STARTUP FORMATION ISSUES AND PERSUASION SKILLS – SEMINAR FOR EARLY STAGE COMPANIES

Wondered where to start? What to do and what are the steps to start your company? What are the considerations?

Check out our session with founders of Board of CEO's and IPO Group

Topic 1: STARTUP ISSUES AND FOUNDERS STRATEGIES – THOMAS HONG

Many first-time entrepreneurs formed startups with structural flaws that are very difficult to fix as the company grows. The purpose of this presentation is to explore some of the key issues entrepreneurs need to understand so that the company will be built on a good foundation that fosters addition of talented people, attract investors and support successful growth. Some major areas that will be discussed:

 Co-Founders: what makes for a strong winning team

1. Examples of weak founding teams, strong teams
2. Transforming company to strong organization
3. 4.   Ownership strategy that will support talent acquisition and funding
4. 5.   Funding strategy

 Topic 2: PERSUASION SKILLS, KEY TO RAISING MONEY, RECRUITING EMPLOYEES, AND ACQUIRING CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS – STEVE TSAI

 In business meetings, either you persuade the other person or the other person persuades you. In this seminar, you will learn:

 How to tell a mesmerizing story to make your prospects (potential investors/employees/customers/partners) want to invest/join/buy/engage your company/product/service?

1. What are the key ingredients of a mesmerizing presentation?
2. What are the essential traits of successful entrepreneurs?
3. Who should be the Chief Persuasion Officer of a start-up company and why?

1. How to acquire the persuasion skills?

 SPEAKERS:

 Thomas Hong, CEO of Board of CEOs (BoC)

 BoC is a members-only organization in Silicon Valley. Its participants includes CEOs, angels, VCs, Investment Bankers, and corporate executives. Thomas previously held various engineering management positions including Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering at various companies including IBM, Memorex, Apple, National Semiconductors & Intersil. As serial entrepreneur, he was Principal Founder/CEO of 4 computer peripheral and networking products companies. He raised funding from Angel investors, VCs and corporate investors. He managed one company from startup to $23 million revenue and $1 million profit in the second year. He has recruited domestic and international distributors in most major countries and has sold 12 technology licenses to private and public companies. During the last 10 years, Thomas has been the CEO/Founder of Board of CEOs. He co-facilitates this organization’s meetings providing advice/consulting to hundreds of hi-tech CEOs in Silicon Valley. He has also been on the Advisor to several hi-tech startups. Thomas has a BSEE and MSEE in computer design.

 Steve Tsai, President of The IPO Group, Partner of Board of CEOs

 The IPO Group helps companies grow their revenue through integrated marketing, sales, and business development online and offline in the US, China, and India. Board of CEOs provides executive level advices to CEOs on all business issues through monthly meetings in a private and comfortable setting.

 Steve held executive positions at Sun and Unisys in many functional areas. He also has a couple of successful start-ups, one went IPO in 4 years and another one was acquired in 3 years. Steve has since helped client companies as a part of the executive team to grow their US, China, and India businesses, two of which resulted in acquisition by Citrix and VMWare. Through Board of CEOs, Steve has advised more than 200 companies, in a variety of industries and in various stages of their business cycles, on fund raising, business strategy, marketing/sales/business development, and M&A issues. Steve holds an MSEE and an MBA.