[BDC-2010] Final comments on semi-finals

[Dan Heller]

Folks, I want to emphasize something that might have perhaps gotten lost in
my prior email.

I strongly discourage you talking about "raising money", "revenue *
projections*", COGS (cost of goods sold), or anything else that cannot be
substantiated by research.

Those things are eventually important, yes, but the BDC is not the forum or
the audience for that. Read the notes carefully:* *The judges are going to
for well-researched data to back up *any claims you make*. 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.

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.
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