From the category archives:
Hollywood producers need to spend more time with startups. The swashbuckling stories of how entrepreneurs turn ideas into companies are a complex mix of drama and comedy. In some cases, the stories are so surreal that one could easily confuse them for a movie script. One example [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingWhen presenting financial models, both form and substance are important. It goes without saying that your assumptions need to be justifiable, the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement need to be linked and that the overall story behind the numbers needs to be attractive to investors. But how the [...]
{ 2 comments }
Continue ReadingFor those of you that haven’t seen the movie “Black Swan” starring Natalie Portman, I promise I won’t give away the ending. The plot follows the life of a ballerina as she struggles to embody the dual role of the white swan and the black swan in the Russian ballet Swan Lake. [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingWhen it comes time to pitch your company to investors, most business owners play it safe. They have their traditional PowerPoint presentation that includes the Mission, Vision, Product description, management team experience, sales strategy, financial projections and competitive advantages. That’s fine, but it isn’t enough to convince investors to write [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingBuilding a good financial model isn’t easy. Many companies spend countless hours trying to get their Excel-built model just right. The purpose of building a model is two-fold: first it lets potential investors know that you have made an attempt to project the potential performance of your business, understand what the [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingThe earthquake and subsequent tsunami that has devastated Japan is a human tragedy of significant proportions. The resilience of the Japanese people will be tested as they emerge from this crisis. In addition to the human toll, Japan’s economy is also suffering heavily. Barclays Capital estimates that the damage from the [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingI recently wrote about the importance of multiple sales channels for small business owners and how the economics of sales channels is an important consideration when determining which channels to use. Traditional sales channels like retail stores and wholesale distributors now also work in conjunction with e-commerce. Selling via your website or a [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingImagine walking into a restaurant and after being seated you are presented with a menu…that has no prices. After asking the waiter how much your dish of choice costs, you’re told “I can’t tell you until after you finish eating.” Odds are you wouldn’t eat there.
Continue to the article: Keep Your Legal [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingThe traditional marketing mix framework of product, price, place (distribution) and promotion has been in existence for more than 50 years. Virtually all undergraduate business and MBA programs discuss the interplay of these four marketing elements and how they relate to the success of any business. Despite the obvious importance of [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue ReadingWhile working in Kansas City, Missouri last month I had the opportunity to meet Grant Burcham, CEO of Missouri Bank & Trust Co., also known as Mobank. The minute you walk into their main branch, you are met by the following words and phrases: Entrepreneurial, individual, be the difference, unique, community, better off, and authentic.
Continue [...]
{ 0 comments }
Continue Reading
I can teach you proven strategies for growing sales and for raising money from investors. I founded EcoFin Media, Trans 24/7 and Proximo International.
