Folks, I want to emphasize something that might have perhaps gotten lost in my prior email.<br><br>I strongly discourage you talking about "raising money", "revenue <i>projections</i>", COGS (cost of goods sold), or anything else that cannot be substantiated by research.<br>
<br>Those things are eventually important, yes, but the BDC is not the forum or the audience for that. Read the notes carefully:<i> </i>The judges are going to for well-researched data to back up <i>any claims you make</i>. It is impossible and inappropriate to talk about how much money you need to raise, or will make, or anything about the future, because you cannot research and substantiate these things. Those figures are "derived" from other assessments in ways that we have not covered, and that none of you have mastered. If you attempt to do so, you will make yourself look bad. Yes, there will be a time for doing that, but it's not now, and knowing the difference is part of developing your professional maturity.<br>
<br>I realize that some of you are closer to raising real money. But that doesn't change the purpose and intent of the BDC. Your ability to succeed in business relies heavily on your ability to assess an audience and craft your message based on what they expect from you. I am spoon-feeding this information to you now: read the notes again, and craft your presentation based on what the judges will be instructed to look for.<br>