INSIGHTS: Some Lessons Learned in 42 Years of Business

Charles E. Harris

Volume 8, Number 3, Third Quarter 2010

From 1984 to 2008, I had the pleasure and privilege of serving as Chairman and CEO of Harris & Harris Group, LLC, a publicly traded venture capital firm based in New York. Upon my retirement, I decided to summarize lessons I learned in my 42 years in business for the benefit of the incoming CEO. My colleagues have urged me to publish this summary, which consists of the following five broad categories of observations: advice for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, leadership and general management, people issues, corporate governance, and investing. I am most grateful to the Journal of Investment Management for allowing me to share my thoughts in this Insights column.