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keats
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 14 Jan 2016, 09:31
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Hi,

If anyone can help me here.

I have one recommendation from my reporting lead at the MNC where I worked before co founding my company. I would like to learn whether I can take my recommendation from Co Founder (as he is NOT my reporting boss) ? Please clarify if this can become a case of 'Conflict of Interest'?

If yes, how should I look forward to getting my second recommendation?
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 14 Jan 2016, 11:26
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I think a good question for experienced Admissions Consultants who have faced and won/lost battles with different approaches so you can leverage that experience. Good Luck!

P.S. I think for Entrepreneurs, it is an understandable dilemma with recommendations. Who would write one for Bill Gates for example?
Take a look at these posts that address your issues:
entrepreneur-applying-to-business-schools-some-apprehensions-153711.html
are-top-mba-adcoms-hostile-towards-entrepreneurs-198072.html
how-to-pick-a-recommender-129379.html

P.S. Do some searching on the site - quite a few discussions on this topic that can help you along.
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 14 Jan 2016, 13:00
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Hi Steinbeck,
That's great you've got a solid first recommendation. Getting one from your co-founder is not ideal, as they will not have had oversight for your work, and may not be seen as objective as others. Other options that entrepreneurs often consider -- a key client, a supplier / vendor, a professional mentor, or a business adviser like a lawyer/accountant. Or if there are extracurriculars you are heavily involved in and someone who "supervises" your work there, that is an option too. Are any of those possible?
Good luck!
Kate

Steinbeck
Hi,

If anyone can help me here.

I have one recommendation from my reporting lead at the MNC where I worked before co founding my company. I would like to learn whether I can take my recommendation from Co Founder (as he is NOT my reporting boss) ? Please clarify if this can become a case of 'Conflict of Interest'?

If yes, how should I look forward to getting my second recommendation?
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 14 Jan 2016, 13:13
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mbaMissionKate
Hi Steinbeck,
That's great you've got a solid first recommendation. Getting one from your co-founder is not ideal, as they will not have had oversight for your work, and may not be seen as objective as others. Other options that entrepreneurs often consider -- a key client, a supplier / vendor, a professional mentor, or a business adviser like a lawyer/accountant. Or if there are extracurriculars you are heavily involved in and someone who "supervises" your work there, that is an option too. Are any of those possible?
Good luck!
Kate
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Thank You for the response mbaMissionKate

Since we have got live almost two weeks back, and are marketing aggressively, we don't have a client as of now. We have got few orders from local vendors, but I don't see them as right recommender(s). I have been taking help from few of the people in this sector, but there isn't any one who can share in depth knowledge and talk about my pros and cons at work.

I can think of one of my supervisor at my MNC who was our Business Unit HR Head (she was managing the ECA at my department) and I have been reporting to her for some eight months. I am not sure if she qualifies as the right recommender. Moreover, I would like my second recommendation to come from the start up so that it adds credibility to what I have written on my essays. I am NOT sure if not having a recommendation from some one at your current venture gives a slightly bad picture to the admissions committee.

Thanks.
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 15 Jan 2016, 07:29
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Hi Steinbeck,
That's great you've got a solid first recommendation. Getting one from your co-founder is not ideal, as they will not have had oversight for your work, and may not be seen as objective as others. Other options that entrepreneurs often consider -- a key client, a supplier / vendor, a professional mentor, or a business adviser like a lawyer/accountant. Or if there are extracurriculars you are heavily involved in and someone who "supervises" your work there, that is an option too. Are any of those possible?
Good luck!
Kate

Thank You for the response mbaMissionKate

Since we have got live almost two weeks back, and are marketing aggressively, we don't have a client as of now. We have got few orders from local vendors, but I don't see them as right recommender(s). I have been taking help from few of the people in this sector, but there isn't any one who can share in depth knowledge and talk about my pros and cons at work.

I can think of one of my supervisor at my MNC who was our Business Unit HR Head (she was managing the ECA at my department) and I have been reporting to her for some eight months. I am not sure if she qualifies as the right recommender. Moreover, I would like my second recommendation to come from the start up so that it adds credibility to what I have written on my essays. I am NOT sure if not having a recommendation from some one at your current venture gives a slightly bad picture to the admissions committee.

Thanks.
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Hey there,
Well I agree with the above consultants. Getting a recommender from a partner has as much value as getting a recommendation from an uncle or peer. Basically, since they don't manage you, whatever they write, no matter how fantastic it may be, won't have much effect.

That's why it's FAR better to get two separate recommendations from people who have overseen you - could even be for volunteer work/community service, and then not have a recommendation for your startup.

Best,
Jon
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 15 Jan 2016, 08:34
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Agree. And it's very common to not have a recommender from your curent company or venture (e.g., applicants might have switched jobs recently, have a new supervisor, or not want to disclose they are applying). So to answer your follow-up question, that definitely won't be held against you. Especially since your venture is so new, I think a former supervisor would actually have more examples to use. You can use the optional essay to write a brief explanation. Good luck!
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[Urgent]Taking recommendation from a CoFounder 19 Jan 2016, 08:25
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Hi there,

Just to add, I agree with the approach to target those who have supervised you as these carry more weight. All LORs that AdComms receive are "good", so it's crucial that you procure one that stands out. If you still have questions on how to address this, take a look at our guidance when it comes to LORs. Hope this helps and best of luck!