Brett Queener Unfiltered: A Wake Up Call for Tech, 2024 Planning, and Driving High Performance

Brett Queener is a partner at Bonfire Ventures, with a background extending to nearly every function as an operator at Salesforce, Smart Recruiters, and more. Brett is well-versed in the mechanics of early-stage companies and this conversation covers the death rate of startups, the point of board meetings, getting people to work outrageously hard for you, and more.Kelli and Nolan’s segment this week (54:00-01:09:30) discusses Jack Dorsey’s decision to eliminate PIPs and expands into a broader discussion of the right sized management layer, span of control, performance review systems and how businesses can change their approach towards feedback and evaluationsHR Heretics is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co--SPONSORS: Metaview | Continuum | Lattice✅ Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Robinhood, Quora, and Replit say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself for free on your first 5 interviews: https://www.metaview.ai/1000✅ Hire Fractional Executives with Continuum using this link: https://bit.ly/40hlRa9Have you ever had a negative experience hiring executives? Continuum connects executives and senior operators to venture-backed tech companies for fractional and full-time roles. You can post any executive-level role to Continuum’s marketplace and search through our database of world-class, vetted leaders. There is no hidden cost, you only pay the person you hire. And you can cancel at any time. Joincontinuum.com✅ Discover HR software that drives performance with Lattice: https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics High performance and great culture should never be at odds; they’re better together. With Lattice People Management Platform, companies efficiently run people programs that create enviable cultures where employees want to do their best work. Serving 1000s of customers of all sizes. Learn why companies from Slack to the LA Dodgers choose Lattice. https://www.lattice.com/hrheretics–RECOMMENDED PODCAST:Check out Run The Numbers! Kelli and Nolan were guests on the most recent episode: a deep dive into FIRING CEOs and EXECS. This one's hilarious. Listen here, wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/runthenumbers–KEEP UP WITH BRETT, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDINBrett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettqueener/Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/–LINKS:Brett Queener’s exceptional (free) Guides and templates: https://www.bonfirevc.com/team/brett-queener–TIMESTAMPS:00:00) Preview(04:31) Insights on what's in store for investors, founders, and execs for 2024(09:06) Making that pivot in 2024(12:32) The economics of how a VC works(16:34) Sponsor - Continuum | Metaview(19:20 There's nothing that replaces the soul of a founder(23:11) On talent planning at the executive level(29:39) Sponsor - Lattice(30:50) Signs that how a company has the right people leader(35:50) Does Brett think HR leaders, founders, companies have gone a little soft?(41:51) How to get people to love working hard and appreciate it and the negative connotations of the 40-hour work-week(46:21) On the importance of the relationship between the CHRO and the founder for company health(50:20) Brett's best hire who has transformed a company(52:49) Brett's favorite interview question that gives the best signal on candidates?(54:00) Kelli & Nolan's segment on PIPs, Performance Reviews, and Managers vs ICs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com