It is with great pride that I am writing these few lines to share with you my joy as IABC/Montréal was rewarded for its work and nominated Chapter of the Year at the IABC Leadership Institute.
The journey started in St-John’s Newfoundland in the fall of 2007 with two crasy fellows who believed they could do it and we did!
Yvonne we did it! Revenge is better served cold. N’est pas?
RLC
When I started this blog I intended it to provide with opportunities for business development through networking activities, but of course some selling techniques are always very much appreciated by all.
Here are some brilliant principles put together by Jill Konrath, a leading sales strategist I recently met through LinkedIn. There is no need for me to elaborate on it, as they are clearly well identified:
(1) To win more sales, stop selling
When people feel like they’re being sold, they react negatively and put up barriers. Focus on helping your prospects achieve their business, professional and personal objectives – not making a sale.
(2) To speed up your sales cycle, slow down
The more quickly you push to a close, the higher resistance you encounter. Go one step at a time. When your prospects know you want to help them make the right decision, not a rash one, the process moves faster.
(3) To make decisions easier, offer fewer options
When you increase the complexity of the decision, you decrease the likelihood of winning the sale. To help your prospects move forward, give them less to choose from. Keep it simple – always.
(4) To be more natural, prepare like crazy
Today’s customers suffer no fools. If you’re not ready with the right message, questions or presentation, you’ll stumble or be stilted in your meeting. When you do prepare, you can be your best self.
(5) To get bigger contracts, start smaller
When you pursue the “whole shebang”, decisions are more complex and costly, making it much tougher to get approval. Reduce the risk by starting small and proving your capabilities. Then, it’s easy to grow.
(6) To speed up your learning curve, fail fast
It’s inevitable that you’ll make mistakes. So don’t wait till you’ve figured out the “perfect pitch” before moving forward. In sales, there is no failure – just lots of opportunities for experimentation, learning and growth.
(7) To differentiate your offering, become the differentiator
That’s the biggest reality in today’s market. Your products, services or solution are secondary to your knowledge, expertise and the difference you make for your customers. Invest time in yourself.
If you’ve identified among any of these principles a current experience or challenge you are trying to overcome to close that sale, you can visit her blog and get more insightful tips at SELLING TO BIG COMPANIES (Blog). The book is also available on Amazon.com
Yesterday evening, I had the privilege to attend the inauguration Gala of the Quebec Latin-American Board of Trade. It was a special moment to be part of as Latin-American professional living in Quebec for 25 years and to witness the evolution of our community.
First, I would like to congratulate its past President, Ms. Leidy Ojeda and her team for their enormous efforts to make this evening possible and give a voice to young professionals living in Quebec whose roots are from the Americas. Our gratitude to the sponsors who believed in the association and immediately join in the celebration with a valuable contribution, such as the Scotia Bank, Molson Coors and Fonds de solidarité de la FTQ (a complete list is available at CCLAQ’s website).
CCLAQ’s Gala turned out to be a happening as many public personalities attended the event, past Prime Minister of Québec M. Bernard Landry honoured us with his presence but mostly with a warm and friendly speech as he’s always been a firm believer of international relations between La Belle Province and Latin America. As Montreal prepares for municipal elections, delegates from Vision Montreal were present at the event, as well as delegates of the City of Montreal representing Monsieur Gerald Tremblay. This was an opportunity for many diplomatic delegates to show support to their community and they did. The Ambassador of Mexico and Columbia were among guests. Even the Federal Government designated a representative to attend and give us a glance of many projects on the pipeline towards international relations between Canada and Latin America. All in all, a moment that mark the beging of a brighter future for the generation of young professional and entrepreneurs whose origins may vary from La Tierra de Fuego in the South to Mexico in the North, who live in Quebec and aim to be part of a future of great business opportunities.
Last but not least, I salute the beginning of a new era for the Quebec Latin America Board of Trade with the arrival of Mrs. Marcela Diaz as President. She will take on new and promising challenges that the association will be setting and heading to succeed.
Marcela Diaz, President of CCLAQ 2009-2011
And on a personal note, I must confess that I am proud to witness, but mostly to be part of these changes as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Association.
Webcom Montreal: Mastering The Web In The 2.0 Era
Shared via AddThis
For its 7th edition, webcom Montreal has me trilled to attend and hear one of my favorite speaker (if not my favorite), none other than Shel Holtz, ABC. Mr Holtz is one of the voices of ”For Immediate Release” a weekly podcast for professional communicators. I strongly recommend to any communication professional who wants to keep up with the trends of our industry should hurry and subscribe to FIR Podcast Feed.
Finnally, if you are an IABC member and you’d like to attend this conference take advantage of IABC/Montréal’s partenership and benefit of 15% discount.
Get a glance of previous conference on my favorite Happenings Video Collection in this Blog sponsored by Vod Pod.
See you there!
RLC
It always seems to me as September arrives, it also announces the beginning of a new season. We rush to complete projects that were on the pipeline before the year ends, which in my field of expertise it means the fun has just begun: networking cocktails, new opportunities for business development, projects that require total implication for its success, and then… More celebrations!
In the upcoming week many projects are ahead: photo assignments, press conferences, B-Roll transmission, pitch for video production following an RFP, client meetings in Quebec City and most likely a networking event.
You’d probably wonder how all these is possible? Well, it is when you have the help of a reliable team of experts, and I do. Never in past experiences was I able to delegate but now I can. Kudos to the CNW Group Broadcast Team!
IABC/Montréal Labs – New Season starts!
Following last winter’s success, IABC/Montréal presents another series of Labs, intense workshops on relevant communication themes. Limited to 12 participants per session, the Labs are designed to ensure in-depth treatment of topical issues.
Don’t miss the next session, titled “Build an Effective Intranet Strategy (Web 2.0)” featuring Claude Malaison and scheduled for September 22nd 2009. You can also visit his blog at http://emergenceweb.com/blog/.
Shared via AddThis
As the Executive Vice President of IABC/Montréal, I am very proud of our September 16th half-day event and invite those interested and available to take the opportunity to come to hear top international communication gurus present to our members and friends at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
It is the first time our chapter has put together an event of this international calibre. We’ve gathered an amazing “brochette” of communicators , presenting one after the other, on topics “à la saveur du jour” or of current interest to professionals in the communication industry.
To get full details of the schedule visit IABC/Montréal. An early bird promo is available before 1 September, so take advantage!
Complete biographies of speakers are also available.
Jacqui d’Eon, P. Eng., ABC, MC, CMC
What a way to continue our 35th Anniversary celebration! The official cocktail party will be held next week at Koko Bar (Opus Hotel), members are welcome free of charge, non-members $25. RSVP to Rodrigo by email to rlcommunication@gmail.
RLC
After eating half of a box of ice cream, trying to forget that once again, the aging process is taking its toe, I decided to congratulate the Marketing team behind Amy Winehouse promotional campaigns for sending me her birthday wishes:
” Many happy returns on your birthday day!
Hope you get a cake and lots of presents.
www.amywinehouse.com”
Even thought this seems impossible to ever happen (Amy writing me a birthday note) I must command these guys, as it is the first time I’d been gladly surprised.
Vive la technologie! Et félicitations à ceux et celle qui savent s’en servir! / Congratulations to those who are so clever and use technology smartly!
Thank you Amy!
RLC
Posted using ShareThis
Last night it was my privilege to introduce three of the finest speakers in the Montreal Social Media Scene.
I invite you to check out the presentation Cloudvertising at Third Tuesday by Chris Moore.
Following by a short introduction by Isolde Legaré and myself, the following topics will be presented by dynamic speakers, as well as huge influencers in the Social Media arena.
CT Moore
Topic: Cloudvertising: How Digital Advertising Will Evolve
Julien Smith
Topic: Trust
Sylvain Grand’Maison
Topic: This is not social media
Tonight’s concept is quite special. A great ambiance will be set by DJ N.U. starting at 5 pm, the terrace is opened and door prizes will be given away.
Don’t miss it! Come meet us at Dayligth Factory on St-Alexandre St. between Viger St. and De la Gauchetière.
This blog has the purpose of sharing opportunities for business and professional experience by those interested within the fields of communications, public relations, investor relations, marketing, social media, networking and business development.
Social Media Releases