Biz Growth Express - April 16, 2007

IN THIS WEEKS “BIZ GROWTH EXPRESS”

Hi

I hope you are having a great week and welcome to the new members of our “Biz Growth” community.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter break. We have been enjoying fantastic weather here in Dublin so the fact we did not jet off overseas for our usual family vacation did not really matter.

If you are in Dublin this week remember that BarCamp is taking place on the 21 April and it is free to attend. I will be talking about business blogging so if you do attend make sure you come and say hello (full details are lower down in the newsletter).

And for those of you interested in exploring podcasting, our guest today on “Biz Growth Live” is non other than Penny Haynes who has taught podcasting strategies to hundreds of business leaders. You will get a flavour of what will be in store for you at this weeks “International Podcasting Expo”. I will be speaking at the Expo and you can join the two day virtual event for only US$35, saving 30% off the normal price by registering through my special link. All the details are later in the newsletter.

Each week we look to provide you with valuable content to build your brand and expand the success of your professional practice.

As you know, our goal is your success, providing you with strategies, inspiration and tips that you can adapt, adopt and apply to grow your business. 

I hope you enjoy this week’s edition of “Biz Growth Express”.

And if you have friends and colleagues who you believe would benefit from the strategies and tips we cover in the “Biz Growth Live” calls and our “Biz Growth Express” newsletter, I would be honoured if you forwarded this email to them or alternatively you can invite them to register.

Your recommendation is how we grow!

Here’s to bringing YOUR brand to life!

Thank you for being part of our thriving “Biz Growth Community” and please do share your suggestions for areas you would like us to cover in future editions and that would support your business growth in 2007 or subjects for our weekly “Biz Growth Live” calls.

Best wishes

Krishna

FEATURE ARTICLE: ‘The Power of Testimonials – Part 2’

If you missed part one you can access it here.

Last time I covered how to systemise your testimonial process but what should you do now you have accessed great testimonials from your clients?

Firstly there are two key actions you must take with the testimonials you receive:

Having recorded your testimonials, here are five key ways you can leverage your testimonials to attract more clients:

  1. Add testimonials to your website – including testimonials on your website in a section you might refer to as “client feedback” will support your website visitors in making a decision to move forward in taking the next step to getting to know more about you and your business.
  2. Include testimonials in your proposals – if you are making a proposal for consulting services, include short extracts of your testimonials in your proposal to support your client in their decision making process. The testimonials will add credibility to your proposal if your potential client can see that you have helped other people with the same kinds of challenges they are experiencing.
  3. Share your clients success in your newsletter – many companies add a testimonial from their clients in their newsletter. This will not only showcase your work but also build further awareness and lead to more people being interested in your clients services and products.
  4. Cite testimonials to your marketing materials – if you have brochures, compliment slips or headed paper, adding a testimonial from a client will reinforce to readers the benefit others have found in working with you.
  5. Incorporate testimonials in your sales pages – if you have specific sales pages for your products or services on your website, include relevant and specific testimonials to aid your website visitor in making a decision to invest in your product or service.

THIS WEEKS BIZ GROWTH ACTION STEP:

Now you have accessed powerful testimonials from your clients, make sure you leverage them through including your testimonials to your marketing materials to help you turn more prospects into clients.

PERSONAL BRANDING TIP OF THE WEEK: ‘YOUR AUDIO BRAND’

As we explore how to develop and enhance our personal brand, we are often exploring what is our point of differentiation.

An often overlooked unique point of difference is how we sound.

We can enhance our impact and influence on others not just by the words we use but in the tone with which we speak.

Have you ever noticed that some people just leave you with less energy having met them yet others leave you energised?

This is often as a result of the tone of their conversation and the energy and enthusiasm expressed in their voice.

Whether in a meeting, on a phone call, at a networking meeting or even appearing as a guest speaker, we can enhance our effectiveness and the impact we have on others with the power of our voice.

Very often we do not like to see ourselves on camera, video tape or on audio tape. However investing time in listening to ourselves speak can reveal areas we can further enhance to improve our effectiveness in communication.

YOUR PERSONAL BRAND ACTION STEP

The next time you are in a meeting or preparing for a speaking event, take time to record yourself speaking. Listen to the recording and consider:

  1. are you clear and concise?
  2. are you speaking at a pace that is relevant to what you are speaking about?
  3. do you pronounce your words clearly so that you are easily understood?
  4. do you speak with the appropriate level of energy and enthusiasm warranted for the occasion?
  5. are you over-using some words so that you find yourself saying the same thing time and again?

Asking these five questions and modifying what you say will enhance your personal brand. Remember it is not just what we say but the way that we say it that often gets remembered. And how you are remembered is your lasting reputation – in other words your personal brand.

BIZ GROWTH TELECONFERENCE – 16 APRIL 2007

GUEST EXPERT – PENNY HAYNES

SUBJECT:  ‘PODCASTING TIPS TO BUILD YOUR BRAND’

So what is all the nose about podcasting and why should you consider podcasting as a leader in a professional services firm?

In this weeks “Biz Growth Live” programme, I will be in conversation with Penny Haynes, podcaster and coach who has taught hundreds of people to podcast. Penny also hosts the International Podcast Expo which is taking place on 20 and 21 April and at which I am speaking.

Penny and I will be talking about how podcasting can support you not only in keeping in touch with leading edge information so you continue your professional development but how it can also support you in building your corporate brand and personal brand as an expert in your field.

NEXT “BIZ GROWTH LIVE” TELECONFERENCE – 23 APRIL 2007

GUEST EXPERT – KRISHNA DE

SUBJECT:  ‘8 STRATEGIES TO EXPAND YOUR SUCCESS’

If you have been a member of “Biz Growth Live” for some time and have been reading the blog at “Biz Growth News”, you will be aware that there are eight key proven strategies I teach my clients to build your brand so you get known as the expert of choice and accelerate the growth of your professional services practice.

We cover many of these strategies each week however we have never covered all eight strategies and demonstrated how they fit together in any of our “Biz Growth Live” calls.
So in next weeks “Biz Growth Live” I am going to reveal the 8 key strategies to growing your professional services practice.

*NEW* ADVANCE NOTICE – CORPORATE PODCASTING SECRETS PROGRAMME

Have you wondered just what all the buzz Is about podcasting?

Perhaps you are not sure if it is relevant to your business or you are concerned you will not get a return on investment.

Podcasting started in 2004 and I was an early adopter of this technology platform and have been podcasting for almost two years.

I also teach others how to use podcasting to support their marketing and communications strategy.

Perhaps you have even listened to some of our podcasts and wondered just how you too could get started podcasting?

Corporate podcasting can support you in:

Having been asked to speak at a number of conferences this year on the subject of corporate podcasting, I have now decided to share my expertise in a forthcoming programme which we will be starting after Easter.

I will be delivering this as a virtual programme so you can attend from wherever you are in the world.

If you want to be on our mailing list to receive information about our new programme “Corporate Podcasting Secrets” that we are developing as we speak, just send me an email to corporatepodcast(at)oneoceangroup.com

PODCAST – HOW TO BUILD YOUR EMPLOYER BRAND

As you know, here at Oneocean, we are all about building brands, from your corporate brand to attract great clients, to your employer brand to attract and retain great talent, to your personal leadership brand to build your personal reputation as an expert in your field and expand your success.

We have been podcasting about branding at TodaysWomeninBusiness.com.

EMPLOYER BRANDING PODCAST  – discover what employer branding is and three actions you can take to strengthen your employer brand today.

TEAM BRANDING PODCAST – discover how todefine your team brand, understand how it is expressed and actions you can take to enhance your team brand and reputation.

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP BRAND PODCAST – discover why nurturing your personal leadership brand is critical to your professional success, ways to establish how your personal brand is expressed and how to further refine and strengthen your personal leadership brand.

You can post your comments and questions against each of the podcasts, so I look forward to hearing from you with your thoughts, ideas and what works for you.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to leave comments at our media centre, you can call +1 214 615 6505 ext 6842.

BRAND BUILDING AND MARKETING, LIVE EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

There are a number of terrific events that are coming up in the next month I am speaking at and that I think you will find them of immense value (not just because I am a speaker!).

Full details are on “Biz Growth News” – here is a quick overview:

INTERNATIONAL PODCASTING EXPO – join me a weekend learning all about podcasting at a level of investment you just can not say no to.

I will be speaking at this virtual event on the 20 April 2007 about “How to be a STAR interviewer and a GREAT guest.”

I have managed to negotiate a 30 percent discount for you if you register through my special page. This is a three day event and it will be recorded. You can attend the International Podcasting Expo from the comfort of your own home.

At only $35 for a 3 day pass as the event runs from the 20-22 April 2007, can you afford not to attend? You can register here:

Full details of the International Podcasting Expo and the agenda for the event can be found here.

BARCAMP DUBLIN – Join me for a great day of learning and networking at the first ever BarCamp Dublin, a no cost event being held in the Digital Hub on the 21 April 2007. I will be speaking about “Building buzz – blogging to build your brand and grow your business”

Wishing you continued success, so until next week.

Best wishes,

Krishna De
Bringing YOUR vision to life!
www.bizgrowthlive.com
www.bizgrowthnews.com
www.krishnade.com
www.oneoceangroup.com
www.todayswomeninbusiness.com

P.S. If you have friends and colleagues who would like to join the weekly teleconference call, they would be very welcome – please invite them to register at Biz Growth Live.

©Krishna De, Oneocean Ltd 2007.  All rights reserved.

“Biz Growth Express” is a Oneocean Publication.  Oneocean Ltd is a leading business development consultancy with a difference – we focus on the unique strengths of an organisation and its people to unlock extraordinary performance and growth. You can learn more about our work here

TERMS OF REPRINT: You are welcome to publish extracts from “Biz Growth Express” in your own online ezine or news letter, providing the article is printed in its entirety and is left unedited and you include the copyright notice and the following statement:

©Krishna De, Oneocean Ltd 2007. All rights reserved. Reprinted from “Biz Growth Express”, a Oneocean Ltd publication for leaders in professional services practices, featuring inspiration, strategies and tips to build your brand, attract your ideal clients and enjoy greater success with less stress.  Subscribe today at http://www.bizgrowthlive.com and access free weekly teleconferences where we interview experts from across the globe on how to build your brand and expand your professional and personal success.