How you pitch your company determines whether you get the right partners, favorable financing terms, super executives, and best shot at success. Your business plan should be about 20 pages, covering all aspects of your business. And yes, put in the hours to make it perfect, because you’ll be repurposing the business plan’s content in sales presentations, marketing collateral and white papers, recruiting pitches and your Web site. When presenting your business plan to financiers, your pitch needs to be concise, compelling, and complete.

BE CONCISE: Provide a simple explanation for why your business or project is a great idea, and how you’ll execute the steps to pull it off. You must be able to convince the money contingent that you have a sound execution strategy and pragmatic tactics for making your vision a reality.

The key questions you need to answer are:
-       Have you hired the right people?
-       Can you build/deliver your product or service? Will it fly?
-       Are you chasing big enough markets and can you reach them?
-       How much will it cost to build this business?

BE COMPELLING: Your opportunity should have the right deal, with the right price, at the right time, with the right product/service, and the right team.

The key questions you need to answer are:
-  What, exactly, is compelling about your business (your products/services, team, unique approach, intellectual property, etc.)?
-  Do you have high-profile advisory board members?
-  Have you already attracted customers (even those who’ve signed on for a free trial)?
-  Are your target markets tangible and accessible?
-  Could your product or service lead to an expanded line of additional offerings?

BE COMPLETE: You must have a trusted third-party review your pitch to ensure it addresses the high-level issues a financier might have. Ask anyone who can help – your startup-savvy attorney, advisory board, mentors, friends who have expertise in the specific market you are addressing or in business overall – to punch holes in your pitch. Be complete – it will help you gain the trust of all you pitch to.

By following the 3C’s, you’ll be well on the way to roping them in with those first pages. You will also establish that you’re a trustworthy person with a substantial idea as you make your financing pitch.

Christine Comaford, The Executive Coach
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc. and Business Accelerator
http://www.BusinessAccelerationIntensive.com

PS:  If you’re NOT at this point in your business and would like to be, you can attend one of my Business Acceleration weekends.  You can find these events all over the country – the schedule is up at http://BusinessAccelerationIntensive.com – and if you’re DEFINITELY ready, you might want to work with me one-on-one to nail your pitch. Reach out at http://ChristineComaford.com/contact.

It is essential to assess where you are in your life; otherwise one or both of the following will happen. First, you could wake up years later, miles downstream from where you planned, or worse, buried alive in one of those tunnels. Second? You won’t get the hang of letting go, which is essential in order to avoid burnout and redefine your vision as things change (like the market, the competition, your client base, etc.).

I do separate my personal life from my work life, but I’m an integrated human being, and I need an integrated approach to leading my life, I think we all do. So start with this exercise – later in the week I’ll send you some tools to assess your VISION.  Remember that your vision and your actions SHOULD align for the most part.  For me, MY success vision means I share the tools that make me one of the most successful Executive Mentors with my best clients.  Sometimes that’s the top CEOs of fortune 100 companies, and sometimes that’s an entrepreneur who’s just breaking their first million. Wherever you fall on that journey, learning everything you can and assessing your path is the FIRST step you should take today.

Christine Comaford, The Executive Coach
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author http://businessaccelerationintensive.com

PS: Remember, we ALL have blocks on our path – from the top CEOs to the newest entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to bust through yours, then the right executive coach is key. I will MAKE room in my BAI program, IF you are serious. (I’ve added new dates all over the country too!) Teaching my Mighty Formula for Executive Evolution is my personal passion to turn this economy around, one success story at a time.
http://businessaccelerationintensive.com

One of the most important things we can know, in today’s information-driven world, is that our intellect is NOT in charge – no matter how much knowledge we pump into it. The Hoffman Institute has shown through recent brain research that 90% of our responses are emotional. Ninety percent!  Add to that the fact that our emotions respond 400x faster than our brain, and you’ve got a recipe for success – or disaster – when it comes to human contact.

If you can make a practice of revealing yourself to the people in your life, then you can create a  deep connection with clients, team members, and valued colleagues – one that results in true intimacy, true leadership, emotional equity, meaning and fulfillment, and you never have to think about motivating people again. Why?  Because connection = trust. Being trusted and feeling connected is a core motivator.

And remember, building a highly successful organization while staying connected and true to ourselves, as human beings, is always the end game.  Without that, everything else will feel stark and empty. I have worked with some of the most successful people in the world, and believe me, success without knowing oneself, and without connection to oneself and the people in one’s life is MEANINGLESS – and, incidentally, UNSUSTAINABLE.

So why DON’T people experience themselves as true and real in their business and life?  Quite simply, they haven’t revealed themselves. They’ve stayed conveniently hidden rather than stand naked in the light of day.  Yes, revealing yourself is scary – but I’ll say it again – it’s the core of real success in life and business.

Your drive, your ambition – much of which comes from feeling that you are “not enough” as you are – can only take you so far. If you’re not careful, your drive can become destructive, depressing, and disillusioning. And even though it’s no longer working for you, you still cling to it – because you think it defines you, you think that ambition IS you. I know, because I’ve been there. I’ve been to burnout and back by serving my ambition instead of my soul.

It’s easy to make the mistake of protecting your drive above all else, even when your heart and gut know it’s no longer serving you. At some point you have to stop and wonder: When did you choose to stop revealing yourself? When did you stop looking inside? Was it an isolated incident when life smacked you down? Or when you were elevated high and thought showing your humanity might result in others taking advantage of you, or not taking you seriously?

It’s great if you can identify when and why you stopped being open enough to those around you, but either way you simply have to do it now – no matter how safe you feel being all locked up.  Taking a risk and making it a practice to reveal yourself to the people in your life is the only way you will truly get what you want. So how do you do this?

You decide to evolve as an executive.

You decide to buck the “hide who you are” trend that humanity has celebrated for centuries. You make a conscious choice. Look, evolution doesn’t happen overnight, but it is beneficial. In the case of evolving and revealing, practice does make perfect.  Practice my Mighty Formula for Executive Evolution. The ingredients to this formula? Reveal. Stand. Align.

Christine Comaford, Executive Coach
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Business Acceleration and a rockin’ coach are always the key. http://mightyventures.com/bai/

1. Create A Capital Acquisition Strategy.

2. Contact The Targeted Investors: Try to do this through a personal introduction if possible–this will move you to the top of the stack.

3. Have The Initial Meeting: Don’t break out the business plan yet–use the financing pitch presentation: If the investors are interested and request it, give them the executive summary. But don’t set a price for your company. Keep it quiet.

Ask the INVESTOR what they think it’s worth.

4. Meet With The Investment Group: If the investors review the summary and request another meeting, it means they’re very interested–and want more of their group to come in. If all goes well, go ahead and hand over your business plan.

5. Secure A Lead Investor. This person does most or all of the due diligence, and helps bring other investors into the deal. The lead drives the process, so get one PRONTO.

6. Set The Price. Preferred stock often starts out at $1.00 per share, where common stock will be about 10% of this price. Founders stock (or sweat equity) is often a penny or so per share. Get help from your startup-savvy attorney in setting the stock price,  negotiating the employment agreement and vesting schedule, etc.

That’s it–that’s my main checklists. Print this email out and stick it up on your wall or fridge.T Then, as you finish each step, cross it off and move on to the next one. You’ll be surprised how motivated you’ll be to get to that last step!

If you’re REALLY ready to meet investors and build a rockin’ financial pitch, come to my 7 Figure Business Summit – where there will be amazing angel investors to meet and listen to.  The Summit is only DAYS away now (4/30-5/2) – so hurry! Get your seats before they’re gone. (As I write this, there’s only 30 seats left – and you can STILL bring a friend for half price. (My personal recession buster) – 7 Figure Business Summit.)

To your amazing and IMMEDIATE 7 Figure Success,

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder

CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.

NY Times Best Selling Author of Rules for Renegades

PS: IF you cannot attend my Summit for any reason, then by all means, grab my Results Now Webinar and get started – but I think you should ALL be at that Summit and give me a chance to see you and hear the extraordinary life that YOU want to build.

Christine Comaford believes every entrepreneur has at least one multi-million dollar business inside of them. Her 7 Figure Business Formula has created over 153 multi-million dollar businesses. Learn the 6 proven steps to YOUR 7 Figure Business here: http://bit.ly/ComafordWebinar

One thing you ALL know about me — I want your business to be successful. To help, I’d like you attend a *free* tele-class with me on how to build a 7-figure business. http://bit.ly/CallWithChristine

On this call you’ll learn:

* A crystal clear solution to the 3 things you are doing RIGHT NOW that keep you overworked, underpaid, and feeling consumed by your business

* The KEY Question to Ask Yourself to Focus ONLY on the Needle-Moving Activities that will generate Forward Momentum and Big Results Quickly!

* Simple Strategies to build a Support System that gives you Complete Control and Ultimate Freedom over Your Business & Lifestyle

* The #1 Obstacle preventing You from Achieving Your Business Vision… and How to Break Through To New Levels of Success!

* The 6 step 7 Figure Business Formula that has enabled thousands of CEOs to build 7 figure businesses WITHOUT burn-out!

* 1 surefire way to get your team to become self-managed, highly accountable owners of their areas.

http://bit.ly/CallWithChristine

I don’t want you to THINK about attending this tele-class, WANTrepreneurs need to stop and think about every small aspect of their business and over-analyze opportunities.

True entrepreneurs TAKE ACTION when an opportunity comes their way. So I want to you COMMIT to being there for one of the upcoming dates.

http://bit.ly/CallWithChristine

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder
Founder & CEO: Mighty Ventures LLC
NY Times Bestselling Author of Rules for Renegades

PS: Do this now!!! Don’t put it off until later or chances are you’ll never come back to it. I want to help, but you have to SHOW UP. http://bit.ly/CallWithChristine

I’ve definitely worked to get where I am in life – I’ve built business after business (of my own), sold them for millions of dollars, AND I’ve mentored and advised HUNDREDS of businesses as they built 7 figure success stories.

When I think about what makes an extraordinary life, though, the ingredients are bigger than that.  The ingredients to a ROCKIN’ life are compassion, tenacity, perseverance, gratitude, love, AND dedicating my life and achievements to something bigger than myself.  Some of that is the $4 million that I’ve given away to charity – but the larger part of what make a rockin’ life is when I get to give those things one-on-one to others.

Sometimes that means supporting friends or the great people who make up my team.  Some days it means helping a stranger on the street.  But other days (and these are my FAVORITE extraordinary life days) I get to help CEOs and entrepreneurs build THEIR extraordinary lives – whatever that means to them.

How do I do this? I get them OUT of their day-to-day 24/7 business treadmill and back into the REST of it.  I teach them and mentor them about building a 7 Figure businesses.  I use MY best extraordinary days to teach others about Motivation, Momentum, Model, MVPs, Money, Mentor.

And if you work with me, either at live events or online, you KNOW that I do this in a variety of ways.  I mentor one-on-one.  I mentor small groups through my Business Acceleration Mastermind program and my Business Acceleration Intensive weekends.  AND I mentor at live events, like my 7 Figure Business Summit.  THIS event is designed to bring CEOs and business building entrepreneurs into the freedom that happens when your Motivation, Momentum, Model, MVPs, Money, Mentor are solidly in place.

IF you cannot attend my Summit for any reason, then by all means, grab my Results Now Webinar and get started – but I think you should ALL be at that Summit and give me a chance to see you and hear the extraordinary life that YOU want to build.

To your amazing and IMMEDIATE success,

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author of Rules for Renegades

Christine Comaford believes every entrepreneur has at least one multi-million dollar business inside of them. Her 7 Figure Business Formula has created over 153 multi-million dollar businesses. Learn the 6 proven steps to YOUR 7 Figure Business here: http://bit.ly/ComafordWebinar

Hi gang. We’re going to pick up where we left off last week regarding how to obtain financing for your own mighty venture. Rememeber though, if you’re REALLY serious about how to win in the financing process, being at my 7 Figure Business Summit is a MUST.

We talked about getting investors to put money into your business, but if your company  is on the smaller side with fewer (initial) lofty goals and a more organic growth curve, a loan can be a good financing method.  Loans come in three tasty flavors:

–Secured Small Business Administration (SBA)
–Secured Small business bank loans
–Unsecured loans over the net

SBA loans are easier to get if you have assets to secure the loan with, a solid pre-existing banking relationship, and a high tolerance for bureaucracy. The process can be excruciatingly slow, but if you make it through, you can get a six-digit loan on pretty favorable terms.

A small business bank loan also requires a pre-existing banking relationship and high tolerance for bureaucracy, but you’ll get okay-to-pricey terms based on your credit rating.

An unsecured loan requires no collateral (a home or other asset) to secure it. Check out www.prosper.com (their current max $25k). If you demonstrate good will with prompt payments, you’ll be eligible for another, often larger, loan in time.

Now, the first secret about succeeding in the financing process…

Raise money BEFORE you need it, because the financing process always takes longer than anticipated. For institutional investors a realistic expectation is three to six months from the first meeting to the wire-transferred funds. Financings sometimes occur in far less time, but you must be prepared for the long haul.

Start raising money six to nine months before you’re due to run out of cash. Have a strong banking relationship already established in the event that you need a bridge loan to tide you over during an extended financing process.

This week, think about whether a loan is best for your business or if finding investors would be more to your advantage. Begin to outline a business plan that centers around your choice. If you’re REALLY serious about how to win in the financing process, being at my 7 Figure Business Summit is a MUST.

You can also find much more information on this – and all of my business acceleration tips, including needle movers, business model, mentorship, board of advisors, etc., at http://www.ResultsNowWebinar.com – it’s a GREAT opportunity to MOVE your biz (and get my personal mentoring).

To your success and your winning relationships!

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS:  This is the ONE event you must be at this year: http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com

In a perfect world, we have teachers and mentors that help us establish what we believe in and what we stand for while we’re still in our teens and twenties–before we get caught up in the fast-paced world of birthing our own businesses and stomping out fires. But that’s not always the way it works.

Still we need that foundation of truth to stand on. Without that foundation, it’s easy to get lost and stay lost. And since getting to know yourself is a lifelong process, doesn’t it makes sense to learn what you can sooner than later?

Don’t forget–the universe has a perfect accounting system. So this week, get off by yourself and do some serious soul searching. Ask yourself these questions:

–What’s my “brand”? Write down 3 adjectives to describe yourself.
–Does my “brand” resonate with me, or is it time to upgrade it?
–What’s my creed? Write down the rules (or code) you live by.
–Does my creed still fit, or is it time to expand it?

Find your unshakeable core and start making deposits into your personal growth account. And when the chips are down, some of the good will be returned to you.

After all, that’s why they call it “goodwill”…

Finally, if you haven’t already done so, DEFINITELY sign up for the free audio.  (You’ll see the box in the upper right side of this blog page “Your 7 Figure Business Formula Audio Gift” at http://www.Christine.com.To your amazing and IMMEDIATE success,

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: In the spirit of great free gifts, if you have not gotten my FREE CD on building a 7 Figure Business, you’re missing a vital key to your 7 Figure Success Story. http://www.bit.ly/iBmuI

You’re an entrepreneur (or INTRApreneur) for a very good reason: YOUR reason! I’m willing to bet that you are PASSIONATE and DEDICATED and have the drive necessary to succeed.

But do you have the business experience and systems that will improve your chances of success? Because Passion and Dedication alone will only take you so far in business. You’ll need proven knowledge and systems too.

If you know you need a primer on the basics of building a thriving business… things like:

* Having an entrepreneur’s mindset and knowing what your REAL job is as the owner of your company…

* Creating a KILLER business plan that clearly and concisely outlines your long-term vision and guides your daily, weekly and monthly actions…

* Building a DREAM TEAM of employees, contractors, advisors and influencers, who will enhance the value of your business and provide massive amounts of leverage

* Learn great selling techniques that allow you to spend more time landing quality deals… and less time trying to sell to unqualified prospects

* How to get various types of FUNDING for your business so that you can continue to grow year after year!

* And more!

Then you’ll want to join me at my 7 Figure Business Summit. If you decide that you’re ready to be hugely successful in 2010, I’d love you to come work with a group of like-minded leaders (and ME) at my 7 Figure Business Building Summit. http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com  

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: If 2009 was tough – despite ALL of your hard work, come and learn from me in person at my 7 Figure Business Building Summit.
http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com