[FictiveCameron]

Im a "business guy" out of Stanford GSB and if I was going to look for a hacker, I would expect to see a list of things that s/he had done. The more impressive that list the more likely I would be to work with that person.

Seems to me you should simply take the flip side. For me, savvy isn't the right word. There is something very self-interested about it. Instead, I would look for a business person who has actually helped build something. Preferably something very interesting.

Also, while im not big on references, it might be nice to talk to another hacker, whose work you respect, who had a positive experience working with that business person.

Lastly, I would definitely not judge a business person by which business books he has read. Business people should help you build something of value, not regurgitate the most recent tagline of a management fad.

[trapper]

By reading books and simply regurgitating the most recent tagline of a management fad you are doing it wrong.

Business books are a primarily a source of other peoples failures and successes. Businesses have such a long gestation cycle that it doesn't make financial sense to make the mistakes yourself.

In those business people I have met that aren't well read, often times their entire business strategy could be drastically improved by reading a couple of seminal pieces. But, for them, ignorance is bliss. I know which one I would choose.