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Simple Hacks to Live & Work Smarter

from Nicole Glaros, Chief Product Officer & Investor at Techstars

This presentation consists of insights inspired by 33voices® interviews with Jenna Abdou.

Table of Contents

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Page 30

Chapter 1 - Give First

Chapter 2 - Being Productive > Being Busy:

Chapter 3 - How to Communicate Constructively:

Chapter 4 - How to Catch an Investor’s Attention:

Chapter 5 - Celebrate Your Blessings:

Credits

Give FirstChapter 1

Giving = The Study of Living. Practice it.

The true mark of selflessness is giving without expectation.

“Life changes when you stop asking ‘What’s in it for me?’ When you start to help people for no reason other than to help them, you create an entire world of people who want to help you.”

Make daily contributions, no matter how small. Try paying for the person’s coffee behind you and leaving before he or she checks out. The giving effect will inspire them to pay it forward.

Nicole started as a volunteer at Techstars. Six years in, she’s led eight programs, served

as the organization’s Managing Director and invested in over 90 companies.

“I love what I do. I don’t know how to not do that. I can point to the number of days in the

last six years that I’ve felt like I worked. I could probably point to them on one hand. When you work for a living it’s hard to bring your A game

but when you love what you do you dive in feet first, all the way over your head.”

Being Productive > Being BusyChapter 2

Productive individuals can point to the exact tasks they accomplish each day.

There are only one or two things that will move your business forward each week: “Have a discipline on those two things, work

on them, and fill in the spaces based on the things you need to accomplish.”

Block a routine time on your calendar to accomplish tasks. Be religious about not letting anything impact it. Nicole dedicates from 2:30

- 5:30 p.m. every day to tackle her to-dos.

Extreme productivity requires sacrifice. In order to “focus on the big things that move her role forward” Nicole is occasionally behind in

email and scheduling meetings.

Limit distractions by setting aside time to take random meetings each month.

Own your schedule by remembering: “Discipline is critical

to the success of productivity.”

How to Communicate ConstructivelyChapter 3

65% of startups fail due to poor communication. Practice active communication by not letting issues fester. Whether you’re an engineer,

senior executive, or an intern speak up about how you feel and consciously listen to others.

State facts not opinions. It’s highly more effective to say: “We were looking

at your KPIs and the numbers aren’t hitting. Let’s talk about the reason that could be

happening and how to solve it.” instead of “Hey, your marketing sucks!”

Providing constructive feedback is a learned skill. Practice having difficult conversations grounded in “direct unemotional feedback.”

Respect is the highest indication of successful communication. Cultivate it.

How to Catch an Investor’s AttentionChapter 4

The first slide of your pitch deck should be your biggest eye opener. Whether it’s impressive revenue or citing Peter Thiel as one of your advisors, make an

impression in the first 30 seconds.

Short pitch decks > extensive, 50 pagers. Include everything you need in 8 - 10 slides.

Your deck is an introduction that should inspire investors to request a follow-up.

Don’t overwhelm them.

Be prepared to answer: “Why are you doing this?” For investors, your response directly

reflects your long-term commitment.

Avoid being the Uber, Instagram, or Kickstarter for “x.” It is overdone and no longer inspiring.

Celebrate Your BlessingsChapter 5

When you appreciate the journey your perspective will change as an entrepreneur:

“Being blessed makes you grateful for everything that happens to you.”

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Presentation by Chase Jennings

Insights by Jenna Abdou

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