Crocodile Sales and Other Poor Pitches

Pitching your product or company is key to succeeding. For those of us who have listened to a lot of pitches, we have a few favorite descriptions in sharing the sales call outcome with others. Mine is “show up and throw up”. I think the description is pretty obvious but let’s just say I did [...]

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The Fundamentals of Raising Capital – Governance

In my work at the BIZ, I receive more questions about raising capital than any other subject.  Last March the BIZ hosted a one day seminar on raising capital.  We covered a series of topics that educates the entrepreneur or business person on the fundamentals of raising capital. Wrapping up the series is Joe Leo, of [...]

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It is Easier to Measure Hours Than Results. Don’t do it!

For startups, working long hours is a normal, expected input to the success of the business being built.  Here is the tough part.  Are you measuring your progress in hours or results?  Too many will focus on how many hours they put in without questioning the results from those hours.  The solution is simple but [...]

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Business Partners and Investors: Check those references

I started my working life in the car business.  I quickly came to the conclusion that people spend more time researching the purchase of a television than a car.  In other words, people buy cars on emotion and looks.  When engaging with business partners do not connect based on first impressions.  In my last company [...]

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The Fundamentals of Raising Capital – Securities Law

In my work at the BIZ, I receive more questions about raising capital than any other subject.  Last March the BIZ hosted a one day seminar on raising capital.  We covered a series of topics that educates the entrepreneur or business person on the fundamentals of raising capital. Next up in the series is Chris Sackett, [...]

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Pitch it! Pitch it Great! Win $1,000!

Pitching your company for investment or in selling your product or service is one of the keys to success.  Technology Association of Iowa has a way for you to improve your pitch, Pitch & Grow XII! Announcing the return of the entrepreneurial smash-success, TAI’s Pitch & Grow XII event! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April [...]

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