A case in point of how important culture is - exemplified by when Symantec acquired Peter Norton Computing. As told by one of the first sales person hired at Symantec in the UK, Steve Abbott

1. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi
Hi Harvard innovation lab
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets www.mjskok.com
START UPCase Example:
SECRETS
An insider’s guide to unfair competitive advantage
Symantec acquires Peter Norton
Company Formation:
Building an Enduring Company
MICHAEL J SKOK
North Bridge Venture Partners
twitter: @mjskok mjskok.com
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2. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
Culture
• Define it early, authentically, thoughtfully so it
can endure
– Try to find things to reinforce it, rather than change
it
• Should be consistent
• Even when you’re
– Pivoting your business
– Making acquisitions
• It’s a good test for whether the acquisition is a fit…
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3. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
Example: Symantec acquires Peter
Norton Computing
• Symantec was once a small company
– With many product lines,
– From many acquisitions
– One acquisition – Peter Norton Computing was
particularly large and challenging and taught us so
much
• It reinforced why Culture and Vision are so
important for startups
• Listen to the brief video
http://youtu.be/Avijn1SIYRI?hd=1 3

4. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
What’s the most important
consideration for your acquisition?
• Is this a Cultural fit?
– Are you acquiring people with the same values
and who operate with the same principles as you?
– Acquisitions are hard enough already!
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5. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
Startup Secret:
Check the cultural fit in advance and
get the team and other personnel
integration done early as a foundation
before doing the technology
integration.
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6. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
Acquisitions - alignment…
• Can your combined team get aligned around
a SHARED vision, mission, goals etc?
• What can you do to align them?
– Find a unifying external goal, like beating a
competitor
– How can the combination of the two companies
make 2+2=6 in the marketplace?
• EG at Symantec + Peter Norton > we took on
and beat PC Tools
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7. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
Startup Secret:
Operationalize culture to harmonize
internally so you can focus externally
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8. Harvard innovation lab : Michael J Skok : Startup Secrets : Company Formation
Hi www.mjskok.com
#innovationlab @mjskok #startupsecrets
For more information
See the Resource on Company Formation at
http://www.mjskok.com/resource/company-formation
Vision
Executio
n Listen
Peopl Learn
Value
e Lead
Prop
Iterate
Pivot
Startup Enduring
Cultural Consistency Compan
y 8