September 03 AND September 15 has come and gone but nary a word from you. Inaction.
September 16: Action. Whoo hoo, CFPs round 4!!! >>—-> *jaw crashes to the ground*
I won’t go into the whole timeline of events, nor is it my intent to ‘blacken’ your reputation. However, there is a lesson to be learned and 1 full day after a major blunder – you may support and fund hi-tech companies but a simple e-mail communique or telephone outreach would have sufficed – you have yet to enable any kind of ‘client’ recovery or damage control mechanism to avert certain disappointment on the part of all involved (unless we were the only ones from Call III not to be informed…).
If you are not aware of and sensitive to timely professional conduct and role modeling, how can you “help entrepreneurs with fresh ideas to jumpstart their business while providing support on all things startup”? If one of your start-ups did something like this and also never enacted some kind of damage control, what would you and your investors do?
The “trust and support” to which you refer certainly does not carry any weight in our books now. At this point, I would suggest you AND the list of illustrious individuals and Partners aligned with the Openfund read and follow a timely “live case study” that may as well carry your name.
There is no example here that is “worthy of advocating and support”. A real pity for an initiative that was worthy not of the Prime Minister’s mention, but in the hearts and enterprising minds of so many that come to your meetings and share in your efforts. THAT is what you should have “in mind” …
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6 Responses to "Humbling moments should last longer…"
September 17, 2010 at 14:42
Have you noticed how the some 20 men don’t have ‘titles’ before their names, but the 1 woman does? As if noting Ms should be mandatory, but Mr is not.
September 17, 2010 at 15:15
Ah, Zoe – this is ANOOOTHER issue we have so much to work on. That and the reason why all-guy cronyism is still such a favorite sport in this country … a country looking to “innovate” by “advocating and supporting” ventures “that can help make Greece move forward”.
Give me a (superficially-lambasted) break!!
Move forward to what … a wolf in a DIFFERENT sheep’s set of clothes?!
September 17, 2010 at 17:45
Unfortunately, Greece is years behind.
When I see so-called empowering women on TV, for instance, wearing the tightest, cleavage-bearing clothes one can imagine… I am left wondering what sort of example we set for our younger generations…
As for this ‘innovative’ group that has failed to meet the real needs of people who desire to succeed in life… For me, it’s a fine example of a bunch of people with major egos who convene from time to time to laugh at the ‘little people’. And that makes me sad.
September 20, 2010 at 10:10
@ SMC:
I’d like to apologise on behalf of the entire Board for the way we have addressed the issue of closing R3 and announcing the call for R4. As it has been explained in our Facebook page we were in a bit of a chaotic situation in the transition phase between the two rounds and mistakes did happen. We’re not claiming the transition period as an excuse but rather the actual cause of this mishap.
Let me also clarify that this was by no means a personal issue – unfortunately you were not the only party harmed and our apologies will extend to the remaining small fraction of applicants who were not informed on time.
In addition to this, and if that is any consolation, we made this decision aiming at the best interest for both OFIII and OFIV applicants. And by this I mean that by announcing and committing to the better terms of R4 both round applicants would be evaluated for R4.
The goal of the OFIV works was to transition the Openfund on a relationship with new Limited Partners (investors), greatly extend it’s mentor network by providing tangible incentives for them and quite a few other changes related to legal and tax R&D that would solve permanently issues that we faced in the past.
I hope this reply provides some insight regarding this inconvenience and addresses some of your concerns regarding our honest interest in the ecosystem. The last thing we would want is to erode the trust that we have with the community.
@ Zoe:
If you are referring to Teresa’s bio on the Openfund’s page, it is verbatim what she has provided and I asure you she can edit it whenever she wants. No gender (or other) bias is meant by any part of the Openfund. In fact I don’t think we’ve ever had such a discussion.
For the record, Teresa’s day job isn’t helping startups. She’s the COO of Piraeus Bank, and has a say about funds greater than the sum of funds under the “guys” of the board aggregated.
September 20, 2010 at 10:35
Dear Mr Athanasiadis and members of the Board,
Thank you for your reaction and efforts to throw light on the turn of events.
Your response above has, for me, restored faith and trust in your abilities to tackle even the most remote areas of your daily operations.
I look forward to continued ‘collaborations’/communications with a group of individuals that won me over from the start anyway. Best of luck to all concerned – in all CFPs, current and future.
Best regards,
Sylva M. Caracatsanis.
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InfoSpurtz
I post commentaries on current affairs and issues I am passionate about. However, DIAlogue is far more important to me than MONOlogue so please do drop a line or two.
September 17, 2010 at 13:26
There’s nothing more I could write here, since you’ve done a great job at addressing the core of the issue. I just can’t stress enough the fact that we are extremely disappointed by the very unprofessional way the third call of proposals was (not) handled.