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View from the FishBowl: The Perfect Pitch, Part 3: Finally, the pitch
OK. We know our audience, and we have down cold both the industry and the company we are pitching. Now, let’s make some sausage. I like to get those I work with to follow some simple rules that I have witnessed that are effective. My idea of a perfect pitch is one that tells them…
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View from the FishBowl – The Perfect Pitch, Part 1: Know your audience
I have been asked a number of times how to create the perfect pitch. Young (or old) entrepreneurs want the template that will result in funding with the fewest number of steps and the minimum amount of time. After all, we all want it now … and we want it with whipped topping and nuts.…
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View from the FishBowl: Can you talk the talk? OK, but focus on walking the walk
Recently, I was honored to spend an evening with an outstanding group of young people who participated in Startup Weekend Omaha. Wow, was that refreshing! What I saw was a super group of young people trying to figure out how to walk the walk … knowing they’re already beginning to understand how to talk the…
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View from the FishBowl – Negotiation Series Finale: Set parameters, avoid a tie, negative sell and more
My final blog on negotiation includes several points that I wanted to make when thinking about how I appraoch negotiations and various lessons I have learned that helped me in my career. These points have to do with how to approach the negotiation table and how to manage yourself during the …
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View from the FishBowl: Old dog learns new trick
There is hope … even for an old dog like me. My kids (and even my grandkids) are loaded with iPods, iPhones, iPads and everything else technologically advanced that starts with a vowel. My oldest grandson, Jackson, (7 years old) laughs at me when he tries to figure out why I can’t manage to help…
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View from the FishBowl – Negotiation Series: Know what you want … and what the other side wants…
It takes two to tango…and negotiate. Therefore, there are typically two sides any negotiation and if you are able to figure out both sides, you will be successful more often. Simple case; take a used automobile. Unlike a new car that has a sticker price, the used car is priced subject to a variety of…
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View from the FishBowl – Negotiation Series: Don’t let it get personal
Can you imagine how the politicians could have negotiated on the appropriate “best thing” for the people if it didn’t get emotional? I know … I know … politics without emotion is some sort of an paradox. However, wouldn’t it be exceptional if this were the case? Just saying … My experience in the business…
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View from the FishBowl – Negotiation Series: Rich or famous
There is probably a more official name for this but I never could quite figure out what it should be called. However, for decision makers and negotiators, I think …
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View from the FishBowl: Advice to ‘up and comers’… work on negotiation skills…
I am often asked by entrepreneurs what skill set I feel is most important in the business world. The obvious ones like leadership, decision making and the art of delegation are all keys. However, I think that understanding the skills involved in negotiating can be quantified and acquired easier than some of the others and…
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View from the FishBowl: Sorry…but your baby is ugly!
Grandma Fisher gave me a pretty good set of rules to live life by. All in all, her simple folksy logic has served me well over the years. When it came to being nervous about giving a presentation or a really important meeting, her advice was simple and to the point. Just remember…they can’t eat…