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NIST GCR 02-281
"The Art of Telling Your Story"

Tips & Insights for Putting Your Best Foot Forward with Investors and Corporate Partners

 

NIST 02-831 The Art of Telling Your Story (Cover)

by
Rick King
PreFlight Ventures, Inc.
315 Kitty Hawk Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-806-1166
rking@preflightventures.com
Grant 43SBNB060136

April 2002

View PDF version of report.

Copyright © PreFlight Ventures, Inc.
The author has granted the U.S. Department of Commrce the right to publish this document for government purposes. No part of this material may be reproduced by anyone else, in any form, or by any means, without express written consent of the author.

Table of Contents
1. How to Use This Guide & What to Expect
2.

Storytelling: The Gateway to Business Success

  • Opening Doors with Your Presentation Skills
  • Keep Your Objective in Perspective
  • Difference Between Presenting and Telling A Story
  • Connecting with Your Audience
3.

Presentation Tips: Telling Your Story

  • Some Key Tips for Presenting to Investors & Corporate Partners
  • Speaking Style and Personality
  • How Much Information Do I Put Into My Slides?
    • Less is More
    • Cramming It in
    • Tag Team
  • What Do Investors Expect to See & Hear?
    • You Are The Company (To Investors)
    • Help Them See What You Do
    • Accomplishments
    • What They Need to Hear, and Don't Need to Hear
    • Numbers
    • Don't Make Excuses
  • How Do I Get and Keep Their Attention?
    • Read Your Audience
    • Be Spontaneous
    • Don't Let The Tail Wag the Dog
    • It's Your Room
    • Room Lighting
  • How Can I Prepare for Difficult Investors?
    • Rehearsal
    • Adaptation: The Art of Entrepreneurship
    • Practice With Real Investors
    • Handling Tough Objections
    • Go Back to School
  • What Scares Away Investors?
    • Reducing Risks
  • Don't Make It Easy for Them to Say No
  • What is the Right Attitude When Talking With Investors?
    • Level the Playing Field
    • Putting Your Best Foot Forward
  • How Should I Act When I'm Presenting?
    • Movement
    • Smile
    • Energy
    • Humor
  • E-Mailing Your Presentation
  • Develop a Strong Closing
    • For Investors
    • For Corporate Partners
    • For Investors or Corporate Partners
  • Added Bonus: You Will Be a Better Negotiator
4. Wrap Up
5.

Preparing to Make Your Presentation at "The Art of Telling Your Story" Workshop

  • Goals and Expectations
  • Preparing Your SAlides
  • Presentation Time Limit: 10 Minutes
  • Audience to Target
  • Topics to Cover
  • Room Set-up
  • Other Points to Keep in Mind

Note: To learm more about "The Art of Telling Your Story" workshop, go to http://prelightVENTURES.COM/peflight/overiew.html or contact tellyourstory@prelightventures.com.

APPENDIX

Advanced Technology Program's Commercialization and Business Planning Guide in the Post-Award Period

Note: As you go through this document, you will see references to another valuable resource called ATP’s Commercialization and Business Planning Guide, a 260-page book on business development, fundraising, and licensing. This document cites relevant sections that can provide you additional information and helpful suggestions. The table of contents for the ATP Guide is included at the end of this document.

About the Advanced Technology Program

About the Author

Date created: May 24, 2002
Last updated: August 2, 2005

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