Patience & Perseverance with Justin LaRocque

Episode 6 of The Business Development Podcast, hosted by Kelly Kennedy, focuses on the importance of targeting the right people for business growth. Kennedy expresses his gratitude for the positive reception of his podcast and acknowledges the support of his listeners. He encourages business owners to base their target list on industries that would be interested in their products or services, rather than solely relying on supply chain managers. Kennedy advises listeners to identify the key decision-makers within target companies and to build connections with them. He also emphasizes the need for research and effort to find the right contacts, suggesting strategies like reaching out to industry friends and utilizing LinkedIn to find the appropriate individuals. The episode concludes with Kennedy reiterating his dedication to helping listeners grow their businesses.In summary, Episode 6 of The Business Development Podcast, hosted by Kelly Kennedy, discusses the importance of identifying and connecting with the right people for business success. Kennedy expresses gratitude for the support of his audience and emphasizes the need to target industries that would be interested in the products or services being offered. He highlights the role of key decision-makers in the buying process and shares strategies for finding and connecting with them, such as leveraging industry contacts and using LinkedIn. Kennedy underscores the importance of research and effort in targeting the right people and expresses his commitment to helping listeners achieve business growth.Key Takeaways: There may be a huge demand for a product or service that supply chain managers are unaware of.Targeting the right industries is important when creating a target list.It's important to know who is actually buying your product or service.Finding the right person within a company is crucial for successful marketing.Researching and compiling a list of top companies in the desired industry is necessary.Personal referrals can be helpful in reaching the right person within a company.Physical marketing and face-to-face meetings are valuable for business development.Building relationships and providing value over time are essential for successful business growth.

26 Feb 202329min

In episode 5 of The Business Development Podcast, the host Kelly Kennedy discusses the importance of marketing materials and where businesses should allocate their marketing budget. He advises posting company updates once a week on social media platforms to gain brand recognition. Kennedy emphasizes the need for a visually appealing website and the significance of having physical and digital brochures that reflect the company's brand. He also recommends creating LinkedIn profiles for both the employees and the business itself and utilizing LinkedIn as a platform to share business updates and engage with potential customers. Kennedy urges businesses to focus on brand recognition rather than direct selling on social media platforms.In this episode, Kelly Kennedy emphasizes the importance of marketing materials and provides guidance on how businesses should allocate their marketing budget. He suggests posting company updates on social media platforms once a week to increase brand recognition. Kennedy advises businesses to prioritize a visually appealing website and the creation of physical and digital brochures that accurately reflect their brand. He also highlights the importance of establishing a strong presence on LinkedIn by creating profiles for employees and the business itself. Kennedy encourages businesses to utilize LinkedIn as a platform to share business updates, engage with potential customers, and prioritize brand recognition over direct selling on social media.Key Takeaways: Don't spend excessive money on social media marketing.Focus on brand recognition rather than direct selling through social media platforms.Invest in a visually appealing and engaging website.Utilize LinkedIn profiles and business pages for marketing and sharing updates.Create physical and digital brochures that are visually appealing and concise.Prioritize visual appeal and value when creating marketing materials.

22 Feb 202322min

Episode 4 of The Business Development Podcast delves into the topic of marketing your own company. Host Kelly Kennedy, owner of Capital Business Development, sheds light on why he believes that business owners should not handle their own marketing. He acknowledges that as a business owner, time is a precious commodity and it is important to focus on core business functions. Kennedy emphasizes the importance of building a strong online presence through a well-designed website and utilizing digital ads for brand recognition rather than direct selling. He also shares his personal journey of initially hating phone calls for business development but eventually realizing their value in establishing connections and opportunities for growth.In this episode, Kennedy emphasizes the value of investing in a good website that represents the true face of the company. He discourages spending excessive amounts of money on digital marketing and instead advocates for using online platforms to drive traffic to the company's website. Kennedy highlights the power of word of mouth as an effective and organic way of gaining clients and notes that business development should be focused on building relationships and delivering value. He also hints at future episodes that will feature interviews with business owners and CEOs, providing listeners with actionable advice on growing their businesses. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights and practical tips for business owners looking to improve their marketing strategies and strengthen their business development efforts.Key Takeaways:Marketing your own company can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if you are busy with other aspects of running your business. It's important to recognize when you need to delegate or outsource marketing tasks.Digital strategies and passive marketing methods are more effective for brand recognition rather than direct selling. Online marketing should be used to drive traffic to your website, which should serve as the true face of your company.Building a good website is crucial for creating a positive perception of your company. If your website looks unprofessional or unattractive, it may negatively impact how potential customers perceive your business.Rejection and negative feedback are a normal part of business development. It's essential not to take it personally and to move on to the next opportunity.Word-of-mouth referrals can be a valuable source of business, especially when you are busy and unable to focus on marketing efforts. Providing excellent service and building strong relationships with clients can lead to positive recommendations.Business development requires time, practice, and repetition. It's important to consistently make phone calls, network, and actively seek opportunities for growth. It's also crucial to be selective in choosing clients and partners, as not all potential opportunities may be beneficial for your business.

19 Feb 202338min

In Episode 3 of The Business Development Podcast with Kelly Kennedy, the focus is on the importance of measuring business development efforts. Kelly emphasizes the need to build a rapport with potential customers by consistently reaching out to them on a weekly basis. He advises utilizing a customer relationship management (CRM) program to track marketing efforts and to ensure a two-way conversation with clients. Kelly also highlights the significance of measuring digital contacts, such as LinkedIn connections, as well as phone calls and emails. He suggests setting a standard for the number of weekly communications and emphasizes the value of being consistent in business development.Overall, Episode 3 provides actionable advice on how to measure and improve business development efforts. Listeners gain insights into the significance of building a strong rapport with customers and the benefits of utilizing a CRM program. By consistently reaching out to potential clients, tracking efforts, and conducting two-way conversations, business owners and development reps can increase their chances of securing meaningful business relationships. The episode underscores the importance of being consistent, committed, and caring in business development, and offers practical tips for achieving success in this field.Key Takeaways:Building rapport with potential customers is crucial in business development. By consistently reaching out to them and making a connection, you can establish a relationship before even getting in touch with them.It's important to measure and track your efforts in business development. This includes measuring who you reach out to, adding them into a CRM, and tracking phone calls and emails sent on a consistent basis.Consistency is key in business development. It takes time to build relationships and see results, so it's important to be consistent in your efforts and not give up easily.Utilizing a customer relationship management (CRM) program is essential for tracking and managing your business development efforts. It allows you to keep records of your interactions and helps you analyze your marketing efforts.Reaching out to customers on a weekly basis is recommended, but it's important to find the right balance. You should aim to make connections without annoying or overwhelming your potential customers.The ultimate goal of business development is to secure face-to-face meetings, whether through Skype or in-person, with potential customers. These meetings provide an opportunity to have a two-way conversation and ultimately lead to orders, RFPs, or vendor list applications.

15 Feb 202312min

Episode 2 of The Business Development Podcast with Kelly Kennedy discusses the importance of face-to-face meetings and building strong connections with clients. Kelly emphasizes the value of in-person interactions and believes that virtual meetings cannot fully replace the impact of meeting someone in the flesh. He shares his personal experiences in business development and how he has learned to handle rejection and maintain a positive mindset. Kelly also provides tips on what to look for when hiring business development representatives, including the importance of a business or marketing background, determination, and consistency.In this episode, Kelly reflects on his own journey in business development, starting from a position he didn't fully understand but excelling due to his ability to communicate and connect with clients. He emphasizes the need for BD reps to show up, be consistent, and have a strong work ethic. Kelly encourages listeners to prioritize face-to-face meetings whenever possible, as it helps build rapport and showcase a personal touch. He also highlights the importance of finding individuals with marketing or sales experience and the ability to handle rejection and stay determined. Kelly concludes by urging business owners and managers to trust their employees and focus on building strong relationships with clients.Key Takeaways: Business development is a skill that can be honed through experience and consistency, rather than being solely dependent on formal education or degrees.In-person meetings are highly valued and can help build stronger connections with clients, even though remote meetings have become more prevalent due to COVID-19.The ability to handle rejection and maintain a positive mindset is crucial in business development, as it is a role that often involves facing rejection.It is important for business development representatives to have a good attitude, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to go the extra mile for the company.Building trust with clients is essential, and one way to do this is by consistently following up and delivering on promises.Timing and persistence are key factors in business development, as it may take time and multiple attempts to reach decision-makers and secure deals.

12 Feb 202330min

In Episode 1 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy dives into the fundamentals of business development and its importance in driving interest and revenue for a company. He emphasizes the need for businesses to utilize digital marketing strategies to reach their target audience and communicate their offerings effectively. Kelly also explores the role of business development representatives in building strategic partnerships, identifying new markets, and nurturing commercial relationships. He highlights the significance of soft skills in business development and the importance of hiring individuals who can effectively communicate and understand the needs of clients. Throughout the episode, Kelly provides practical insights and advice for business owners and BD teams to create successful marketing plans and maximize profits. In the second part of the episode, Kelly discusses the value of personal connections and face-to-face interactions in business development. He encourages business owners to establish strategic partnerships and collaborations that can benefit their companies. Kelly also addresses the misconceptions about the role of digital marketing and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that combines both online and offline strategies. He emphasizes the role of business development representatives in generating interest, setting up meetings, and ultimately driving revenue for the company. Kelly stresses the importance of creating interest in the company, educating potential clients, and developing a strong brand presence through various marketing materials and platforms.Key Takeaways:Social media marketing is essential for driving interest in a company and increasing brand awareness.Business development involves pursuing strategic opportunities and cultivating partnerships for a business.Digital marketing should be integrated into a company's marketing plan.Business development representatives should have strong communication and interpersonal skills.Soft skills, such as relationship building, cannot be easily taught and are crucial in business development roles.Cold calls and cold emails are still important in generating leads and driving revenue.Strategic partnerships can help a company expand and increase profitability.Hiring business development representatives who are likable and personable is important.Business development is about creating interest in a company and educating others about its products or services.Business development reps should focus on generating new leads and setting up meetings for the company.

9 Feb 202321min

Kelly introduces himself and The Business Development Podcast.

6 Feb 20235min