Building Relationships That Last A Career And Start With An Email

From an email introduction through the rest of your career.

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Chris Fralic

Partner at First Round since 2006, Forbes Midas List of best VC Investors 2021

Chris Fralic

Partner at First Round since 2006, Forbes Midas List of best VC Investors 2021

Course overview

Building Relationships, Brand, and Reputation

Learn how to build your brand with intention, looking beyond individual interactions or immediate outcomes. We’ll start with the big picture and the long term goals but also dive deep into specifics and actionable tactics.

Who is this course for

Founders and VCs, or if you work in a startup or venture capital.

Starting your career and looking to build your brand and relationships.

Sales and business development, whether it's a job title or part of your job.

Founders and VCs, or if you work in a startup or venture capital.

Starting your career and looking to build your brand and relationships.

Sales and business development, whether it's a job title or part of your job.

Topics covered

The Big Picture

Beginning with the end in mind and the long view of your career.

Saying and Hearing “No”

Tools and strategies that can still add value and keep doors open.

Brand and Reputation

Your brand is built - or not - with every interaction.

Managing One’s Self and How To Work A Conference (or a Zoom)

Frameworks for contacts, getting things done, and meetings and events.

How to be great at email, featuring the Art of the Email Introduction.

Outreach and Gratitude

Bringing it all together, and the power of a daily extra outreach.

See what people are saying

Chris is a trusted advisor that I’m grateful to have known for almost 15 years. His unique insights aligned closely with our vision for Roblox at a time when most investors saw the Metaverse as science fiction. Chris is a true connector whose extensive network has been extremely valuable to Roblox.

David Baszucki

Founder and CEO, ROBLOX

I first met Chris in 1996 at a conference — and I remember being super impressed with him and the strength of his network. Chris seemed to know everyone. When I set out to build Half.com, I knew there would be a ton of business development needed — and Chris was my first call.

Josh Kopelman

Founder of First Round and Half.com

Every year Chris gets incredible feedback from my students for taking them out of their textbooks and case studies and clearly explaining the real mechanics of human interaction and how the business world works. I’ve heard many times that it’s been the most useful lecture of their college careers.

Dan Porter

Professor NYU and 3 time startup CEO

Chris has enthusiastically shared the insights from his many years of experience as a leading venture capitalist with our Wharton marketing MBA and undergraduate students. Chris’ presentations...have resulted in him being one of the highest rated class speakers.

Martin R. Lautman, Ph.D.

Wharton, Adj. Professor of Marketing

Meet your instructor

Chris Fralic

I spent the first 20 years of my career working in technology companies, from big tech companies to small startups like Half.com and del.icio.us, mostly in sales and business development roles. I spent the last 15 years at First Round working with startups like Roblox, Flurry, Ring, Invite Media, Warby Parker, Hotel Tonight, Double Verify, Rec Room and 70 others from their earliest days. As a VC I've been on the receiving end of many thousands of emails, made or received many thousands of introductions, and seen how relationships and personal reputations are built - or not. The purpose of the course is to explore and share what I've learned, especially with those who are earlier in their careers, and I'd love to see some founders and investors in the group.

Learning is better with cohorts

Active learning, not passive watching

The classes will be taught live by me, with Q&A in every session.

Learn with a cohort of peers

There will be exercises you’ll do with a cohort of peers.

Accountability and feedback

Don’t sign up if you’re not able to fully engage in the course and with your peers.

Special Guests

There might be some special guest speakers during the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Course syllabus

Week 1

Nov 7—Nov 10

Nothing scheduled for this week

Bonus

The Big Picture, Brand and Reputation

Students take the long view of their careers, with a focus on authenticity and "how to be" versus just "what to do" - with breakout exercises to help the students get to know each other. We'll dive into what makes - or breaks - your brand and what people say about you when you're not in the room.

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How to Become Insanely Well Connected
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Scott Harrison and the charity:water story

Chris Quaidoo's Venture Games

A years ago your coach Chris Quaidoo started a podcast - please look through them and listen to one and he'll explain how he got this project off the ground and connected with some amazing people along the way.

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Venture Games Podcast

Managing One's Self

Understand the importance of developing trusted systems for projects and to-do lists, a system of record for contacts, and meeting preparation and follow up.

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One VC Wrote an OS for Her Life
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Peter Boyce is a People Person
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The CEO of No

Recommended Books (Optional)

Here are some of my favorite books related to the topics we're covering in this course

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Success Is In Your Sphere - Zvi Band
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Atomic Habits - James Clear
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Soundtracks - Jon Acuff
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Take the Work out of Networking - Karen Wickre
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Build Your Dream Network - Kelly Hoey

Presentations and Slides

I'm adding them here for your review and have taking out any personal or sensitive information.

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Module 1 - Big Picture, Brand and Reputation
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Module 2 - Email
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Module 3 - Saying and Hearing "No"
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Module 4 - Managing One's Self, Work a Conference
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Module 5 - Outreach and Gratitude