Looking Out for Your Business Interests

We’re always pleased to identify valuable resources to help you, the intrepid entrepreneur grow and strengthen your business. So, we were ecstatic when Robert had a chance to interview Catherine Swift — the President, CEO and Chairwoman — from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Listen to BusinessCast episode #85 and you’ll learn about how the CFIB is truly in your corner. They are an active and effective advocate for all small business owners at the Provincial and Federal Governments.

During BusinessCast episode #85, we also reveal the details about our exciting “Bold for Entrepreneurs Contest“ where you could win a Blackberry Bold.

Finally, thanks to your input, we have been named as a finalist in the Best Canadian Podcast award competition. Help us to be recognized as THE BEST PODCAST by voting for us.

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

Critical Business Resource and Two Contests

Three quick items:

1) On Sunday November 30th, we’ll be uploading BusinessCast episode #85. Robert has interviewed a very special guest and learns about a critical and readily accessible business resource that is relevant for all entrepreneurs/independent business owners.

2) Also, during BusinessCast episode #85, we’ll be going over the details about our exciting “Bold for Entrepreneurs Contest“. In a nutshell, tell us how you would use a Blackberry Bold to help your business and you could win one of these popular smartphones. We know that entrepreneurs are bold. Now’s your chance to have it turn into the latest technology!

3) We appreciate all of your feedback and now, we’re asking for a little more. If the BusinessCast podcast is a valuable resource for you and your business, vote for us as Best Canadian Podcast.

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

The Perfect Pitch – Part 2 – The Warm Up

 

“After you’ve developed ‘the perfect pitch’ – how do you know that it really works?” This is one of the many questions that we received from BusinessCast listeners of show #61 (The Perfect Pitch) and show #62 (Talk Yourself Into Business).

 

So, here are a handful of practical tips that any entrepreneur can apply to address the challenge of developing a pitch that works effectively:

 

1) Record yourself in audio format. Ask a friend or colleague to listen to how clearly you enunciate your words as well as for your pacing and how natural it sounds.

 

2) Record yourself in video format. This is particularly powerful because your body language plays such an important role in conveying your key messages. Review it and watch for facial gestures or body movement that may distract, rather than reinforce, the message you are trying to get across.

 

3) Because your company relies on your team, encourage each member to prepare a pitch using the structure outlined in show #61. This isn’t about who can out-do whom. It’s about developing the pitch that works best. Watch for consistency of key messages without trying to enforce a ‘script’. Keep in-mind, that if the pitch doesn’t feel or sound right, it’s not the perfect pitch!

 

4) Test in low risk venues (e.g. informal family or friend get-togethers). Ask for feedback: Are you clear? Are you compelling? Are you succinct?

 

Remember: A perfect pitch doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and patience. But, the payback is always worth it – to the top line and the bottom line.

 

Have you submitted a perfect pitch for the BusinessCast podcast? Remember, listen to show # 61 (The Perfect Pitch) and send in a pitch. You could very well Win a Prize!

 

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes