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Strategies & Market Trends : Gorilla and King Portfolio Candidates -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: substancep who wrote (21107)	3/23/2000 9:37:00 AM
From: Uncle Frank	Respond to of 54805

>> I find it hard to believe that a group as feisty as this is content to let a "newbie" speak on its behalf. You've rtfm, you speak the lingo, and you've volunteered for Project Hunt so you're fully qualified to represent us. Contacting the company directly for info is a new approach for us, but I'm sure they're used to handling questions from analysts and money managers on a routine basis. It will be interesting to see how they react to an internet investment group. Go for it, and don't be afraid to use Mike Buckley's name. uf

To: substancep who wrote (21107)	3/23/2000 11:09:00 AM
From: Mike Buckley	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

P, I find it hard to believe that a group as feisty as this is content to let a "newbie" speak on its behalf. We believe in meritocracy. Newbies have every bit as much knowledge and gift of communication as elders, and in the example of Frank, a lot more humor. I didn't mean to ignore your request for advice about how to approach IR departments. I'll offer some hints off the top of my head that won't be particularly earth-shaking. Explain the world-wide breadth of our forum's participants and lurkers, the nature of Project Hunt, and the consistent format we use to compare companies and product. You might send a sample Hunt report to the person being interviewed in advance. Or send your uncompleted Hunt Report so the person appreaciates the blanks you are hoping to fill in. The one question I would be certain to ask in every interview: Does your senior management team subscribe to the teachings found in Geoff Moore's books? The second question: Does your firm consult with the Chasm Group? My last pointer would be that all questions should be asked in the context of Gorilla Gaming, even if it requires one or two sentences to explain the context to the person being interviewed. Hope this helps, though I imagine that you, a newbie, had already thought of all of them. :) --Mike Buckley

To: substancep who wrote (21107)	3/23/2000 11:43:00 AM
From: chaz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

Good Morning, Substancep... I'm a bit surprised as well that none of the wise ones have offered question suggestions to you, but in a way, I think it's a tough area. Each company is just enough different that specific questions will be all over the lot. Perhaps a second request will prompt more response. There certainly are thoughtful folks here who will contribute. As for guidelines, in general what we probably have the most trouble with is Section 5 of the HUNT format...the measure of gorillaness in the candidate. The other area is the competitive situation the companies face, and most often (I've found) IR departments prefer to stick with the standard disclaimer. You may have a different experience going in as a representative of SI's G&K thread. I also think that the technique you use to will have an effect. Just calling up and asking a bunch of questions will probably not lead as far as you could get. Might be better to e-mail, introducing yourself as our rep, and asking for a phone or personal appointment with a senior IR or Corporate person. Only a suggestion, but something like: Silicon Investor's Gorrilla and King forum has an interest in your company, and as it's representative, I would like to arrange a phone (or personal) appointment with .... and so on. That would give the IR a "heads up"...and perhaps you might find it a much more open experience. The patents, a non-tech description of the product, the reason for the product, the market oportunity, the value chain, where they are in it...the alternative products, how they see them, the list could go on a long, long way. Those of us who have actually spoken with IR departments might have some comments to offer. Perhaps MATHEMAGICIAN will chime in...he certainly has an ok from his boss to do so. (ggg) Chaz

To: substancep who wrote (21107)	3/24/2000 6:47:00 PM
From: StockHawk	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

Re: Calling Investor Relations for a Project Hunt Report . It is difficult to answer this question because there are so many variables, but here are some suggestions. First, Investor relations departments vary depending on the size of the company. It also depends on when you call. In some cases you may be talking to an administrative assistant while in another you may get the CFO. Calling or e-mailing first for an appointed time is a good idea. Second, you usually do not want to ask questions about items that you can find readily elsewhere. For example, if you want to focus on financial items it would not be wise to ask last year's EPS if that information is available in publsihed reports or press releases. However, it would be good to ask questions not revealed in the reports such as why did inventory levels rise or why did sales to some segment decrease. Some good questions to ask any company might include: 1. How have the competitive threats you face changed in the last year" 2. What is the company's top priority for the next 12 months (sales growth, ramping production, acquisitions, cost reductions, ...) 3. Do you think the recent sales growth trend will continue or will it change significantly. What factors will drive the changes. 4. Will the company be targeting any new market segments in the near future. Keep in mind that companies have disclosure regulations to live up to and that effects how much they can/will reveal without making a public statement. On the few occassions when I have called an IR department I always found them helpful. It is important for you to be prepared - if you have insightful company-specific questions you will often peak the interest of the person you are talking to and get better responses. Hope this helps a little. StockHawk