Sharp Turn to the Right with the Help of Angel Investors
Sharp Turn to the Right with the Help of Angel Investors
You have a business enterprise, but its just not taking off the way that you planned or business has slowed down significantly after a stellar few years. Along the way though, you have been able to learn much more about what the market demands and can amend your approach with great success with the right funding. Sometimes it’s necessary to reinvent your business to fit the marketplace and take advantage of what you have learned to date through missteps or experience. It’s a sharp turn to the right that can help a business take off again and angel investors can help you turn the wheel with angel funding.
Sometimes entrepreneurs have a good idea that needs tweaking, but they don’t know it needs adjusting until they enter the marketplace. In the age of technology, customer needs can change rapidly and you must be able to accommodate those needs through innovation. Business based on excellent ideas aren’t always successful after a period of time simply because they need a new look, a new approach, a refined marketing plan or an adaptation.
All too often businesses are driven into the ground because owners refuse to acknowledge that the economy has shifted or that their market niche has changed expectations. It’s a case of stubbornness in many circumstances because it’s tough to consider changing a brand that has time, money and effort behind it. However, your brand won’t do you much good if your company dies a slow death because you failed to listen to what the market is telling you.
Turning Towards Success
Reinventing your business with the help of angel investors can change a struggling business into an adaptable one that is always one step ahead of customers. Angel investors don’t just fund brand new businesses. They also fund existing businesses ready to change course to take advantage of a changing economy or a changing marketplace. Companies reinvent themselves every day with enormous success and many are companies well recognized – Apple computers, HP, GE and others. However, you don’t have to be a major corporation to understand that market adaptability is one of the most important keys to success.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of entrepreneurs who refuse to admit they need to pivot in place and head in a new direction. The advantages of adapting is overshadowed by the fear of failing, so the business is allowed to die a slow death while reinvention ideas are left languishing in the dark. It’s not for lack of funding either. Angel investors are investors willing to accept risk for financial gain and are looking for companies that have a new idea and a new way to penetrate a changing economy. Angel investors, like venture capitalists and equity partners, embrace innovation, new approaches and new ideas.
Reinvention can take many forms.
- Technological changes in products or processes
- Response to competition in the form of new products or services
- Upscale reinvention of brand
- Change or expansion in products or services in response to changing customer base
- Expansion in the definition of the niche market
Angel investors are more than willing to invest in companies that are ready to take a new path. In fact, you have a lot to offer angel investors right from the start because you have a business track record. The fact you are currently in business is a major benefit and selling point and often enough to get an investor’s attention sooner rather than later.
Pivoting on Core Competences
If you have a desire and need to take a sharp turn to the right in your business, the first step is developing a business plan around your core competencies. Those core competencies are the strengths of your business around which you will pivot your plans for new products or services, increased market penetration or business expansion based on a reinvention platform. Clearly explain your new idea, track record, the problem you will solve or the market you will serve, the benefits offered to the marketplace, the revenue opportunities and how reinvention strengthens and rather than weakens your enterprise, and angel investors will have plenty of good reasons to join your efforts.
More detailed information and useful advice can be found at http://www.funded.com. Created by Mark Favre, it offers expertise and assistance with developing and funding your concept, including a private forum for queries and discussions. If you need to access a vast network of business people, entrepreneurs, partners and service providers to help you start, finance and run your business, check out http://www.funded.com
Using the Rules of a Toast When Looking for Investors
One thing you can find plenty of when looking for investors is advice. Everyone seems to have an opinion and plenty of advice to share even when they have no experience in landing business funding. The best advice you can get is actually the same advice Toastmasters International gives as toasting tips: keep your presentation personal, brief, customized and heartfelt.
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs and businesses wait until they are desperate for cash to find investors. When it’s time to approach venture capitalists, equity partners or angel investors, the general theme is one of desperation. That is not an approach that usually works because desperation reeks of risk. If investors can detect one thing quickly it is a business or business idea that is high risk and the risk is not supported by a definitive business and marketing plan.
The personal aspect of approaching investors is quite simply – you. You are the one with the idea. You are the one who developed the business plan. You are the one who needs business funding. That makes you a business asset, and the personal aspect refers to your ability to prove business experience, ability to be productive and knowledge of the industry and market niche to be entered. Investors will also want to learn about your background.
When it’s time to present the business plan, the presentation should be brief, organized and well prepared. The investors will ask questions about any area they want more information about. However, when looking for investors, the business plan itself needs to thoroughly address all of the topics of interest. These topics include:
- The nature of the business
- Uniqueness of the product
- Market definition
- Customer demographics and needs
- Competition
- 5 year operating strategy
- Repayment plan and return on investment
- Supporting documentation
- Collateral
- Financial statements
The customization needed for the presentation will depend on the type of investor you are presenting too. For example, angel investors are considering a high risk investment in your early stage venture so your presentation will have to focus heavily on the management and minimization of risk. If you are presenting to potential equity partners then it will be important to address control of the business. If you are looking for large amounts of venture capital, the presentation may focus on the business plan for accelerated growth.
In all cases when looking for investors, the presentation must be heartfelt. Being heartfelt in this case means you are honest, forthright and truthful. When explaining to angel investors, venture capitalists or equity partners why you need the money, it’s important to show how the funds will be used to fuel growth.
What else can you learn from the toasting experts? You can learn to:
- Practice your presentation and avoid embarrassing faux pas
- Speak clearly and confidently
- Be positive and exude success
- Keep comments on point
- Summarize succinctly
There are experts who can help anyone looking for investors for their business. Looking and landing are two different things though. In the final analysis, it’s up to you to do the convincing.
Browse http://www.funded.com for more advice about getting your business funded.