Let’s talk

Posted on June 22, 2007 at 11:41 pm in General
Popularity: 11%

I was introduced to a local angel investor recently, it was a personal introduction. I reach out to the angel and ask for a meeting.
no_document.jpg
His reply; “I’m happy to check out an exec summary OR do a quick call sometime soon if that works for you. Assuming we still have mutual interest, we’ll find a way to get together. Sound ok?”

This is a perfectly fair response. So whaddya think I do? I say great, let me know a time to TALK on the phone that works for you.

His response; “i’ll assume there’s no exec summary?” . . . “how about 5pm on the 26th? Let me know if that works.”

Yes, there is an executive summary, but he gave me a choice. I learned a long time ago ya’ll “NEVER SEND A DOCUMENT TO DO A CONVERSATIONS JOB!”

If you or your company is confronted with a big opportunity to grow, raise money, land a huge contract, get a slammin’ developer or what ever, never, I mean never rely on a document to do your work. If given the choice always, I mean ALWAYS have some sort of personal interaction.

It doesn’t matter how good your proposal is, or how slammin’ your business plan is, or how tight your executive summary is, it will never be as good as you.

A document can’t:

express passion
ask questions
guarantee it gets read
read the reader
over come objections
emphasize what is important to the reader
de-emphasize what isn’t important
clarify
talk, think or listen!

“NEVER SEND A DOCUMENT TO DO A CONVERSATIONS JOB!”

The angel and I are talkin’ this week, I’ll let ya know how it goes!

Peace, I’m out!

Comments

Hey Antman, I am with you on this, while a document can lay further emphasis and serve as a reminder, it certainly can’t “do a conversation’s job”. It may show a level of professionalism and diligence; certainly won’t convey all of the unspoken messages your tone and pitch will carry. All the best. Let us know how things work out with your angel.

Comment from The SoHo Cheerleader on June 23, 2007, 7:57 pm

I’m glad you posted this. I am taking a business class right now for the sole purpose of how to “write the perfect business plan”. I am on my second draft as we speak and its for a Web 2.0 application software idea I have and quite honestly, I wonder how much emphasis this plan really has on getting this project off the ground. I know when it comes to pitching TV shows, what keeps you in the office is your energy and personality, not a one page treatment. I’ve managed to pitch without treatments and those meetings were some of the longest!

Comment from Kali on June 23, 2007, 9:25 pm

Soho,

Great to see ya at the buzz! It has been a longtime. You are absolutely correct girl, a document is static, it can only support, it can not lead. It is too bad, so many cats rely on it, cause it ain’t the best lead. Thanks for poppin’ in girl!

Kali,

First, there is no such thing as the perfect business plan. B-plans are great for you, the creator. They force you to think about what you are embarking on. If you treat it with respect, you should be asking yourself a million questions, and when you get stuck, go research and get a GREAT answer. Once completed you should feel even better about your idea, or be honest with yourself and re-evaluate your investment. Regardless, B-plans value is for the creator. Outsiders: 50% if not more won’t read em. 50% will only skim through and not get the correct message, 50% will read it just to breakdown your idea, and the other 50% will tell you they read it and who knows if they really did. Yeah, I know a lot of 50%’s.

Write a good one, do it for you, and when finished you will be even more prepared to have a “CONVERSATION!” Thanks for given the buzz a little love.

Peace, I’m out!

Comment from Antman on June 24, 2007, 11:43 am

Link love my darling Antman…I tagged you in a linking loving thingabobby on murphy’s law today….check it out darling…………

Comment from Ev Nucci on June 25, 2007, 11:23 am

Antman, you’re absolutely right, maybe give the executive summary after the conversation. And passion is what comes across the most in a face to face meeting. Afterwards when the investor is reading your executive summary they will be able to remember the passion you brought. Good luck!

Comment from David Temple on June 25, 2007, 11:45 am

Very cool advice.

Comment from Mat on June 27, 2007, 9:46 am

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Pingback from cre8Buzz Blog » Let’s talk . . UPDATE on June 28, 2007, 12:54 pm

Hiya Antman doin a drive by nothin like being persaonable “in person” and you have the goods!

Im talights
Harleyblues

Comment from harleyblues on June 30, 2007, 7:37 pm

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