CAPITAL IDEAS
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER 20: A N A LY T I C S F O R BREAKFAST Learn how analytics can be used to improve your business. ■■ Where: Spieker Point Inc (4423 - 97 Street N.W.) ■■ When: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ■■ Admission: :$25. Details at spiekerpoint.com
COMMUNITY QUESTION
HOW DO YOU GRAB ATTENTION AND STAND OUT IN THE CROWD? Entrepreneurs share ways they reach new clients and customers
“Say what people are thinking in a way that is tactful and purposeful. Transparency in marketing is key and the more see-through your business focus is, the better off you will be.”
DECEMBER 7: ARE YOU READY FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP? An interactive workshop in which you will be introduced to the life of an entrepreneur. ■■ Where: AWE head office (10310 Jasper Ave. N.W.) ■■ When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m ■■ Admission: $39. Details at awebusiness.com/calendar
Jennifer Kennedy, broker and owner at Kennedy Real Esatate, kennedyrealestate.ca
“I keep engaged in my community at all times. Being in all the places, all the time is what provides incredible momentum behind my business, because I’m out connecting with potential customers and collaborators on a daily basis.”
Janis Galloway, agency director at Publicity Room, publicityroom.com
“Standing out means avoiding the marketing and messaging traps like quick-fixes and easy solutions. It’s important to give your personal voice to your business and to let your voice be contributing to your market’s community. This is what I’ve found works for me – highquality, high-integrity information and services regularly and generously offered through online articles, social media, and public speaking.”
For more great events, visit capitalideasedmonton.com/ edmontonevents.
Lauren Sergy, owner of Up Front Communication, laurensergy.com
C A P I TA L QUESTION
“In an industry as saturated as video production has become, I try to let the quality of my work speak for itself. Our industry is not regulated, so anyone with a camera and a computer can start shooting and editing video. But just having the equipment does not the artist make! I think experience and knowledge go a long way when it comes to producing a great product and setting yourself apart from the rest.”
How do you build a team to last?
Mark Remple, president of Point of View Media Video Production, pointofviewmedia.com
“For me, the best way to stand out in a crowd is that personal connection that I make with someone. When I’m asked what I do, I can sum it up in one sentence. That’s my elevator pitch. I say it in a good, strong clear voice and I’m excited about my company. And network, network, network. I go to events, openings, and I go for coffee a lot! The coffee I have today with someone might turn into a coaching session or a workshop some time in the future.” Alyson Connolly, voice and public speaking coach at Alyson Connolly, alysonconnolly.com
The challenges an entrepreneur building their team faces can be many; finding people with the right skills and traits for the work, weighing someone’s skills against their fit for workplace culture, hiring people who make the workplace fun and productive. This has Wellington Holbrook, executive vice-president of ATB Business, interested to hear your advice: How do you build a team to last? You can answer the question in two ways: Open today’s Capital Ideas email if you’re a member or visit capitalideasedmonton.com. We’ll publish the best answers, along with your business name and website address, on November 25.
“I am a believer in building relationships. Networking, in person, is key to my success. I am able to connect, get to know someone, and leave an impression. In my opinion, no other marketing can match the impact human connection can achieve.”
Kris Kasawski, principal and founder of Park Power (parkpower.ca) believes that certainty is key in getting attention. “Standing out in the crowd requires confidence in yourself and your brand. If you want you and your brand to get noticed in our busy world you have to be willing to differentiate yourself from your competitors.” P H O TO S U P P L I E D BY: TE R ES A BOLI NS KI
Pamella Heikel, soul guide at ELLASAID, ellasaid.ca
“What I have found that works the best are referrals. I find that referrals close at a higher rate as the client finds it easier to develop a more trusting relationship with me.”
( TB O L I NS K I P H O TO G R A P H Y.COM )
Ameet Khabra, digital marketer at Ameet Khabra, ameetkhabra.marketing
These answers are in response to a question from Crystal Puim, owner and lead photographer at Crystal Puim Photography (crystalphotos.ca). Here’s what she has to say about standing out: “We are relentless about posting our work online with the name of the client. This way people not only see what we can do but it also shows who trusts us with their branding and image and it helps our clients get more social media exposure. It’s a win-win!” If you have a question to ask of other business owners for their advice and experience you can do so at capitalideasedmonton.com/ask
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R O U N D U P : R E C E N T P O S T S F R O M C A P I TA L I D E A S M E M B E R S Find the full posts on these members’ LinkedIn profiles. We’ll curate a selection every Friday in our LinkedIn group, Capital Ideas Alberta. To bring yours to our attention, email it to hello@capitalideasedmonton.com or post to LinkedIn with the hashtag #capitalideas.
From “Keeping that level head” by Kevin MacDonald, CEO of L6S Business Consulting Inc. ( l6sbc.ca):
“Entrepreneurs do not come from a certain background. There are entrepreneurs who have a background in accounting, marketing, or even ditch digging! Successful entrepreneurs do have a common trait that is often overlooked. They are able to keep level headed.”
From “How to turn a temporary job into a full-time position” by Joanne Blake, president of Style for Success” (styleforsuccess.com):
“In this tight job market almost anyone can be offered temporary work. Many companies are using temporary staffing at all levels to get them through the downturn.”
From “Why ‘sitting on the fence’ is a critical business strategy” by Leanne Brownoff, business coach at Leanne Brownoff Consulting ( leannebrownoff.com):
“I firmly believe that ‘sitting on the fence’ is a critical step for evaluating information that will impact the future. I challenge the idiom that sitting on the fence means ‘no action’.”
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