Every startup owner is faced with the decision of hiring a startup CTO at some point in the journey of their business, if not at the very beginning from day one itself. Leadership hiring is not to be taken lightly and business owners must ensure that they look for the individuals with the right qualifications and experience who will also be a good technical and cultural fit for the organization.
At the outset, it is recommended that startup business owners evaluate the following:
· Does your startup require a CTO at that given point in the business?
· Who is a good fit for a CTO?
· Where is a good place to find a CTO for your startup?
When to hire a CTO?
The role of a CTO is native to large companies; the textbook CTO is a C suite managerial role that is removed from hands-on programming. This individual is a visionary and a manager who understands how technology drives growth and innovation and who is responsible for strategizing within the company. The role involves a lot of research in decision making and delegating and almost zero practical engineering.
The role of a CTO is very different when it comes to startups and not every startup may need a CTO – at least not in the initial stages. When starting out, it is better to look for a technical co-founder or an advisor who will be in a position to help you decide which technical specialists you need to hire right away. Need help in hiring a C-level executive to handle and manage your organization, then get connected with CoffeeMug.ai experts today.
During the MVP stage it is quite common to have developers working on the first prototype. At this stage it is a good idea to have a lead developer working to oversee the entire process. You may be tempted to give that person the title of CTO but they may not be the best fit for the position. Once the MVP is ready and funds are rolling in you should invest in hiring a CTO with the right skill set who is a good fit to your organization.
You should ensure that you do not hire a CTO too early on in the business journey but wait till the MVP is developed before the fund raising.
Who will make a good startup CTO?
The CTO of a large company is very different to that of a small startup. A startup CTO is expected to be knowledgeable enough about a wide range of existing technologies in the market and also be heavily involved in product development. They should be in a position to internalize customer feedback and make decisions based on that feedback. In addition, a startup CTO must be able to challenge the status quo and suggest innovative approaches to building the product.
A CTO should not be afraid of venturing outside of their comfort zone into uncharted territory and innovating. Having a CTO who gets along with everyone else in the team and is a good cultural fit is important to the success of a startup as well.
To sum up, the main competencies that a startup CTO should possess are:
· Possesses diverse technical skills
· Is a good people manager
· Understands customer needs
· Inspires confidence in investors
· Promotes the employer band
· Does not shy away from hands-on work whenever required
· Thinks like a growth-hacker and plans for company growth
· Possesses the entrepreneurial spirit
· Shapes the technical vision for the product
· Is a good cultural fit for the company
A startup CTO is someone who is capable of working according to the needs of the growing business and handling QA, DevOps, product management, fundraising and brand development.
Where can you find a startup CTO?
Hiring for C suite positions is usually a challenging task as finding the right person who fits your organization is paramount. Hiring a CTO is particularly tricky because it is not easy to find good candidates since they are usually happily employed elsewhere. One of the first steps in hiring a CTO is to ask around in your network for recommendations. Besides this, you should reach out to people on LinkedIn and take a look at these locations as well.
· Cofounder groups on Meetup.com – Look for relevant groups in your location and attend networking events.
· Startup oriented events – It is true that startup groups are designed to bring together founders and investors but there are times where networking at events can help you meet the right candidate.
· Tech conferences – This is another good way to find a suitable CTO. You might just spot senior engineers who may be interested in your offer.
Conclusion
Recruiting, hiring, and retaining exceptional C suite executives may make a huge difference in your company’s success. But it’s a big undertaking that demands the implementation of effective leadership hiring techniques. To receive expert recruiting recommendations and the most up-to-date hiring trends, subscribe to CoffeeMug.ai today.
FAQs
Q. What are C-level skills?
A. Leadership skills, matter expertise, strategic thinking, decision making, advanced communication & presentation skills are some of the golden skills of a C-level executive.
Q. What qualifications do executives need?
A. The minimal educational qualification varies by position and industry, but a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, public administration, or liberal arts is required. Without a degree, some businesses, such as retail, allow people to work their way up from entry-level positions.
Q. What makes a great executive leader?
A. A great executive is one who excels at expressing their opinions, engaging others’ thoughts, analyzing data for insights, weighing options, making the ultimate choice, and conveying it clearly.
Q. Is Chief of Staff C-level?
A. Executive assistant, chief operating officer , and chief of staff are all important members of the executive team.
