On this episode of Business Insanity Talk Radio, we discuss which cities are the most “future-ready” and whether or not this should determine where you have your business. Plus, we’ll show you how to craft the best investor pitch by not focusing on the numbers, but the story instead. Then, we’ll explore 3D printing and whether it is a gimmick or a real part of the supply chain. Also, should you join a general networking group or one that is niche oriented to get the best results? We’ll show you the pro’s and con’s. Finally, people use all sorts of ways to train future leaders. Can the art and science of theatrical performance be the best way to do this?
Listen and enjoy:
Segment 1: John Dietrich leads corporate messaging and thought leadership for Dell globally. Prior to this role, John was executive director of executive communications at Dell, where he was responsible for executive communications and PR for chairman and CEO Michael Dell and other C-suite executives.
2:00 – Why did Dell commission the Future-Ready Economies Survey?
4:00 – What does it mean for a city to be “Future-Ready”?
5:45 – Which cities are the most Future-Ready?
7:00 – In which areas is Chicago strong and where can it improve?
8:15 – What role does small business play in shaping a Future-Ready Economy?
To learn more, visit http://www.dell.com/futurereadyeconomies
Segment 2: John Livesay helps CEOs craft a compelling pitch that engages investors in a way that inspires them to join a startup’s team. He hosts The Successful Pitch podcast with investors from around the world. He and Judy Robinett are partners in Crack The Funding Code that get startup founders funded fast. After a successful 20 year career in media sales with Conde Nast, John won salesperson of the year in 2012 across the entire company.
15:30 – People remember your stories not your numbers. Which story should you start with?
16:45 – What is the danger of embellishing your story?
18:00 – How do you show empathy to investors?
18:30 – How long do you have to grab investors’ attention?
19:15 – How do you convince investors to invest in you?
20:10 – What are some of the biggest entrepreneurs make when pitching to investors?
21:30 – What’s the best way to practice your pitch?
To learn more, visit http://www.johnlivesay.com/ and text the word funding to 66866 for a free PDF of three mistakes to avoid.
Segment 3: Zach Kaplan is the founder and CEO of Inventables, the leader in 3D carving. A maker his whole life, he is on a mission to ignite digital manufacturing world wide and provide everyone with ambition a way to get started. Inventables flagship products Easel, Carvey, and XCarve are used by a new wave of makers carving everything from circuit boards to skate boards. Named a “modern Leonardo” by the Museum of Science and Industry and a 40 under 40 by Crain’s Chicago Business, his dream is create a world with 2 million digital manufacturers that have raving fans, not just customers.
31:30 – What is a Maker? Is it the same thing as an entrepreneur?
33:00 – Is 3D printing a gimmick or a real part of the supply chain?
34:45 – Which small businesses should invest in 3D printing?
35:30 – How long until 3D printing becomes mainstream?
To learn more, visit www.inventables.com and www.easel.com
Segment 4: Cameka Smith is the founder of The BOSS Network, the fastest-growing women business communities, garnering several accolades such as a Top 50 Website for Entrepreneurs (Inc. Magazine), 10 Best Career Sites for Women (Forbes.com) and one of 9 Twitter Accounts to Enhance Your College Experience (BlackEnterprise.com). In recognition of her achievements, Cameka was listed in Jet Magazine as a 40 under 40 Entrepreneur. She is the author of “7 Steps to Grow Your Professional Network: A Guide for College Graduates and Professionals in a Tough Economy”.
41:00 – Is it better to be part of a broad network with a lot of different types of members or to find one that serves a specific niche?
41:45 – Why do business women need their own network?
42:30 – Is there a danger in always associated yourself with the same group?
43:00 – Sage Summit is coming to Chicago July 25 – 28. What will small business owners get out of this conference?
44:15 – What’s the best way to network at a conference?
45:30 – Where does a college graduate start in developing their professional network?
To learn more, visit http://www.thebossnetwork.org/ and www.sage.com/sage-summit
Segment 5: Cathy Salit is the CEO and co-founder of Performance of a Lifetime. Cathy’s new book, “Performance Breakthrough: A Radical Approach to Success at Work” (Hachette Books).
49:45 – How can small business owners use the art and science of theatrical performance to help leaders, teams, and organizations?
50:45 – Why do small business owners need fun?
51:30 – How do you get people to participate if they are reluctant to get up in front of people?
52:15 – As mentioned in the book, the fifth fundamental of performance is “crap”. Why?
Sponsored by Nextiva and Sage Summit.
