They may call themselves brokers, consultants, or facilitators. They say they know angels or VCs who are eager to invest in your company. In today’s challenging fundraising climate, it can be tempting to listen to their pitches. But before you do, be aware that paying someone to contact investors on…
As a startup or small business, it can be exhilarating to win a sale with a huge multinational. However, once the reality of contract negotiations sets in, you may wonder what you’re signing up for, literally. Large companies, especially in highly regulated industries like finance or healthcare, may want to…
As a founder raising seed capital, you know your revenue numbers inside and out. But can you convince investors that this revenue is sustainable? Angel investors are looking for companies that can deliver returns of 10x or more on their money. To show them you can scale profitably, you need…
Downtown warehouses vs. midtown highrises. All-night coding sessions vs. all-day meetings. Hoodies and flip-flops vs. business casual. At first glance, corporate managers and startup founders look like they come from different worlds. But doing time in a large enterprise can actually help you become an outstanding startup CEO. Advantage 1:…
As a B2B startup or small business, you’re looking to cast a wide net for potential clients. Whether you’re selling to medium-sized companies or multinationals, you need proven methods for reaching decision-makers. These may be C-level executives or senior managers, and they’re the ones with the budget and authority to…
An online search will tell you that data is “the new sand,” “the new oil,” “the new currency”, or maybe even “the new gold.” Although it may be hard to define data’s exact value, more and more small businesses are starting to exploit this resource to impress customers, grow sales,…
“We decided to go in another direction.” “We’re having budget issues.” “Your project sponsor is no longer with the company.” No matter how gently your client breaks the news, it’s painful when a pilot project fails. Your company was hoping for a successful proof of concept, or maybe a profitable…