Of all the talks I deliver for business up there as one of my favourite’s is communication skills and especially the elevator pitch.
An elevator pitch is so much more than just 60 seconds. Get it right and it’s this beautifully concentrated definition of your mission, your ethos, your brand, your beliefs, your goals, your vision and helps to increase profits too.
It’s a well crafted insight into why you do what you do and how you can help people.
Get it wrong and the first impression that sticks around is not so rosy and that means your marketing will have to work a lot harder.
Here’s the slides from a speaking engagement to a room full of Suffolk and Essex business owners. I also have work sheets, additional learning and a very low cost course on my site too. I’d love to help you deliver epic elevator pitches and sell well too. So get in touch to learn more. Course link Mastermind group and worksheets link and blog link
Okay so this is a difficult one, and I’ve been sitting on the edge of writing this for about 2 years. But since it’s at a near critical level I’d better mention it.
A lack of professionalism is killing many people’s success.
There I said it.
People think they are professional but in the last 24 hours I’ve had 4 people talk to me confidentially (because they know I will be confidential) about this issue.
(These are not their stories – these are some of the ones that I’ve seen in the last year. There’s plenty more!)
If you’ve ever done any of these things it’s damaging your success;
There’s plenty more but you get the idea.
The point is that owning a business is not all high sales, happy clients and fun times. It can be hard work and it can also be uncomfortable (top tip if it doesn’t feel uncomfortable once in a while then you are not pushing yourself – speak to your coach about that.)
You will need to have conversations that you don’t want to.
When I help clients deal with confrontation, I’ve never had the result where the client has had to have an all out slagging match with someone, however they have had to face the situation and address it.
When you don’t’ deal with things in a respectful and appropriate way it can damage your professionalism, your reputation, your sales and even your mental health as you berate yourself night after night about why did you not do that, or not say this.
Difficult conversations do not need instant responses. They need time to process your thoughts. Establish the facts. Remove the emotion and communicate what is wanted to resolve the situation.
Difficult conversations need to be had so that people know you are a business owner and not a push over.
Difficult conversations need to be managed well so that you walk away with your head held high.
None of the above our easy. Plan what you will say. Don’t fear the outcome. Trust you are good enough.
You can’t win every battle and you won’t get on with all 4 billion people on this planet. Accept that and be professional. So that no matter what happens you know you did your best, and ultimately that is the best you can do.