Blog: Forward Thinking

Often snarky, sometimes funny, thoughts and musings from Glen Hellman about Executive Development, Leadership, Startups, Washington DC Business and more.
October 19, 2018
In DCTech, Rant, Startup, Uncategorized
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Attention Trustify Investors

Attention Trustify Investors: I have a treat for you. Want the next best thing to audited books on your investment in Danny Boice and Jen Mellon's dumpster fire FlimFlam, doing business as Trustify. Attention Trustify Investors: Danny Boice needs you to dump more, I mean invest more of your cash in Trustify so he can maintain his lifestyle. Attention Trustify Investors: Do you have an accounting of what the assets in which you invested? Check out this rental: https://laricks.com/property/10653422 See this home? You paid for it. Your investment went in for the down payment and is paying the mortgage and now that Danny and...

October 17, 2018
In DCTech, Rant, Startup
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All Eyes on Jonathon Perrelli and Fortify

So there's this guy in town (DC) who likes to play dress up. While all the other kids were playing Cowboys and Native Americans, this guy dressed up like he was a Venture Capitalist.  I'm talking about Jonathon Perrelli and Fortify. Back in the day, he played big venture capitalist boy. Today, all the other kids are playing astronaut, but little Jon is playing big-time CEO of a hot, water-bottle startup (not hot water but a hot startup and regular water). Nine years ago, there were some people in town who gave little Jonny P, real money which he spread around DCTech...

October 14, 2018
In Culture, DCTech, Startup
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Fireside Chat with Dan Berger, Social Tables

Thank you to Tien Wong and Connectpreneur for hosting my fireside chat with Founder and CEO, Dan Berger, Social Tables. If you've never been to one of Tien's Connectpreneur conferences he puts on a great show and you should check it out here: Connectrpreneur If you can't see the video you can link to it here: https://youtu.be/O3i_CIuB7Dg The transcipr of the interview follows: Me: Don, this is probably the first time we've been together since I last sat on your board probably four years ago. Dan: Yeah it's been it's been roses ever since. Me: True, so let me let me let me replay to you...

October 7, 2018
In Leadership
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Lessons from Machiavelli

Traditionally, at beset calling someone Machivillian meant that person was manipulative and at worst meant they were evil. Whether you believe Machiavelli is the devil or a prophet there is no denying that his thinking on power and influence stands the test of time. Born in Florence in the late 13th century, Niccolò Machiavelli was the epitome of a Renaissance Man, He was a diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, writer, playwright, poet and the number one performing fine collector of overdue books at the Florence library. He was a primary political advisor to the Midici'sduring their rule over the Republic of Florence. His book, The...

October 3, 2018
In DCTech, Rant
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Cockroaches and Hand Grenades

When I was a young man, my first job out of Sales and Sales Management, was National Sales Operations Manager, which basically meant I was the VP of Sales, executive assistant (National Sales Operations Manager is to the Executive Assistant to the VP of Sales as the Chief of Staff is the Executive Assistant to the CEO. Its title inflation). Now, this VP was a former senior manager at Xerox, a notorious hyper-political organization and this guy, let's call him Jeff because Jeff was and probably still is his name was a puppet master extraordinaire. He would take a circuitous...

October 1, 2018
In DCTech, Wolves of Startupland
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Trustify Missed Payroll

According to a tip, Trustify missed payroll yesterday. The few remaining employees just got stiffed. If they are surprised, well then that explains why they were employees of Trustify. They were completely blindsided. Danny Boice's personal lawyer Craig White, of the Leesburg firm of Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White, P.C. stopped working for Danny due to non-payment. If Danny kept paying him to intimidate and lie about his wife, Craig would still be doing it. Craig, if you're reading this you deserve to be stiffed! Today, October 2, Danny Boice will be heading to New York to try and convince the stupidest investors in...