2. Know Your Business

What's the Problem, and What's Your Solution?

In our opinion, the core question any business has to be able to address in a pitch is: what's the problem, and how do you solve it? The subtext of that is "why is it a problem", but the core question remains: what's the problem?

An example:

"If you're a non-profit organization, you are very aware that banks don't understand or care about your business. Further, as banks have consolidated and executive management has shifted out-of-state, it's just gotten worse."
That's the problem. Now the solution:
"That's why we created CBO Financial: to address this need and help community-based organizations by building a top-notch financial services organization."
Notice above that not only is the problem stated, but why it's a problem is also indicated ("banks don't understand or care about..." and "management has shifted out-of-state...").

Exercise: what's the fundamental problem in your industry that your company is addressing? How are you solving it?

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