Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Telling your company’s storyThe winningThe winningfundraisingfundraisingpresentationpresentation

Defining andDefining andtelling yourtelling your

companycompany’’s storys story

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Goal of the presentationGoal of the presentation……

Succinctly communicatehow all the pieces makingup your business fit togetherto create a compellinginvestment opportunity

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

WhatWhat’’s neededs needed

Investors want to learn if…• There is a solid business concept

and business model• Management is smart and

experienced• There are competitive advantages

to exploit• Realistic financial projections have

been set• There’s a good chance to make

money on the investment

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

The pitch presentationThe pitch presentation

Three considerations1. What—the content2. How—the delivery of the pitch3. Who—know your audience;

different investors have differenthot buttons, so customize to meettheir expectations and mindset

Overview companypresentations are “pitchmeetings” with investors

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

WhatWhat——Sample structureSample structure

10 slides or so…1. What you’re after2. Company overview and elevator

pitch, i.e. mission/mantra/vision3. The team4. Problem buy-in—market and

opportunity size5. Your solution—products and

benefits6. Competition

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Sample structure,Sample structure, continuedcontinued……

7. Marketing and leveragepoints—how you’ll overcome thecompetition; distribution

8. Success metrics; revenueprojections

9. Status, timeline, use of funds10.What all this means and why it’s

a compelling investmentopportunity; call to action

PLUS, have answers ready to any “rude”questions that might come up (“So whywere you fired from XYZ 10 years ago?”)

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Create. Edit. Trim.And edit again.Because…

“Less is more.”Mies van der Rohe

About the About the ““whatwhat””

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

The The ““howhow””

Tell your story by…1. Capturing the imagination2. Showing, not telling3. Building trust; telling the truth4. Supporting your presentation

with slides with no more than 2-3points each (unlike this slide);do not read the slides; handthem out after the presentation

5. Adjusting to the audience(watch the nuanced bodymovements)

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Grab and keep theirattention (change theirpulse) with…• Vocal variety—avoid the

monotone• Non-verbal

communication—gestures,expressions, movement

• Tell stories—use tocommunicate details,timing, purpose

The The ““how,how,”” continuedcontinued……

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Keep it clear• Avoid MBA and geek speak

• BAD: We’ve developed acollaborative and interactive B2Bvalue generator that facilitatesdata transmission between theenterprise and internal partners.

• GOOD: We streamlinecommunications betweenheadquarters and field sales.

• Avoid acronyms, e.g. NIMBY,NOCs

The The ““how,how,”” continuedcontinued……

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Be visual; avoid bulletsWhich is easier to grasp?

The The ““how,how,”” continuedcontinued……

Fast growth• 100% increase 2001 over 2002, from $1 million to $2 million

• Gross margins increased from 10% of revenues in 2001 to 25% in 2002

ORFast growth

2002 2003

25%profit10%

profit

$1 million in sales $2 million in sales

Winning business plansCopyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC

Thank youThank you……

HelpingHelpingcompaniescompaniesnavigate thenavigate themarketing maze.marketing maze.Nimble Strategies LLC

206.948.2980