Investor Day Best Practices: 5 Takeaways From Our Recent Webinar

by The Notified Team on Nov 19, 2024 5:48:19 PM

Investor days are the perfect opportunity to showcase business momentum, communicate a vision and build trust in long-term strategies.

But these events aren't just about numbers - they're about telling a powerful story. And our recent webinar with Corbin Advisors shared tips on how companies can make these important storytelling moments more impactful.

Keep reading for the 5 top takeaways, then watch the full discussion on demand for more best practices!

1. Focus on Education and Engagement

Thang To, SVP and Head of Investor Day Practice at Corbin Advisors, has led more than 200 investor days. Over the years, he said he’s found these events most valuable when they are informative, engaging and well-organized.

The focus should be on sharing new insights, a clear long-term strategy and financial goals. And it takes incredible planning to do so.

Ed Egl, VP of Investor Relations at Waste Management, echoed this sentiment.

"Investor days are like earnings calls on steroids, in terms of preparation," he said. “Successful events go beyond pure facts and numbers because they place the numbers within context, offering the investor a better sense of what's to come from the company. The quality of the management team, competitive advantages of your company and your strategy establish a platform for investor trust and confidence.”

2. Provide a Flexible Format

“Flexibility” is the key word in today's landscape where investor meeting preferences have evolved.

Our panelists shared that while some do find fulfillment in attending in-person events, others welcome the convenience of online formats. Companies can connect more deeply with their audience by offering a mix of in-person experiences and virtual components.

"Flexibility in how we interact with our audience, whether virtual or in-person, will maximize the effectiveness of our investor day efforts," Egl said.

3. Ensure Consistency and Transparency

To build trust, it's important to stay consistent in your messages. Our panel also emphasized that being open and honest, even during uncertain times, is crucial.

Denise Pacioni, Senior Manager of Investor Relations at AeroVironment, said: “If specific long-term financial goals cannot be stated, a company could explain the factors that are impacting forecasts.”

These events have also become an opportunity to introduce important figures of the management team. Pacioni highlighted that doing so can boost investor confidence by introducing future C-suite leaders.

This transparency helps prevent speculation and keeps everyone on the same page.

4. Attract New Investors: A Personal Touch

It's not easy to bring in new investors, but our panel shared valuable insights on how to conduct effective outreach.

Pacioni spoke about the benefits of personal outreach: "A direct, personal approach makes all the difference. We contacted current shareholders and prospects, and the feedback was impressive."

Egl echoed the benefits of this approach, commenting that having access through sell-side analysts might allow entry to an even wider audience.

He also pointed out the value of doing this outside the company's particular industry, within which some people who might have similar investment criteria could be found.

5. Engage Attendees via Q&A Sessions

Finally, investor days are a great chance for direct interaction, especially through Q&A sessions. These sessions let stakeholders ask questions and get answers that add more depth to a company’s story.

For IR teams, this involves speaker prep and planning.

"Rigorous preparation for Q&A sessions is crucial to ensure messages are delivered effectively," Egl emphasized. “Our executives go through extensive mock Q&A to prepare for tough questions and stay confident during the event. A well-organized Q&A, possibly divided into themed sections, helps the audience get detailed insights on topics like financial goals and operations.”

Thang provided guidance on how comms teams can prepare spokespeople by introducing the "ABC's of Q&A":

Answer the question directly and briefly.
Back up your answer with evidence.
Connect the response to key messages relevant to the company’s story.

Build Trust and Elevate Your Strategy

Investor days are a critical opportunity to build trust, foster transparency and engage with stakeholders, especially in today’s unpredictable economic climate.

With these actionable insights, you can create a more compelling investor day narrative, manage stakeholder expectations and execute a best-in-class event.

Watch the full webinar to learn more!