WORKSHOP PITCHES SIMPLE, CLEAR MESSAGE
PAULA Stevenson knows a successful business pitch is all in the delivery.
The Gold Coast woman’s business Patient Safety I Love You is close to her heart, dedicated to her baby daughter who died in a UK hospital which later admitted its negligence.
Ms Stevenson attended the business workshop Shut Up and Take My Money yesterday which is part of Gold Coast Business Week with a particular goal in mind.
Her aim was learn how to sell the benefits of her business, although borne of a harrowing experience, in a clear, concise and dispassionate manner.
“When I talk, people are either running out the door or running towards me,” she said. “I want to learn to tell my story without scaring them.
“My little girl died. I got them (the hospital) to admit neglect.
“I started campaigning for rapid response teams in England.
“When you lose your child, you lose your future. And a passion is suffering, so you’ve got to turn your suffering into a passion.”
Session host and Gold Coast Innovation Hub regional co-ordinator Ksenia Demidova says everyone is a salesperson, whether they realise it or not.
“Sales is something we do daily. Every business sells something, either sell a product or an idea,” she said.
“You sell yourself every day, when you want to get across an idea, when you’re talking to your children to make them do something.”
Ms Demidova offered simple pieces of advice to help increase customer base.
“Don’t take it personally when you’re rejected,” she said.
“Track everything – data doesn’t lie.
“Who is your customer? What do they do? What keeps them up at night?
“And keep it short and simple. Get your message across quickly and simply.”