Pitch Perfect: Raising Capital From The Boys’ Club

It’s the ultimate cliched nightmare. You’re standing in front of an audience, be it large and overwhelming, or small but powerful. The room is silent, waiting for your presentation to begin. You shuffle your notes awkwardly and wipe the sweat from your palms but as you open your mouth to speak there’s a murmur from the crowd that gives you pause. That murmur quickly becomes a titter, before giving way to giggles and then full-blown laughter. You glance down, confused, and realise – of course – that you’re naked.

For most people, public speaking is right up there at the top of their list of Things They Would Prefer Not To Do Ever Thank You Very Much. Yet to be able to present your ideas to a group, and to do so succinctly and confidently, is essential for workplace success. Being able to make a compelling case to a room full of people whose opinion you care about is even harder when you care about more than just their opinion. It’s harder when you’re asking them for money.