- For pre-IPO firms: Someone plugged in to all the investment bankers and investment managers, who has both an analytical and visceral feel for how tech firms are valued.
- For firms with Enterprise customers: Someone who has a large rolodex of non-IT customers with P&L responsibility, who knows how to do their jobs as good as them.
- For medium sized firms and above: Someone who knows every last legal issue around HR.
It would be great to find folks like this who also have CS degrees and are passionate about technology. But folks with MBAs that fit these profiles but don't love the technology itself can still be valuable.
It's a viewpoint I can sympathize with. As someone who doesn't expect to get rich off an IPO or acquisition and therefore will be spending most (all?) of my working life in this industry, I'd prefer to work alongside competent people (whether that be in development or business) who aren't just trying to get rich quick.