White Papers

The following white papers highlight how Robinson Ventures has helped clients solve their innovation, investment, strategy, and development needs

Leadership

CEO Coaching

Sailor or Boat Builder? Which one are you? Do you think you are both? After a few tough lessons, realized that this belief was a limiting factor in growing the companies I was invested in, founding, and leading.

While every company has a Founder (Sailor and Builder), not every Founder becomes the CEO (Sailor). Although Founders are the first CEOs of their companies, it takes two completely different skill sets to start a company (Builder) and run a business (Sailor).

So, the question becomes, when do you, as a Founder, step away from being both and into one, the other, or neither? Start by asking yourself what really matters to you most. Do you want to remain the CEO or just think it is expected? Would you rather focus on vision and let someone else oversee the details? Consider the following when you conclude that it is time to “Hire the Sailor” (CEO):

  • Work in the boat, not on the boat: If you're an Owner or Founder who wants to focus on one facet of the business where you are an expert, it might be worth it to hire a CEO to manage all other critical areas, allowing you to focus on growing your business from inside the company (more boat building) by remaining an expert.

  • Navigating tricky waters: Perhaps there are regulatory issues, or your marketplace has significantly changed and become fraught with “rough waters.” Having someone at the helm who is an expert at navigating and growing your company through the rough patch is essential.

  • Navigating new waters (Blue Ocean): You may have started your company on a sea that you knew well. Now that your company has grown and is entering a new, blue ocean, you may want to hire someone who knows the new ocean and is expert at navigating it. Growing your company in new products, services, or areas that require innovation is necessary to continue growth and sustain what you founded, but not in your areas of expertise.

  • Experience in growth and financing: Founders are INCREDIBLY good at their company’s initial vision and problem-solving product/services set. That said, once the company reaches a certain level of maturity, it is no longer a “start-up” and entering a growth phase. This requires experience in obtaining capital to sustain forward momentum as well as providing structure and handling details. If you find yourself NOT wanting to do this work, it is time to hire a CEO.

I know from personal experience, both as a Founder and investor, how incredibly difficult this decision is to make. That said, it is better you make the decision yourself, rather than to be told by your team, investors, or board of directors that a change needs to be made. Please know that this decision is not a sign of weakness or failure, but the exact opposite; Asking for help is a sign of strength. Bringing in an outside CEO is necessary and good. It means you are emotionally intelligent and business savvy enough to understand what challenges lie ahead, anticipating when alone it all may be too much to manage.

Nonprofit

Strategic Planning, Board Development and Fund Raising 

Working with a rural medical delivery organization, Robinson Ventures delivered board development, strategic planning, fund development and marketing services. Subsequently, the development, planning and implementation lead to a self-sustaining organization. Prior to the engagement, the organization did not know if they were going to be able to meet their revenue goals. In addition, the marketing and public relations work that was done for the client lead to a Presidential candidate visiting their annual medical event. This attention lead to increased funding as well as created a brand development and recognition opportunity.  Finally, Robinson Ventures wrote the client's Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which they were awarded. The FQHC planning grant, which Robinson Ventures also managed, allowed the client to determine if the FQHC model was in their best interests.

Campaign Management and Grant Writing 

Working with a start-up creative economy organization specializing in training in Appalachian arts and culture, Robinson Ventures provided fund development, capital, and endowment campaign planning services. This allow the organization to formulate their funding model, create sustainability and deliver on their business plan. After the planning engagement was complete, Robinson Ventures was retained to provide grant research and construct services.

Feasibility Studies and Market Assessments 

Working with a regional Community Services Board (CSB), Robinson Ventures performed a market assessment on their behalf regarding a partnering agency that was receiving direct and pass through funds from the CSB. The goal of the assessment was to determine if the marketplace had a demand for the partner's services, if the partner's model was acceptible, and how the partner was being viewed within the marketplace. The methodology used included analyses of publicly available data sets (in this case health data), document review (e.g. By-laws, articles of incorporation, budgets, etc.), key stakeholder focus groups and one-on-one interviews. Upon completion of the assessment, a report was issued along with recommendations for remediation.

Sponsorship and Major Gift Development

Working with a Smithsonian affiliated natural history museum, Robinson Ventures, over a 4-year period heledp the organization identify and close new relationships with corporations, foundations and individuals regarding the sponsoring of special event and exhibits as well as major gifts to endow the museum. The return on investment to the museum was 7-fold what was spent with Robinson Ventures.

Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations

Working with a rural free clinic, Robinson Ventures undertook the design of all of their marketing materials. This includes their yearly news letter, tri-fold brochure, and all fund raising materials. Robinson Ventures worked closely with the Executive Director and Board to also develop the content necessary to populate the website, marketing and fund raising materials.

 

For more information about Robinson Ventures, or to submit a consulting engagement inquiry, please click here.