When should a company take on debt to enable growth? Silicon Valley’s longest serving CEO has some answers. Guy Smith: Hello everyone out in podcast land, welcome again to another episode of the Tough Things First podcast. I’m your guest host today, Guy Smith. And as always, we’re having a little sit down chat with Silicon Valley’s longest serving CEO, […]

What should a business leader, especially a startup CEO, do to survive a downturn. Ray Zinn, the longest serving CEO in Silicon Valley, has survived many of them and shares his knowledge in this first in our “Three Tough Things You Need To Do” series. Guy Smith: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of the Tough Things First podcast […]

Stories and charitable causes are a dime a dozen in the modern start-up era. What is the right balance to market a business while being civic minded? In this edition of the Tough Things First Podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the purpose of social causes and image building in business. Rob Artigo: Rob Artigo here, your guest host for another edition […]

Sometimes you choose a management style and sometimes it chooses you. In this edition of the Tough Things First Podcast, Ray Zinn explains the difference in extremes and how to be the best manager you can be. Rob Artigo: Rob Artigo here once again, your guest host for this edition of the Tough Things First podcast. I’m a writer and […]

Entrepreneurs make decisions all day, but do successful entrepreneurs make decisions differently? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the process of effective decision making. Rob Artigo: Welcome back to another edition of the Tough Things first podcast on your guest host, Rob Artigo, writer and entrepreneur in California. Hi, Ray. Ray Zinn: Hello Rob. Rob Artigo: Well, […]

At one time or another, we’ve probably all worked for a bad manager and perhaps wondered if the boss’s boss knew that manager had issues. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn walks us through how to recognize a bad manager and how to handle the situation. Rob Artigo: I’m Rob Artigo, your guest host for another edition of […]

In a diverse workplace with varying levels of experience and drive, managers come in all types. But knowing how to use them, challenge them and maximize their potential is tricky. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn demystifies the art of managing managers. Rob Artigo: I’m Rob Artigo, your guest host for this edition of the Tough Things First […]

There’s no rule that says you must offshore even a fraction of your manufacturing needs, but it’s an option. The problem is knowing why and when to make that change.  In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn answers those questions and puts it all into perspective to avoid costly mistakes. Rob Artigo: Rob Artigo here, your guest host for […]

Founders may need to go on the “money hunt” to raise capital. But they need to maintain control. Silicon Valley’s longest serving CEO talks about the trade-offs. Guy Smith: Hello again and welcome to another episode of the Tough Things First podcast, where we explore everything technology, Silicon Valley, leadership, executive management with the guy who’s basically done it all, […]

It’s an exciting era in technology. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray discusses recent breakthroughs that are catching his interests. Rob Artigo: I’m Rob Artigo, your guest host for this edition of “Tough Things First”, the podcast with Ray Zinn, the longest serving CEO in Silicon Valley. Hello again, Ray. Ray Zinn: Hey, Rob. You know, it’s always a […]