Play 4: Taking Inventory of Your Value

Overview

You don't need capital to secure equity in businesses. What you need is value to trade. This play helps you identify and package your skills, experience, and connections into an irresistible offer that business owners will eagerly exchange for ownership stakes.

Core Principle

Every successful equity partnership is built on value exchange. The business owner gets something they desperately need (that they can't easily get elsewhere), and you get equity in return. Your job is to clearly identify and articulate what you bring to the table.

The Five Categories of Tradeable Value

1. Specialized Skills & Expertise

What can you do better than most people? What skills have you developed over your career that solve expensive problems for businesses?

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Skills Audit

List your top skills in these categories:

Marketing & Sales: Digital marketing, SEO, sales process design, lead generation, branding
Operations: Process improvement, supply chain, quality control, project management
Finance: Financial modeling, forecasting, cost reduction, capital raising
Technology: Software development, automation, systems integration, data analytics
People & Culture: Recruiting, training, culture building, leadership development
Strategy: Market analysis, competitive positioning, growth planning, M&A

2. Industry Knowledge & Experience

Your years in an industry give you insights that outsiders simply can't buy. You know the players, understand the dynamics, and can spot opportunities and risks quickly.

Questions to Ask:

What industries have you worked in for 5+ years?
What insider knowledge do you possess?
What industry trends can you identify before others?
What regulatory or compliance expertise do you have?

3. Network & Relationships

Who you know can be as valuable as what you know. Your network can open doors, provide introductions, solve problems, and accelerate growth.

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Network Inventory

Map your valuable connections:

Decision Makers: Executives, business owners, purchasing managers
Service Providers: Attorneys, accountants, bankers, consultants
Industry Influencers: Thought leaders, media, association leaders
Potential Customers: People/companies who buy what target businesses sell
Talent Pool: Top performers you could recruit for businesses
Capital Sources: Investors, lenders, grant programs

4. Proven Track Record

Past results are the best predictor of future performance. What have you already accomplished that demonstrates your ability to create value?

Documenting Your Wins

Create a portfolio of your achievements:

Revenue growth you've driven (with specific percentages/dollars)
Cost reductions or efficiency improvements
Successful projects or initiatives you've led
Problems you've solved and results achieved
Recognition, awards, or industry acknowledgment

Pro Tip: Quantify everything with numbers, percentages, and timeframes.

5. Available Time & Commitment

Your willingness and ability to dedicate time to helping a business succeed is itself valuable. Many business owners would love a strategic partner but can't afford to pay market rates for expertise.

Time Commitment Options:

Part-time Strategic: 5-10 hours/week for high-level guidance
Active Advisory: 10-20 hours/week for hands-on involvement
Full-time Partnership: 40+ hours/week as co-operator
Project-based: Intensive periods for specific initiatives

Packaging Your Value Proposition

Once you've inventoried your assets, you need to package them into a clear, compelling value proposition that speaks to business owners' needs.

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Create Your Value Package

Use this framework:

"I help [type of business] achieve [specific outcome] by providing [your unique combination of skills/network/experience]."

Example 1: "I help B2B service companies achieve predictable lead generation by providing proven digital marketing systems, a network of enterprise buyers, and 10 years of SaaS marketing experience."

Example 2: "I help healthcare practices improve operational efficiency and profitability by providing process optimization expertise, regulatory compliance knowledge, and connections to top medical administrators."

Building Your Equity Portfolio

Think of your value inventory as a portfolio of tradeable assets. Different businesses will need different combinations of what you offer.

The Portfolio Approach:

Marketing-Heavy Business: Trade your digital marketing skills for 15-20% equity
Operational Mess: Trade your process improvement expertise for 20-25% equity
Growth-Stage Company: Trade your network and strategic guidance for 10-15% equity
Turnaround Situation: Trade multiple skills + time for 30-40% equity

Common Value Blind Spots

Many people underestimate their value. Here are assets you might be overlooking:

Often Overlooked Assets:

Geographic Presence: Being local in markets businesses want to enter
Cultural Expertise: Understanding specific demographics or markets
Technical Certifications: Professional licenses others need but don't have
Media Relationships: Access to press, publicity, or content channels
Past Failures: Lessons learned from mistakes that save others money
Speed & Urgency: Ability to act quickly when timing matters
Creative Thinking: Seeing solutions others miss
Persistence: Willingness to stick with challenges others abandon

Value Inventory Checklist

Complete detailed skills audit across all categories
Document industry knowledge and years of experience
Map your network by category and value to businesses
Create case studies of past wins with quantified results
Define your available time commitment levels
Craft 3 different value proposition statements for different business types
Identify value blind spots you've been overlooking
Create a one-page "What I Bring" summary document
Test your value proposition with trusted advisors
Download and complete the Taking Inventory Worksheet

Downloads

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Taking Inventory Worksheet

Chris Moore's proprietary worksheet

Download

Equity Partner Playbook

Taking Inventory of Your Value