News
New Members Augment Presenter Coaching
March 8, 2006, FAIRFAX, Va.---Sarah Saunders of Saunders Insights and Jean Palmer of Jean C. Palmer Training for Success and Excellence both joined the Business Alliance to expand their business networks and to share their expertise with colleagues on and off campus. Representing two different firms with different training background and expertise, it wasn’t long before their separate skill sets were tapped by the Business Grubstake Breakfast committee. Companies selected to present at the Business Alliance Grubstake Breakfasts long have had the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of Grubstake Committee members who work with these firms to refine their pitches for investment capital. In addition to attorneys, bankers and other service providers who regularly work with the venture community, VCs such as Blue Water Capital’s Mark Costanzo, Monumental Venture Partner’s Jeff Friedman and TDF’s Gui Larangueira also have shared their insights with the presenting company CXO’s. During the last year, an additional component focused on presentation style and effectiveness was added to the investment pitch content of the formal coaching sessions. Jean and Sarah separately have shared their expertise in this regard. In the end, however, it is the rolling up of the sleeves and the specific feedback shared by the individual Grubstake Committee members which still is the aspect of coaching valued most by past presenters. According to Douglas Pope, Director of Technology, The Coaching Sessions and our meeting with the due diligence team provided us with a lot of feedback and were very helpful. Grubstake allowed us to refine our pitch and build our confidence.”
