DIGITAL SANKALP

How to make the perfect cold call

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_72pz76TzAs8X5IefpWdrmQSiyHo09_6Z-OaUOI8gTlGcamAwYkmbZ-seGqjHiV5HZZYh_vpcTN93y7sm1UcdFrugk4VfHwpN6OeHgGCnoN_w9_pVweRHc4WpeurjlvbE2vNi2uhZ3Ip/s1600/78-365x274-739925.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998119570272866050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_72pz76TzAs8X5IefpWdrmQSiyHo09_6Z-OaUOI8gTlGcamAwYkmbZ-seGqjHiV5HZZYh_vpcTN93y7sm1UcdFrugk4VfHwpN6OeHgGCnoN_w9_pVweRHc4WpeurjlvbE2vNi2uhZ3Ip/s320/78-365x274-739925.jpeg" /></a>Making cold calls is often viewed as the ‘bottom of the food chain’ kind of work. The kind of work that takes too much hard work but very little to show in terms of results. However, if done right, it really isn’t. Making cold calls effectively and bringing in business can make you quite a star in your organization. It is something that most entrepreneurs have done at some point in their careers. <div class="format_inner_text_single" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-make-the-perfect-cold-call/22377/attachment/78-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-22378" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-22378" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/78-365x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="78" width="365"></a>A cold call essentially requires you to convince someone to meet you, or try your product, or even buy it—all this, over the phone. Those who have been cold calling for a while probably have met with the never-interested person, the always-hangs-up person and also the rabid one-cuss-per-second person. Most of us have also been on the receiving end of a cold call, if not from anyone else, then at least from a credit card company or from someone offering a better data plan for internet usage. A good place to start learning how to make a cold call is by knowing what you don’t want to sound like. Think of yourself as a potential customer for any company. What if they called you while you’re in a business meeting? What if they called with nothing much to say? What if they called and when you asked, didn’t have enough knowledge of their own product? This gives you an idea instantly of what not to do while you are cold calling. To understand better what you should do instead, read on. - Ask whyIdentify first why you are making the call. Do you want to make a sale, get a chance to meet the person, gather some information, or offer a free trial? What really is the aim of making the call? Are you making the calls yourself or are you going to designate this job to a team of people? Make sure whoever is making the call really understands its aim. - Who is the target? Once you know what your aim of calling is, make your list of prospective customers. This will save a lot of time and energy once you start making calls. Understand who would be interested in what you are offering. Also make sure you do your research well. Once you narrow down on a company you want to contact, find out who the decision maker is. Does he take a call on purchases himself? Or will you have to get in touch with multiple people in the company? Also‚ research why the company would be interested in what you are offering. Your research will help you to have a quality interaction if the customer responds. <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-make-the-perfect-cold-call/22377/attachment/83-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-22421" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-22421" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/83-207x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="83" width="207"></a>If a company has recently suffered losses for example, because of some kind of inefficiency, it will be good for you to know about it when you pitch a product that improves the efficiency of say, its machines. - What to say You should be able to find a cold call script easily off the Internet. But make sure to never read from it. Take time to prepare yourself to make the call. You should sound confident and aware. The one receiving the call respects a caller who knows what he is talking about. Most cold calling scripts will cover a good way to introduce yourself and how to not seem too pushy, yet be able to make your point effectively. - When to make calls Now, start making the cold calls. You must remain persistent, yet not pushy. When someone picks up the phone and says they are busy, say “Will 6 PM this evening be a good time?” It’s a decent thing to do, to ask someone if it’s a good time to talk. Sometimes people will say ‘no’. Don’t let that stop you. Instead, say that you respect their time and that you would like to put forward your pitch in less than a minute, or the least time possible. Try to get their attention by telling them why they need to hear you out. - What next? Being persistent is a good way to convert a cold call. Sometimes you may not reach the decision maker directly, but their assistants. Try to build a rapport with the assistant and  remember his or her name. They could be doing some of your job for you, if you work your relationship building skills. During the interaction with a customer, if someone tells you to send them an email with details, make sure you do that. After giving them some time to go through the email, call again.  There will still be those who turn you down sometimes, but these steps should help to bring down the number of customers that say ‘no.’ </div>

How to make the perfect cold call

Making cold calls is often viewed as the ‘bottom of the food chain’ kind of work. The kind of work that takes too much hard work but very li...

10:27 am

How to survive a startup

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipndCXnQYTyn0NRwW-x_Awh-xENyp-GhV_5Wzfxy4bC7JIPspDWv0lPRzCkOgjMQVNSPLSz3s5uY4Ofs2YoMaKtRKAbs6PjIDsSr4IXaQ-zy2Y1U50b77o_SOXZ_cby1toIByX9GNGK14y/s1600/63-365x274-774209.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998116710790177218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipndCXnQYTyn0NRwW-x_Awh-xENyp-GhV_5Wzfxy4bC7JIPspDWv0lPRzCkOgjMQVNSPLSz3s5uY4Ofs2YoMaKtRKAbs6PjIDsSr4IXaQ-zy2Y1U50b77o_SOXZ_cby1toIByX9GNGK14y/s320/63-365x274-774209.jpeg" /></a>As one of TheLadders’ original 20 employees, I know first-hand how rewarding and challenging a job at a startup can be, especially when you’re new to the workforce. Play your cards right and you will learn more in that one year than your friends will pick up in five or more working at larger, more traditional organizations. <div class="format_inner_text_single" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> The media likes to sensationalize the perks and fun of working in a startup, but startup life is no day at the beach. You’ll find that most operate with a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality. <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-survive-a-startup/22741/attachment/63-9/" rel="attachment wp-att-22743" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-22743" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/63-365x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="63" width="365"></a>While you will enjoy plenty of happy hours and ping pong tournaments, you will also find the work intensely demanding—likely, far more than anything you have previously experienced. Here are seven tips I have learned over the years to help you not only survive, but thrive at a startup. Embrace the missionThe most successful entrepreneurs are incredibly passionate about their work. It’s the fire in their bellies that drives them to succeed. Similarly, if you’re going to commit to working at a startup, you have to believe in its mission. Look for organizations that are doing something you’re interested in. You won’t make it at a business if you’re not genuinely excited about the work. Acknowledge the long hours—and accept them. If you’re going to make it in the startup world, you first need to acknowledge that the hours will be long. The second step is to accept this fact. In the beginning, it wasn’t unusual for my team to work more than twelve hours a day or come in over the weekend to meet our goals. In a startup, there’s always more work to be done and not enough people to take it on. You’re not hanging around the office for the sake of face time—there’s work to be done. Accept this fact and you’re already in better shape. Set expectations with loved ones. Not everyone in your circle of friends will understand or appreciate the commitment a startup demands. It’s very important to set expectations with your loved ones. Nothing is worse than having your family call at 5:30 pm to ask how your day went when your work day is far from over. To avoid these frustrations, set expectations up front such as when people can reach you and through what forms  of communication.Take initiative On my first day, I was handed my computer in its box and a small packet containing basic instructions for using the company’s systems and handling customer service inquiries. That day I learned two things: 1) How to set up a desktop computer on my own, and that,2) If I wanted to make it at this company, I would need to take initiative. Don’t expect your company to have it all figured out already; a startup is often still establishing its guidelines and formalizing its business. That’s one of the reasons why the work is both exciting and scary. Instead of shying away, embrace the chaos and take an active role in shaping the business. Fill in the blanks In startup land, priorities and projects can change overnight. Communicate openly and often to avoid confusion.Check in regularly with your team to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goal. If you’re unsure if a certain task is being taken care of, speak up! Don’t assume someone else is working on it. It’s better to over-communicate than let something important slip through the cracks. Strive for balance I won’t lie and say that it’s easy to strike the right balance between work and play, but thanks to mobile technology, it’s easier than ever before. Identify what matters most to you and look for creative ways to make time for those priorities. For instance, find out if you can work from home on certain evenings so you can eat dinner with your loved ones and still make the standing 8 p.m. conference call with your colleagues. Alternatively, take advantage of mobile apps like FaceTime that allow you to remain connected to your family while putting in long hours at the office. Know when to take a breather The job will be stressful at times. That’s why it’s important to know when to walk away from the laptop so you can come back with a fresh set of eyes. Find an outlet for your stress, whether it’s banging on a drum set, meditating for ten minutes in the back of the office or playing a game of darts with a colleague. Recharge your batteries and come back ready to tackle the latest challenge head-on with a fresh perspective. </div>

How to survive a startup

As one of TheLadders’ original 20 employees, I know first-hand how rewarding and challenging a job at a startup can be, especially when you’...

10:16 am

How to integrate teams

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYfpctLkH2E8aCmRTHwW22m8xhiYurc34aNTWsrcIrP8ZqsvIWpmr6sYXy-uHChhLQFyLNER_6HzEEDoSJKqt1DB2HwUciem-7o7TtklFpwOoUOnYjLpU03sXKikFt3-zrBzCVG2fVZlq/s1600/67-365x274-702335.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998115971666357170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYfpctLkH2E8aCmRTHwW22m8xhiYurc34aNTWsrcIrP8ZqsvIWpmr6sYXy-uHChhLQFyLNER_6HzEEDoSJKqt1DB2HwUciem-7o7TtklFpwOoUOnYjLpU03sXKikFt3-zrBzCVG2fVZlq/s320/67-365x274-702335.jpeg" /></a>The word ‘team,’ in business parlance, refers to two or more people getting together and pooling their complementary skills and ability to undertake a business, a job or a project. But a team will often have people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and skill sets, which may come in the way of harmony amongst them and consequently affect the work at hand. <div class="format_inner_text_single" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-integrate-teams/22746/attachment/67-9/" rel="attachment wp-att-22747" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-22747" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/67-365x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="67" width="365"></a>Similarly, in a unique situation such as a merger or in an organizational shuffle, there is the possibility of two teams with different cultures, processes and skill sets having to come together and integrate into one single team. Instances of team integration can be seen within and outside organizations. For example, payroll and finance can be combined into one department during tough times. Or design teams at two publishing houses can be merged when one takes over the other. Such an event will very rarely be all pretty and calm. But there are ways to negate the pain points of such activities and seize the best possible synergies from them. - Have a well-defined work flow The primary reason for integrating teams is to ensure there is minimum duplication and effective distribution of work. Before any integration takes place, it is very important to define the flow of work, roles and responsibilities and goals. It is also imperative to specify the means of communication between team members and ascertain the hierarchy for reporting. Merely having a well defined work flow is not enough—it is important to ensure that everyone follows it. - Match the structure An organizational structure spells out how work is carried out, how management operates, how the team members are chosen, what binds them together and how conflict is resolved. It is very important for teams to have a structure, which should ideally be in sync with the structure of the organization. A team structure helps in integration as it lays out the underpinnings to join together two or more teams. - Flow of information   From inventory management to forecasting—how everything works depends on how well the information flows. It is very important that all relevant information is freely and promptly shared with other teams that may find it useful. Clear lines of communication should be established and everyone in the team should know the right process. This can be through emails, intranet, reporting systems like SAP, phone calls and even face-to-meetings between various teams.  Informal meets are also a fantastic way to ensure enhanced cooperation between teams. It sparks conversation between them and helps generate new ideas. - Role of the leadersWhen it is the question of integrating a team, a leader is one of the most important cogs in the wheel. A leader is an individual who knows the working of the people under him and has his hands on the pulse of the team. It will be far easier for team leaders to work in tandem with each other to fulfill their goals. To successfully integrate teams, a leader has to lead and not merely manage. - Motivating individuals <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-integrate-teams/22746/attachment/103-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-22748" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-22748" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1031-94x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="103" width="94"></a>Sometimes an organization may be so focused in achieving the macro objective of team integration that it misses the micro picture of motivating individual team members. It is very important that the management identifies and addresses individual team members who are feeling sidelined and are in need of motivation. If there is discontent amongst individuals, integration between multiple teams can be a difficult process. - Calming the nerves  In the case of an acquisition, when it is complete, there can arise instances of animosity and stress between similar departments of the two companies. In such cases, it is important for the management to provide a clear vision of the larger integrated company and what that means for both the teams working there. It is also vital to address the fears of the employees of the company that has been acquired. It is necessary to conduct one-on-one meetings where the teams can meet, understand each other and get a clear picture about how the other works. This may be a good platform to discuss the work culture of the previous organization and the working style of the merged entity. </div>

How to integrate teams

The word ‘team,’ in business parlance, refers to two or more people getting together and pooling their complementary skills and ability to u...

10:13 am

How to name a product

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5qa4BMIwIBJrCxUt6t_mMo9c9Wdt6Wz6sPStbis7SDUTjz49DJ4pQSS2c5ETLH_fRx-eo53tUUBkp83V4w9zcJVRpgRoxu71L-ycvP8o1fIvuBR4nv868IjePjuii7KJjhAZgdfuf-hj/s1600/13-365x274-1-743839.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998115295440473154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5qa4BMIwIBJrCxUt6t_mMo9c9Wdt6Wz6sPStbis7SDUTjz49DJ4pQSS2c5ETLH_fRx-eo53tUUBkp83V4w9zcJVRpgRoxu71L-ycvP8o1fIvuBR4nv868IjePjuii7KJjhAZgdfuf-hj/s320/13-365x274-1-743839.jpeg" /></a>An astrologer, the head of the family, the family doctor—just few of the many people who probably had a say in how you must be named. As Indians, we know well that aspect of our culture, which lays a huge emphasis on the right name, be it for a movie, a child or even a business.   <div class="format_inner_text_single" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> When it comes to the product you make or sell in a competitive marketplace, you have to find a way to ensure that both existing and potential customers remember it—that there is a recall value. As the marketplace gets more and more crowded with more competitors entering your segment, how you name your product will have increased significance.  Here are a few things you need to think about while naming your product. - What are you trying to say? <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-name-a-product/23159/attachment/13-11/" rel="attachment wp-att-23161" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-23161" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/13-365x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="13" width="365"></a>The name of the product can be something that bears little resemblance to what the product is. Coca-Cola, for example, does not mean a dark colored sweetened drink. But still, you need to be clear about what you are trying to convey through the name of the product. An Indian genomics startup named its product GenomePatri. The term janampatri will be familiar to Hindi speakers, which translates to a horoscope or a dossier on what astrology says about your life. GenomePatri is a genomics product that tells you of the medical problems that may arise in your life. The founder of the company said that since the product was new in India, calling it GenomePatri worked for them as their customers got some kind of understanding of what the product does. Ram Gudipati of Brand Harvest, a branding solutions company, says “naming of products is a mix of creativity and logic. There has to be logic and some magic. The name should accentuate the attributes of the brand.” - Company & product So do you want that name of your company to be a part of the product name? Many customers of Kaya Skin Clinic may be unaware of the fact that it is a Marico brand, the same company that produces Parachute oil. But fans of Parle-G biscuits, the largest selling biscuit in the world, know that the name of the product is telling you the name of the maker. For flagship products, companies often choose to go the Parle way as it amalgamates and enforces the name of both the company and the product. If a customer likes such a product, other products of the company instantly get to enjoy a similar level of trust. However, if you are already established as a company and customers associate your company name with say, food products, then it may be a good idea to leave out the company name from the product name if you are venturing into a completely new product segment. Gudipati says that in the B2B space it makes sense to keep the name of the company along with the product. But that does not hold true for young B2C companies. “You have to analyze the size of the category in which you are launching the product. If it’s a large segment with many established players, you need to use a different strategy in naming your product,” he says.   <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-name-a-product/23159/attachment/54-8/" rel="attachment wp-att-23187" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-23187" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/54-88x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="54" width="88"></a>Gudipati also says that it becomes easier for companies to make some strategic decisions if they disassociate the name of the company and product. If one if trying to sell off a certain brand or a certain product line, it may be easier if one’s company name wasn’t attached to the product. - Making it memorable There is no denying that some names get stuck in your head faster than others. Brand building processes helmed by consultants and agencies can help your company towards this aim.    But it helps to be creative and understand what names seem to click with your target audience—especially when you can’t afford those consultants and agencies. Go a bit wild. You could always have a little fun and merge two terms together to come up with a fun name. Gudipati advises young companies to “find a name that sets the expectations. Also take into consideration if the name is easy on the tongue—customers shouldn’t be struggling to pronounce the name; how does the name appear when written on the product; how distinctive is it from other names in the category?” He suggests that companies can try vernacular names and ‘hinglish’ names suitable for the product if it meets the other considerations. - After you decide on a name Get the opinion of friends and family and a sample of customers before you launch the product under a specific name. Don’t forget to consult a trademark lawyer on whether or not you will be able to trademark the name of the product. Make sure that it doesn’t sound similar to the name of other companies or products or brands out in the market already. Check online. Don’t just restrict your search to India, especially if there is hope that you will be able to become an international company selling to customers outside India. Most importantly, if you know you are going to take your product to a certain market or geography, check about what the product name means in the local language. </div>

How to name a product

An astrologer, the head of the family, the family doctor—just few of the many people who probably had a say in how you must be named. As Ind...

10:10 am

How to deliver a perfect speech

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8vn_yhNA_Z-VVowDcIWg2lsW9J9bhg6FR7jTA0cQWa2YrkovjWiTGKa2LhGJ7zjwv4v1YSG40H-2yM7fnG0r8CDLU_JyDxr3dNhjHLq7_OR_y81bl8iOw5IK1zBXT__WyMiXXPvJfftM/s1600/9-365x274-754937.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998114482264030578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8vn_yhNA_Z-VVowDcIWg2lsW9J9bhg6FR7jTA0cQWa2YrkovjWiTGKa2LhGJ7zjwv4v1YSG40H-2yM7fnG0r8CDLU_JyDxr3dNhjHLq7_OR_y81bl8iOw5IK1zBXT__WyMiXXPvJfftM/s320/9-365x274-754937.jpeg" /></a>When Barack Obama used the slogan “Yes We can,” it catapulted his 2008 election campaign into another orbit. Similarly, Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” and Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Tryst with destiny” speeches rallied nations. These are examples of great speeches at different points in history that leaders used to great effect in rallying their followers. <div class="format_inner_text_single" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> For an entrepreneur and a successful leader‚ it is very important to communicate ideas and beliefs with conviction. Be it to your team member, investors or public at large, communicating orally and in an impressionable manner is vital. But how does someone become a good orator or deliver that perfect speech? - Be confident, humble <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-deliver-a-perfect-speech/23321/attachment/9-15/" rel="attachment wp-att-23322" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-23322" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/9-365x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="9" width="365"></a>A perfect speech is born out of confidence. For someone with a fire in his belly, giving a good speech should not be a problem. No one likes to listen to an individual who lacks self belief. It is very important to have the correct attitude and deliver a speech forcefully in a manner that demands credibility and respect. One should not confuse confidence with arrogance. A good speech is one which does not look to put down anyone or belittle anyone. Humility is a sign of magnanimity and a good speech is one that does not rattle on and on about one’s achievements at the cost of overlooking someone else. - Know your audience It is very important to know about your target audience. Every speech has an intended audience and it is very important to speak the language they understand. For example, talking about topline, bottomline, PE ratios with workmen in the shop floor would mean little and serve even less. Research you speech well, especially if it has facts and figures. Every technique of effective delivery of speech will fail if you mess up the data. A good speech will contain data that can create an impact and also something special to captivate the audience. - Be real and funny Audiences relate to real life imagery and anecdotes are a great way to drive home a point. Anecdotes create a sense of togetherness with your audience and helps people relate to a speech better. Metaphors and analogies also spice things up and are good additions to a speech.  Business speeches‚ in particular‚ can be boring. If your audience is bored and loses attention, you might as well stop your speech. Humor is an important tool in public speaking and can make the mood livelier. It also serves as a good method to break barriers. However, make sure your humor is not out of place. - Maintain eye contact <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-deliver-a-perfect-speech/23321/attachment/57-10/" rel="attachment wp-att-23323" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-23323" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/57-168x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="57" width="168"></a>It is common to experience anxiety when speaking in front of crowds or a large gathering. However, it is important to curb such fears in order to be able to deliver an effective speech. Rehearsing a speech is therefore important as it helps you to familiarize with what you are going to speak and keep tabs on any error. It also helps in  building confidence when you make the speech in front of an audience. It allows the speaker to test what works and what does not. Do not just read out of a piece of paper or a prompter in an effort to speed up your speech. It is very important to maintain eye contact with your audience. One has to address all sections of the audience and should not be selective looking at one section only, ignoring the others.   The general norm is that eye contact should be between 3-5 seconds. Make sure you do not stare at an individual! - Be engaging and correctA speech becomes more effective when the audience is involved. One way to involve the audience is to ask questions or move around where they are seated. Make plenty of eye contact and bring an element of fun in your speech. Visual elements like a power point presentation, clips and videos also help. Lastly, look the part. Sometimes, your appearance is everything and looking confident may do the trick. Before delivering the speech, take a few long and deep breaths. Your voice should have the right volume, pitch and articulation. It should be delivered loud enough for everyone to hear and coherent enough for everyone to understand it.  </div>

How to deliver a perfect speech

When Barack Obama used the slogan “Yes We can,” it catapulted his 2008 election campaign into another orbit. Similarly, Martin Luther King’s...

10:07 am

How to go from good to great

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKxlhIll8HgNtKeoxRJq6y2Z7NocxOXez8T6W1zsd-yoGwcosBxzOF6QY9R7yiKVBVdHf8wsGwXFmtgRKnWZAFwvvZV2rEdx9RguKwvExOa2l9IyUpZSOZhsa6DZHiBCy7ZemMpI13Kyg/s1600/13-365x274-752672.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998113183339453794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKxlhIll8HgNtKeoxRJq6y2Z7NocxOXez8T6W1zsd-yoGwcosBxzOF6QY9R7yiKVBVdHf8wsGwXFmtgRKnWZAFwvvZV2rEdx9RguKwvExOa2l9IyUpZSOZhsa6DZHiBCy7ZemMpI13Kyg/s320/13-365x274-752672.jpeg" /></a>If great minds think alike, it stands to reason that great people, no matter their field, have similar habits. In their book The Art of Doing: How Superachievers Do What T <div style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-go-from-good-to-great/23756/attachment/13-12/" rel="attachment wp-att-23757" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="219" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/13-365x274.jpg" style="padding:6px;margin:1px 6px 0px 0px;border:1px solid rgb(221,221,221);float:left;background-color:rgb(243,243,243);border-top-left-radius:3px;border-top-right-radius:3px;border-bottom-right-radius:3px;border-bottom-left-radius:3px" title="13" width="292"></a>hey Do and How They Do It So Well, Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield found several common qualities shared by über successful individuals. Try adopting some of them in your quest for greatness. Self-awareness and dedicationInstead of blaming a failure on external factors—the economy, the government, even the weather—those at the top of their game look inward to determine where their own assumptions and biases failed them. Not every inspired idea leads to success. Highly successful people are effective at shaping their lives around their inspirations, rather than the other way around. This dedication helps them remain true to their cause in times of difficulty. Testing, listening  Superachie<a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-go-from-good-to-great/23756/attachment/93-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-23758" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/93-174x274.jpg" style="padding:6px;margin:1px 6px 0px 0px;border:1px solid rgb(221,221,221);float:left;background-color:rgb(243,243,243);border-top-left-radius:3px;border-top-right-radius:3px;border-bottom-right-radius:3px;border-bottom-left-radius:3px" title="93" width="174"></a>vers know the value of using feedback or simulations to get empirical evidence about what they’re doing, as opposed to relying on gut instinct. This is important for company founders to trust their own capacity for success and for soliciting outside investors, too. Great people listen to others not only for validation or politeness, but also to learn. Listening is more than a nicety; the most successful among us know that nearly everyone has valuable wisdom to impart. Building a communityYou know when you ask yourself, “How did I get involved in this project/event/company?” Thank (or blame) a superachiever. They have an impressive ability to persuade others to join in their mission, creating a support system that helps further their achievements. </div>

How to go from good to great

If great minds think alike, it stands to reason that great people, no matter their field, have similar habits. In their book The Art of Do...

10:02 am

How to develop a time management strategy

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkaw7Yw2rzJmeyyxIqDsFnlVPRbvuiIFuDn6xrZgakE4MoUcjiuhLQOxou4VMAFaUoEZcFJ96e9xoTaHr3DQ2quOJfynetZ0_NKvpAx3dEBgWhUi5hoisxiup-84cSQiajl0YxYkMrQnh/s1600/111-365x274-775891.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998112854909638082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkaw7Yw2rzJmeyyxIqDsFnlVPRbvuiIFuDn6xrZgakE4MoUcjiuhLQOxou4VMAFaUoEZcFJ96e9xoTaHr3DQ2quOJfynetZ0_NKvpAx3dEBgWhUi5hoisxiup-84cSQiajl0YxYkMrQnh/s320/111-365x274-775891.jpeg" /></a>As an entrepreneur, chances are that on most days, you feel like that the day just flew by and you didn’t accomplish any of the things that you had set out to do. Fear not! This is a widespread affliction, if you can call it that, with entrepreneurs in India and abroad. However, there are some things you can do to make the best use of your time. When you use your time correctly, there will be time to pursue your hobbies, time for the family and time to take a break. <div class="format_inner_text_single" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;float:left;font-family:helvetica,arial,Tahoma,verdana,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;width:635px"> <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-develop-a-time-management-strategy/23583/attachment/11-16/" rel="attachment wp-att-23584" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-23584" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/111-365x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="11" width="365"></a>It’s true though that as the founder of a company, in the early days, you will not be able to afford a team big enough to handle different aspects of your business. You will have to divide your time efficiently to make allowances for a number of processes like managing sales, marketing, operations, etc. But multi-tasking doesn’t come naturally to many people. So how does one tackle this situation? Well for one, you could create a time management strategy for yourself. Get organizedThis article is definitely not the first time someone has suggested that you make yourself a to-do list. You have probably made and thrown an endless number of to-do lists in the trash can in your attempts to manage your time. But still, the first thing is to develop a time management strategy to ‘make a to-do list.’ Make to-do lists not only for the day, but also for things you are looking to accomplish in the week or in the year. Don’t use an app. Use pen and paper. And now put this up in a place where you will have to see it constantly. Maintain a calendar A calendar can help to give you clarity about your tasks. If you have a meeting at 2 PM and another at 5 PM on Wednesday and one at 10 AM on Saturday, put it on a calendar instead of trying to keep track of all of this in your head. The more often you mark down your appointments on a calendar, the more in control you will be. Plan for the unplanned In an ideal world, you would go from task A to task B to task C and get through every to-do list you ever made. But everything you thought wouldn’t happen, will, especially when you’re on a deadline. Account for the unplanned while setting time apart for each task. Make sure these things don’t throw you off your planned schedule completely. Identify the unproductive things <a href="http://entrepreneurindia.in/howto/how-to-develop-a-time-management-strategy/23583/attachment/90-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-23621" style="padding:0px;margin:0px;color:rgb(12,65,94);font-size:14px"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-23621" height="274" src="http://entrepreneurindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/901-205x274.jpg" style="padding: 6px; margin: 1px 6px 0px 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px;" title="90" width="205"></a>Social media is the best example for this one. We are not suggesting that you get off Facebook and Twitter! That would be unimaginable for a business in today’s times. But if you are spending considerable amounts of time on social media, ensure that it’s on your company’s social media pages, rather than on a friend’s album. Once you have identified such unproductive things, find a way to minimize them or schedule them. Beware though, unproductive activities can also be related to your business. Are you doing the same task over and over again? Effective planning and thinking about the task before you set out to do it can help you minimize that. Leverage technology There are a large number of apps that can help you with managing time and avoid wasting it. Try and use instant messaging as a way to communicate rather than long-drawn emails. Maintain notes on your smartphone and use apps like Evernote to archive and access the information you need more often. It works better than spending a long time going through old notes or emails pertaining to a particular meeting. Staying in check Sticking to a to-do list takes some work and effort. Create a system to check it yourself. In the middle of the day, have a relook at your progress and adjust the schedule for the rest of the day accordingly. Another thing you can do is assign this task to a friend or colleague or family member. Sticking to a hectic to-do list will require encouragement and you need to take the support of the people who can help you best with that.  </div>

How to develop a time management strategy

As an entrepreneur, chances are that on most days, you feel like that the day just flew by and you didn’t accomplish any of the things that ...

10:01 am

The ABCs of Business Cards

<div class="Dtitle" style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;outline:none;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><h1 style="margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none">Many people overlook the value of having a professional business card that accurately reflects your brand image, yet this small piece of paper can be an important part of your collateral package. It's often the first item prospects receive from you, so it's your first opportunity to make a strong, positive impression on them. </h1></div><div id="article" style="margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:5px 0px 20px;outline:none;line-height:21px;font-size:14px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> The preponderance of do-it-yourself online business-card printing companies is an interesting and somewhat troubling phenomenon. With limited exceptions, it's fairly easy to spot an inexpensively produced card. When you choose to "go cheap" on your business cards, what message does that send to those with whom you wish to do business? Are you really doing yourself any favors by missing out on the opportunity to start building a positive brand image right from the start? Cheaper isn't always better when it comes to first impressions. Give clients a great first impression with these tips and tactics: Design Tips Tip #1: Enlist the help of a professional designer unless you have the requisite skills to design your business card yourself. Ideally, this person's also tasked with designing your other collateral (letterhead, brochures, website, etc.), so it'll be intuitive to carry your brand image through from those pieces to your card. Tip #2: Keep it simple. Business cards are typically just 3.5" x 2" (except when they're not--see below), so you don't have too much space with which to work. Don't make your logo too large, don't make the type too small to be comfortably read, and don't be afraid to use white space. Tip #3: Keep to the standard business card size--unless you're the adventurous type. There are things you can do to a 3.5" x 2" card to differentiate yourself (e.g., rounded corners), but going with an unusual shape can be tricky. A round card, for instance, is quite memorable, but it certainly won't fit in standard business-card holder devices. You must be willing to trade convenience for memorability if you choose an unconventional shape or size. Content Tips Tip #4: Be deliberate in choosing the information to appear on your card. What's most important? Your name certainly needs to be there, along with the name of your company (via your logo), your phone number and your e-mail address. Space permitting, you can add your physical address, fax number, cell-phone number and company website address, if desired. Don't clutter things up too much--as with the design, simpler and cleaner is always better. Tip #5: Keep the back blank, or use it for non-critical information. How often will people see the back of your business card? Traditional card storage modes assume that side is blank. If you do wish to put copy on it, be sure the information is of a supplemental nature: e.g., your company's mission or tagline. While business cards should promote your brand identity, they shouldn't be confused with advertising. The Bottom Line Think about how you use other people's business cards when you make decisions regarding your own. Do you get frustrated when you can't quickly find the information you need? Or the type is too small to read? Or printed in a font that's hard to decipher? Do cheaply produced cards make you think less of the person or company represented? Does it take you a while to realize whose card it is, or what company that person works for? Don't make those same mistakes when designing your business card. Make sure it's a positive reflection of both you and your company, and it mirrors your well-defined brand identity. </div>

The ABCs of Business Cards

M any people overlook the value of having a professional business card that accurately reflects your brand image, yet this small piece of pa...

9:47 am

Five Steps for Getting Your Business Up and Running

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2-gfmhkU0tQs1U0Jcu6Zgs1JCLolL0lhMhXDVOPLiy-slwH1xESpX9tFaf03ZVXIuh28Xv9AKtOOI_U1H0nyci9Y4_AaR9ydTXXERJnjX3c2gwI6r8OXNDgaP_a_8Qg1Sc9bDirRJmIL/s1600/ready-set-launch-747129.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5998095981169807986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2-gfmhkU0tQs1U0Jcu6Zgs1JCLolL0lhMhXDVOPLiy-slwH1xESpX9tFaf03ZVXIuh28Xv9AKtOOI_U1H0nyci9Y4_AaR9ydTXXERJnjX3c2gwI6r8OXNDgaP_a_8Qg1Sc9bDirRJmIL/s320/ready-set-launch-747129.jpeg" /></a><div class="Dtitle" style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;outline:none;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium"><h1 style="margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;font-size:20px!important">If you're reading this, it means you're interested about <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizstartups/index.html" style="font-size:14px;line-height:21px;margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;color:rgb(54,89,119)">starting a business</a>. Now it's time to focus your entrepreneurial spirit using the following five steps. </h1></div><div id="article" style="margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:5px 0px 20px;outline:none;line-height:21px;font-size:14px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> 1. Look for that "aha" moment Sometimes the inspiration for business ventures comes from what's around you--or from what isn't. Take Entrepreneurmagazine's home base of Irvine, Calif. The lack of fast-food restaurants in the business area meant treks across town for lunch, prompting two young men to ponder, "Wouldn't it be great if we could get some good food delivered?" Rather than waiting for someone else to capitalize on the idea, they purchased one of Entrepreneur's business startup guides and launched a restaurant delivery business. So far, it's served more than 15 million people. Netflix provides a similar example. After founder and CEO Reed Hastings got charged $40 for returning a rental movie late, he didn't get mad; he got inspired. That $40 led to a billion-dollar online DVD rental business. The lesson? Everybody kvetches about what's missing in their corner of the world, but only a select few--the entrepreneurs--do something about it. It may be cliché, but it's true: Where there are problems, there are opportunities. 2. Plan ahead You've got the inspiration. Do you really need a business plan? Plenty of people argue yes. One is Sean Hackney, who co-founded Roaring Lion Energy Drink in Sun Valley, Calif., and grew it from a $62,000 investment to the No. 2 energy drink in bars and nightclubs. Hackney says <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessplan/" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;color:rgb(54,89,119)">writing a business plan</a> was "absolutely" worthwhile: "I had a lot of stuff in my head that needed [to be] put on paper." Entrepreneurship professor William B. Gartner of Clemson University in South Carolina analyzed data from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, a national survey of more than 800 people in the process of starting businesses. He found that writing a plan greatly increased the chances a person would actually go into business. "You're two and a half times more likely to get into business," Gartner says. "People who write business plans also do more stuff." That stuff includes researching markets and preparing projections, which is valuable in itself, and also increases the chances that an entrepreneur will follow through. And if you want to get funding from banks, VCs or government agencies, a business plan often is required. But more isn't always better. Aim for 20 to 40 pages."The shorter, the better," says William Bygrave, a professor emeritus at Babson College in Babson Park, Mass., and longtime entrepreneurship researcher. "And don't have any numbers you can't explain instantaneously." 3. Value your business Unless your startup funds are coming out of your own pocket, someone will have to value your business. Be prepared for a reality check: If investors say your startup is worth $1 million, then that's what it's worth. You might think it's worth more and be able to back that up by pointing to, say, $2 million in liquid assets. But unless investors agree, you'll have to live with their valuation. That's one example of how sometimes valuing a business is like pricing a home. Here's another: comps. Use sites such as BizBuySell and BizQuest to determine what similar companies in your industry and geography are worth. Other potential sources are accountants and lawyers who specialize in your industry and geography. 4. Find the right location Here's another similarity with real estate: Location equals money. "In the brick-and-mortar retail world, it's said that the three most important decisions [you'll make] are location, location and location," says Irene Dickey, a lecturer in management and marketing at the University of Dayton's School of Business Administration in Dayton, Ohio. "Careful determination of new sites is critical for most retail and consumer service businesses." For example, look at neighborhood traffic generators, such as other retailers that draw people to the area, industrial or office parks, schools, colleges and hospital complexes. (Or lack thereof, as in the case of the Irvine restaurant delivery business.) Consider both highway and foot traffic if most of your customers will be coming in that way as opposed to, say, the Internet. While you're at it, look for competitors. "Quite simply, the best place to be is as close to your biggest competitor as you can be," says Greg Kahn, founder and CEO of Kahn Research Group in Huntersville, N.C., and a behavioral research veteran who's done location research for Arby's, Buffets Inc., Home Depot, Subway and other major and minor players. "By being in close proximity to your competitors, you can benefit from their marketing efforts." 5. Find your first customers Your first customers are key--and not just because they're turning on the revenue spigot. They also legitimize your idea, demonstrating that there actually is a market for your products and services. They're also a source of valuable feedback that will help improve your business so more customers keep coming in. Don't overlook the opportunity to ask if you can turn some of the positive feedback into testimonials. Where do you find your first customers? The answer varies somewhat based on your industry, but one common strategy is to leverage your personal and professional contacts--and their contacts. Those could include former employers, employees and customers, contacts within your civic activities, such as Rotary or Kiwanis, and tradespeople and professionals, anyone from your dentist to your plumber. Consider sending each one a personal letter, then follow up with a phone call a week to 10 days later. In this letter, announce your new business and offer something, such as a free consultation or a special discount, or even a finder's fee for any referrals they send your way. </div>

Five Steps for Getting Your Business Up and Running

If you're reading this, it means you're interested about starting a business . Now it's time to focus your entrepreneurial spi...

8:55 am