Do you want an eagle or a vulture?

Hi Everyone

You’ve no doubt heard investors referred to as ‘vulture’ capitalists. And I’d agree that I have seen some investors act like vultures. Not a nice look.

But let me put this to you…

When you take on an investor you have made certain ‘promises’ about what you and your team will deliver in exchange for the investment. How you work with your investor from here on out can have a major influence on whether your investor acts like an eagle or a vulture.

So, you have a lot of control in these situations.

Sure, #@*! happens and you can’t do much about that. Let’s assume it’s all not going pear shaped but there are challenges.

The best thing you can do is to talk to your investor. And OFTEN. Don’t try to bullshit them. That will get ‘vulture’ behaviour in the blink of an eye.  Keep your investor up to date, tell them about the nasty surprises, deliver your reports on time. Don’t stuff them around. Keep your word. Make them feel comfortable.

If they have confidence in you then you can be sure that you will see ‘eagle’ behaviour. They will take you into the stratosphere.  They will open doors that you can barely imagine. They’ll protect you in the early days and they’ll teach you how to fly like an eagle.

On the other hand, if you aren’t totally 100% open and honest then you will know what it feels like to be in bed with vultures.

Look, even if it goes pear shaped, and investments do, if you behave with integrity and openness then you’ll still have friends at the end of it all. And you never know what will happen in the next life!

Take control and watch for signs of uneasiness from your investors. That way you can make small corrections.

And you’ll be high up in the eagle’s nest.

Cheers

Gail Geronimos