10 things to make the pitch process easier

Following on from a piece I read the other day about delivering the perfect pitch, I thought I’d jot down some things that I find help the actual process go smoother too. Love to hear any more you might have to add….

10. Get started on the research right away
9. Don’t just rely on the net, get primary research if you can
8. Get the team who is pitching involved from the off so they feel more confident in the ideas they’re presenting
7. Ask questions if unsure on the brief. Don’t guess but at the same time, use your initiative where you can
6. Don’t just do PowerPoint for ease. Is it the best way of getting across your ideas in the time you have?
5. Look for a story throughout the pitch. A narrative makes the whole thing much easier to follow, make it flow and build it into your action plan
4. Agree your theme/idea early and stick to it. The rest of the time should be working out how you explain the idea simply and right through to measuring results
3. Allocate roles that suit people’s skills. Nerves often come from people presenting stuff they aren’t sure of
2. Rehearse, then rehearse more, then rehearse a bit more. Don’t just read through the pitch, get some people you trust to critique and help you with delivery
1. Win or lose, you’ve worked bloody hard as a team so have confidence in what you are presenting. Relax. Let the adrenaline kick in and try to enjoy it

The Apprentice ep5 – a lesson in getting your hands dirty

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During tonight’s episode, Kimberley got the chop and rightly so (despite my dislike of Lorraine’s bulldog chewing a wasp face).
Kimberley, the self defined marketing expert ridiculously denied posessing either any creative talent or presentation skills tonight.

The lesson? Managers need to get their hands dirty and if you sell yourself as an expert, you better be prepared to deliver come crunch time.

{Nick/Margaret watch: Classic Nick “They took logic and tortured it until it screamed” – absolutely brilliant}

is being yourself enough?

An interesting post from my client at Alterian – Ian Truscott – on the power of being yourself or as a company, letting employees play their part and make up the social face to the company as a whole.

As I commented on the original post, I think “be nice” is a good mantra for the way we behave online and also for life in general but I like my colleague Ged Carroll‘s additional one “be useful”.  Being useful is where all the different “yous” come in – I am assuming you are meaning the “faces” to the company can come from anywhere within the organisation here?

…and they should…..technical people need to be there, customer services, marketing, comms, senior management….

I like the thesis number 84. from the Cluetrain Manifesto as it sums it up perfectly:

“We know some people from your company. They’re pretty cool online. Do you have any more like that you’re hiding? Can they come out and play?”

As people realise the biggest benefit to being online – listening to your customers and being part of their community – is learning intensely valuable info about where you business should be going and what you should be doing better, this will become a no brainer.

Right now there are a huge number of companies that still don’t get it.

tough times?

The market has changed. Your partners are your competiton. The market is beyond crowded. Hundreds of people could do what you do. It isn’t going to change back but the fear of not getting it right every time can’t stifle having a go and doing things differently.

That is why I love this cartoon from the talented Hugh McLeod.

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Oh yeah, and whatever you do…do it amazingly well. Independent thought, creativity and well over and above the average. Not a lot to ask hey?

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The Apprentice 2009: the return of Suralun

apprenticelogo2He’s back.  Along with 15 hapless hopefuls trying to prove their business acumen and professional worth in order to win a year long contract working for the grumpiest man in business ™

The latest series starts this coming Wednesday (25th) at 9pm on BBC1 and can be caught on the iplayer for anyone who misses it. This year’s line up can be found here . I love the apprentice and my fave things to look out for:

  1. The shameless and usually nonsensical comments contestants use to “sell themselves” that really just make them appear deranged. (see this year’s contestant – Ben Clarke – and his quote “To me making money is better than sex” if you need an example)
  2. Margaret’s facial expressions – usually to the side of the shot when she doesn’t know she’s on camera – regular yet priceless
  3. Nick’s visible despair at the hopefuls’ lack of initiative and nous – seen in most episodes
  4. Weekly tweetwatching from the likes of me and wadds and my failure to make up my mind about the winner until the final every year (what’s the hashtag then? #theapprentice09 and #apprentice09 both seem to be in the running)
  5. The Apprentice “You’re Fired” show with Adrian Chiles straight after the regular show on BBC2 for weekly analysis and an interview with the latest reject

Based on the initial info, my money is on Yasmina and James for the final…how’s that for a total stab in the dark?!