Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Venture Capital with Lise Birikundavyi

In episode 29 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy acknowledges the questions and concerns from a listener named Martin and emphasizes the importance of addressing these questions to help not only Martin but also other listeners who may have similar inquiries. Kelly highlights the purpose of the podcast, which is to connect with and assist entrepreneurs and business developers in their journeys. He also expresses gratitude for the positive feedback received from listeners. Additionally, Kelly discusses the significance of having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile for business development and marketing purposes, emphasizing the need to include relevant work history, education, and certifications. He encourages listeners to connect with people in their industry by sending invitations and attaching a brochure related to their product or service.Amidst the discussion on LinkedIn, Kelly acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals affected by the forest fires in Western Canada and expresses sympathy for the evacuees. He reassures them that their safety is a priority and urges listeners to support and connect with those who may be able to provide assistance. Furthermore, Kelly mentions the upcoming question and answer episode, where he plans to address listener questions in depth and provide expert advice. He concludes by reminding listeners that the podcast aims to provide valuable insights and interviews, encouraging them to continue supporting the show and connecting with like-minded individuals for business growth and development.Key Takeaways: Having a well-optimized LinkedIn profile is crucial for business development and entrepreneurship.Addressing listener questions in a Q&A episode helps not only the person who asked the question but also hundreds or even thousands of others who may have the same questions.LinkedIn should be used as a networking and marketing tool, rather than a platform for direct sales.It is important to reach out to relevant contacts on LinkedIn and attach a brochure or product information to generate interest.A completed and professional-looking LinkedIn profile, including relevant work history and education, is essential for making a good impression on potential connections.LinkedIn allows users to send up to 100 invites per week, and it is important to use these invites wisely by targeting relevant individuals who can potentially help with business development or make a purchase.Regularly addressing listener questions and providing expert advice on the podcast helps to connect with and support the audience.LinkedIn can be compared to a personal skyscraper in the 21st century, and it needs to be optimized and utilized correctly to reflect one's professional persona.People judge others based on their LinkedIn profiles, so it is important to present oneself in the best possible way on the platform.By sending out a hundred relevant connection requests on LinkedIn, it increases the chances of connecting with individuals who can contribute to business growth.There is a limit to the number of people one can reach on LinkedIn without a premium account, but the focus should be on quality connections rather than quantity.

17 Maj 202335min

In Episode 28 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy brings on guest Tash Jefferies to discuss the importance of authenticity in social media and business development. Tash emphasizes the need to be genuine and real in portraying oneself and connecting with others. She shares her own experiences as an entrepreneur and mentor, highlighting the joy and fulfillment she finds in her work. Throughout the episode, Kelly and Tash also express their admiration for the podcast's mission of giving a voice to amazing Canadian founders and showcasing their stories to a wider audience.In this episode, host Kelly Kennedy interviews guest Tash Jefferies about the significance of authenticity in social media and business development. Tash emphasizes the importance of connecting with others on a real and human level, rather than putting on a façade or being fake. She shares her experiences as an entrepreneur and mentor, discussing the excitement and fulfillment she finds in her work. Kelly and Tash also express their admiration for the podcast's role in providing a platform for Canadian founders to share their stories and gain exposure.Key Takeaways: Authenticity is key in connecting with others and conveying a message effectively.Social media can be a powerful tool for business development, but it should be used in a genuine and non-mechanical way.The work of podcasters and platforms like the Business Development Podcast is valuable as they give founders and entrepreneurs a voice and the opportunity to share their stories.Business development is about more than just the mechanics and procedures; it's about genuine energy and passion for the work.The ability to inspire and connect with others is a gift and can have a significant impact.Building relationships and making connections is crucial for success in business development.Being open and sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly allows for a more authentic and relatable experience for listeners or viewers.Passion for the work and a love for what you do can be felt by others and can have a positive impact on the success of business endeavors.Providing a platform for others to share their stories and experiences can be a valuable contribution to society.Recognizing and appreciating the efforts and impact of others in the industry, such as podcasters and founders, is important for building connections and supporting their work.Tash Jefferies - Listener Challenge:If you ever had a teacher that made a profound impact on your life in a positive way, find them on Linkedin or Facebook and send them a note. Teachers typically do not see the impact they had on your life, tell them!

14 Maj 20231h 20min

In Episode 27 of The Business Development Podcast with host Kelly Kennedy, the focus was on the importance of separating the roles of account management and business development within organizations. Kennedy emphasized that combining these two positions is a common mistake made by companies, and that they should be handled independently. He shared his expertise in both areas and discussed the benefits of allowing business development professionals to focus solely on bringing in new business, while account managers maintain strong relationships with existing customers. Kennedy also expressed gratitude for his listeners and provided updates on the success of the podcast, including a nomination for Best Business Podcast in the upcoming Quill Podcast Awards.Overall, Episode 27 of The Business Development Podcast highlighted the significance of maintaining separate account management and business development roles. Kennedy stressed the importance of building strong relationships with customers through account management and focusing on new business development separately. He expressed appreciation for his listeners and shared updates on the podcast's success, including a nomination for an industry award.Key Takeaways:Combining business development and account management roles can be a mistake and should be handled independently.Account management is crucial for building strong relationships with customers, increasing consumption of products or services, and maximizing retention and upsell opportunities.Swapping out account reps frequently is not ideal and they should stay with the account for as long as the customer remains a customer.Business development people should focus on bringing in new business and making new connections, while account managers should focus on maintaining and cultivating relationships with existing customers.Building friendships and relationships with customers is important in generating loyalty and advocacy.Objectives and objections from customers should be anticipated and addressed effectively to move forward with the relationship.Providing value and building long-term relationships is more beneficial than squeezing profits from individual deals.Customers who view account managers as friends are more likely to be lifelong customers and champions of the company.Separating account management from business development may require additional resources, but it can lead to more effective results in the long run.

10 Maj 202339min

In Episode 26 of The Business Development Podcast with host Kelly Kennedy, the guest interview features Faheem Khan, the Founder and CEO of Aro Robotic Systems. Faheem shares his inspiring journey as a serial entrepreneur, starting from humble beginnings as a goat herder in a poor village in Pakistan to his current success in the robotics industry. He discusses his educational background, including a PhD in electrical engineering and an MBA, and how his ambition and enthusiasm have propelled him to become a great leader in his field. Faheem emphasizes the importance of support from other business owners and the willingness to ask for help in order to succeed.Throughout the episode, Faheem highlights the growth and potential of the robotics and AI industry, comparing it to the early days of computers when people were unsure of their impact. He shares his experience in starting his company, Fourian, which manufactures microchips for various industries. Faheem also mentions the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected businesses. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration and support between businesses, as well as the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into Faheem's entrepreneurial journey and sheds light on the exciting prospects in the robotics and AI industry.Key Takeaways: Business owners and people are often willing to help if you ask for assistance.Networking and seeking support from other business owners can be beneficial.Hard work, determination, and ambition are key to achieving success in business ventures.Technology, such as robotics and AI, can have a significant impact on industries and offer potential for growth.Learning from failures and setbacks is crucial for growth and development.Global events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, can disrupt businesses and require adaptation.Education and continuous learning, such as obtaining an MBA or PhD, can contribute to business success.Being grateful and acknowledging the support of others is important in business.Collaboration and cooperation among businesses can lead to mutual benefits.The entrepreneurial journey often involves moving from one country and industry to another, facing different challenges along the way.

7 Maj 20231h 11min

In Episode 25 of the Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy expresses his gratitude to those who have nominated the podcast for the Quill Podcast Award. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in business development and urges listeners to follow up regularly with prospects. Kelly discusses the challenges faced by business development professionals and shares his insights on building trust and developing strong relationships. He also highlights the significance of using a customer relationship management system (CRM) and recommends Pipedrive as a reliable option. Overall, Episode 25 of the Business Development Podcast emphasizes the importance of consistency, follow-up, and building trust in business development. Kelly Kennedy expresses his gratitude for the podcast's nominations and discusses the challenges faced by professionals in this field. Kelly emphasizes the significance of using a CRM and recommends Pipedrive as a suitable option. Through these discussions, listeners gain valuable advice on effective business development strategies.Key Takeaways: Consistency is important in business development, including regular follow-up calls and emails.Building relationships takes time and effort, just like personal relationships.Using a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system like Pipedrive can be beneficial for managing business development processes.It takes an average of eight touches to book an initial meeting or conversation with a new prospect.Disqualifying prospects who are not interested can save time and energy.Continuing follow-up efforts can lead to more closed deals and successful business relationships.Research and proper digging are necessary to find the right contacts within an organization.Trust and good relationships take time to develop.Time management and prioritizing valuable prospects is important in business development.CRM systems should have a good process flow to ensure effective follow-up and organization.Adding new LinkedIn contacts and sending out invites regularly can help in business development.Personal relationships can serve as a model for building professional relationships.The importance of making enough phone calls or touches to reach prospects and book meetings.

3 Maj 202330min

In Episode 24 of the Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy finally welcomes Dale Schaub as his guest. Dale is a marketing graduate from NAIT and has over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing. He also runs his own successful business consulting firm in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. During the episode, Dale discusses his career journey, starting with his passion for marketing and advertising. Kelly shares his experiences working in car sales and the impact of the economic downturn in 2008. Dale also talks about the importance of finding one's own pathway in sales and business development.Throughout the episode, Kelly expresses his admiration for Dale's accomplishments and the impact he has made in mentoring future entrepreneurs. Dale highlights the importance of sales experience and shares how he started his own business consulting firm. He also discusses his work with students at NAIT, helping them start and grow their businesses through mentorship and entrepreneurship programs. The episode ends with Kelly expressing his gratitude for having Dale on the show and the valuable insights he shared about sales and business development.Key Takeaways: Sales and business development skills are crucial for success in the industry.Being aware of different sales techniques and approaches can lead to better results.It is important to constantly seek growth and improvement in sales and business development.Building relationships and networking are key to success in sales and business development.Recognizing opportunities and taking advantage of them can lead to career advancement and success.Education and continuous learning are valuable tools for personal and professional growth in sales and business development.Being passionate about the work and helping others can make a career in sales and business development rewarding.Adaptability and finding one's own pathway in sales are essential for success.Building trust and providing value to clients is crucial in sales and business development.

30 Apr 20231h 45min

In Episode 23 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy provides advice for new business development representatives and entrepreneurs who are looking to market their businesses. He emphasizes the importance of starting with local marketing and targeting the right individuals within organizations who have the power to make purchasing decisions. Kennedy also discusses the concept of imposter syndrome and encourages listeners to not be discouraged if they feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do. He stresses the significance of consistency, structure, and organization in business development and marketing strategies, and recommends two books for those starting out in these fields: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "The Like Switch." Kennedy concludes by highlighting the value of creating meaningful relationships and prioritizing customer needs, and he encourages listeners to hold themselves accountable and stay focused on their goals.In Episode 23 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy provides valuable advice for new business development representatives and entrepreneurs. He suggests starting marketing efforts in the local area before expanding, and emphasizes the importance of targeting the right individuals within organizations who can make purchasing decisions. Kennedy shares his own experiences with imposter syndrome and assures listeners that it is normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure when starting out. He stresses the need for consistency, structure, and organization in business development and marketing strategies, and recommends two books, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "The Like Switch," for those new to these fields. Kennedy concludes by highlighting the importance of building meaningful relationships and prioritizing customer needs, and encourages listeners to hold themselves accountable and stay focused on their goals.Key Takeaways: The best location to start marketing is the local area where you are based, as it is easier to pitch to people who understand the relevance of your product or service.It is important to clearly identify and target the specific individuals within an organization who have the authority to make purchasing decisions.Imposter syndrome is common and normal for new entrepreneurs and business development professionals, so it's important to acknowledge and overcome these feelings.Consistency, structure, and accountability are crucial in business development and marketing strategies.Building relationships and networking through organizations like local Chambers of Commerce can provide valuable opportunities for business growth.Having all customer information and work organized in one place, such as a CRM system, is essential for effective business development.Personalization and meaningful connections in outreach efforts, such as sending a brief introduction and a brochure, can increase the chances of engagement and meetings.Holding oneself to account and setting specific goals, such as making a certain number of phone calls or sending a specific number of introductions, is important for achieving consistent results.Utilizing digital platforms, such as LinkedIn, for outreach and introductions is effective, but it's critical to follow up with offline and personalized communication.Having a structured daily routine and staying organized can enhance productivity and effectiveness in business development and marketing efforts.

26 Apr 202327min

In Episode 22 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy interviews Ken Gee, a local celebrity and entrepreneur from Edmonton, Alberta. Ken shares his journey from being a kid with an immigrant mentality to becoming a successful broadcaster and business professional. He talks about his passion for media and public speaking, starting from a young age, and how he eventually found his way into the broadcasting industry. Ken emphasizes the importance of focus and knowing why you're doing things in business development. He also highlights the significance of having mentors and learning from their mistakes. The podcast provides actionable advice on growing a business and features interviews with business owners, CEOs, and business development representatives. Overall, the episode offers insights into Ken Gee's broadcasting career and his experiences as an entrepreneur. Along with discussing his upbringing and family's understanding of business, Ken shares how he got his start in announcing football games and eventually pursued his dream job as a horse racing announcer. Kelly Kennedy commends Ken's work and public speaking skills and discusses the importance of being brave and asking for what you want in business. The interview provides an inspiring story for listeners and offers practical advice for those looking to grow their businesses.Key Takeaways:Focus and determination are essential when pursuing a career in business development.Having good mentors and learning from others' mistakes can greatly benefit an entrepreneur.Public speaking is a valuable skill that can open doors and opportunities in various industries.Starting entrepreneurship at a young age can lead to long-term success.Being confident and asking for what you want can often lead to positive outcomes.Persistence and hard work are necessary for success in business.Immigrant mentality and a strong work ethic can drive entrepreneurial success.Growing up in a family with an understanding of business can provide valuable insights and experiences.Pursuing one's passion and interests can lead to a fulfilling career.Networking and promoting local businesses can be rewarding and appreciated.Putting in the necessary time and effort will eventually pay off in business.Learning from various experiences and industries can contribute to a versatile skill set.Making the most of opportunities and taking risks can lead to personal and professional growth.Leveraging skills and experiences from one career can transition into success in another field.Being adaptable and willing to learn throughout one's career is crucial.

23 Apr 20231h 13min