The Investor Relations Podcast

Key Characteristics of Successful Fundraisers and IR Associates In the ever-changing market landscape, being an effective fundraiser or IR associate boils down to a few key traits. 🌟 According to insights shared by industry expert Brian McKelvey, here are the top three characteristics that can set you apart: Persistence : Navigate market fluctuations with resilience. Clear Communication : Articul...

The Critical Role of Event Driven Data in Investor Relations In this insightful discussion with Nick, we dive into the importance of event driven data in the world of investor relations. From IPOs and M&As to bankruptcies and activist engagements, these events significantly shape investor sentiment and market positioning.  Learn how monitoring these signals helps IR teams tailor their messagin...

Navigating Job Turnover and Presenting a Strong Resume This episode addresses the importance of understanding and evaluating recent job turnover. It highlights the need for hiring managers to consider candidates' long-term tenure at past positions and advises candidates on how to explain frequent job changes.  The video also underscores the significance of maintaining legitimate and verifiabl...

Finding and Sustaining Motivation as a Founder This episode delves into the challenges of maintaining motivation as a startup founder. The discussion emphasizes the importance of choosing a project that aligns with personal beliefs and industry experience.  It explores strategies for sustaining motivation through attainable milestones and ensuring financial sustainability.  Paul Graham’s concept o...

Understanding Buy Side vs. Sell Side This episode explains the distinction between the buy side and sell side in the financial industry. It covers the roles of investment banks, brokerage firms, and analysts on the sell side, whose goal is to sell stocks.  On the buy side, it includes institutional investors like Fidelity, Wellington, and hedge funds whose objective is to manage and invest large s...

Navigating Investor Relations: Key Learning Experiences In this episode, we explore the crucial learning experiences of an Investor Relations (IR) professional working with mid to large-cap companies.  The discussion delves into the importance of understanding financial statements, communicating effectively with different investors, and the necessity of providing accurate and truthful information....

Key Considerations for Working With Institutional Investment Strategies This episode discusses crucial factors investors need to keep in mind when making long-term investment decisions. It emphasizes the importance of aligning the investment strategy with the long-term objectives of the investment pool, such as ensuring liquidity for corporate pensions, retirement plans, or insurance claims.  This...

The Key Traits of Effective Leadership in Investor Relations Join us in this insightful video where we discuss the crucial importance of leadership in the Investor Relations (IR) community with a former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven.  Drawing from his extensive experience and his book 'Education is Freedom,' we delve into the essential soft skills every leader should possess, including...

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Pitch Decks: Insights from Open VC In this episode, the speaker shares their extensive experience reviewing over 25,000 pitch decks annually on Open VC. They highlight a frequent mistake made by founders: creating overly lengthy and text-heavy pitch decks.  The key advice offered is to keep the pitch deck concise and engaging, focusing on sparking interest rather than o...

Avoiding Short-Term Thinking in Institutional Investor Relationships This episode discusses the critical mistakes companies often make when building relationships with institutional investors. The primary focus is on the detrimental impact of being too transaction-oriented for quick sales rather than fostering long-term connections.  Rip emphasizes that successful, lasting relationships with asset...

How do great leaders conduct investor calls? They focus on three key elements: embracing change, exuding confidence, and fostering clarity. 🌟 Join Jim Keyes as he shares valuable insights on leading with impact and effectively engaging the investment community. Whether you're in the boardroom or on the stage, mastering these principles can help drive success and build trust. Leadership #Inve...

Elevate Your M&A Insights with Advanced Tools! In the fast-paced world of mergers and acquisitions, staying informed is crucial. IR professionals, wouldn't it be beneficial to have all the industry updates consolidated in one place? 🤔 Our latest discussion with industry experts Josh Wilson and Nick Gershenhorn reveals how cutting-edge tools are revolutionizing the way IR professionals tr...

Measuring Success in Investor Relations: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Metrics In this episode, Ben discusses the two-fold approach to measuring success in his dynamic job.  He emphasizes the importance of both quantitative metrics, such as stock performance and new investor acquisition, and qualitative measures, like the strength and quality of relationships with investors. Ben highlights that, wh...

Navigating the Evolution of Investor Relations Across Market Caps Investor relations (IR) is an integral component of any public company. It serves as the bridge between the company and its investors, ensuring clear communication regarding financial health and business strategy. However, the role of IR professionals can vary significantly depending on the market cap of a company. In this post, we&...

Why the 'Spray and Pray' Method Fails in Capital Raising The video discusses the ineffectiveness of the 'spray and pray' method used by founders when reaching out to investors on platforms like LinkedIn.  It highlights that the approach fails due to high volume and poor targeting, leading investors to become desensitized to such messages. The video also touches on how new ventu...

How Institutional Investors Identify Prime Opportunities This episode explores how institutional investors find suitable investment opportunities, highlighting the impact of team size on access to valuable information and resources.  It also discusses the importance of creating communities and networking through events to expedite the process of finding investment opportunities. Disclaimer: Joshua...

Enhancing Your Investor Relations Career: Credentials and Experience This episode discusses the importance of financial acumen and varying career backgrounds in the field of investor relations. It provides insights on whether certifications like CFA or MBA are necessary depending on your prior experience.  The video offers advice for those transitioning from communications roles and competing agai...

From NFL Chief of Staff to Head of Investor Relations: The Overlapping Skills In this episode, Ben discusses his career transition from being the Chief of Staff to NFL head coach Pete Carroll to becoming the Head of Investor Relations (IR) for a publicly traded company.  Despite the apparent differences, Ben highlights the similarities between the roles, emphasizing the importance of relationship...

🚀 Preparing for Earnings Calls: Turning Data into Insightful Strategies! 📊 Navigating the intricate landscape of earnings calls isn't just about numbers—it's about insights driven by event data. As highlighted by Josh Wilson and Nick Gershenhorn in our discussion, staying ahead means being informed about competitor IPOs, market trends, and restructuring activities that could impact you...

Navigating the world of institutional investors can seem daunting, but it's not always about having the "right" connections.  In my latest discussion with Brian McKelvey, we explore the misconceptions of working with big investors and share insights on building authentic relationships.  Sometimes, it’s about direct outreach and persistence. Listen to how Brian successfully establish...

Choosing the Right Investor Relations Path: Hiring vs. Developing In-House In the realm of investor relations (IR), companies often grapple with a critical decision: whether to hire an external IR agency or to develop an in-house team. Determining the right path depends on several factors, most notably cost and the company's development stage. Let’s explore how businesses can find the right b...

Key Red Flags That Deter Institutional Investors This episode discusses major red flags that can dissuade institutional investors from pursuing opportunities. The primary concerns highlighted include the lack of good governance and changes in strategy by asset managers.  The importance of consistent strategy alignment with asset managers is also emphasized. Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed...

The Joy of Investor Relations: Building Lasting Relationships In this episode, we explore the favorite aspect of being in investor relations. The speaker shares their passion for interacting with people, learning new things, and building long-term relationships.  They emphasize the joy of meeting entrepreneurs, understanding their visions, and growing these connections over 15 to 20 years. Disclai...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to get a new drug to market?  The FDA drug approval process is a critical pathway that ensures safety and efficacy before new treatments reach the public.  In our latest discussion, Josh Wilson speaks with Allan Shaw about the intricate steps involved, from filing an IND application to conducting thorough Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials.  Whether you're intereste...

Leadership Insights from Jim Keyes 🔑 In our latest discussion, Josh Wilson and I delved into the challenging aspects of being a CEO. Jim Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, shared his profound truth: "It's not personal." Jim emphasizes the importance of resilience and perspective in leadership. With thick skin and a focus on not taking criticisms personally, leaders can...