Month: October 2012

Making a memorable Business presentation/Pitch

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Making a memorable presentation/pitch goes beyond the fact that you have a big Idea that “no one has done before”. In fact your investors are more likely to think that if no one has done it before, then it is not worth trying out.

So be ready to answer that question.

However, today I want to place emphasis on sharpening your presentation skills.

Why?

Because that may be the major thing that might make or mar your closing a deal after days of battling with making your value proposition look good. Now the list in itself is not to put you in a stereotyped box but I bet you will node and probably say; hmmn I have always gotten that wrong.

So before you open your mouth to say a word, try to:
• Arrange your thoughts: Knowing what and how you are starting is one key to getting the attention of your audience. If the person who made a presentation before you was boring, you have an advantage. However if he/she received an exciting ovation you must work hard to keep the tempo otherwise people will walk out on you. I like to start with a well crafted and captivating analogy.

• The ability to convey emotions with your voice is what separates the good speakers from great speakers. The pauses, the anecdotes and most especially the depth of conviction which is displayed in your overall body language are all some of the important elements that should go into your presentation.
If you think you are not up to it, you can get someone to do it for you, because ideally the life of your business success may depend on it. There are things I have noticed and highlighted as important things, which I feel you should place first while presenting you business Idea to capitalists/investors…

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What Every Good Marketer Knows

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ImageThis week I am sharing a thought from Seth Godin (World renown Author and Entrepreneur see a brief of his profile at the end of this thought)

The following is a list of great marketing lessons from Seth Godin. Ignore them at your peril.

  • Anticipated, personal and relevant advertising always does better than unsolicited junk.
  • Making promises and keeping them is a great way to build a brand.
  • Your best customers are worth far more than your average customers.
  • Share of wallet is easier, more profitable and ultimately more effective a measure than share of market.
  • Marketing begins before the product is created.
  •  Advertising is just a symptom, a tactic. Marketing is about far more than that.

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How to Drive sales through Copywriting

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I usually lean my posts towards tips or linguistic issues I find interesting. This time, however, I’d like to address an issue that comes up now and again in businesses promotions across the globe: Do we need a copywriter?
Here are six reasons you do.
First, let me tell you what a copywriter does. It has nothing to do with registering stuff with the patent office or rights of fair use. That’s copyright.
A copywriter creates text, called “copy,” for ads, web sites, direct mail, sales brochures, executive speeches and so on. Often companies will have an in-house copywriter or they’ll work with copywriters at an ad agency to draft all official communications. Almost every piece of advertising or sales material you read was written by a professional copywriter.
OK, so a copywriter writes the copy for ads and sales brochures … why can’t I do that?
Before you or your company dive in to writing your own promotions, think about these reasons you probably should hire a professional:

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EFFECTIVE SALES PROPOSALS- How to write them

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A while back I was invited to speak at the annual sales kick off meeting of a Major Financial institution in the country. The morning of my talk I was in early enough to share breakfast with about 450 sales people, while they went on to listen to the CEO Talk about “The Journey so far” address. After that it was my turn.

As I sat quietly sipping one more cup of coffee, and gathering my thoughts, a young man came into the waiting room I was and walked straight to me and said “you’re late for the meeting”.

“No Sir”, I replied. I am the next speaker, so in a way I’m early. What about you?”

“Oh, I’ll like to be, but I’m waiting for my driver. Had to dash off to close a deal.”

My eyebrows went up. “Congratulations. Must be an Important deal.”

“It is” he said. “It’s worth about half a billion Naira(about $4 Million). But before you get the wrong Idea I am not selling anything. I’m buying. I am the Country Vice Manager in charge of investments, and I have to go sign some papers to bring this deal to a closure.”

I was scrambling for my business card, in case he had any money left over, when he asked me, “What is the subject of your talk?”

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CASSIUS CLAY ENTREPRENEUR- Essential Life lessons from Mohammad Ali

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Two days ago I informed my followers on twitter that I was going to do a piece on “The Cassius Clay Entrepreneur” But after really deliberating on the title and doing a thorough study of the man, I felt it was going to be too Narrow and could actually be applied in every facet of life.

You’ll soon see my reason.

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; January 17, 1942) is an American former professional boxer. Sometimes Last week I was watching some of his classics on “ESPN classic” Notable among them were three with rival Joe Frazier, which are considered among the greatest in boxing history, and one with George Foreman, Ali was well known for his unorthodox fighting style, which he described as “floating like a butterfly, sting[ing] like a bee”, Ali brought beauty and grace to the most uncompromising of sports and through the wonderful excesses of skill and character, he became the most famous athlete in the world.

Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. The older of two boys, he was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr., who was named after the 19th century abolitionist and politician of the same name.

Ali would go on to become the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion. In 1999, Ali was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC.

What got him there?

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