| As a business coach I find that business people | | | | 5. Know the time limit for your presentation and |
| always seem very interested and eager for advice | | | | honor it. This shows that you respect the value of |
| on how to make winning presentations. And recently | | | | everyone's time. |
| there has been an increased interest in seeking | | | | 6. Prepare your presentation to assure that you will |
| advice for making winning presentations to investors | | | | keep within the time allotted to you. |
| for their business. They want to know how best to | | | | 7. Anticipate questions that may be asked and |
| prepare that winning presentation to a prospective | | | | prepare yourself to answer them. Do a "trial run" of |
| investor. Applying strategic thinking to this request, | | | | your presentation with some colleagues or business |
| here are ten actions I recommend to anyone desiring | | | | advisers posing as the "potential investors" and have |
| to make a winning presentation to investor(s). | | | | them ask questions after your presentation. |
| 1. Know who the audience will be. Research who will | | | | 8. Never, never, never try to fake your way through |
| be attending and what their backgrounds are so that | | | | your presentation, evade a question or knowingly tell |
| you know something about who will be listening to | | | | an untruth. If you do not know the answer to a |
| your presentation and making the decision on your | | | | question, be honest and admit that you do not know. |
| request. | | | | This will portray you as being honest and |
| 2. Target your message to the investors. Do some | | | | straightforward. |
| homework by talking with a key player among the | | | | 9. Rehearse your presentation and have someone |
| investors who will be in attendance. Find out what | | | | provide constructive criticism to you. Make any |
| some of their "hot buttons" are and what they look | | | | necessary adjustments to the presentation to |
| for in their investment opportunities. | | | | address the points of constructive criticism. |
| 3. Arrive early and be ready to present at the | | | | 10. Practice, practice, practice your presentation! |
| appointed time. | | | | Thinking strategically and employing the above tips |
| 4. Be concise and get to your point quickly. Investors | | | | when preparing for your presentation will increase |
| can lose interest very quickly if your presentation | | | | your probability of success in making a winning |
| does not get to the point quickly. | | | | presentation to investors. |