We or I - When to Change Back…

You have to love this business. Where else can you make money in your underwear? It doesn’t matter what you wear to work because a computer is your connection to the world – not a physical office.

Warning: It’s a scary vision to imagine all domainers in their underwear so I will assume you all look like Kate Beckinsale for the moment.

Many of us are lucky enough to earn a living in this business so when dealing with other companies (raising investment capital, offering services, negotiating a deal, applying for a loan, etc..) how many of you use the royal “we” – the one meaning your company. ”We” certainly sounds better and helps portray your company as a real business rather than a one man show. However when can using the word “we’ become a bad thing?

Most small business (one man shows) will use “we” every time they connect with a bank, apply for credit or talk to a potential customer  - such as ”we” can provide this or “we” are doing that.  All is fair in using the word “we” but at some point you must revert back to “I”.

If you have built a truly successful business and looking to raise investment capital it’s important to lay all your cards on the table. In this case it means coming full circle back to “I”. After all, it’s your success, your hard work and your company - No “we” involved. Investors should be convinced to invest in you and not some fictional “we” that will only lead to confusion.

Mark my words - after a 10 minute presentation using the word “we” instead of “i” a smart investor would look at you and say - who is we?  I’m pretty sure you would rather answer questions about the business plan than explain how you just streched the truth (hmmm… thinks a potential investor… what else did he stretch?)

Using the word “we” is fine but when you can revert back to “I” then you know you did something right – in your underwear.