ABSTRACT
Many nontechnical executives believe that software represents mere tools for execution and doesn't merit strategic input status. However, author's experience demonstrates that technology is a prerequisite for an effective corporate strategy. Having worked with many business founders who started off without a technical partner, the author have seen the same story repeat itself. Either because the founders didn't find it necessary or because they couldn't easily find a technological counterpart, they decided to set up shop without one and make do. Some hire an engineering manager to be in charge of the tech effort. Others, often the more product-inclined, might try and direct the tech people themselves during the first years. Virtually all of them change their minds on these setups a year or two down the line and say that they would have done things differently had they known. A technical partner or genuine executive can be priceless.
