Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Venture Capital with Lise Birikundavyi

In episode 21 of The Business Development Podcast hosted by Kelly Kennedy, the focus is on organization and structure in business. Kelly expresses his gratitude to his listeners for their support and shares how he initially struggled with business development and organization. He highlights the importance of taking notes, tracking information, and prioritizing tasks to improve sales and business success. Kelly discusses the benefits of using a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system and emphasizes the significance of repetitive, efficient, and effective actions in entrepreneurship. He also mentions a mentor who has had a significant impact on his life and mentions a recent interview with Lasse Joergensen of All IN Productions.In this episode, Kelly Kennedy emphasizes the importance of organization and structure in business development. He expresses his appreciation to the listeners and acknowledges that he was not initially skilled in this area. Kelly discusses the benefits of taking notes and tracking information, particularly through the use of a CRM system. He encourages listeners to prioritize tasks based on importance and shares his personal experiences in becoming more organized and effective in business development. Additionally, Kelly highlights the impact of a mentor in his life and mentions a recent interview with Lasse Joergensen of All IN Productions.Key Takeaways: Tracking information in a CRM can greatly benefit your business development career and entrepreneurial career.The tasks that you tend to avoid are usually the ones that would improve your sales or business the most.It is important to prioritize the most important tasks first in order to be effective in business development and entrepreneurship.It is essential to track contact details, conversations, and introductions with clients and potential partners.Creating structure and organization in your life can significantly increase your effectiveness in business development.Building a workspace that inspires and motivates you is important for productivity.Utilizing a daily notebook can be a life-changing tool for managing business tasks and clients.Business development requires consistency, repetition, and efficiency in order to be effective.Setting aside personal challenges and taking action is crucial in business development.Implementing a CRM can revolutionize business organization and management.Making consistent phone calls and LinkedIn engagements can greatly improve effectiveness in business development.Having a mapped out plan for each day can increase productivity and effectiveness.Creating a positive and personalized workspace can improve motivation and productivity.

19 Apr 202334min

In Episode 20 of the Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy interviews Lasse Joergensen, the founder and owner of All IN Productions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Throughout the episode, Joergensen emphasizes the importance of finding passion in the work that you do and discusses his journey from psychotherapy and marketing to video production. He shares insights on his experience in the fashion industry, starting his own t-shirt company, and eventually transitioning to video production. The interview highlights the value of clarity and passion in business development and provides listeners with actionable advice on how to grow their businesses. Overall, the episode focuses on the importance of finding meaning and enjoyment in your work and how that can drive success in business. Joergensen's personal journey serves as an inspirational example of following your passion and pursuing a career that aligns with your interests and skills. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize their own happiness and pursue opportunities that fulfill them both professionally and personally.Key Takeaways: It is important to find passion in the work you do. If you are not passionate about what you're doing, you should find something that you are passionate about.Business development is not something that is taught in school, but it can be a creative and fun field to work in.Finding meaning and clarity within yourself is important before pursuing business success.Building relationships and networking can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.Having goals and a clear vision of where you want to go can help guide your business development efforts.Being passionate about your work and enjoying what you do can carry you through challenges and setbacks.Being open to new opportunities and following your interests can lead to unexpected career paths.It is important to find meaning and passion in your life outside of work, as business success is not everything.Learning from different experiences and acquiring different skills can lead to personal and professional growth.Video production can be a valuable tool for businesses, and understanding the different types of videos needed can help in utilizing them effectively.

16 Apr 20231h 13min

Episode 19 of The Business Development Podcast with host Kelly Kennedy focuses on the importance and utilization of LinkedIn for business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals in sales and business development. Kelly emphasizes that LinkedIn is the best social media platform for generating real person-to-person relationships and connections within the business community. He highlights the benefits of joining LinkedIn groups, using the platform to market and promote business products and services, and leveraging LinkedIn as a modern space for building relationships, finding partnerships, and creating synchronicities. The episode provides tips and tricks on utilizing LinkedIn effectively, making connections authentically, and differentiating oneself from generic sales pitches and messages.The host also emphasizes the value of having a premium business account on LinkedIn, as it provides additional features and advantages. He encourages listeners to have a professional and complete LinkedIn profile, including relevant information about their business and themselves. Additionally, the episode explains the importance of keeping personal and business life separate on social media platforms, using LinkedIn exclusively for business purposes. The host closes the episode by expressing gratitude to the listeners and their ongoing support, reiterating the necessity of being on LinkedIn and making effective use of it in daily business strategies.Key Takeaways: Instagram is great for B2C and generating information, but LinkedIn is the preferred social media platform for businesses.LinkedIn is a powerful tool for connecting with other business professionals, building relationships, and finding partnerships.A premium business account on LinkedIn is highly recommended for maximizing its potential.It is important to utilize LinkedIn as part of your daily business strategy and regularly update your profile with accurate and relevant information.LinkedIn can be used as both an active and passive marketing strategy, but it is important to post relevant content and avoid coming across as robotic or spammy.LinkedIn provides the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, CEOs, and decision-makers, making it a valuable resource for business development and sales.Personal branding on LinkedIn is important, and having a professional photo and a well-structured profile can help you stand out from the crowd.Building genuine relationships and providing value to others on LinkedIn is more effective than broad-stroke strategies.Utilizing LinkedIn groups and starting discussions can help generate interest in your product or service.Consistently engaging with LinkedIn and its features, such as InMails, can lead to greater networking opportunities and business growth.

12 Apr 202339min

In Episode 18 of the Business Development Podcast with host Kelly Kennedy, he welcomes back Colin Christensen as a guest. Kennedy expresses his admiration for Christensen and their previous conversations, highlighting his inspiring and insightful perspective. Christensen shares his desire to learn as much as possible to be helpful to entrepreneurs and reflects on his own journey as an entrepreneur. The conversation touches on the challenges and mistakes entrepreneurs face, and the importance of resilience and learning from failure. Throughout the episode, Christensen shares his personal experiences and advice for navigating the entrepreneurial world.In the second part of the episode, Kennedy asks Christensen to share a specific story about a major setback he experienced. Christensen recounts his involvement in a golf training center venture and the difficulties they encountered during the economic downturn in 2007 and 2008. He discusses the challenges they faced in raising capital and the need to scale back their plans. Despite the setbacks, Christensen emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and staying optimistic in order to come out stronger on the other side. The episode ends with Kennedy expressing his appreciation for Christensen's honesty and sharing his excitement for the valuable lessons and insights gained from the conversation.Key Takeaways:Failure is a part of entrepreneurship and it is important to learn from your mistakes.It is necessary to adapt and change strategies when faced with setbacks or challenges.Taking risks is a part of being an entrepreneur, but it's important to assess the level of risk and make calculated decisions.It is crucial to have resilience and optimism in order to overcome obstacles and come out stronger.Learning from mentors and seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs can provide valuable insights and guidance.It is important to have a realistic perspective and expect that not every venture will be successful.Rapid growth and success can be followed by unforeseen challenges, so it is important to plan and prepare for such situations.Building a strong team and seeking support from others is crucial for success in entrepreneurship.Learning from past mistakes can help guide future decisions and strategies.It is important to constantly learn and improve as an entrepreneur.

9 Apr 20231h 24min

In Episode 17 of the Business Development Podcast with host Kelly Kennedy, he expresses his gratitude to his listeners and introduces Colin Christensen as a guest for the next episode. Kelly emphasizes his passion for active marketing and encourages business development professionals and entrepreneurs not to rely solely on passive marketing strategies. He stresses the importance of building emotional connections with clients and meeting them where they are at, rather than hoping they will stumble upon ads or campaigns. Kelly shares his belief that active marketing, such as direct phone calls and emails, physical brochures, and personal interactions, is the most effective way to market a company, especially for those new to business development. He advocates for creating business-to-business relationships and highlights the benefits of human-to-human connections in marketing.In this episode, Kelly also mentions the success of the show and the increasing listenership. He invites listeners to stay tuned for the next episode, where he promises valuable advice and insights. Kelly acknowledges that although passive marketing may have some benefits for brand recognition, an active marketing strategy is far more effective in reaching and connecting with customers. He emphasizes the importance of direct contact and personalization in marketing efforts, rather than relying solely on advertisements and digital campaigns. Kelly wraps up the episode by thanking his listeners and expressing his dedication to his role as a business development lead with Capital Business Development.Key Takeaways: Active marketing is more effective than passive marketing strategies.Building an emotional connection with clients is essential for building relationships and being remembered.Direct contact and personal interaction, such as phone calls and in-person meetings, are crucial for business development.Cold calling is still a valid and effective strategy for generating leads and sales.Brand recognition is important, but should be complemented with active marketing efforts.Meeting potential clients where they are at increases effectiveness and success in business development.Value in business relationships should be measured in the long-term rather than focusing on immediate deals.It is important to approach marketing and business development from a human perspective, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and relationships.

5 Apr 202325min

In Episode 16 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy interviews Colin Christensen, a serial entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in starting, funding, and growing businesses. Christensen shares his journey of becoming an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced in marketing his own businesses. Despite making mistakes along the way, he emphasizes the importance of having someone else market your business to avoid the pain of rejection. He also discusses the need for humility and curiosity in entrepreneurship and encourages listeners to have a side hustle to support their goals. This episode is part one of a two-part series with Colin Christensen, and Kennedy expresses his excitement for having him on the show. Christensen's passion for art and business led him to start various ventures, and the discussion covers his experiences in business development, mentorship, and focusing on the customer's needs. As an advocate for early stage entrepreneurship, Christensen shares valuable advice, tips, and experiences for growing a successful business. Kennedy and Christensen promise listeners an engaging and informative conversation in part two of the series.Key Takeaways: Marketing one's own business can be incredibly challenging.Being an entrepreneur requires more than just being a business development person.It is important to have mentors and seek advice to avoid making mistakes.Starting a profitable business right from the beginning is crucial.It can be beneficial for entrepreneurs to have someone else market their business.Support and guidance from others, such as family members, can be instrumental in success.Continuous learning and adapting to changes are necessary in entrepreneurship.Understanding and solving customer problems should be a focus for entrepreneurs.Side hustles can be a valuable opportunity for everyone.Humility and curiosity are important attributes for entrepreneurs.Taking action and seeking opportunities are key to success.Following one's passion and interests can lead to business opportunities.Building a network and relationships are important in entrepreneurship.Being open to feedback and guidance from others can help in personal and professional growth.

2 Apr 20231h 39min

In Episode 15 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy starts off by expressing gratitude to his guest, Paul, for joining the show. Kelly emphasizes the importance of having a clear goal in business development and discusses the significance of showing interest and care in meetings to build relationships. He advises listeners to consider sending a reminder and relevant marketing materials before a meeting, as well as to always ask for what they want. Kelly shares his preference for in-person meetings and stresses the need to verify that clients have accepted meeting requests. He emphasizes the importance of detailed calendar invites and encourages listeners to do their homework on clients before meetings. Overall, Kelly provides practical tips and insights to help business development professionals improve their meeting strategies and create successful connections.In the second part, Kelly continues to offer valuable advice for preparing and conducting meetings. He underscores the importance of asking for the meeting and being clear about goals. He recommends having the contact details of clients, including their cell numbers, for easy communication. Kelly suggests arriving early for meetings to review notes and ensure a smooth start. He also encourages listeners to research clients on platforms like LinkedIn and to strive for a good understanding of their backgrounds. Kelly advocates for neutral meeting locations and shows the value of sharing some marketing material with clients. He concludes the episode by reiterating the significance of being prepared, showing care, and continuously learning in the field of business development. Overall, Episode 15 of The Business Development Podcast provides practical tips and insights for leveraging meetings to foster relationships and achieve business goals.Key Takeaways: It is important to know your goal before scheduling a meeting.Sending a reminder before the meeting and including relevant marketing materials can be beneficial.Clarify the length of time it will take to reach the meeting location.Always verify that the client has accepted the meeting request.Send a detailed calendar invite with all the necessary information.Ask for the meeting and be clear about what you want to achieve.Research the client and company before the meeting.Meeting at a neutral location, such as a restaurant, can be advantageous.Show interest and care by doing some background research on the client.Arrive early to the meeting to review notes and be prepared.Have contact details easily accessible for the client.Text or call the client before the meeting to provide details on where to meet.Attach relevant marketing materials, such as a brochure, to the calendar invite if needed.Be proactive in tracking and following up on meeting requests.Be professional and prepared during the meeting.Always be early for meetings.Have a good understanding of the client's business and services.Keep notes on the purpose of the meeting and any necessary information.

29 Mars 202335min

In Episode 14 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy interviews Paul Holah, a business leader with extensive experience in engineering, construction, and project management. Paul shares his insights on building relationships and making connections in the world of business development. He emphasizes the importance of personal relationships and trust when it comes to generating new clients and winning contracts. Paul also discusses the challenges and rewards of working in various locations across Canada, highlighting the need for adaptability and creativity in business development. Listeners can expect to gain actionable advice and tips on how to grow their businesses from this episode.Overall, Episode 14 of The Business Development Podcast offers valuable insights into the world of business development from the perspective of an experienced leader. Paul Holah's diverse background and wealth of knowledge provide listeners with practical advice on building relationships, navigating challenges, and seizing opportunities in the industry. Whether it's understanding the value of personal connections, overcoming resistance to change, or finding creative ways to make connections, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to grow their businesses.Key Takeaways: It is easier to say yes and explain your yes than to say no and explain the no.Building relationships and making connections is crucial in business development.Business development takes time and patience, and quick wins are not always possible.Trust and credibility are essential in convincing clients to make a change or switch contractors.Generating relationships and establishing connections requires creative thinking.Personal relationships play a significant role in business development.Having a diverse range of experiences and connections can be valuable in business development.Success in business development requires leadership, teamwork, and exemplary work with clients.

26 Mars 20231h 19min