Attracting Investment
A story…
A client came to us several years ago and all he wanted was to attract investment into his business of £1,000,000. He asked us if an awards strategy could give him the best chance of doing exactly that and we said, “Yes!” We said yes because at many, if not all award ceremonies, there are a plethora of professionals to be found including bankers, business coaches, lawyers and accountants. Who better to know of / put you in touch with an investor?
We put together an Awards Plan designed specifically to help our client achieve his goal concentrating only on deeply credible, prestigious business awards including the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards. We chose this one as we knew it would give our client the confidence to move forward and enter into substantially bigger business awards later on in the year and because we’ve never been disappointed yet when attending one of their events.
As it happened we couldn’t attend this particular year due to it being a BIG award deadline day for us and we were supporting other clients, however, our client called up afterwards. “We didn’t win,” he said gloomily. We immediately started saying, “Yes but you were a finalist and, as we’ve said before, winning is the icing on the icing on the cake. Being a finalist and fully maximising that opportunity is what it’s all about and will help you to achieve your goals. FACT!”.
Our client laughed gleefully and said, “I knew you were going to say that! Actually I totally agree with you. I sat next to a guy called David. He and I are grabbing a coffee together next week. He asked what award I was up for and then about the business. I didn’t know a soul in that room at that point so I talked away and told him all about us and the fact that I was looking for investment. He asked me how much and for what purpose, so I told him that too. He gave me his card, asked what I was doing next Thursday and did I have time for a coffee. I looked down at his card and he’s only a bloody angel investor! I told him I could do Thursday and why didn’t he come and have coffee at our place and see what we do and find out a bit more about us. If he didn’t like what he saw the coffee’s good and it’s free! He laughed and said yes!”
Our client went on to do business with David with David and his fellow angel investors investing the full £1,000,000 into our clients business. They’re still in business together to this day and our clients business has skyrocketed as a result of that injection of capital. We are delighted for him!
So, you see, if you know what you’re looking to achieve though entering (and winning!) awards anything is truly possible.
