Omkhar’s retirement lesson #7: I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man
Jay-Z. Chief Investment Officer, Marcy Projects
I enjoy meeting, investing and advising early lifecycle companies.
Sometimes I’m meeting them in support of a VC or PE fund that I’m an LP in. Sometimes I meet them as a favor to a friend. Sometimes I meet them because they reach out and ask for time.
Here’s a Do/Don’t list to help you prepare for a call with me.
Do
* Be on time.
* Send a pre-read, respond to questions regarding the pre-read.
* Tell me about your target buyer, market segment, product market fit and TAM
* Come prepared with a clear request. How would you like me to help? Be specific.
* Tell me both your technical and business plan.
* Ask if I’d be interested in a board seat, or investing.
* Tell me if you’re hiring so I can connect you with the right candidates.
* Use simple words to convey complex ideas
Don’t
* Come to me with LLM, Blockchain or Cryptocurrency. I know, I’m missing out. Poor me.
* Use buzzwords
* Tell me how many years you spent in 8200 - It doesn’t make a better product
* Tell me why cyber security is important - I know
* Tell me where you went to school - I don’t care
* Ask me for sales leads or “design partners” - I don’t burn my network
* Fight feedback - If you don’t want my input, don’t ask.
* Lie if you don’t have a good answer - I completely respect “I don’t know”
How can I help you on your mission?
#investing #advising #jayz #retirement #hiphop
