Yes, That's Me On The Radio

Here is a GOOD example of communication skills and the ability to convey messages succinctly.

I was recently interviewed by the energetic and intelligent LaTanya Junior for her Change The Life of Your Business show. LaTanya is an amazing businesswoman who successfully runs complementary businesses. She has taken her station, TCB360 (http://www.thecorporateboutique.com/) to its current rank of 24 (out of 275) among talk stations on Live365.com. TCB360 airs programs that truly provide assistance to entrepreneurs worldwide. Apparently, her base is very international with many listeners in Asia. She is preparing for a multi-city tour, so look out for her in your town.

I posed a couple of business questions and received her very insightful feedback. Enjoy TCB360 and the interview: http://www.thecorporateboutique.com/radio/CTLOYB/080619JollieEntreprenInterview.html!

Master Communicator...NOT!

I pondered writing about my recent experience because I consider it a failure of sorts, but I hope that others gain insight through my experiences.

I had a great opportunity to present to an investor group and, to put it lightly, I BOMBED! The funny thing is why: I was unable to properly convey our company, what we do, and what we need. After my posts about being able to clearly communicate, you would think that I would have this covered. So, now I rehash my errors and perform penance:

"Hi, my name is Joelle Ware and our company is Verify-ED. We provide background screening and résumé verification services. We launched a new tool called Val-ID-ate that gives job seekers a way to show proof of their qualifications."

THAT is the opening with which I should have started, but I did not. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful in inspiring others to consider working with us to expand our launch.

So, I have spent the day in my personal pity party and now it is time to keep moving. We continue to build our alliances and grow. And the next time someone asks me about Verify-ED and Val-ID-ate, what will I say?...

Renaming A Pivotal Product

We have a new name for Verify-crED - wow! For a while there, I thought I was going to be vindicated. Verify-crED was leading in the polls for a while, and lost by the slightest of margins: 3 votes! Jennifer (the other half of Verify-ED) breathes a sigh of relief.

But, this brings about many changes. We decided to change the name early in our launch process, but we still have to update the website, marketing materials, and just our mindsets. Thank goodness we have a really good team to handle these tasks.

Companies have renamed products to infuse enthusiasm in lackluster products, and names have been changed in reaction to negative publicity (with the hope that new customers won't learn about a past misstep). With this wonderful ability to receive feedback quickly from your audience via the internet, more and more companies are allowing their customers to help steer the boat a little.

Our company is on a growth path that is so dependent upon the public - specifically employers and job seekers. It is imperative that we make sure that we listen to what they say because they determine our success.

So, I want to say a fond farewell to Verify-crED and a big welcome to Val-ID-ate, the product that will make a significant impact in the world of hiring! Come along for the ride...

Wait, Don't Leave! I'm Not Done Yet!

Today was chock full of events for the small business owner. In the morning I attended the Make Mine a Million $ Business in Newark, NJ and in the afternoon I went to the NY NJ Minority Supplier Development Council Expo (NY, NY) - and here are my takes on these events:

MMM $ Business was a very empowering event for women, but the thing that I saw with which the program could have really helped us budding entrepreneurs is in the deliveries of our messages. As you recall in an earlier post, I attended the VANJ Pitch Olympics where they had a format of allowing the speaker 2 minutes to present their business, and they stuck to that limit - often cutting the speaker off in mid-sentence. In the MMM $ Business event, the women had 2 minutes, with a 30-second warning. The moderator would hold up a STOP sign at the completion of 2 minutes - and the speakers just kept going! It is so important to get that pitch so that it is powerfully delivered in as little time as possible. What amazed me was that these women were briefly coached - yet they still disregarded the rule.

I see that as women we tend to want to give everyone a little story about ourselves to validate our requests. Most women don't come right out and say "I need $1 million to properly execute my well-developed marketing plan". We tend to say, "My name is Mary, and after my divorce I found that I had this dream in me......" I attended a Ladies Who Launch meeting on Sunday at which there were about 20 entrepreneurs. The moderator instructed us to tell a little about our companies and state what we NEED. I was the last presenter. It took about 1-1/2 hours to get to my turn! I gave my business and need pitches in 3-1/2 minutes (I timed myself) - and I believe that was too long! So, with all the programs that we have to support women entrepreneurs, the key skill that we just need to hone is that succinct PITCH!

The NYNJMSDC event was great for reinforcing our sales strategy of providing services to and forming partnerships with other suppliers in lieu of expending lots of energy going after the really large corporations. As we grow, more energies will be placed in going after the big guys, but I am proud of the business relationships that we have formed and I really enjoy helping promote my supplier alliances because if they get more work then we get more work! I also heard that they, too, held a pitch event but the time limit was longer. Since I didn't attend I cannot say much about it, but I hope that the time limit was no longer than 2 minutes for the same reasons I stated above.

I belong to a few entrepreneur-focused organizations, and I recognize that each take different approaches to providing services. All encourage development and growth, and the organizations have to work with members to make them realize that the pitch is the most important aspect of the company. Although people are nice, no one is going to wait in the elevator after the doors open if you don’t say something to catch their attention. So, to all the organizations out there for the entrepreneur, the main thing that we need with our memberships is the skill to tell our stories EFFECTIVELY in 2 minutes or less – so that we see those desired results!

I Went To The Olympics!

Yesterday I attended the annual Venture Association of NJ Pitch Olympics. What an eye opener! The format of the event involved entrepreneurs presenting their products / services in 2 minutes and a panel of judges (mostly from venture capital firms) rating them on their presentations and fundability. I had actually thought of participating, but the cost was prohibitive so I went for the learning experience - and boy did I learn a few things:

1. If you can't speak well - get a spokesperson. The entrepreneurs were limited to 2 minute presentations. No questions were asked. So, with that format, why wouldn't you get a great spokesperson to present your product? I was amazed at the entrepreneurs who could barely enunciate! One company actually had a product that I felt had promise - but you couldn't understand a thing that was said.
2. You need to talk about other things than the product. The judges kept stressing that product information was important, but where entrepreneurs fail is by not giving the investor a better idea of HOW the product will be used and WHO will use it. Entrepreneurs need to give as much information as possible of the market opportunities and the specific target markets.
3. Bring notes. So many of the entrepreneurs presented off the top of their heads. Why would you do that? You are standing in front of a podium - you have a place to put your paper. Many of the entrepreneurs just came across as unprepared.

My FAVORITE pitch was from Meryl Rosenthal of FlexPaths (http://www.flexpaths.com/). She was the first to present and she was AWESOME! She presented a clear presentation that hit on all the points in which an investor is interested. Better yet: they are an alliance for our services! She missed first place by 1 point to Mattingly Sports (http://www.mattinglybaseball.com/) - and they mastered the concept of product placement (the moderator prominently held one of the Mattingly bats throughout the event).

I am very glad that I went to the event. I sat at the table with venture capitalists and got to hear a little about their thoughts. Interestingly, I was surprised at the amounts the entrepreneurs were seeking. Most were asking for about $1 million - and according to Bill Payne (angel investor extraordinaire), this is an amount that hits the angel limit but is not near the venture capital amounts. I am curious to find out what each entrepreneur's goal was by participating in the event. Who exactly were they trying to reach?

You Have Successfully Submitted Your Application

It is almost 4 am and I have finally submitted my applications for angel investment. My stomach is in knots. I feel like our business plan is well thought out and that our supporting documentation will really help, but you can't help having that feeling that if you do more it would make a difference. Doesn't matter that you don't know exactly what "more" to do, you just have this feeling.

So, the ride has truly begun.

Introspection

Today is Mother's Day and of course I get a little introspective. I have been focusing quite a bit on growing Verify-ED, launching Verify-crED and applying for investor funds - which means that other things and people don't get the focus. I console myself with the fact that my children would not WANT my undivided attention, but recognize that I still need to make the conscious effort to be more attentive. This is why I coach my girls' Level 2 gymnastics team. I found a way to combine my need for activity with my need for involvement with my children. I am sure that there are more relaxing ways to spend time with your children, but that would not be me. I can't wait until my son is old enough to get out there!

It is all about finding that balance. Figuring out what works best for you. I know that I am better for my family when I am challenged intellectually and physically. This entrepreneurial venture has been the best challenge that I have undertaken. I am psyched by how far we have gotten and about how far we can go. There are so many signs that the opportunities are waiting for fulfillment.

So, my Mother's Day wish for all the mothers out there is that you get the chances to explore your opportunities so that you continue to be the best mother that you are.