When you have a capital-worthy CEO at the helm of a company, it is more attractive to investors, a debt or equity investor, or even a purchaser. And while owners or CEOs of companies often have their own ideas of what makes a great leader, Axial Forum has three broad areas that investors see as critical in the business scene.
- Strategic Focus
Strategic focus is key to where a business has been and where it is going in the future. Investors are extremely interested in businesses that have a plan for moving forward and future growth based on industry expertise. Investors like to deal with experts in a field, and the CEO or owner of a company should be just that, an expert. The CEO should have a proven program of product development, established customer relationships, and intellectual property which will make it difficult for the current and future competition.
As for equity and debt fund perspectives, they want to see a well thought-out business plan. This plan should include a description of the business, where it has been and where it is going, including new product lines and potential markets. - Confidence
Investors want to hear a cohesive description of the business, its history and its potential outlook – from a confident and articulate CEO or owner. The CEO or owner needs to be the head cheerleader for the company, demonstrating passion and a sense of urgency towards growth opportunities. Confidence can be further communicated through examples of the CEO or owners persistence in achieving the goals they set out for the company in the past.
Confidence is typically not something in short supply with a business CEO or owner, but they need to be persuasive when discussing their outlook for the business, innovations, products, and the market. Investors want to hear reasoned confidence, which indicates that a business and its ownership is worthy of their time and investment. - Integrity
Integrity is the backbone of all deals and involves applying a sense of what’s right in dealing with stakeholders fairly and transparently. When a CEO or owner manages a company with integrity and demands the same of his employees, customers and suppliers, the business will operate at peak efficiency under the culture developed by the ownership team.
These three areas of CEO preparation can be developed with the assistance of a Sunbelt Business Broker. Contact Sunbelt Business Brokers – Midwest for help with your CEO concerns.
