Reference Calls
topic on 4 shows · 4 statements across 4 episodes
Lenny's Podcast 
Capital Allocators 
TBPN 
20VC
4 statements about Reference Calls, every show
Stebbings: Having associates conduct reference calls is a major VC mistake
“I think one of the biggest mistakes that firms make is when they get associates to just go and do the, Reference course. I mean, I'm nothing against associates, but there's so much in tonality, in the pause, in the facial expression.”
Hays: Prolonged reference calls force people off rehearsed scripts
“A lot of, one of Graham's strategies that's interesting when he's doing reference calls is just to keep The reference on the phone longer, because the longer you spend, the harder it is to stay on script.”
Adams: Asking references to predict the first review prevents dodging constructive feedback.
“So this question is what feedback will I be giving this person in their first performance review? And it's an amazing question because the person can't dodge it. You know, there's an answer and it's incredibly enlightening.”