Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2023

If you have a different view, I urge you to see the data presented in a new book, “ The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace ,” by Phil Simon, a globally recognized authority on technology, collaboration, and the future of work.

Non-Compete 282

Non-Compete France Japan Technical Review 282

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2020

I’ve seen several presentations that never moved past the first slide before running out of time. Research your audience before presenting. The most respected presenters are the ones who have done the research before-hand to know who is in the audience, and have tailored their message to these interests.

Technical Review 295

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Startup 295

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

These three boxes include managing the present, escaping the traps of the past, and generating breakthrough ideas. This is the only way to exploit change and let go of old ideas, while still profiting from the present.

Framework 402

Framework Engineer Leadership Revenue 402

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

In reality, these fees are usually trivial compared to your real costs of preparing, travelling, and presenting to investors. If you have been given private introductions, but the investors declined to hear your pitch, don’t assume that paying money or presenting to larger numbers will solve your problem. Find and fix that first.

Angel Groups 237

Angel Groups Angel Investor Due Diligence Seed Stage 237

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2010

As a member of the local angel group Selection Committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Every startup needs both a business plan and an investor presentation, completed before you formally approach any investors.

Elevator Pitch 235

Elevator Pitch Exit Strategy Burn Rate Merger 235

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2021

I’ve asked this question many times of presenters in Angel meetings, and often get a blank look. After a good elevator pitch or initial presentation, investors will ask for your formal business plan and financial projections. Then you have to have evidence to support your request. Failure to prepare for due diligence.

Software Review 307

Software Review Due Diligence Elevator Pitch Early Stage 307

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2022

These same constituents are looking for leaders who can create the future – focus forward rather than backward, seem to see around corners, can turn their vision into committed actions, and are able to engage all the right people into bringing the future into the present. Execution leadership.

Technical Review 323

Technical Review Due Diligence Valuation Leadership 323

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2023

If you're asking someone else and wish to build that connection, be actively present during the interaction. I’ve found that you can best start by asking for another perspective, whether of yourself or a team member. Really seek to understand the other person. Accumulate wisdom by listening and questioning.

Leadership 280

Leadership Agile Demand Search 280

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2022

For example, you must forego the traditional meeting approach, where a team member presents a slide deck with all the background and multiple solution options on an issue, and asks you for a decision.

Elevator Pitch 386

Elevator Pitch Technical Review Dividend Leadership 386

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2022

There seems to be an insatiable demand from consumers for a better shopping experience, meaning they will pay a premium to a company that can present them a better match in products to their interests, without jeopardizing their good name.

Technical Review 342

Technical Review Customer Social Network Software Review 342

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2023

There are no easy answers to leadership challenges, but I was moved by the insights presented in a new book, “ Don’t Wait for Someone Else to Fix It ,” by Doug Lennick and Chuck Wachendorfer.

Leadership 281

Leadership Agile Demand Developer 281

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2022

Make your purpose to leave a legacy as a model leader , and it will live on for years, with continuing positive impacts in staff meetings, presentations, and around the water cooler. Perhaps a more important legacy to your team is how you treat them in the business. Challenge yourself to delivering a technical innovation.

Technical Review 357

Technical Review Green Social Media Lean 357

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

In addition to the right words, be sure you present the right body language. Listen more and talk less, to learn what changes you can make without blame or emotion. The best relationships allow for informal conversations about concerns that can be acted on later.

Metrics 270

Metrics Conversion Global Product 270

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2012

I’ve seen several presentations that never moved past the first slide before running out of time. Research your audience before presenting. The most respected presenters are the ones who have done the research before hand to know who is in the audience, and have tailored their message to these interests.

Technical Review 243

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Matching 243

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2021

This is a good time for the CEO to present the final investor charts, and answer any questions from employees. You need to brief the investor ahead of time if there are career anomalies or personnel situations that could be a problem. Don’t surprise the team. Call a company meeting to communicate what is happening, and why.

Technical Review 380

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Angel Investor 380

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2014

The Entrepreneurial Perspective starts with a picture of a well-defined future, and then comes back to the present with the intention of changing it to match the vision. The Technician’s Perspective starts with the present, and then looks forward to an uncertain future with the hope of keeping it much like the present.

Technical Review 269

Technical Review Entrepreneur Social Media Media 269

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2021

As examples, I present my list of ten of the most common ways entrepreneurs can be victimized by ignorance or greed, based on questions and stories I get from entrepreneurs and associates. One would think that with all the sad stories and tools published over the past twenty years, this problem would be behind us.

Technical Review 371

Technical Review Due Diligence Non-disclosure Agreement Term Sheet 371

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Having a snappy presentation on your solution or startup is great, but it’s only half the battle. Yet a startup image can be destroyed more quickly than a big auto company, by not taking action on a customer problem today. Sales people alike, who won’t face their fears, lose in the long run. Telling isn’t selling.

Sales 348

Sales Startup Bootstrapping Technical Review 348

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2011

I’ve seen several presentations that never moved past the first slide before running out of time. I outlined what investors expect to see in an earlier article “ Ten Slides Make a Killer Investor Presentation.” Research your audience before presenting. If you have ten minutes, that means no more than ten slides.

Technical Review 237

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Matching 237

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2020

These same constituents are looking for leaders who can create the future – focus forward rather than backward, seem to see around corners, can turn their vision into committed actions, and are able to engage all the right people into bringing the future into the present. Execution leadership.

Valuation 311

Valuation Technical Review Due Diligence Leadership 311

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2021

The real power of making your job look effortless is preventing problems by using the previous strategies, and focusing on the future, as well as the present. Prevent: solve problems before they happen. Get to the root of problems, rather than fighting symptoms.

Technical Review 309

Technical Review Restful Internet Small Business 309

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Over half of the survivors remaining are eliminated during live presentations, and another 6.5% Build an investor presentation and summary. Investors expect a one or two-page executive summary sheet for the initial screening, backed up by a ten-slide Powerpoint investor presentation. are eliminated during due diligence.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2013

The Entrepreneurial Perspective starts with a picture of a well-defined future, and then comes back to the present with the intention of changing it to match the vision. The Technician’s Perspective starts with the present, and then looks forward to an uncertain future with the hope of keeping it much like the present.

Technical Review 235

Technical Review Social Media Internet Matching 235

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2019

For example, you must forego the traditional meeting approach, where a team member presents a slide deck with all the background and multiple solution options on an issue, and asks you for a decision.

Elevator Pitch 312

Elevator Pitch Technical Review Dividend Leadership 312

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

Presenting your startup vision as a founder to a potential investor, or presenting an idea as an employee to an executive, requires that you effectively communicate, or “translate”, the value proposition into terms that the receiver can fully understand and appreciate. If you fail, it’s your loss, not theirs, no matter what the reason.

Technology 206

Technology Agile Architecture Distribution 206

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Of course, it still pays to consider the impact of cultural norms and languages, as well as time zones, particularly in areas that present your image to customers, such as customer service. The terms are clear, and there is no entitlement to deal with. Direct customer-facing non-technical roles should be the last ones outsourced.

Technical Review 308

Technical Review Due Diligence Startup Employee 308

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2011

Presenting your startup vision as a founder to a potential investor, or presenting an idea as an employee to an executive, requires that you effectively communicate, or “translate”, the value proposition into terms that the receiver can fully understand and appreciate. If you fail, it’s your loss, not theirs, no matter what the reason.

Agile 230

Agile Startup Architecture Distribution 230

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2011

If your startup is looking for an angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. A caveat is that this is a for-profit organization, so fees to present may be significant. Or does it? Actually numbers and locations are just the beginning.

Angel Investor 255

Angel Investor North America South America Accredited Investor 255

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2019

They present a convincing story that every entrepreneur has the same potential, but most get sidetracked and bogged down by their technology, competitors, and internal organization. My simple answer is that they keep their focus on customers, rather than technology. Jeff Bezos has kept his focus on customers.

Global 308

Global Marketing Technical Review Algorithm 308

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2022

Lead with your two-page executive summary, be prepared to give a ten-slide investor presentation. Offer to give your executive presentation, but he may want just the elevator pitch. If you have an hour, use no more than 20 minutes for presentation. Put your ear to the ground before charging ahead.

Elevator Pitch 316

Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Venture Capital Business Plan 316

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2013

Can concisely explain the unique, compelling value of the proposed venture in written terms and in oral presentations (elevator pitch), recognizing that some investors rely more on one than the other. Convincingly presents a patent, trademark, or other “secret sauce” that can create equity value, not just current cash flow for the owners.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 273

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2013

I’ve asked this question many times of presenters in Angel meetings, and often get a blank look. After a good elevator pitch or initial presentation, investors will ask for your formal business plan and financial projections. Then you have to have evidence to support your request. Failure to prepare for due diligence.

Software Review 265

Software Review Due Diligence Elevator Pitch Startup 265

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2015

I’ve seen several presentations that never moved past the first slide before running out of time. Research your audience before presenting. The most respected presenters are the ones who have done the research before-hand to know who is in the audience, and have tailored their message to these interests.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Matching 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

To keep you on a positive track with potential investors, I recommend the following logic principles, to balance your passion in presenting your vision of a new business: Make sure your plan includes some business metrics. Present a viable exit strategy for investors to cash out.

Exit Strategy 406

Exit Strategy Merger Angel Investor IPO 406

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

Prepare an executive summary and investor presentation. Angel investors expect to review a short executive summary before booking time to hear an investor presentation or taking the time to analyze a full business plan. Have a full business plan and financial model to close the deal.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2023

Build your credibility by presenting balanced competitor leadership and team histories. Make your competitive position a long-term advantage by presenting a timeline of technology evolution, rather than a comparison at time of first rollout. Do your research thoroughly on the Internet, with industry experts, and advisors.

Intellectual Property 279

Intellectual Property Cloud Leadership Global 279

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2023

Personalize your presentation, if possible, for every investor. Smart Shark Tank presenters have done their homework on each investor, and customize their sample product or anecdote for each. In a more general sense, find out as much as you can about every group and person you address, and tune your pitch ahead of time to match.

Entrepreneur 279

Entrepreneur Due Diligence Angel Investor Silicon Valley 279