The Business Development Podcast

Episode 86 of The Business Development Podcast features Adam O'Brien, the founder and CEO of Bitcoin Well. O'Brien shares his journey of discovering Bitcoin and his unwavering belief in its potential to revolutionize finance globally. He discusses how his young age and lack of skepticism allowed him to dive headfirst into the world of Bitcoin. O'Brien also talks about the challenges of marketing his own business and the importance of seeking mentorship and learning from experienced individuals. The episode delves into O'Brien's early career experiences, his passion for adding value to others, and his dedication to empowering individuals with financial independence through cryptocurrency.In Episode 86 of The Business Development Podcast, Adam O'Brien, the visionary founder and CEO of Bitcoin Well, shares his compelling story of realizing the transformative potential of Bitcoin and his unyielding belief in its future. O'Brien recounts how his youthfulness and lack of cynicism enabled him to fully embrace Bitcoin as the future of finance, even when others doubted its potential. The episode explores O'Brien's entrepreneurial journey, including his experiences in marketing his own business and the importance of seeking guidance from experienced mentors. Throughout the discussion, O'Brien emphasizes the value of adding value to others, learning from tough feedback, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.Key Takeaways:Adam O'Brien, has been a strong advocate for Bitcoin for a decade.Adam O'Brien founded Bitcoin Well, Canada's leading Bitcoin company, in 2013, and it has since become the world's first non-custodial Bitcoin business to go public.Learning from failures and receiving tough feedback is important for growth and improvement.Confidence and a lack of jadedness can play a role in taking risks and entering the Bitcoin market.Marketing one's own business can be challenging, and it is often recommended to have someone else handle it.Mentoring and learning from experienced individuals in the field can be valuable in building a successful business.The journey of starting a business is often filled with moments of feeling like an idiot and realizing mistakes made in the past.Hardships and tough times are opportunities for growth and valuable lessons are learned during those times.Being open to tough feedback and criticism is important for personal and professional growth.

3 Des 20231h 18min

Episode 85 of The Business Development Podcast hosted by Kelly Kennedy focuses on the third part of the Proposal Playbook series. Kennedy acknowledges the importance of delivering key information and showing a return on investment (ROI) in business proposals. He emphasizes the need for creating a clear and concise proposal that reiterates the value discussed with the customer, rather than providing unnecessary information. Kennedy also emphasizes the significance of understanding the customer's goals and becoming a strategic partner to ensure the value proposition aligns with their objectives. Overall, the episode offers insights and advice on creating successful value propositions and generating interest to develop effective business proposals.In addition to discussing the importance of proposals, Kennedy expresses gratitude for the show's sponsors and supporters. He also references the show's growth and anniversary, highlighting the continuous support and engagement from the audience. Throughout the episode, Kennedy emphasizes the value of partnerships, the need for delivering on customer expectations, and the importance of creating a proposal that demonstrates value and aligns with the customer's goals. The episode provides actionable advice for business development professionals, entrepreneurs, and founders who are involved in submitting business development proposals.Key Takeaways: Proposals should include key deliverables to demonstrate a return on investment (ROI).Business proposals are not typically part of business development.Proposals should clearly outline the price and services offered, rather than leaving the customer to discover this information.Creating a value proposition is critical for business development and acquiring new clients.Proposals should align with the customer's goals and address their specific needs.Proposals should be clear and concise, avoiding unnecessary information.Providing a clear value proposition in the proposal is essential for demonstrating the worth of the business relationship.Understanding the customer's value proposition is necessary to ensure the business can meet their expectations.The proposal should reiterate the value proposition discussed in previous interactions.Gathering relevant information about the customer's goals and needs is crucial before creating the actual proposal.

29 Nov 202353min

Episode 84 of The Business Development Podcast features an interview with Dr. Jack Schafer, a former FBI agent, author, and professor. The episode focuses on Dr. Schafer's expertise in understanding human behavior and his book, "The Like Switch." Throughout the interview, Dr. Schafer explains how to build rapport with people and influence them through subtle friendship signals. He discusses the importance of proximity and duration in developing relationships and emphasizes the power of nonverbal communication. Dr. Schafer's extensive experience in law enforcement and his knowledge of psychology and behavioral analysis make him a valuable resource for business development professionals seeking to improve their interpersonal skills.In this episode, Kelly Kennedy, the host of The Business Development Podcast, speaks with Dr. Jack Schafer, an FBI agent turned author and professor. Dr. Schafer shares insights from his book, "The Like Switch," which delves into the psychology behind building relationships and influencing others. He explains how subtle friendship signals and nonverbal communication can create rapport and help individuals garner trust and likability. Dr. Schafer highlights the importance of proximity and duration in developing strong relationships and discusses how his background in law enforcement and studying human behavior has shaped his understanding of business development. The interview offers valuable advice and actionable strategies for professionals looking to improve their interpersonal skills and succeed in their career.Key Takeaways: Building rapport with people is essential in business and social interactions.People are more likely to buy from or help those they like and trust.Developing a positive relationship takes time and effort.Friend signals, such as head tilting and smiling, can unconsciously influence others.Proximity and spending time with someone can increase influence.Understanding human behavior and anticipating actions can be valuable in various professions.Psychological principles can be applied to practical situations to achieve desired outcomes.Reading and analyzing psychological research can provide valuable insights.Nonverbal signals and intensity can be used to measure engagement and interest.Implementing the principles in "The Like Switch" can greatly benefit business professionals.

26 Nov 20231h 12min

In Episode 83 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy discusses Part 2 of the Proposal Playbook. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of the client and creating a winning solution that addresses those needs. Kennedy highlights the need for clear communication with the client to ensure that the proposed solution aligns with their goals. He also mentions the significance of defining success and scope with the client, as well as the value of multiple conversations to ensure clarity on the client's objectives. The episode emphasizes the importance of knowing the client's needs before creating an effective proposal.Overall, Episode 83 of The Business Development Podcast focuses on the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of the client in the proposal process. It emphasizes the need for clear communication, multiple conversations, and defining success and scope. Kennedy emphasizes the value of creating a winning solution that aligns with the client's goals and addresses their specific challenges. The episode provides insights and advice based on Kennedy's own experiences and offers practical tips for effective proposal creation.Key Takeaways: Understanding the client's goals is crucial in putting together an effective proposal.It's important to clearly communicate and solve the client's needs.Niche products or services may require additional explanation to the customer.Defining success and scope with the customer is essential before creating a proposal.Multiple conversations may be required to fully understand the customer's needs and wants.Proposals should aim to create a win-win solution for both the business and the customer.Knowing the statistics and results of the service being offered strengthens the proposal.It's necessary to consider the budgetary constraints of the customer when creating a proposal.

22 Nov 202340min

In Episode 82 of The Business Development Podcast, the expert guest is Ashley McKarney, the president of Involvi Consulting based in Edmonton, Canada. Ashley shares her journey from being in sales to finding her passion in HR and starting her own consulting company. She emphasizes the importance of aligning values and creating a positive company culture in attracting and retaining employees. Ashley also discusses the challenges and responsibilities of HR professionals in developing leaders and improving working conditions to drive organizational growth. Overall, the episode explores the role of HR in business development and how it influences the success and reputation of a company.In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, Ashley McKarney, the president of Involvi HR, is our expert guest. She discusses her transition from sales to HR and the establishment of her consulting company. Ashley emphasizes the significance of values and culture in attracting and retaining employees. She also shares the challenges faced by HR professionals in developing leaders and enhancing working conditions to drive organizational growth. The episode highlights the role of HR in business development and the importance of creating a positive brand image.Key Takeaways: Prioritize finding a job that aligns with your passions and interests, rather than just focusing on making money.Reflect on whether your current job is utilizing your skills and allowing you to make a meaningful impact.Consider pursuing education or training in a field that you are passionate about, rather than simply following the suggestions of others.Recognize that a job in sales and HR requires building strong relationships and connections with others.Understand the importance of establishing and maintaining a positive company culture to drive organizational growth.Emphasize the value proposition of your company to potential employees, showcasing the benefits and opportunities it offers.Acknowledge the role of HR professionals in not only recruiting employees but also developing them into effective leaders.Adapt to the changing dynamics of remote work and take advantage of the global market.Prioritize the overall happiness and satisfaction of employees, as this can have a significant impact on their long-term commitment to the organization.Continuously seek new opportunities and challenges in different industries to expand your skills and experiences.

19 Nov 20231h 13min

Episode 81 of The Business Development Podcast hosted by Kelly Kennedy is part of a four-part series on successful proposals. In this episode, Kennedy emphasizes the importance of understanding the true value that a company provides before creating an effective value proposition or proposal. Kennedy shares his own experience of initially being unsure about the value he brings to the world through his business development services. He encourages businesses to be open to learning and to gain a clear understanding of their products or services and how they benefit their customers before creating proposals. Kennedy also emphasizes the importance of receiving feedback and continually refining proposals to ensure they align with customer needs and deliver the best value.In the episode, Kennedy highlights the need for businesses to identify one, two, or three specific things that they do incredibly well. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding different layers of value and how customers may use products or services in ways that were not initially intended. Kennedy encourages businesses to consistently seek feedback and to have a clear understanding of what they do and how their products or services benefit customers. Key Takeaways:It is important to clearly understand the value that your company provides to the world before creating a value proposition or proposal for customers.Take the time to define the steps of your business development process in order to identify what deliverables your company provides that are unique or better than competitors.Be open to continuous learning and feedback to improve your proposals and value proposition.Ensure that you have a clear understanding of your customer's needs and how your product or service benefits them before creating a proposal.Regularly seek feedback from customers and colleagues to improve your proposals and value proposition.Identify one, two or three specific things that your company does incredibly well and focus on these strengths in your proposals.Understand that your customers may use your product or service in different ways than initially intended, and adapt your proposals accordingly.Clearly define your business and the main products or services you offer to effectively communicate your value proposition.Recognize that every value proposition you create will be unique and tailored to the specific needs of each customer.Continuously gather feedback and strive to understand how your products and services are perceived by customers.

15 Nov 202334min

In the milestone episode 80 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy sits down with Mitch Jacobsen, the CEO of Rviita, a Canadian energy tea company. Jacobsen shares his personal journey from working in the oil and gas industry to starting his own beverage company. He discusses his experiences as an energy drink addict and how he identified a need for a healthier alternative. Throughout the conversation, Jacobsen emphasizes the importance of taking risks and pursuing entrepreneurial ideas. Kennedy praises Jacobsen's accomplishments and commends him for his dedication and success in building a groundbreaking product. Listeners are provided with valuable insights and advice on business development, as well as a firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.In a dynamic and engaging episode, Jacobsen and Kennedy delve into the entrepreneurial mindset and the path to success. They discuss the difficulties of entering the oil and gas industry during a downturn, and how Jacobsen's passion for sustainability led him to develop a healthier energy drink option. Jacobsen details his journey of starting a beverage company, from conducting research on Google to creating a product that is now distributed in over a thousand stores across Canada. Kennedy praises Jacobsen's resilience and determination, highlighting his remarkable achievements in a short period of time. The episode serves as an inspiring and informative resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and business development professionals looking to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a successful business.Key Takeaways: Recognize the importance of following your passion and pursuing your own ideas and entrepreneurial ventures.Don't wait for the perfect time to start a business or pursue your goals. Take action and commit yourself to your ideas.Identify problems or challenges that you personally relate to and consider how you can solve them through your business or career.Be open to opportunities and possibilities that may arise unexpectedly, even if they are different from your initial plans or expectations.Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone.Focus on providing a healthier or more sustainable alternative to existing products or solutions in the market.Embrace the grind and the challenges that come with starting and growing a business. Success often requires hard work and perseverance.Surround yourself with supportive and inspiring individuals who can help guide and motivate you on your entrepreneurial journey.Prioritize your health and well-being, and be mindful of the negative effects of habits or addictions that may hinder your productivity and success.Continuously seek knowledge and learning opportunities, as they can be instrumental in developing your skills and expanding your business.

12 Nov 20231h 14min

In Episode 79 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy discusses the importance of business development during a recession. Kennedy emphasizes the need to be open to having conversations, seeking new opportunities, and doubling down on business development efforts during challenging economic times. He explains that while new investment tends to slow down during recessions, cutting back on business development can be detrimental as clients are also facing a recession. Kennedy shares personal experiences and highlights the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and actively engaging in new business development despite the challenges. He encourages listeners to look for new industries and potential clients who may still be thriving during a recession.In the episode, Kennedy stresses the need to continue expanding and diversifying one's client base even during a recession. He warns against solely relying on current clients and highlights the value of actively reaching out to potential clients, networking, and building relationships. Kennedy mentions the fluctuating economy in Canada, particularly in Alberta, and the impact it has on business development efforts. He emphasizes the importance of not giving up and finding innovative ways to adapt and convince potential clients of the value of one's products and services. Throughout the episode, Kennedy provides practical advice and shares personal insights to motivate listeners to persist in their business development efforts despite challenging economic conditions.Key Takeaways:Business development, specifically new business development, is crucial during a recession.Active marketing can make a difference between survival or collapse during a recession.It is important to continuously communicate with clients and find ways to best serve their challenges, regardless of a recession.It is necessary to think outside the box and find new industries or opportunities for product and service expansion during a recession.Despite the challenges of a recession, it is crucial to maintain a positive mindset and a proactive approach to business development.There are always clients who continue to thrive during a recession and may still require products and services.Relying solely on existing clients without actively pursuing new business development can be risky during a recession.Recession periods can provide opportunities for growth and expansion, and it is important to seize these opportunities.While it is important to prioritize client satisfaction, it is equally important to continue seeking new business opportunities during a recession.The mindset that business development is not possible during a recession can hold back growth and success.Regardless of economic conditions, there will always be someone out there who needs the products and services offered.It is crucial to maintain a positive attitude and a mindset that there is a way to overcome the challenges of a recession.Recessions are temporary, and it is important to persevere and keep working towards business success.

8 Nov 202338min