Getting Investors to Invest In Your Startup

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

Learn why and what these investors are looking for out of entrepreneurs and their companies.

1. Justin Motika, Vice President of Advantage Capital, “we’re looking at job creation and the impact those opportunities will have on the local areas.”

2. Jennifer Kenning, CEO of Align Impact, “Consumers control the bottom-line. Millennials and women are controlling this.”

3. Eva Yazhari, CEO Beyond Capital, “Overall we’re looking for details on the business model, mission behind the model, management team, and metrics to know how they are scoring themselves.” 

4. Erika Karp, Founder & CEO of Cornerstone Capital, “it’s the new company’s who are the engine that drives global economic recoveries.”

5. Real Leaders Angel Tank, a shark tank for social entrepreneurs held in San Francisco, CA that features 5 investment-ready social entrepreneurs who pitch to impact investors.

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6u7BPTUhE” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0.0″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUM0ZQl6WfQ” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.1″][/et_pb_code][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.2″][/et_pb_code][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”3″ _address=”0.0.1.3″][/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Jump to a section:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Starting Out of School vs. Waiting

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

If you’re reading this, chances are you have an idea and just quite don’t know what to do. You believe business should be used to improve society but how?

Start here:

1. Sean Eikerman of RED Academy a Canadian tech incubator whose company helps bridge the tech gap for entrepreneurs who don’t quite have the experience or understanding to implement solutions.

2. Clinton Maloney, PwC’s Sustainability Advisory Leader who states, “pursuit of more will not make you happy, pursuit of meaning will.”

3. College-student Austin Shake who starts his clothing company at the University of Arizona.

4. A high-school student who launched a concussion screening app to help reduce the risk of undiagnosed screenings in youth athletes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeDBRMYlszk&t=30s” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0.0″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDX-yGhjnP8″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g51lEMBUEP4″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.0.2″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrxnys-L7rE” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”3″ _address=”0.0.1.0.3″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Jump to a section:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Creating A Market Presence

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

Marketing can make or break a business in its early stages. In today’s day in age, there’s no reason your startup can’t get recognized. Listen to the entrepreneurs and marketing experts who have been there before:

1. Alex Mcintosh, Founder/CEO Thrive Natural Care, “If you went into a store and looked at a shelf, there were no men’s skincare products that were mission-driven.”

2. Sadrah Schadel, Co-founder No Evil Foods, “being able to lead and communicate what our mission and purpose is has been very important.”

3. Jeff Jordan, Founder of Rescue Agency, “What is the actual change that will happen? How will that fit into their lives?”

4. Simon Mainwaring, Founder/CEO We First, “drive growth through purpose.”

5. Nik Ingersoll, CMO of Barnana, “that section of the grocery store is the most crowded so that’s why we decided to make these pouches to differentiate ourselves from the others.”

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s2_8RMgcOE” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0.0″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qac3mJxWekc” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxvGScnLJ0Y” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.0.2″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JMrqdKlQ80&t=62s” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”3″ _address=”0.0.1.0.3″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.1″][/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.2″]

Jump to a section:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Failure

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

The #1 thing that doesn’t get talked about in entrepreneurship is failure. Understanding when you need to pivot and persevere through more difficult times is often the best experience one can acquire. Just ask:

1. Jay Shetty, famous career and lifestyle vlogger, “if you’ve been blessed with anything it’s important to use it for something more than yourself?”

2. Jonathan Keyser, Founder/CEO of Keyser Co., “my wife was even saying to me, you’re a really smart guy, you work really hard but are you sure this is going to make us money?”

3. Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers, “we were labeled failures from just about everybody,”

4. Lisa Kurtis, Founder/CEO of Kuli Kuli, “celebrate your rejections, you’re going to get a lot of them.”

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl2p9CxtgX8″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0.0″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBYBMduXin4″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ_4F83l7FU” _builder_version=”3.29.2″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.0.2″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.1″][/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Jump to a section:

  1. Starting Out of School vs. Waiting
  2. Building Culture in A Startup
  3. Failure
  4. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Empowering Women & Marginalized Entrepreneurs
  5. Ethics & Responsible Business
  6. Creating A Market Presence
  7. Getting Investors To Invest In Your Startup
  8. Diverse Funding & Financing Strategies
  9. The Business Case for Sustainability
  10. Pivoting & Adapting
  11. Leadership, Communication, and Storytelling Skills
  12. Family Business
  13. Practicing Mindfulness & Seeking Work-life Balance

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

The Business Case for Sustainability

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

Can businesses step away from a transactional mindset and redefine its bottom-line? Some experts suggest a way to evaluate a companies performance is through its triple-bottom-line (TBL); incorporating people, planet, and profit into their accounting framework.

Hear from:

1. Matthew Weatherly-white, Founder/CEO of Caprock on distinguishing “good” businesses from “bad”.

2. Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers, “we haven’t seen anything where we will not be operating at peak performance or spending more money than we would have otherwise.”

3. Tony Arnerich, Founder/CEO Arnerich-Massena on ESG, “it was very difficult for [investors] to understand the concept that it was still investing first and not philanthropy.”

4. Clinton Maloney, Head of Sustainability Incorporation at PwC, “pursuit of meaning is where it’s at.”

5. Jared Meyers, Founder of Florida For Good, “why don’t [businesses] go be proactive in it now? The market will appreciate you for it.”

6. John-Paul Maxfield the Founder and CEO of Waste Farmers who believes long-term thinking fundamentally solves the needs of social and environmental problems

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wTF1aeI4Yg” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0.0″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMXR-RDmy1A” _builder_version=”3.29.2″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHOBQ6GRTXw” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.0.2″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbzTMidW_s” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”3″ _address=”0.0.1.0.3″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0WSjiCN0iA” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”4″ _address=”0.0.1.0.4″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.1″][/et_pb_code][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Jump to a section:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Leadership, Communication, and Storytelling Skills

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

What is your sentence? Why does your company exist? What is the legacy you want to leave?

When we think of leadership, communication, and storytelling it’s important to remember how interconnected they are.

Watch:

1. Simon Mainwaring, Founder/CEO of We First, “Be a mission with a company, not a company with a mission.”

2. Jed York, CEO of San Francisco 49ers, “You see leaders who aren’t willing to fail in order to have success, and I think that’s one of the downfalls in leadership today.”

3. Jeff Jordan, Founder of Rescue Agency, “We try to tell stories that change people.”

4. Adia Barnes, Head Coach of the University of Arizona Women’s Basketball Team, “Managing people is the hardest thing because not everyone is always happy.”

5. Erik Anderson, Executive Chairman of Top Golf, “A leader brings people together around purpose.”

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JMrqdKlQ80&t=62s” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0.0″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rq-0pNL-ag” _builder_version=”3.29.2″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.0.1″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxvGScnLJ0Y” _builder_version=”3.29.2″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.0.2″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rkBeWto_k” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”3″ _address=”0.0.1.0.3″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZctEIBUBA” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ show_image_overlay=”off” _i=”4″ _address=”0.0.1.0.4″][/et_pb_video_slider_item][/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Jump to a section:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Family Business

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]

According to Conway Center for Family Business, Family businesses are the backbone of the American economy, consisting of 64% of the gross domestic product (GDP), employing 62% of the workforce, and responsible for 78% of all new hires.

Family owned and operated businesses are less likely to fire employees regardless of financial performance.

See interview with :

https://www.npr.org/2017/08/07/531097687/five-guys-jerry-murrell

 

 

 

 

 

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1″][et_pb_circle_counter title=”American GDP” number=”64″ _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.1.0″][/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_circle_counter title=”American Workforce” number=”62″ _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”1″ _address=”0.0.1.1″][/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_circle_counter title=”New Hires in America” number=”78″ _builder_version=”3.29.2″ _i=”2″ _address=”0.0.1.2″][/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.2″ hover_enabled=”0″]

Jump to a section:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Pitching Investors? Here’s How to be Powerful, Human and Authentic

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

SPEAKING WITH IMPACT
Each week, speech coach and leadership mentor James Rosebush will answer a question on how to improve your public speaking.

Catherine Nguyen, CEO of Wild Willett Food, asks: “As a woman pitching investors who may mostly be men how do I represent myself as powerful and yet human and authentic?”

Dear Catherine,

Great question and thanks for having the honesty an insight to ask this rarely spoken conundrum. I have found through doing pitches to investors that the winning formula is authenticity and competency.  This means that you don’t change your demeanor or personality to suit what you think might be the predispositions of the audience. At the same time, you do need to be aware of your own identity and feel confident about it.

Regardless of whether you are male or female, investors look for leadership skills and experience, as well as clarity of vision and competence in grasping the market and finer details of what you’re seeking investment for.   If you’re a woman, be polished and professional with a clear, unwavering and strong voice. Stand and deliver with a straightforward confidence in your business , back straight, chin up, and good eye contact. Then, add the passion for your product — that in some cases might only be achieved by a woman.  This is what can give a woman an undeniable edge — enthusiasm and verve. Go for it!

For Your Best Speech Ever, Know Who You’re Speaking to

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

SPEAKING WITH IMPACT
Each week, speech coach and leadership mentor James Rosebush will answer a question on how to improve your public speaking.

L. Clay Parrill, President and CEO, Electrocube Inc. asks: “How should I change my speaking style and delivery when speaking to different types of audiences, such as employees, peers and customers” 

Dear Clay,

This is a terrific question, and one shared by many CEOs. Since your primary style of communication comes from your authenticity and self-knowledge, a unique way you communicate would not be affected by your audience. After all, you are already steady and consistent in all your personal relationships each day. Developing a degree of honesty and integrity about who you are, relative to those you communicate with, is a crucial element in effective public speaking. Your audience — employees or the general public — can immediately sense whether you are comfortable with yourself, your content or message. There exists a perfect trifecta — speaker, audience and message. All three are interlinked and support the other.

Once you have mastered this essential skill, you can move on to knowing your audience. This can result in changing your strategy for each: inflection, patience with speaking, the degree of teaching or encouragement. These factors may vary depending on your audience. After finding your authenticity you’ll want to understand more about an audience — what they need, who they are, what their concerns might be. This shows you care about them, and if you do, they will care enough about you to respond with respect and thoughtfulness.

An excellent example of how you might change your manner of speaking is to recognize a familiar scenario for many executives. CEOs and people in authority often come home from work and bark orders at their spouse and children! They have forgotten their audience, and it can prove costly at a speaking event as much as it can ruin family life. This example is a poignant reminder of how each audience is unique, and should be treated that way.

Let’s say the subject of your speech is how to safeguard lives against a terrorist threat. Talking to your peers, you might approach this as a shared learning experience, trading helpful suggestions and more than likely being in listening mode. With customers, you might take a more knowing, informative, and favorable disposition when speaking. With employees, you might show your concern for their safety, while conveying preventative actions that should be implemented — your tone will be more direct and clear.

I would love to hear about how other leaders have handled this challenge. Comment below.

Have a question you’ve always wanted to ask about public speaking? Email James at JSRosebush@impactspeakercoach.com and your answer may feature here.

Why Leaders Need to “Go Organic” in Their Communications

Posted on by Real Leaders Inc.

In many organizations, the amount of attention given to anything new coming from the CEOs office is inversely proportional to how much employees hear the same old acronyms, jargon, esoteric terms and cliched aspirational language.

For example, consider the verb “strive,” which practically no one uses in day-to-day conversation. In reality, low-hype, high-substance communication using organic language competes for attention best.  

Here’s an example of one such reboot: At one client organization, the company president wrote a column each week on an important topic, which was posted to the intranet. The columns averaged 8-10 paragraphs. As you’d expect, while the president chose the theme each week, a (very good) executive speechwriter wrote the actual content. So it was always well-written and even reflected the leader’s voice. But it’s unlikely that many of the organization’s 20,000 employees believed that their senior leader was sitting at his laptop banging out polished paragraphs every week. Which might help to explain the disappointing readership: Metrics showed that only 10 percent of employees clicked on the column each week. 

We suggested the leader switch to a blog, with shorter posts (one, maybe two, breezy, conversational paragraphs), a few times per week. Additionally, the leader created and posted short videos, most of them shot on his iPad, where he answered questions that employees sent in. Nothing slick. Nothing polished. Readership quickly quadrupled.

Leaders can’t expect employees to pick out and pay attention to their genuinely essential messages if they’ve flooded the information marketplace with cheap imitations. But lots of organizations push out communications to their employees like a Soviet factory — uncoordinated, undisciplined, and without regard to the actual demands or needs of production. This misguided activity often flows from good intentions: “We just did something, and it’s important to communicate. So, let’s communicate this to everyone.” 

In other cases, leaders make supply-side communication choices for narcissistic reasons, because it makes them feel good; for example, to show off all the essential stuff they’re doing: “I just got asked to lead an important initiative that will have a meaningful enterprise-wide impact two years from now. Everyone must understand that NOW!” Never mind the absence of any business case for producing that awareness. 

In other cases, excess communication supply follows excess production capacity: “We have an expensive editing suite, so for goodness sake, let’s make some videos.”

Uncoordinated, undisciplined, supply-side communication choices — instead of producing “fully informed employees” — create an environment where employees ignore most of the information delivered through formal channels while wondering what is happening… and what messages they really ought to align with and pay attention to. This undermines a leaders ability to get employees engaged around efforts to promote the organization’s long-term business interests. 

What’s the alternative? Coordinated, disciplined, demand-driven communication practices. Tight message discipline. Embracing “less is more.” Recognizing that every message of secondary importance has the potential to diminish a message of primary concern. Sometimes, deciding to keep these messages out of the organization’s information marketplace can be the best decision.

Jeff Grimshaw Tanya Mann, Lynne Viscio, and Jennifer Landis are principals at MGStrategy. For two decades they’ve helped leaders measure and manage culture as a source of competitive advantage. Their book is Five Frequencies: Leadership Signals That Turn Culture Into Competitive Advantage.