A Different Kind of Outsider

Fang Li is the Founder and Managing Partner of Baleen Capital, a hybrid public/private firm that invests in companies with amazing products, growth potential, unit economics, and people. In particular, Baleen looks for people and companies that make things that their customers love.

Introduction

I have a different way of thinking about outsiders. I think about them from the point of view of the customer. Investors tend to look at companies from the point of view of investors. This statement may seem obvious, yet it points to something subtle but important. Looking at a company only as an investor leads to an overemphasis on the things that are important to investors, such as capital allocation. A company is reduced to dollars and cents, growth and profits, efficiencies and returns.

By comparison, looking at a company from the customer’s perspective helps us understand things on a different level. The customers are the ones who pay the bills, so it stands to reason that the quality of their experience is an underlying driver to a company’s sales, growth, profits, and over time, financial returns.

Members, log in below to access the restricted content.

Not a member?

Thank you for your interest.  Please note that MOI Global is closed to new members at this time. If you would like to join the waiting list, complete the following form:

First name:

Last name:

Email address:

City / state / country:

Company:

How did you hear about MOI Global? Select Member referral Staff This website Media / Internet Other

If referral, please provide member's name:

Which of the following applies most closely to you? Select Investment Firm - Head Investment Firm - Analyst or PM Institutional Allocator - Firm C-Level Executive Institutional Allocator - Firm Employee Family Office - Head or Co-Owner Family Office - Employee Non-Investment Firm - C-Level Executive Non-Investment Firm - Employee Other

How do you hope to add value to the community?

Leave this field empty if you're human: