It's not a simple process. Entrepreneurs must make special attitude adjustments in order to be successfully coached, says Karen Gifford, director of consulting services at Venture Point. But that doesn't mean every single bit of advice we give out should be taken. It's a matter of hearing what is said, judging it and explaining why a certain action was taken if it's not in line with the recommendation. You also have to be coachable without being defensive.
Timing is everything when it comes to presenting at venture forums.
That's because these are public venues meaning it's not possible to ensure confidentiality of a presentation. Depending on your business, this means securing your copyright, making sure your trademark or patent is in the works, or having your Web site in beta-test mode. Most investors recognize that people progress and improve over time and won't hold it against an entrepreneur who, six months or a year ago, gave a presentation that was sloppy. Once you decide when to present, the next question is where. Once you've identified potential forums, give them a call.