There has been a significant uptick in inquiries from would be hedge fund managers on the HEDGEAnswers site over the last few weeks. Although we are just six or seven weeks into 2015, it is clear that this is the year of the new hedge fund launch. The questions are very similar. Would be managers ask if the need a lawyer, do they need an accountant, what is the role of the administrator, and of course what is the best way to raise money. And while the first three questions are important, they are relatively easy to solve, it is the last one, what is the best way to raise money which is the most difficult.
I have always said, that everywhere you think you are going to raise money is exactly where you will not and everywhere you do not expect the money to flow from is exactly where it will come from. There is no rhyme or reason there is just one thing – persistence. You need to have persistence, you need to expect to be hung up on and have the door slammed in your face a lot. Don’t be discouraged, it takes time, energy and persistence. Just because you build it does not mean the money will come. In fact just the opposite, the key is to have a clear and concise message and to listen. Most people do not listen. They think that they are listening but really are just thinking about something else, listen to the people you are speaking with take their feedback and engage in a constructive dialogue. Listening is what will cause you to be successful over the long run.
Engagement is the theme Operation for Alternatives which just concluded its third even in eleven months at PGA National on Wednesday. The program was full of relevant and important information and focused on how operate efficiently and successfully in this ever changing regulatory market. If you missed it go to www.ofa-america.com and check out the recap. I am sure you will enjoy it.
THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY
People who don’t listen annoy the heck out of me. As I mentioned above, it is the key to being sucessful in business. It happens all the time – they fail to pay attention and hear what is being said. People need to listen a little bit more and pay attention to what is happening. Whether it is someone I am talking to in a business meeting who is more focused on checking email or it is waiter at a restaurant that gets my order wrong – there is a clearly a lack of listening going on in this country today. I am happy to call an email checker out during a meeting. Dealing with a waiter is a little more difficult. I am always worried that if I complain they are going to do something to my food or beverage – my mind immediately goes to the scene in Road Trip when the boys are in the diner and Kyle complains about the powdered sugar on his French toast. I don’t want anything like this to happen so usually I just deal with it. My advice is you should too.