We imagine the epic journey of a small cap through the lens of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Essential tools include coffee, a map, a pickaxe, a sword, a shield, and a bullhorn. Plus, a trustworthy investor relations team - the voice of reason in a very noisy world.

Buckingham Palace has released official recipes for King Charles III's Coronation celebrations, featuring dishes like Strawberry and Ginger Trifle and a Coronation Quiche, despite an egg shortage there. Meanwhile, the UK's financial regulator has put forward plans to simplify regulations in order to make the country's equity markets more attractive, which have seen a 40% drop in listings since 2008.

Turnover at the CFO level creates a groundswell of disruption and uncertainty in the markets. A departure is often seen as a top risk and that can have a huge impact on everything from short-term share price to future capital raises. Within hours of receiving a CFO’s resignation or firing, management and the board of directors must create a content framework for positioning and key messages.

Effective vendor management though, can help small caps optimize resources and get the most out of their IR budget and strategy. Knowing “who's who in the zoo” will ensure tasks are completed on time and to a high standard, as each person or group can focus on their specific expertise, while gatekeeping so management can focus on running their business.

In the wake of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse, an eerie silence spread through the hallow halls of social media. Management teams mostly shied away from commenting on their relationship with SVB, perhaps out of fear of rousing uncertainty among their ranks. Some, ignored the event all together, while others rallied behind the start-ups and small businesses who were impacted.

The investor journey has become digital-first, that begins and (sometimes ends) with a company's website. A well-designed and regularly maintained website with clear messaging and storytelling is crucial in attracting investors and gaining a competitive advantage. Video content is an essential component of a company's digital DNA, and not having it could result in losing upwards of 50% of potential investors.