Episodes

Strategic Networking: Beyond LinkedIn for Senior Professionals In this episode, we discuss effective networking strategies for securing high-level roles in investor relations. Emphasizing the limitations of solely using LinkedIn, we recommend leveraging professional organizations, personal outreach, and strategic follow-ups with key individuals within target companies. The video provides practical tips on how to engage with finance teams and hiring managers, fostering meaningful connections th...

Maximizing the Impact of Your Board of Directors Discover the best practices for forming and leveraging a board of directors in a publicly traded company. Learn why having activist investors with a deep understanding of the business can be beneficial, and understand the importance of including members with industry experience, customer pipeline expansion abilities, and financial expertise. Gain insights on how the right board members can help manage and grow your company responsibly. Disclaim...

Connecting Tech Founders with Early Stage Investors: An Overview of OpenVC Explore how OpenVC helps tech founders—whether in SaaS or biotech—connect with early stage investors. Learn about this online platform designed to streamline the process of finding active investors ready to fund initial or seed rounds. 00:00 Introduction to OpenVC 00:09 What is OpenVC? 00:11 Purpose and Audience of OpenVC 00:16 How OpenVC Works 00:26 Finding Investors on OpenVC Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a regist...

Key Characteristics of Successful Fundraisers and IR Associates In the ever-changing market landscape, being an effective fundraiser or IR associate boils down to a few key traits. 🌟 According to insights shared by industry expert Brian McKelvey, here are the top three characteristics that can set you apart: Persistence: Navigate market fluctuations with resilience. Clear Communication: Articulate investment ideas effectively. Consistency: Build trust through reliable follow-ups. Explore mo...

The Critical Role of Event Driven Data in Investor Relations In this insightful discussion with Nick, we dive into the importance of event driven data in the world of investor relations. From IPOs and M&As to bankruptcies and activist engagements, these events significantly shape investor sentiment and market positioning. Learn how monitoring these signals helps IR teams tailor their messaging, proactively address investor concerns, and frame corporate strategy. Discover the impact of AI and b...

Navigating Job Turnover and Presenting a Strong Resume This episode addresses the importance of understanding and evaluating recent job turnover. It highlights the need for hiring managers to consider candidates' long-term tenure at past positions and advises candidates on how to explain frequent job changes. The video also underscores the significance of maintaining legitimate and verifiable work experiences when not in a corporate role. Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a registered investment b...

Finding and Sustaining Motivation as a Founder This episode delves into the challenges of maintaining motivation as a startup founder. The discussion emphasizes the importance of choosing a project that aligns with personal beliefs and industry experience. It explores strategies for sustaining motivation through attainable milestones and ensuring financial sustainability. Paul Graham’s concept of being “default alive” comes up — a reminder that founders shouldn’t launch a venture that only su...

Understanding Buy Side vs. Sell Side This episode explains the distinction between the buy side and sell side in the financial industry. It covers the roles of investment banks, brokerage firms, and analysts on the sell side, whose goal is to sell stocks. On the buy side, it includes institutional investors like Fidelity, Wellington, and hedge funds whose objective is to manage and invest large sums of money. Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a registered investment banking representative and a li...

Navigating Investor Relations: Key Learning Experiences In this episode, we explore the crucial learning experiences of an Investor Relations (IR) professional working with mid to large-cap companies. The discussion delves into the importance of understanding financial statements, communicating effectively with different investors, and the necessity of providing accurate and truthful information. The guest shares insights on learning the 'language' of finance and acknowledges the support of in...

Key Considerations for Working With Institutional Investment Strategies This episode discusses crucial factors investors need to keep in mind when making long-term investment decisions. It emphasizes the importance of aligning the investment strategy with the long-term objectives of the investment pool, such as ensuring liquidity for corporate pensions, retirement plans, or insurance claims. This alignment is essential for maintaining the financial health and meeting the obligations of the res...

The Key Traits of Effective Leadership in Investor Relations Join us in this insightful video where we discuss the crucial importance of leadership in the Investor Relations (IR) community with a former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven. Drawing from his extensive experience and his book 'Education is Freedom,' we delve into the essential soft skills every leader should possess, including creativity, curiosity, and confidence. Moreover, we explore the foundational role of character traits such a...

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Pitch Decks: Insights from Open VC In this episode, the speaker shares their extensive experience reviewing over 25,000 pitch decks annually on Open VC. They highlight a frequent mistake made by founders: creating overly lengthy and text-heavy pitch decks. The key advice offered is to keep the pitch deck concise and engaging, focusing on sparking interest rather than overwhelming the recipient with excessive information. This approach should lead to more effective p...

Avoiding Short-Term Thinking in Institutional Investor Relationships This episode discusses the critical mistakes companies often make when building relationships with institutional investors. The primary focus is on the detrimental impact of being too transaction-oriented for quick sales rather than fostering long-term connections. Rip emphasizes that successful, lasting relationships with asset managers often take years to develop, underscoring the importance of long-term thinking and integr...

How do great leaders conduct investor calls? They focus on three key elements: embracing change, exuding confidence, and fostering clarity. 🌟 Join Jim Keyes as he shares valuable insights on leading with impact and effectively engaging the investment community. Whether you're in the boardroom or on the stage, mastering these principles can help drive success and build trust. Leadership #InvestorRelations #BusinessSuccess #ChangeManagement #Confidence #Clarity Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a re...

Elevate Your M&A Insights with Advanced Tools! In the fast-paced world of mergers and acquisitions, staying informed is crucial. IR professionals, wouldn't it be beneficial to have all the industry updates consolidated in one place? 🤔 Our latest discussion with industry experts Josh Wilson and Nick Gershenhorn reveals how cutting-edge tools are revolutionizing the way IR professionals track M&A activity. From understanding market signals to recalibrating your messaging strategies, the right too...

Measuring Success in Investor Relations: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Metrics In this episode, Ben discusses the two-fold approach to measuring success in his dynamic job. He emphasizes the importance of both quantitative metrics, such as stock performance and new investor acquisition, and qualitative measures, like the strength and quality of relationships with investors. Ben highlights that, while numbers are critical, the core of success in Investor Relations lies in building and maintainin...

Navigating the Evolution of Investor Relations Across Market Caps Investor relations (IR) is an integral component of any public company. It serves as the bridge between the company and its investors, ensuring clear communication regarding financial health and business strategy. However, the role of IR professionals can vary significantly depending on the market cap of a company. In this post, we'll explore how these roles evolve as companies transition from small to large market caps. Underst...

Why the 'Spray and Pray' Method Fails in Capital Raising The video discusses the ineffectiveness of the 'spray and pray' method used by founders when reaching out to investors on platforms like LinkedIn. It highlights that the approach fails due to high volume and poor targeting, leading investors to become desensitized to such messages. The video also touches on how new venture capitalists initially aim to respond to all messages but eventually grow jaded and ignore their DMs due to the overw...

How Institutional Investors Identify Prime Opportunities This episode explores how institutional investors find suitable investment opportunities, highlighting the impact of team size on access to valuable information and resources. It also discusses the importance of creating communities and networking through events to expedite the process of finding investment opportunities. Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a registered investment banking representative and a licensed real estate broker. The c...

Enhancing Your Investor Relations Career: Credentials and Experience This episode discusses the importance of financial acumen and varying career backgrounds in the field of investor relations. It provides insights on whether certifications like CFA or MBA are necessary depending on your prior experience. The video offers advice for those transitioning from communications roles and competing against candidates with financial certifications. Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a registered investment...

From NFL Chief of Staff to Head of Investor Relations: The Overlapping Skills In this episode, Ben discusses his career transition from being the Chief of Staff to NFL head coach Pete Carroll to becoming the Head of Investor Relations (IR) for a publicly traded company. Despite the apparent differences, Ben highlights the similarities between the roles, emphasizing the importance of relationship management, effective communication, and treating people with respect. He describes the IR role as ...

🚀 Preparing for Earnings Calls: Turning Data into Insightful Strategies! 📊 Navigating the intricate landscape of earnings calls isn't just about numbers—it's about insights driven by event data. As highlighted by Josh Wilson and Nick Gershenhorn in our discussion, staying ahead means being informed about competitor IPOs, market trends, and restructuring activities that could impact your sector. Event-driven data not only equips Investor Relations teams with the critical information they need b...

Navigating the world of institutional investors can seem daunting, but it's not always about having the "right" connections. In my latest discussion with Brian McKelvey, we explore the misconceptions of working with big investors and share insights on building authentic relationships. Sometimes, it’s about direct outreach and persistence. Listen to how Brian successfully established connections with notable family offices worldwide. Tune in now! #InstitutionalInvestors #Networking #BusinessGr...

Choosing the Right Investor Relations Path: Hiring vs. Developing In-House In the realm of investor relations (IR), companies often grapple with a critical decision: whether to hire an external IR agency or to develop an in-house team. Determining the right path depends on several factors, most notably cost and the company's development stage. Let’s explore how businesses can find the right balance. Assessing Company Needs and Resources According to industry experts, the stage of a company pl...