MAP14 Master Class - Startup Soft Skills
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The document discusses the importance of soft skills in startup environments, emphasizing that success depends on building strong relationships rather than viewing interactions as transactions. It provides practical advice on etiquette for professional communication, including how to effectively email, meet, and introduce oneself or others. Additionally, it highlights the significance of preparation and understanding the audience in fostering positive interactions and collaborations.
MAP14 Master Class - Startup Soft Skills
- 1. Startup Soft Skills Rohan Workman @Roh_Workman April 2014
- 2. Contents
- 3. What are soft skills? Soft skills + hard skills =
- 4. Why are soft skills important? • Do you want customers, investors, advisors or employees? • Do you have a brand? • Do you have a good reputation? (Do you have a reputation?!) • What is your emotional bank balance – refer Stephen Covey • First impressions count! • What are you doing now that makes you look bad?
- 5. Why are soft skills important? • These are relationships not transactions / commodities • Relationships (should) last beyond one interaction, company • Real relationships are mutually beneficial and are long lasting
- 6. Why are soft skills important? “Funding is not a transaction, it is a relationship” Stuart Richardson Adventure Capital
- 7. What you’ll learn? • How to come across like a professional • How to avoid VERY simple mistakes that create friction • What to do prior to approaching somebody for sales, mentoring, investment, etc • Practical tips for interactions
- 8. Common Sense “Common sense is not so common” Voltaire 1694 - 1778
- 11. Before emailing • Read their website • Read their website
- 12. Before emailing
- 13. Before emailing
- 14. Before emailing Before you ignore this advice and do it anyway, please read this.
- 15. Before emailing • Can you articulate your idea in layman’s terms? • Are YOU eligible to receive investment from THEM? – Do they have an investment mandate? – Do they only invest at a certain stage? – Do they only invest in companies in a certain region? – Do they only invest in companies connected to a University? • Did YOU pass this test??? • Or are YOU going to waste their time and yours?
- 16. Before emailing • Do you understand your audience? • How do you fit in? • Are you ready? • You are ready
- 17. The Email
- 18. • If you are at the right stage to meet them… • Research their team: – About Us / Team page – Google – Linkedin – Their email address • Do you know somebody in common? The Email
- 19. The Email • Find a person to email if you can • Ensure you spell their name correctly
- 20. The Email • Do not email blast • Be polite • Don’t be arrogant • Humility + confidence is a good recipe • An email is a proxy for the person (remember first impressions)
- 21. The Email • Dot point is golden • Propose at least two times – Thursday 3 April at 10.00am – Friday 4 April at 11.30am • Offer to send a calendar invitation • Figure out how to work your calendar • Hint: check your time zone
- 22. The Email
- 23. The Meeting
- 24. The Meeting • Don’t turn up late • Shake hands with everyone • Don’t get the name wrong • Include everyone in the meeting – eye contact! • Don’t make up anything on the spot. There are two scenarios: – You don’t know and you don’t know how to find out – You don’t know but you can find out
- 25. The Meeting • It’s ok not to know something! • Pay for the coffee • Travel to them
- 26. After the meeting • Follow up email • If something was agreed then deliver it
- 27. Introductions • Happen all the time • An introduction IS NOT A SERVICE • An introduction is PERSONAL VALIDATION of the person you’re introducing • Common sense • Blackbird example
- 28. Introductions When asking for an introduction to somebody: •Can the person you’re asking make that introduction for you? •Can they vouch for you? •Have you read their website? •It is ok to ask for help or advice!
- 29. Introductions • Have you sent them an email which they can forward to that person introducing yourself and why you’d like to meet them? • MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM! • Report back
- 30. Introductions When making an introduction: •Can you vouch for the person who wants / benefits from the intro? •Are you willing to stake your reputation on them? •Double opt-in •MAP to VC
- 31. Introductions Thanks for the intro Zezan (now in bcc). Hi David – great to meet you over email. As Zezan mentioned, I do blah, blah blah and would welcome the opportunity to shout you a coffee at your convenience and chat about blah, blah, blah. How are you placed for either of: •Time A •Time B Feel free to suggest an alternative if the above don’t work. Look forward to meeting in person! Cheers Rohan
- 32. Collaboration When approaching mentors / anybody: •You want to collaborate? •Don’t expect them to do your thinking
- 33. Social Media • Do you accept Facebook friend requests from strangers? • Do you accept Linkedin requests from strangers? • You can but tailor the message, describe opportunity • Be careful with Facebook • Twitter • On to NDAs
- 34. NDAs “Don’t ask any potential investor to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), because asking them to do so will make you look clueless.” Guy Kawasaki
- 35. NDAs • Have to read / agree to NDA? • Keep track of all NDAs signed? • Similar deals • Ideas are (pretty much) worthless • Technological innovation has value • Afraid they’re going to steal your idea? • Mark Suster link
- 36. Bridges
- 37. Hints
- 38. What we want • Attend events registered • Not a zero sum game • Pay it forward • UniMelb entrepreneurs to be the MOST charismatic • Spread the word
- 39. Questions?
Editor's Notes
- #4: Soft skills: Are associated with a person’s emotional intelligence quotient Are personal traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness and optimism that charactirise relationshpips with other people. Complement hard skills) Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills relate to a person's ability to interact effectively with coworkers and customers and are broadly applicable both in and outside the workplace.