Intro and Human Resources Concerns

For centuries, in Euro-centric societies, a common expression was used to indicate the opinion that a thought or statement was painfully obvious. “Is a swan white?” was an old-timey version of “Ya think?” Nobody north of the equator had ever seen a swan that deviated from the standard European model: “We only see white swans. Ergo, all swans are white.”

And then in 1606, some Dutch sailors stumbled upon the continent we now know as Australia. Not only did the Australian landscape feature crazy trees that shed their bark but kept their leaves, but lo…

Do you remember, way back in junior high, when your science teacher taught you all about ecological niches? It seems pretty obvious that your chances of finding a big green frog happily living in a sand dune in the middle of the Kalahari desert are just about zero.

What might not be so obvious is the fact that investors inhabit the business world version of ecological niches. Your chances of finding the investment money you need is greatly increased if you know where to go hunting for it. …

Yes. You do.

A capitalization table is an electronic ledger or spreadsheet that is, on the most simple level, a chart that shows at a glance who owns how much of your company. It therefore shows exactly who has control of your company. The cap table can also allow you to calculate the financial impact of doing things like expanding the company option pool, or going for another funding round. It’s a powerful tool.

In the old days, shareholders were issued stock certificates. These days, a cap table serves the same purpose (showing who owns what), and is considered a…

Your startup is launched, and things are going along pretty darned well. So well, in fact, that you think the time has arrived to start looking for some serious investors. Or, maybe your established business is booming, and you want to diversify. Before you start actively looking for people with money to throw at you, there are a few things you need to do that will ensure you will be taken seriously. No one is going to invest a dime if they think you don’t have all your ducks in a row. …

So, you decided that it’s time to make that dream come true and do something about the business idea that’s been bumping around in the back of your brain since junior high. You need money to take that idea from the dream stage into reality. But before you ask Uncle Lester if he has some spare change to invest, stop and consider where you are.

Be sure that:

• You already have your idea well thought-out
• You’ve talked to an intellectual property lawyer to ensure that your idea/product is protected
• You’ve developed a well-constructed business plan
• You’ve identified a real need…

Every entrepreneur dreams of success. To achieve success, sometimes it is necessary to find investors. Sure, you can reach out to your friends and family. They know you, and because they know and trust you, some will feel comfortable investing in your dream. But how do you capture and hold the attention of investors who know nothing about you? You need to be visible, and you need to capture their attention instantly.

There are two approaches to investor communication — indirect, and direct.

Indirect Communications — Make Yourself Visible

Now, in the digital age, investors will want to find out all they can about you and…