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Jean de La Rochebrochard is a managing partner at Kima Venture, Xavier Niel's investment fund. It invests in nearly 100 start-ups per year and has a portfolio of nearly 1000 companies today.
In this episode, he shares his vision and his experience of the impact of the environment on entrepreneurs.
00′ — Introduction
00:43 — Jean's presentation
02'14 — The 3 types of surroundings and their function
3'55 — The consequences of always going against the tide
5'10 — The importance of growth mindset
07'50 — The impact of executive coachability on the company
11'00 — How to communicate better with those around you
12'40 — Know how to transmit and receive feedback
15'27 — How to compose complementary management teams
16'32 — The worst misconceptions about the environment
The environment in the development of entrepreneurs is divided into three key categories:
Jean emphasizes the importance of a varied environment, including mentors, partners, customers, and even competitors. Indeed, these groups play different but complementary roles in supporting the entrepreneur, offering personal comfort, professional collaboration, and strategic advice respectively.
Jean also shares concrete examples of entrepreneurs in his portfolio, illustrating the impact of the environment on their success and the challenges encountered. The importance of questioning and being open to feedback is also important, with Antoine Martin de Zenly as a positive example, who stands out for his ability to listen to and integrate constructive criticism.
THEEntourage is not static ; it evolves according to the needs and development phases of the company. The diversity of this environment promotes a wealth of perspectives and experiences, essential for navigating the complex entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Jean mentions a case of an entrepreneur in his portfolio who, despite a promising business, risks failure by closing himself to the advice of those around him.
An entrepreneur's choices define the direction and ability of the business to overcome obstacles. For Jean de la Rochebrochard, the crucial decision to select the environment is a fundamental choice.
The best entrepreneurs make counterintuitive choices that prove to be true. The over-evaluation of their uniqueness in decision-making at the start of the business can be the cause of a closure to other possibilities, especially from those around them. Opting for employees who share a common vision while providing complementary skills is vital.
The lack of “growth mindset” with the resulting lack of synchronization is also a cause of this intolerance to suggestions. Denial can also be an impacting source on the right choices to make, which could be illustrated by a disconnection between the reality of a business and the reality of the entrepreneur.
Decision-making also extends to the choice of investors, strategic partners, and target markets. These choices are intrinsically linked to the company's ability to innovate, to develop sustainably and to maintain a solid corporate culture.
Surrounding yourself effectively requires a thoughtful and proactive strategy. Jean recommends giving priority to quality over quantity
The first step in surrounding yourself is to be vulnerable. The concept of ability to give and the ability to receive is an important element to take into account. In the episode, Jean mentions that the more open you are to the other, the more this concept makes sense and also that the basics of how to surround yourself are closely linked to tolerance and trust.
It is crucial to identify the skills that are missing within the team and to look for individuals whose values and business vision align with those of the company. Networking, mentoring, and attending industry events are effective ways to meet potential collaborators. In addition, the entrepreneur must be open to the evolution of those around him, integrating new skills and perspectives as the business grows.
Diversity in an entrepreneur's environment is crucial, as it brings a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that can stimulate innovation and creativity within the company. A diverse environment includes not only individuals from different professional backgrounds and life experiences, but also advisors and mentors who can offer valuable advice on various aspects of the business, such as strategy, finances, and marketing. This diversity makes it possible to better navigate market challenges and to adopt more robust and innovative strategies.
The choices that the entrepreneur makes in terms of collaboration, investment and strategic partnership determine the trajectory of the company. Selecting employees who not only share a common vision but also have complementary skills is essential for building a solid team. Likewise, choosing the right investors and partners can provide the company with not only the necessary financial resources, but also access to valuable networks, knowledge, and markets. These strategic decisions must be taken with careful consideration of the compatibility of values and long-term goals of all parties involved.
Developing an effective family strategy means going beyond simply accumulating contacts. It's about intentionally creating a support network of individuals and organizations that share similar visions and values. This involves actively identifying gaps in the current team and looking for people who can fill those gaps, while bringing new energy and new ideas to the business. It is also important to remain open to the evolution of the environment as the business grows and its needs change. This may mean building relationships with new mentors, joining networks of entrepreneurs, or even rethinking team composition to align with future business direction.
A well-chosen and strategically diverse environment can act as a powerful catalyst for business success. Entrepreneurs should therefore pay close attention not only to who they choose to include in their inner circle, but also to how these relationships are cultivated and maintained. By building a support network that is aligned with the mission and values of the company, entrepreneurs can ensure that they are well equipped to navigate the challenges of the business world, innovate significantly, and lead their business to sustainable and successful growth.
To follow Jean De La Rochebrochard, follow him on Linkedin.
