CREATIVE BLUE

A dull razor is more dangerous than a sharp one. In VC, this means refining your investment philosophy into a clear, memorable concept. What's your VC razor?

Your Story Is Like a Blade - Creative Blue Explore how VCs create 'razors', mental models that break existing frames, attract like-minded people and provide new ways to express complex investment philosophies.

Imagine this: $100,000 in equipment, months of planning, countless meetings...and the CEO isn’t quite aligned on what they want to say. That's the crux of the issue - your internal team has countless priorities and tasks on their plate. What you really need (besides another cup of coffee) is an event secret weapon.

Why Your Events Need a Secret Weapon - Explore the role that well-planned events play in contributing to organizational success and how to ensure your events leave a lasting positive impression.

Instead of just compiling a checklist of necessary slides, take your pitch deck to the next level with masterful storytelling. Our latest blog explores the "But, Therefore" method - a simple way to create a compelling narrative that drives motivation and emotional buy-in.

Learn how this approach, used by the writers of South Park, can transform a mediocre deck into one perfectly tailored for your ideal partners.

The "But, Therefore!" Storytelling Technique to Make Your Pitch Great Go beyond compiling necessary slides. Learn the "But, Therefore" storytelling technique to transform pitches into compelling narratives that drive motivation.

Crafting a generalized sales pitch can be tempting, but tailoring your story to your specific audience can be a game-changer. Our latest blog post explores how taking the time to understand the decision makers' objectives and tailoring the narrative accordingly opened up huge opportunities for one of our clients pitching a Fortune 100 company. Give it a read:

When Should You Tailor Your Pitch or Cast a Wide Net? - Creative Blue Learn why tailoring your sales pitch to a specific audience, instead of using a generic deck, can be a game-changer and land long-term partnerships.

Can you really "make" a presentation funny? The truth is, genuine humor comes from understanding context and audience perceptions. Our latest blog post dives into this:

How to Make a Presentation Funny - Creative Blue Making a presentation funny requires more than just inserting jokes. Learn how understanding context, audience perceptions, and strategic self-deprecation builds trust through humor.

Investors are now spending 24% less time on pitch decks. But they aren’t focusing more on the numbers… they’re focusing on your vision. Have you crafted a compelling one?

Investors Are Spending 24% Less Time On Your Deck - Creative Blue Investors are spending less time on decks, focusing more on true passion and purpose. Learn how to craft a story that resonates and goes beyond just numbers.

Properly weaving the TAM into your story can create clarity around your business model. Improve your strategy with this one simple exercise!

The Dreaded TAM Slide - Creative Blue Properly weaving the TAM into your story can create clarity around your business model. Improve your strategy with this one simple exercise.

Your pitch is more than information; it's the canvas of your vision. Learn how to make it captivating.

Your Pitch Needs to Paint Me a Picture - Creative Blue Learn how to paint a compelling vision that captivates stakeholders and transforms your technical details into an engaging pitch.

Ever noticed how comedians start by poking fun at themselves? There's a lesson there for startups pitching to investors. Addressing your flaws upfront can actually be a game-changer.

Here’s what Jim Gaffigan has to say about it:

Jim Gaffigan: The Psychology of Why We Laugh at Self-Deprecating Humor Jim Gaffigan is a self-effacing master. He explains why publicly revealing your shortcomings has become so appealing.

Embrace the elephant in the room: Learn how frankness in investor pitches creates stronger connections.

The surprising lesson entrepreneurs can learn from comedians about investor pitches.

The Art of Discussing the Elephant in the Room - Creative Blue Acknowledging your startup's challenges upfront in a pitch can build trust and engage investors more effectively, just like a comedian captivates an audience.

“Complexity is the enemy of ex*****on” -Tony Robbins

If you make it difficult for someone to understand your business’ value, you make it difficult for them to see how it fits into their lives. Investors are no different- keep it simple.

The Enemy Of Ex*****on | Tony Robbins Tony Robbins is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. For more than four and a half decades, millions of people have enj...

Ever heard of the Napkin Test? It's where a pitch is so clear, it can secure millions on a napkin.

The Napkin Test- A pitch so simple, it could be on the back of a napkin - Creative Blue While it can be tempting to dazzle with the details in your pitch, distilling complex ideas into their simplest form is often far more compelling.

There’s a reason creative visionaries and operational experts are often drawn to each other... Because when a 'creative storm' meets a 'strategic symphony', great things happen.

True storytelling in business bridges gaps between vision and ex*****on. Learn how we facilitated this blend in our latest project.

What's More Important: Vision or Ex*****on? - Creative Blue How can business partners with different approaches find alignment? Visionaries and technocrats CAN create magic together. Learn how we facilitated this blend in our latest project.

AI doesn't replace creativity; it enhances it.

Think of AI as an army of interns, powered by your brand's unique story. Our approach helps businesses use AI as an extension of their creative team. Read our latest blog on how aligning your Core Story with AI can turn challenges into opportunities.

Struggling with AI? Revisit Your Core Story - Creative Blue AI doesn't replace creativity; it enhances it. Our approach helps businesses use AI as an extension of their creative team.

Series A Founders: Is Your Business Ready for the Next Big Leap?

As a Series A founder, you're at a pivotal growth stage. You've proven your concept, attracted initial funding, and now you're gearing up for that crucial next round of investment. But there's a key element that could dramatically shape your journey: Your Business' Core Story.

Remember, your core story is more than a narrative. It's a strategic tool that influences perception, drives engagement, and shapes your company’s future.

Read the full blog here: https://thinkcreativeblue.com/2023/12/11/crafting-your-core-story-a-four-step-guide/

Don’t try to tell your whole story in one breath. A sequential process ensures clarity and impact in your messaging, distinguishing your brand in the market.

Remember, your core story is more than a narrative. It's a strategic tool that influences perception, drives engagement, and shapes your company’s future. Walk through Creative Blue's 4-step process for creating a core story.

Crafting Your Core Story: A Four-Step Guide - Creative Blue A 4-step process for creating a core story that can be used as a strategic tool to influence perception, drive engagement, and shape your company’s future.

Unleash your business potential with a compelling core story—your strategic slingshot against industry giants. Elevate your brand, inspire, and stand out.

https://thinkcreativeblue.com/2023/12/11/crafting-your-core-story-a-four-step-guide/

In today's highly competitive environment, a well-crafted story can be the missing ingredient that elevates a strategy from good to exceptional.

Check out our reasoning and some key examples in our latest blog post- https://thinkcreativeblue.com/2023/05/01/story-as-strategy/

Interested in diving even deeper? We link some great reference materials. Take a look and let's chat about how you can be best positioned to win in the long term.

Story as Strategy - Creative Blue Discover the power of storytelling in business strategy and learn from examples like Airbnb and Warby Parker. Uncover how a well-crafted narrative can drive success, simplify complex ideas, and create a shared vision. Rethink story strategy and master storytelling techniques to transform your busine...

In the world of startup investing, time is precious. Our latest blog post offers practical advice on creating a pitch deck that delivers maximum value in minimum time.

Tips to Quickly Capture Investors' Attention Looking to secure funding from investors for your startup? Follow these tips to learn how to create a pitch deck that stands out from the rest.

There is no such thing as low-skill labor.

Founders have to do everything from SDR to leadership to hiring.

There is only labor that has a low bar of commitment.

Everything can be done artfully.

You can't be everything to everyone. Don't even try.

Instead, make this your goal:

Change the game for one person.

If you can do that, if you can focus on making life better or easier or safer for one person, chances are pretty good that you make do that for a lot of people.

3 minutes and 44 seconds.

That's all the time an investor spends with a pitch deck.

That's all the time a founder gets to share his/her ideas.

3 minutes and 44 seconds.

Or 224 seconds to break it down further.

That's what all those years of hard work, late nights, sweat, tears, and meetings come down to.

What does that tell us about pitch decks?

And presentations in general?

1. Get to the point.

Don't dance around why you're here. You only have 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Get to the point right at the beginning.

2. Speak plainly.

Simplify the complex. Be direct.

3. Don't go too deep.

Put your deep dive in the Appendix.

4. Answer the questions: why you? Why now?

There's competition and noise every way you look. Tell the investor why you're different, why you're the right person to do this work and why right now is the time to go after it.

Your deck doesn't need to be elaborate. And it shouldn't be complicated.

Design-wise, it should accurately reflect your brand. And your design can do a lot of work to relay the ideas, themes, and feelings of your presentation.

You have less than 4 minutes.

What are YOU going to include?

Thanks, TechCrunch, for the great data points.

Tell a good story.

That's what everything boils down to.

It's how we forge relationships and close deals. It's why we travel and read. It's why company culture matters so much.

We want a story that lands. That connects.

If you can tell a good story, particularly in business, the rest will follow.

"Everyone has a story, one that is unique to you and your brand or business. Communicating that story can be the difference between success or failure."

Check out the following Forbes article, "A Key Aspect Of Storytelling To Improve Your Business Pitches." https://loom.ly/se4uc94

Council Post: A Key Aspect Of Storytelling To Improve Your Business Pitches Storytelling is more important than it has ever been. We see it in influencer marketing every day.

"A powerful narrative will resonate with consumers, boost their confidence about the commitments and decisions they make, and bind you together in a story of success."

Check out the following Forbes article, "The Power Of Storytelling To Drive Your Point Home." https://loom.ly/iwNZc7c

Council Post: The Power Of Storytelling To Drive Your Point Home It’s now more important than ever to win consumer confidence and assure them that they’re making the right choices with where they spend their money.

"Your company's branding is one of the first things people notice. Getting it right is essential."

Check out the following Forbes article, "Leading Through Storytelling: A Case Study In Public Relations" https://loom.ly/wx_InEk

Leading Through Storytelling: A Case Study In Public Relations In 2021, Lego launched its Rebuild the World PR campaign. Its ability to brand itself and deliver a clear and compelling message is what makes Lego a market leader.

Thrilled to be a part of the cycling community.

REPOST - From Monster Racing Team.

"Special Team Announcement:
A New Masters National Team Program!

The merger of Monster Racing Team and Peet's Coffee Racing Team.
Creative Blue - Monster Racing Team 2023

Overall, our team chemistry on a local level will remain fairly similar to the way it's been, with the addition of more friends that will come down to race with us here occasionally, and we can go up to race with them as well. We will be creating some opportunities for entire team camps and rides to get together. But on a national level, we will now have a deeper roster to make a bigger impact at any race we line up at!

Welcome Creative Blue and the entire Peet's Coffee Racing Team to the Monster Racing family.

Stay tuned for more partner and team announcements."

We're thrilled to support our CEO, Chris Ott, as he races in the World Championships in Italy this week!

“At the beginning of the year, I couldn’t imagine doing this again, competing in my 6th World Championship. From qualifying against all odds in Utah (finishing 2nd), to winning the Giro Di San Francisco Criterium last week with such amazing teammates.”

Please join us in cheering him on!

“Make the story more important than what you’re selling, because once the market numbers speak for themselves, they don’t connect with you for what you’re doing, but why you’re doing it.”

Check out the following Business News Daily article, "How to Pitch Your Business Idea to Potential Investors." https://loom.ly/RR8tu9E

How to Successfully Present a Business Idea to Investors - businessnewsdaily.com A successful pitch to investors can be the difference between your business's failure and success.