Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

by Mary Scott
EntrepreneurshipMarketing
Season 2024

Aileen Boyle - Startup Sales Mistakes & Opportunities

Aileen Boyle from Fortro talking about Sales Mistakes & Opportunities. https://link.eventraptor.com/widget/bookings/fortro-amplify-your-sales 30 minutes call to get to the root of your challenge and point you in the right direction Summary Understanding Customer Needs for Business Success Mary and Aileen discuss the importance of understanding customer needs before launching a business. Aileen emphasizes serving customers over aggressively selling, and ensuring products solve real problems. She stresses validating ideas through customer interviews. Mary agrees idea validation is crucial before starting a business. They mention piloting new offerings. Aileen highlights active listening in sales conversations to understand customer perspectives and concerns, rather than overwhelming them with information. Mary plans to share links to Aileen's services. Effective Information Sharing and Question Handling Mary and Aileen discussed the effectiveness of their approach to providing information and answering questions. Aileen suggested giving people a link to her diary for easy access to ask questions, which Mary agreed to. They also discussed the importance of giving people what they expect, what they don't expect, and leaving them wanting more. Aileen emphasized the value of not leaving people with unanswered questions and the need to provide practical, tactical solutions. They ended the conversation with Aileen sharing a link to her diary for further questions and Mary mentioning another recording to be done.
S2024 · E1015
Nov 6, 2024
8:03

Lorraine Ball - 3 Questions to Answer Before Starting a Marketing Campaign

https://morethanafewwords.com Lorraine Ball from More Than a Few Words talks about 3 Questions to Answer Before Starting a Marketing Campaign https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineball/ you tube tag @MTFWPodcast Preparing for Marketing Campaigns: Key Questions Lorraine and Mary discussed the importance of preparing before launching a marketing campaign. Lorraine mentioned three key questions that business owners should answer before pursuing new marketing strategies. The first question was not stated in the meeting transcript, but Lorraine emphasized the need to address these questions to avoid getting distracted by the latest marketing trends. Understanding Customer Segments and Tailored Marketing Lorraine and Mary discussed the importance of understanding and catering to the specific needs of different customer segments, particularly small and mid-sized businesses. Lorraine highlighted the differences in mindset between small business owners, who value time over money, and mid-sized business owners, who have more money than time. She emphasized the need for tailored marketing campaigns and identifying competitors, not just other businesses, but also existing solutions that customers may be using to solve their problems. Mary agreed, stressing the need for customers to understand the benefits they would derive from a solution. They both agreed on the importance of being specific and focused on a niche market to attract the right customers and stand out from competitors. Sales Strategies and Objectives Discussion Lorraine emphasized the importance of understanding the objectives of sales efforts, such as selling more to existing customers or introducing products to new markets. She suggested different strategies and media for reaching different objectives, including social media, email, and text messages. Lorraine also discussed the concept of decoy pricing and the importance of creating different pages on a website for various objectives. Mary ended the conversation by encouraging the audience to book a call with her for further assistance at https://businessriff.com
S2024 · E1008
Nov 5, 2024
9:24

David E. Austin - Sales Tips for Startups

David Austin from Summit Sales Partners with Sales Tips for Startups Understanding Target Market and Sales Process Mary Scott from BusinessRiff and David Austin from Summit Sales Partners discussed the importance of understanding the target market and customer needs for startups. David emphasized the need to listen to a variety of customers and be prepared to innovate based on their feedback. They both agreed that a CRM and a well-defined sales process are essential for long-term success. David suggested having a well-planned CRM system from the outset, as it can be challenging to adjust later on. They also touched on the common discomfort many people, including startups, have with sales, but did not provide specific ways to overcome this discomfort. Mary encouraged attendees to reach out to David for further sales tips www.linkedin.com/in/deaustin1mo and to book a call with her at https://BusinessRiff.com for startup success.
S2024 · E903
Nov 4, 2024
8:38

Dotty Scott - Google Business Profile for Startups

Dotty Scott from Premium Websites talking about Google Business Profiles Google Business Profile for Startups Mary and Dotty discussed the importance of Google Business Profile for startups. Dotty explained that it's a free listing offered by Google for all businesses and can be acquired by signing up on Google's website. Dotty emphasized the significance of the profile for online presence and highlighted that it's the only way to get listed in Google Maps. Mary agreed to share the link to the Google Business Profile checklist and the recording of the session with Dotty Maps Listing and Co-Working Spaces Mary and Dotty discussed the benefits and drawbacks of listing a business on Google Maps, particularly for those who work from home or operate a virtual business. Dotty explained that being listed on Maps can attract local clients, but it could also lead to unwanted visitors at home. Mary suggested that some startups list their addresses as co-working spaces to avoid this issue, and Dotty confirmed that this is a viable option. They also highlighted the advantages of co-working spaces, such as the opportunity to collaborate with other startups and use professional facilities like conference rooms and kitchens. Google Business Profile and Social Media Strategy Mary and Dotty discussed the importance of setting up a Google Business Profile for startups, emphasizing its role as the first listing in search results. Dotty advised that businesses should regularly update their profiles, including adding photos and requesting reviews, to maintain their ranking. Mary agreed to provide a Google Business Profile checklist in the comments for further assistance. They also touched on the benefits of social media and the need to link social media profiles to the business website for improved online presence. Dotty also offers a free checklist for GBP here: Google Business Profile Checklist from Premium Websites, Inc. https://premiumwebsites.net/google-business-profile-checklist/
S2024 · E820
Nov 1, 2024
9:56

Matt Phimphavong - Cultivation Capital Accelerator the Spirit of St. Louis Program

https://cultivationcapital.com/strategies/midwest-seed-stage/ Matt Phimphavong from Cultivation Capital discussed the next Spirit of St. Louis program Cultivation Capital traditionally invests in Startups that are farther along: series A or higher, particularly in the areas of B to B software, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Geospatial Technology. This will be the third offering of the Spirit of St. Louis Fund, originally launched as an SBIC, Small Business Investment Company, which is designed for companies in those industries and in traditionally under capitalized geographic areas, Like St. Louis. The fund plans to invest an average of $250k to $1 million in each of 20 to 25 companies selected in this round. Cultivation Capital would like at least half of those founders/companies to be located in the St. Louis region.
S2024 · E813
Oct 31, 2024
9:22

Becca Heissel - Why & How to Set Goals for Startups

Becca Heissel, Business Owners Advocate, talks about why Startups need to set goals and some tips on how to do it. Setting SMART Goals for Startups Mary and Becca discussed the importance of setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound goals for startup businesses. Becca suggested creating a list of 100 things a business owner wants to achieve to stimulate ideas for goals. Mary stressed that holistic goals, including personal life, relationships, health, financial legacy, and career, should be prioritized. Both agreed on breaking down big dreams into smaller, achievable steps, and Mary advised identifying the core problem a startup aims to solve. They agreed to share relevant links via email and to further discuss this matter the following day. Here are some Free Tools to check out: Business Financial Health Quiz- Are you unsure about the financial health of your business? Get actionable tips and advice to enhance your financial well-being https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/ugc/story.php?title=what-superhero-are-you-most-like-125422q Are you eager to dive deeper into your personal and professional growth journey? Click below to schedule a free strategy session with Becca. Get personalized guidance and explore how you can achieve your goals and dreams. Select a Date & Time - Calendly https://calendly.com/becca-bsg_/30min?month=2024-07 The Six Key Questions For Success- By answering these six essential questions—who, what, when, where, why, and how—you'll gain insights into both your personal and professional aspirations. The 6 Key Questions Ritual (mailchi.mp) https://mailchi.mp/businessownersadvocate/the-6-key-questions-ritual Reignite your Entrepreneurial Spark. How We Achieve Holistic Clarity- https://mailchi.mp/businessownersadvocate/reignite-your-entrepreneurial-spark
S2024 · E806
Oct 30, 2024
7:19

Abby Bassie-Cripps - Cybersecurity for Startups

https://tech-assist.ca/ Abby Bassie-Cripps from Tech-Assist talks about Cybersecurity for Startups https://tech-assist.ca/safety.php https://abidel.legalshieldassociate.com/en-ca Cyber Security for Startups: Prevention and Preparation Mary Scott from Business Riff discussed the importance of cyber security for startups with Abby Bassie Cripps from Tech Assist. Abby emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent hacking, such as using antivirus software, a VPN, and a separate router. She also advised rebooting the system when signs of hacking are detected. Mary highlighted the potential for hacking and the importance of being prepared to handle it. Abby further explained that a separate router can be a valuable investment for cyber security, despite its cost. Mary and Abidel discussed various methods to protect privacy and security online. Abidel recommended using a paid VPN, a secure browser like Brave, and a search engine like DuckDuckGo to keep browsing history private. They also discussed the pros and cons of using cloud storage versus external hard drives, with Abidel suggesting that external hard drives are safer in terms of privacy and security. Lastly, Abidel mentioned the use of browser add-ons to block bad ads and protect against server downtime. Abidel discussed the concept of "pretenders" in the context of ad blockers, emphasizing that not all ad blockers are genuine. She also explained that the effectiveness of these blockers depends on various factors, including the user's location and the permissions on their computer. Mary asked for clarification on the differences between hacking, phishing, and spoofing, to which Abidel responded that hacking is a broad term encompassing various actions, including unauthorized access to a computer. She further explained that spoofing involves impersonating someone to gain access or information. Abidel discussed the importance of verifying the authenticity of emails before opening them. She explained that emails with a lot of letters and numbers that don't make sense are likely from hackers trying to collect personal information. She referred to this as phishing. Abidel also advised against emptying the spam folder, as service providers periodically review these emails and create new rules to prevent them from being sent again. Mary confirmed her understanding of these concepts, including recognizing phishing attempts like emails with attached PDFs from unknown sources. Mary and Abidel discussed the importance of personal logins for accessing websites and the use of password managers for generating secure passwords. Abidel recommended the Trend Micro package from Legal Shields, which includes a quality antivirus, VPN, and password manager. She emphasized the need for a 16-digit password with letters, capitals, numbers, and symbols for maximum security. Abidel also expressed her preference for password managers that are stored on the computer rather than in the cloud to avoid potential hacking risks
S2024 · E1001
Oct 29, 2024
9:55

Shaun Hayes - Deciding Risk or Danger for Startups

Shaun Hayes, author of "The Green Choice", talking Good Risk or Bad Decision Evaluating Risks in Startup Businesses Mary welcomed Shaun, the author of a new book called The Green Choice, to discuss the concept of evaluating risks in startup businesses. Shaun emphasized that most successful startups are founded by individuals with industry experience who identify an opportunity to improve upon existing products or services. He shared anecdotal evidence illustrating that venturing into an unrelated industry significantly decreases the chances of success. He encouraged entrepreneurs to stay close to their area of expertise and find a niche within their existing field. Experience, Learning, and Entrepreneurship Success Shaun and Mary discussed the importance of experience and learning in entrepreneurship. Shaun emphasized that success often requires 3 to 5 years of dedicated effort, and encouraged individuals to gain experience by working for others in their chosen industry. He also highlighted the value of learning from others' successes and mistakes, sharing his own experiences as an example. Mary agreed, noting that making mistakes can be costly and that learning from others can be beneficial. Shaun concluded by stating that entrepreneurship offers freedom, but it's not always easy and requires a solid understanding of cash flow and other business fundamentals. Trust, Systems, and Customer Focus in Partnerships Mary and Shaun discussed the importance of trust and systems in business partnerships. Mary emphasized the need for written agreements and dual control to ensure accountability and prevent fraud. Shaun shared examples of companies that had suffered due to a lack of trust and proper systems, highlighting the significance of having checks and balances in place. Both agreed that the customer should always be the focus, and that taking care of customers leads to success, even in the face of competition. Valuing Time and Appropriate Pricing in Business Shaun and Mary emphasized the importance of valuing one's time and charging appropriately in business. Shaun advised that one should have boldness in pricing and not undervalue their services. Mary suggested that women in business should aim to double their initial pricing and then add 20% for a baseline. Shaun further advised to consider the cost of one's time when giving it away for free.
S2024 · E730
Oct 28, 2024
9:51

Kara Horat - Islands, Isolation, Ideation for Startups

http://connectforsuccessonline.com/ Kara Horat, founder of Connect For Success Online, gives startups advice on dealing with isolation & loneliness Overcoming Startup Isolation With Teams Mary and Kara discussed the challenges faced by startups, particularly isolation. Kara explained that entrepreneurs often become so engrossed in their work that they lose track of time and can feel isolated. Mary emphasized the importance of having a team, including a marketing person, accountant, and lawyer, to prevent isolation and ensure the success of the startup. Both agreed on the need for regular communication and support within a startup's team. Building Supportive Entrepreneurial Communities Kara emphasized the importance of having a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs for the success and mental well-being of a startup. She suggested that founders should engage with such communities, including peer groups and masterminds, to gain different perspectives and avoid isolation. Mary agreed and highlighted various resources for finding such communities, including networking opportunities, industry-specific groups, and university programs for entrepreneurs. They also mentioned the value of services like Score for specific expertise.
S2024 · E723
Oct 25, 2024
9:14

Misha Safran - Emotional Intelligence for Startups

Misha Safran from CEEQ discussed the importance of Emotional Intelligence for Startups https://ceeq.org Emotional Intelligence in Startup Success Mary and Misha discussed the importance of emotional intelligence in the context of startup businesses. Misha explained that emotional intelligence involves identifying and understanding one's own emotions and those of others. She emphasized the benefits of this skill, including improved communication, problem-solving, and relationship management. Mary highlighted situations in which emotional intelligence could be beneficial or challenging for startups, such as dealing with tech support or giving presentations. Both agreed that emotional intelligence, combined with empathy, could lead to a more successful and comfortable business environment. Improving Communication Among Tech Teams Mary discussed a challenge faced by a tech startup's development and marketing teams in communicating effectively with each other. Misha proposed a solution based on the concept of 'looping', a communication technique learned from the Center for Understanding and Conflict. Misha emphasized the importance of understanding each other's positions, assuming positive intent, and providing support as needed, rather than imposing solutions. Mary acknowledged that improved communication leads to better productivity. Emotional Intelligence and Company Mission Alignment Mary and Misha discussed the importance of having a clear mission for their company and for individual team members to align with it. They emphasized the need for emotional intelligence in the workplace and in life. Misha shared her personal vision and advised not to be afraid of emotions, while Mary agreed and mentioned that connection equals currency in the business world. They planned to share additional resources about emotional intelligence and agreed to promote each other's work.
S2024 · E716
Oct 24, 2024
9:58
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