I pondered writing about my recent experience because I consider it a failure of sorts, but I hope that others gain insight through my experiences.
I had a great opportunity to present to an investor group and, to put it lightly, I BOMBED! The funny thing is why: I was unable to properly convey our company, what we do, and what we need. After my posts about being able to clearly communicate, you would think that I would have this covered. So, now I rehash my errors and perform penance:
"Hi, my name is Joelle Ware and our company is Verify-ED. We provide background screening and résumé verification services. We launched a new tool called Val-ID-ate that gives job seekers a way to show proof of their qualifications."
THAT is the opening with which I should have started, but I did not. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful in inspiring others to consider working with us to expand our launch.
So, I have spent the day in my personal pity party and now it is time to keep moving. We continue to build our alliances and grow. And the next time someone asks me about Verify-ED and Val-ID-ate, what will I say?...
Showing posts with label investor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label investor. Show all posts
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Introspection
Today is Mother's Day and of course I get a little introspective. I have been focusing quite a bit on growing Verify-ED, launching Verify-crED and applying for investor funds - which means that other things and people don't get the focus. I console myself with the fact that my children would not WANT my undivided attention, but recognize that I still need to make the conscious effort to be more attentive. This is why I coach my girls' Level 2 gymnastics team. I found a way to combine my need for activity with my need for involvement with my children. I am sure that there are more relaxing ways to spend time with your children, but that would not be me. I can't wait until my son is old enough to get out there!
It is all about finding that balance. Figuring out what works best for you. I know that I am better for my family when I am challenged intellectually and physically. This entrepreneurial venture has been the best challenge that I have undertaken. I am psyched by how far we have gotten and about how far we can go. There are so many signs that the opportunities are waiting for fulfillment.
So, my Mother's Day wish for all the mothers out there is that you get the chances to explore your opportunities so that you continue to be the best mother that you are.
It is all about finding that balance. Figuring out what works best for you. I know that I am better for my family when I am challenged intellectually and physically. This entrepreneurial venture has been the best challenge that I have undertaken. I am psyched by how far we have gotten and about how far we can go. There are so many signs that the opportunities are waiting for fulfillment.
So, my Mother's Day wish for all the mothers out there is that you get the chances to explore your opportunities so that you continue to be the best mother that you are.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Painful Lessons
The last 2 days have been unproductive. Why? Because I dropped my laptop on the floor. That is right, I didn't close the protective case and it fell to the floor. As a result I blew the inverter and apparently jarred something with the hard drive because I was instructed to insert the recovery CD's in order to start the PC. Well, I followed the recovery directions that would leave my data files intact. I was very happy to see that my business plan and other documents were accessible, but I could not restore MS Outlook. I know what you are thinking, "just use your backup". Well, I am embarrassed to say that I am meticulous about My Documents, but I was not meticulous about MS Outlook. Considering that I LIVE in MS Outlook, this was obviously a very serious issue.
The point of this recount is to remind and reassure everyone that experts don't know everything and that with diligence and clues you TOO can be an expert. My husband, Chris, is a tech guru. I had a January archive of MS Outlook, and he managed to pull it up even though we were getting a million registry errors. He showed me how to gain permissions in safe mode and how to unhide folders. Regardless, we were unable to locate the most current MS Outlook files. First I took the laptop to the Geek Squad in Best Buy. He informed me that the process to replace the inverter and retrieve "locked" files would take about a week and a half. Who has a week and a half to be without their source of livelihood. But it turns out that the Geek Squad guy was the most knowledgeable of all the "experts" with whom I spoke. He knew enough that even though access to a folder was denied and showed 0 bytes, that it was just a permission issue that could be resolved.
Next, I took it to a guy who was highly referred. He is a nice man, but when he clicked on a folder and saw the "permission denied" error, he threw up his hands. He DID point out something that Chris and I didn't know. He said that the Outlook files should be in Local Settings. Chris and I had been looking in Application Data. This repair person wanted to send my PC to a recovery expert. I quickly took my laptop and went to a local computer repair shop. They were no better. They just pointed to the Outlook files that I already knew existed and INSISTED that these were the only files. When I tried to point out to them that those were not the most current files, they also suggested that I send the laptop to their recovery expert at a cost of about $800 (and who knows how many days). I ended up ordering the inverter and taking my laptop back. I knew that I could solve this puzzle.
This is where a little knowledge is key. Now that I knew where to look for my Outlook files, I used all the skills that Chris taught me. I logged on in safe mode, gave myself permission to get to Local Settings - AND THE FILES WERE ALL THERE!! I have never felt such relief! I paid about $30 to do the work myself (because I was charged an "evaluation" fee by repair person #3).
So, lessons learned as a result of this experience:
1) Time and knowledge will help you solve almost anything
2) The experts don't know what you need them to know
3) Never Give Up!!
As we embark on launching Verify-crED, I am holding these lessons high. I feel quite unknowledgeable on how to do certain things for this launch, but I KNOW what needs to be done. Unlike with my PC, though, I don't want to spend hours and days hunting for expertise just to end up doing it myself. I also hope that I don't get duped by an "expert". It is the same feeling that I have when I go to an unfamiliar mechanic. I feel wary at times when someone unknown offers "solutions" because they realize that we have a great vision and a service/product with real profit opportunities. Up until this point we have been relying heavily on very knowledgeable friends who continue to steer us in the right direction, never ONCE saying "what are you going to do for me". We realize that soon we will have to go beyond our circle, especially as we pursue investment dollars.
So, in reality, these last 2 days were invaluable because I was forced to find a solution to a major problem, and I did it. The reminder that we can successfully do this launch has been very appreciated.
The point of this recount is to remind and reassure everyone that experts don't know everything and that with diligence and clues you TOO can be an expert. My husband, Chris, is a tech guru. I had a January archive of MS Outlook, and he managed to pull it up even though we were getting a million registry errors. He showed me how to gain permissions in safe mode and how to unhide folders. Regardless, we were unable to locate the most current MS Outlook files. First I took the laptop to the Geek Squad in Best Buy. He informed me that the process to replace the inverter and retrieve "locked" files would take about a week and a half. Who has a week and a half to be without their source of livelihood. But it turns out that the Geek Squad guy was the most knowledgeable of all the "experts" with whom I spoke. He knew enough that even though access to a folder was denied and showed 0 bytes, that it was just a permission issue that could be resolved.
Next, I took it to a guy who was highly referred. He is a nice man, but when he clicked on a folder and saw the "permission denied" error, he threw up his hands. He DID point out something that Chris and I didn't know. He said that the Outlook files should be in Local Settings. Chris and I had been looking in Application Data. This repair person wanted to send my PC to a recovery expert. I quickly took my laptop and went to a local computer repair shop. They were no better. They just pointed to the Outlook files that I already knew existed and INSISTED that these were the only files. When I tried to point out to them that those were not the most current files, they also suggested that I send the laptop to their recovery expert at a cost of about $800 (and who knows how many days). I ended up ordering the inverter and taking my laptop back. I knew that I could solve this puzzle.
This is where a little knowledge is key. Now that I knew where to look for my Outlook files, I used all the skills that Chris taught me. I logged on in safe mode, gave myself permission to get to Local Settings - AND THE FILES WERE ALL THERE!! I have never felt such relief! I paid about $30 to do the work myself (because I was charged an "evaluation" fee by repair person #3).
So, lessons learned as a result of this experience:
1) Time and knowledge will help you solve almost anything
2) The experts don't know what you need them to know
3) Never Give Up!!
As we embark on launching Verify-crED, I am holding these lessons high. I feel quite unknowledgeable on how to do certain things for this launch, but I KNOW what needs to be done. Unlike with my PC, though, I don't want to spend hours and days hunting for expertise just to end up doing it myself. I also hope that I don't get duped by an "expert". It is the same feeling that I have when I go to an unfamiliar mechanic. I feel wary at times when someone unknown offers "solutions" because they realize that we have a great vision and a service/product with real profit opportunities. Up until this point we have been relying heavily on very knowledgeable friends who continue to steer us in the right direction, never ONCE saying "what are you going to do for me". We realize that soon we will have to go beyond our circle, especially as we pursue investment dollars.
So, in reality, these last 2 days were invaluable because I was forced to find a solution to a major problem, and I did it. The reminder that we can successfully do this launch has been very appreciated.
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