Trinidad and Tobago, July 31^st, 2019 — An entrepreneur looking to boost or expand her business needs all the support she can get and this includes opportunities to woo investors.

Regardless of what great story is told or presentation made, investors need specific items for consideration, said Gillian Charles-Gollop, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Executive Director, Corporate Investment Banking and Advisory.

Speaking at the Caribbean Women in ICT Power Lunch and Pitch hosted by Canto on July 23, Charles-Gollop offered the audience tips on best steps to attract an investor. CWIC is the culmination of a women’s entrepreneurship programme facilitated by SmartTerm, a Caribbean e-learning solutions provider. Its aim is to share candidly with six young Tobagonian women entrepreneur finalists what investors are looking for in a business pitch.

Charles-Gollop’s presentation included important check-list items. First, she said, you have to get the investor see the business as a good opportunity, with clear, concise delivery in the first five minutes of the conversation. “However, there are key fundamentals that prudent investor will look for,” she said.

Return on Investment (ROI) and payback are just as important as the initial pitch, she said. A business plan and financial projections would provide support to presenting positive ROIs and payback, she added. In addition, an investor would like to see the uniqueness of the product – that special element that would make it stand out from the competition.

“Keep in mind that investors will be assessing whether your product or service is worth consideration and whether the opportunity is a financially viable one,” said Charles-Gollop. “A really seasoned, experienced investor will be able to determine very early on whether a pitch is worth further effort or consideration.”

Preparation of the pitch should focus on key areas that would provide context and framework to keep the investor engaged as he or she is considering a strategic fit and potential benefits.

But most of all, she added, an investor seeks proof of success. Data was very crucial in this part of the deliberation, Charles-Gollop said.

“You have to show the ability to demonstrate your product acceptance in the market or the demographics of your customer base as good reasons for an investor to pay attention,” she said. “If you are offering solutions – whether a product or service – can you demonstrate to an actual problem solved?”

She noted the entrepreneur must also be aware of the possibility that the investor may consider the competitor that has less risk and better returns. But a business plan, if it’s worth its salt, should factor key elements that would answer such concerns.

Even with the check-list noted and executed, the most important element of wooing the investor is trust. “Character and creditability are fundamental factors,” Charles-Gollop said.

Citing Stephen Covey’s The Speed of Trust, she outlined the importance of trust in business interactions.

Integrity in business as an entrepreneur is important to build trust with partners. Integrity is being honest, authentic, telling the truth and leaving the right impression. For example, are you overselling your product or service? Are you aware of your product limitations or your skill sets?

Intent allows the entrepreneur to ensure there is clarity in motive/objective and her actions demonstrate the same.

Capability presents the opportunity to demonstrate how the entrepreneur is driving this business to success and have the prerequisite skills needed. Results show what has been achieved. These four elements, she said, are the ideal traits that are reflected in the business pitch may convince an investor to put his (or her) money where it deserves to be.

At this event, CIBC FirstCaribbean also awarded prizes for the top three pitches.

Also part of the Canto experience, Charles-Gollop presented at the forum “How technology is transforming business – A look at transformation in the Energy, Health, Finance and Aviation Industries.”

END

Caption:

Gillian Charles-Gollop, CIBC First Caribbean Executive Director, Corporate Investment Banking and Advisory, third right, with the six Tobago finalists and the judging panel.

About CIBC FirstCaribbean

CIBC FirstCaribbean is a relationship bank offering a full range of market leading financial services through our Corporate and Investment Banking, Retail and Business Banking and Wealth Management segments. We are located in sixteen (16) countries around the Caribbean, providing the banking services that fit our customers’ lives through approximately 3,000 employees in 68 branches and offices. We are one of the largest regionally listed financial services institutions in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, with over US$11 billion in assets and market capitalization of US $2 billion. We also have an office in Hong Kong. The face of banking is changing throughout the world and CIBC FirstCaribbean intends to lead these changes with the expertise, integrity and knowledge gained from banking in the Caribbean since 1836.

CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.

For more information about CIBC FirstCaribbean, visit www.cibcfcib.com , Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn, Instagram or YouTube.