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| Dianne Buckner via National Speakers Bureau |
Last week, I was invited to attend a speaking engagement featuring Dianne Buckner, host of the CBC hit show Dragon's Den. I actually didn't realize Dianne has been a journalist for the last 25 years and even hosted Venture (girlfriend has some street cred, that's for sure!).
She offered up her Top 10 Business Tips to the audience, interspersing them with clips from the Den. Overall it was an interesting presentation but there wasn't a lot of overly insightful tips that made me go, "WOW I totally have to do that!" For the most part, it was basic entrepreneurial tips for people who are thinking of starting a business but still a good refresher for those who have businesses.
#10 Make sure there's a market for your product or service
It's like Rodney Copperbottom said in Robots "See a need, fill a need." Don't sell Uggs to Kim Kardashian, you know? Just like you wouldn't sell string bikinis in Alaska. Look around, see what people need and fill that market need.
#9 Be resourceful when it comes to financing
Not every bank will lend you money so be as creative as you can be when looking for investors. Dianne spoke of the Clodhopper guys who were actually on the Dragon's Den, and said Grandma was tapped out for resources and the dad wasn't returning their calls. Sometimes, your family can only help so much.
#8 Know how to get people to say YES. What's in it for them?
When you want someone to invest with you, pitch it so that you're addressing WHY it's beneficial for them to invest. What is their return? Why will it work for them? How will it make them money? Make them see the potential of your concept or business and show them all the reasons it makes sense for them to support it.
#7 Be reasonable & open to ideas/suggestions
If you can be flexible with your business and be open to tweaking or advice from a potential investor, you should be! We all have our own ideas of what works, what doesn't and what we envision but sometimes having an investor on board means being open to their suggestions without taking it personally. Maybe their idea sucks and you want no part of it. That's OK too but try not to be confrontational, defensive or negative. That will only reflect poorly on you.
#6 Rock the art of self promotion with a touch of grace
There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and being humble and being full of shit. Find a balance that works for you. SimpLee Serene founder and speaker Lee Horbachewski once said, "It's about standing on top of your success rather than hiding behind it."
As long as you can do that without dismissing praise like a hostess who tells her guests, "Oh it was nothing," knowing damn well how much work she put into making her event a success but needing the praise and sunshine blown up her ass to feel good about herself and what she did, you'll be fine.
#5 Be brief
Hehehe You're welcome :D
#4 Be on top of the trends
Know what's hot right now and UTILIZE it. Join Twitter (seriously, if you're not on Twitter, you're missing out), use Social Media, get an App, HAVE A WEBSITE, get on Pinterest.
#3 Promote yourself. Advertise, become a "media" expert.
Being a media whore isn't such a bad thing. If you can position yourself as a go-to expert in your field and get face time with the media, you're promoting yourself and your business. Advertise your products! Word of mouth is great but real brands know that to maintain longevity, their brand needs to constantly be in the minds of the consumers. Print, radio, TV, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, banner ads on select websites, the options are endless. Just Do It!
#2 Be prepared to work hard. Being an entrepreneur is not easy.
Wait, what? It isn't??
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| Brett Wilson via The Star |
If you became an entrepreneur to have more time with your family, make sure you remember that reason when your kid demands that you watch Sponge Bob with her or your spouse writes "Date Night" on the calendar. Your family, health, and LIFE is more important than the bottom line. Former Dragon Brett Wilson candidly discusses the tricky art of finding balance too late in life; his marriage ended in divorce and he is a cancer survivor so he chooses to live life as fully and completely as possible now. Learn from Brett. He's a wise and sexy one! I'm totally adding him to my list of TV boyfriends :D
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