What Does it Take?
Over the past several months, I’ve given a lot of thought to what it takes to be a good investor relations practitioner. After more than two decades of helping companies through the trials and tribulations of being public, I’m not that surprised that many of the following characteristics or traits that are important cannot be learned from books, on websites or through advanced degrees.
- Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of financial statements/rules and regulations/capital markets. This one is a no-brainer. It’s hard to do the basics of investor relations without the requisite comprehension of what it means to be a public company.
- Analysis: Always be ready to review a situation, operating peer or balance sheet with a sharp and analytical mind. Data is readily available, but proper analysis of that data is priceless.
- Juggling: I don’t mean apples, balls or in the case of a former client, coconuts, but instead deftly managing deadlines, priorities and multiple personalities (hopefully from multiple people, not just one). If you work at an agency, extra points for having to do the above for many clients at one time.
- Patience: When your stock is dropping, the phones are ringing off the hook and your email is pinging every 30 seconds, it’s important to remain calm when talking to investors and working with management to solve the problem du jour. Everyone has their own ideas, solutions and timelines, so being able to take in all of the information necessary to make the best decision with poise, is key.
- Brevity: Executives and investors are busy. Say what you need to say quickly and precisely. Get to the point, and get out. This holds true whether your communication is written or verbal.
- Strong Shoulder: There will be many times throughout your career when a colleague, client or senior executive needs a sounding board and someone to lean on. CEOs are people, too, so when a company is facing challenging times, or a solution is hard to come by, just being available to listen is immensely helpful. I have spent many afternoons as therapist versus press release writer, but those are the times I realize that I am truly part of the team.
- Sense of Humor: When all else fails, laugh. It’s contagious. Almost nothing is insurmountable, so a little lightheartedness helps everyone reset and refocus. Investor relations is not an easy profession, so have fun with it.We’d love to hear what other traits are important. Let us know in the comments section.
— Laurie Berman, lberman@pondel.com
