Dear Reader,
Lately, we've been working with clients not only on visioning, but also on how to "make your vision real" -- in other words, how to move from vision to plan to action to real results. Once people can see the future they want thanks to the visioning process, they can't wait to get there.
At Nebo, we invite our clients to "stand in the future" and look back. Now that they can see where they want to go, the simple question is, "what will it take to get there?" It is just amazing to see how clearly the path emerges when we stand in the future and look back rather than try to move incrementally forward from today without the benefit of a clearly described vision.
The bright yellow volume titled The Leadership Challenge is among the most dog-eared of the many books on my bookshelf. For a good reason -- the truths about leadership contained within its pages are invaluable to helping leaders succeed. In fact, many of our Nebo presentations cite the research of James Kouzes and Barry Posner, who have identified being "forward looking" and "inspiring" as two of the top four attributes of admired leaders around the world. These attributes speak directly to visionary leadership -- and also to being able to deliver on that vision.
Next Monday's conversation with Jim Kouzes will be a blend of dream-come-true for me and tutorial for us all. I invite you to join me to learn about the best practices of exemplary leaders. This show promises to help us make the crucial connections between being a leader, having a vision and delivering magnificently those desired outcomes.
Enjoy the weekend!
Kate Ebner
CEO
Nebo Company
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Monday, February 18, 2013 11 AM Eastern Time On VoiceAmerica Business
Exemplary Leadership -- A Conversation with Jim Kouzes,
One of the Nation's Most Trusted Sources of Best Practices in Leadership
Since its original printing in 1987, The Leadership Challenge has been reprinted multiple times and more than a million copies sold worldwide. Jim Kouzes and his colleague, Barry Posner, based their work on extensive global research, exploring the fundamental questions of how and why leadership matters. The results of their research are "go to" resources for leaders across all sectors. Join Host Kate Ebner and Jim Kouzes on Monday for an exploration of the five practices of exemplary leaders -- and a look at how vision plays a role in becoming a leader who inspires commitment, loyalty and productivity in others. You will learn why experience alone does not equate to success. Leaders who heed Jim's message will learn proven practices for developing the skills, behaviors and perspectives needed for greatness as a leader.
Guest Biography
Jim Kouzes is a bestselling author and award-winning speaker. Jim has been thinking about leadership ever since he served in John F. Kennedy's honor guard when Kennedy was inaugurated as President. Kennedy's inaugural call to action -"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - inspired Jim to join the Peace Corps. Jim has devoted his life to leadership development ever since. Currently Jim is Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, at Santa Clara University, and also lectures on leadership around the world to corporations, governments, and nonprofits. Jim has won numerous honors and awards, including recognition as one of the twelve best executive educators in the United States by the Wall Street Journal. Jim's book with Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge, has been a business and leadership classic for the last 25 years. Its teachings have helped over 3 million people fulfill their leadership potential.
Be inspired.
Become inspiring.
Missed the Live Show?
Past Episodes are available on demand and podcast-ready via iTunes or RSS feed.
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Angel Investing 101
with Frank Ball and Mike McGinley
of New Dominion Angels
by Rachel Wold
 Leadership coaches and co-faculty members at the Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program, Frank Ball and Mike McGinley both had backgrounds in business and wanted to take their interest in investing to the next level by joining an angel investing group. When they couldn't find a group they liked, as any entrepreneur would, they started their own. One of the key features that sets New Dominion apart from other angel groups is what Frank and Mike call "ultimate flexibility" for their members. There's no pressure to invest in any project and no set quotas or minimum required investment per member. This group structure allows for members to invest when they feel excited about a project, ultimately providing the greatest benefit to both the investors and start-up companies.
New Dominion entered the market when the time was ripe for angel investing: it was post-financial crisis and banks were not inclined to lend large amounts of money to risky start-ups without serious collateral in return. At the beginning, the two founders remember having to seek out businesses to pitch to them; now the group whittles 25-30 proposals down to two each month for presentation at their meetings.
After the presentations, the New Dominion Angels discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the nascent companies, asking questions like, "Is this the right team to make the idea happen? Is this a sector we're interested in? What are the chances for a profitable exit?"
While New Dominion is not technically a social profit investing group, companies that make the world a better place often ignite their interest. There are hundreds of issues to consider when examining a prospective investment, however, Frank and Mike identified the most important questions the New Dominion Angels consider when evaluating a company:
- Does this company alleviate a real pain in the market (solve a problem)?
- Is the solution elegant? Does it bring something to the buyer that's unique or deliver a product in an innovative way?
If there is sufficient interest in the proposal, volunteers form a due diligence team to dig even further into the numbers and workings of the company. This team ultimately makes a recommendation on whether to invest or not, and then interested individuals contribute to an LLC which makes the investment.
The investment is just the beginning. New Dominion Angels will stay involved with the company for around 5 years and then, if all goes well, will get their investment back and more in a liquidity event. During that time, the members of the team lend their help to the company in any way they can- through connections, expertise, help with strategy and developing key employees. Frank and Mike emphasized that this active relationship with the company is the reason many angel investors get involved: "If we wanted to be passive investors, we would put our money in mutual fund and hope for the best."
Angel investing is, by definition, a risky business. The statistics vary, but the consensus is the same: most start-ups fail. The New Dominion Angels understand that risk: "That's what we can expect as angel investors so our work is to try to separate the best from the rest." So far, all 11 companies the group has invested in are still going strong and 2 of them have had successful exits. Frank and Mike speak warmly of the pride that comes with helping a great young company work through the growing pains and come out on the other side as a successful enterprise.
For some examples of New Dominion Angels' success stories, check out the article below.
To hear more of the step-by-step process behind angel investing, listen to the full episode here or download the podcast. This is a great show to share with your friends or family starting their own businesses!
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Three Angel Inspired Business Stories
On this week's radio show, Mike and Frank highlighted these three companies as terrific examples of a successful "pivot": they are companies that listened to the market and changed their offer to better serve the "pain" of their particular niche. For the full story, listen to the episode.
OhMyGov Inc.
OhMyGov Inc. is a cause-driven, digital media and technology firm founded by former federal employees and technology consultants aimed at improving government communications through the spread of information and use of technology. The company leverages its digital government news site to generate new business in providing social media trainings and media analysis tools and consulting services. OhMyGov was formally known as My Small Business Exchange.
Zagster

Zagster makes renting bicycles ridiculously easy, and affordable. The Zagster team was formerly known as CityRyde - the Bike Sharing Experts. Based in Cambridge, MA, Zagster decided to pivot away from competing with large city-wide bike sharing programs like Capital Bikeshare and to instead serve apartment complexes, resorts, and company campuses with their bike fleets.

Mom Made Foods makes healthy and convenient age-appropriate meals for kids using USDA-certified organic ingredients grown in the USA. When founder Heather Stouffer had her first child, she found that on days she needed a break from the kitchen, she couldn't find any acceptable meal alternatives at the grocery store. Even many organic meals had too much salt, sugar, and fat. Heather first created Mom Made Foods as a brand of baby food but found her greatest success when she "pivoted" to healthy snacks and ready-made meals for toddlers.
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Create Your Vision!
We have designed a quick and easy visioning exercise just for you! You will receive your own personal vision statement immediately upon hitting "submit." To create your vision statement, CLICK HERE.
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Tips for Your Start-Up
- "Have a beginner's mindset. If you think you know everything you need to know from the start, you won't be able to listen to the market and take advantage of a strategic pivot, if necessary."
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"Before you go looking for investors, fire-proof your idea. Invite family and friends to be skeptical and pepper you with questions about your business idea. If you let them find holes in your thinking before talking to potential investors, everyone isbetter off in the long run."
--Frank Ball and Mike McGinley of New Dominion Angels on
Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life 2/11/13
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Missed the last show?
 Listen to more of the behind-the-scenes story of angel investing on the February 11 episode of Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life.
Be inspired.
Become inspiring.
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Recommended Resource
Searching for angel investors in your area? Mike McGinley and Frank Ball recommend that you start your search at the Angel Capital Association. Find further tips in the sidebar above!
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