Michael Grimm

Over the last 12 years I have participated in the acquisition, growth, and sale of several small companies, for myself and others.

In the tech world I developed enterprise resort management software to track leads, analyze deals, and manage members.

For NASCAR I performed product viability tests, engineered and deployed growth funnels, and helped raise capital.

In the resort industry I rebranded a resort, and deployed marketing campaigns across every medium to grow the business.

I have been a consultant, trainer, and speaker for various industries in pursuit of business development, helping over 200 businesses to date.

Strengths:

Business Development; Growth Marketing; Audience Insights

Skills that have helped me succeed:

Public Speaking; Presenting; Consultative Sales; Community Design

Public Speaking

In college I learned public speaking is something most people are more afraid of than death.

The few times it was required of me in college I didn’t like it.

So I joined Toastmasters and practiced public speaking to become comfortable and confident speaking to a crowd.

Now I’ve spoken on stage many times, have been the keynote speaker and trainer for some industry association events, and have become a licensed auctioneer whose job it is to be in front of crowds.

Presenting

After college I learned that sometimes the best way to sell an idea is to present to a group, either in person or via webinar.

After learning public speaking I thought I’d be a natural at this. I wasn’t.

So I studied presentation methods and techniques and practiced presenting in different environments.

Now I’ve used presentations to get buy-in from stakeholders, shareholders, and clients. I’ve won projects and closed deals with in-person and online presentations.

Consultative Sales

Towards the end of college I was exposed to sales organizations and discovered the income disparity between top sales reps and traditional workers.

I didn’t want to be a sales rep but I recognized the importance of being able to sell when needed. Those with the ability to sell outearned those without, even in non sales roles.

Recognizing its importance, and knowing it scared me, I sought out a job at a call center to learn, practice, and develop thick skin.

Now I’ve sold to individuals, boards, and internal teams.

Community Design

When I began working with resorts I started learning about community. I saw micro-cities run by private developers and studied why some were more successful than others.

I furthered that study at VCU in city planning, consulting for local municipal bodies, and serving on various community boards and committees.

Recently I participated in Greg Isenberg’s Community College cohort that focused on the role and mechanics of community in successful tech products.

Now I’m a member of several DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) and writing an essay on their inner-workings, governance, and limitations.

The convergence of my time with private communities catering to the transient, public local communities and their governance, and online tech communities, and what makes them work, has been the most important experience I’ve built. This, combined with my other skills, allows me to pull groups of people together for any purpose, give them direction, and a sense of belonging.