How do you get insights on markets? Personally, I read dozens of annual reports in addition to quarterly reports. As I read them, I see patterns on what is working and not working. If you want to understand markets better, find avenues to read annual reports especially those prepared by startups and young companies.
The big banks, insurers, cement firms, etc are macro and largely offer nothing but top-overview. But annual reports of startups give you monthly customer growth, views, conversions, etc which the big boys have no time to bug you with.
Sure, those reports are proprietary but if you can have access to them, go for them. Validation of market patterns does not come from reading non-quantitative blogs. They come from insights gathered on companies in which people have invested money. Those insights are hard data.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
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In the Tekedia Mini-MBA which begins next month, we will be introducing a Homework on creating Annual Shareholder Letter or Annual Report for SMEs/new startups.. We already have one for Business Concept Note, Investment Brief, etc which have served many of our members. Yes, before you hire the experts, you may be the person to write the first Shareholder Letter for your firm. We want to make sure you are prepared to do that.
Meanwhile, let me wish Happy New Year to two of our portfolio companies which engaged me yesterday via shareholder letters: AjoMoney and TradeGrid. Happy new year to both and more open doors; so proud. And to all our portfolio companies, Happy New Year.
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Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.