Oddly enough, few investors take advantage of this opportunity.
The contact information for the IR representatives is usually on the company's website, in the investor relations section. Additionally, the IR name and phone number is generally included at the bottom of every press release. In the event that you're unable to locate the information for the dedicated IR contact, just call the company's main line and ask with whom you can speak.
If you only do this one thing — call the company — you will very likely be a much more successful investor. You will understand where the company is heading and how they expect to get there. You will even know what obstacles they're facing and how they anticipate overcoming them. And besides all this, the call is free (not including any long-distance charges), doesn't take long, and gives you information that most other investors don't have.You will get a lot more out of your call if you know what to ask ahead of time. You don't want to have a bunch of questions that you can find the answer to just by reading the website. And you don't want to waste anybody's time with queries about the latest financial report if you haven't read it.
Keep track of the name of the person you speak to and his contact information. That way, the next time you call, you can say, "we spoke about two months ago, and I just wanted to check in on progress . . . "
Keep in mind that even though talking to you is part of this individual's job description, he's still doing you somewhat of a favor. Therefore, respect his time, and don't call too frequently. A quick phone conversation once every few months, or after a major event like the release of the company's quarterly financial results, should enable you to get the information you need to make a smart investment.IR personnel will appreciate your interest in their company. Don't be afraid to tell them that you're a newer investor. If you're a shareholder already, or just a prospective investor, tell them. If they use a term that you don't understand, ask for clarification. Many people don't make the call because they don't know what to ask or they're worried that they may sound foolish.
Don't be afraid to make that first call and don't be afraid to make that tenth call! Follow the advice of the Chinese proverb: "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever!"