Entrepreneurs: Get The Right Advisor
I get asked frequently to be an advisor to entrepreneurs. I’m gratified to be asked, and usually try to think of ways to make a little more time to say yes. But that’s the wrong idea. I really need to ask what it is the entrepreneur needs at this stage in his business evolution, and if I’m the guy to supply it. 
If someone is building a highly technical business about which I know very little, even what I do know about business metrics and the “usual” way things work gets less useful. Discussions devolve to trying to learn and advise at the same time. Sometimes the entrepreneur adds another, more technical, advisor. Then the new advisor gets to teach the old ones, since we are expected to pass judgment on the “best course” for the business. Everyone feels the need for airtime and meetings drone on. People die, slide under the table, and aren’t noticed. This is trying to catch rats with a poodle. Or, trying to get a rat terrier to teach a poodle to catch rats so as not to hurt the poodle’s feelings.
Horses for Courses. Get the right advisor.