I just went out to lunch and had the good fortune of stepping in some fresh, smelly dog crap. I cursed, stopped, took my shoe off, wiped the crap off, washed my shoe and put it back on and kept walking to lunch. I smiled to myself as I thought about the shit storm that investors and entrepreneurs alike have been living through for the past 4 months or so. The metaphor of stepping in dog shit seems an appropriate one to share. I'm witnessing people at the various companies I work with stop, swear and attempt to wipe off the shit. Some are successful and seem to be walking forward. Others are less successful and are still trying to get the dam dog doo off their company's balance sheet and p&L. Losses are behind. You can't recoup them. Don't try -- it's likely to make the matter worse. As soon as you can walk forward -- no matter how slowly and no matter how much cursing.