The Business Development Podcast

In Episode 99 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy expresses gratitude to the listeners for their unwavering support throughout the journey. With a sense of disbelief at reaching this milestone, Kennedy acknowledges the encouragement received from the audience and emphasizes the impact of the show on their lives. Reflecting on the remarkable growth of the podcast, Kennedy credits the listeners for the show's success and teases an exciting upcoming 100th episode. Additionally, he highlights the significance of human touch in business, despite the advancements in technology, and concludes the episode with a list of shoutouts to individuals who have contributed to the show's progress.

Episode 99 of The Business Development Podcast is a testament to the show's journey and the profound impact it has had on its audience. Host Kelly Kennedy expresses deep appreciation for the listeners and acknowledges their role in the podcast's success. With a focus on the human element in business, Kennedy emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology while maintaining a personal touch. As the episode draws to a close, Kennedy looks forward to the future of the podcast, promising more engaging content and inviting the audience to join in the continued growth of the show.

Key Takeaways:

1. Technology provides new tools to utilize and learn in 2024.
2. It is important to remember that technology is not a replacement for a human touch.
3. Embracing new technology can enhance business development strategies.
4. Technology can play a significant role in navigating business development in the current landscape.
5. Utilizing technology effectively can contribute to the growth and success of a business.
6. Linkedin, Phone, Email & CRM are still the most effective business development tools.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

In Episode 98 of The Business Development Podcast, CEO of atWork Office Furniture, Rodney Lover, discusses the importance of setting and reflecting on goals. He emphasizes the value of writing down both big and small goals, as well as documenting wins throughout the year to maintain a positive focus. The conversation also delves into the significance of gratitude and celebrating achievements, highlighting the need to balance ambition with appreciation for current accomplishments. Additionally, the episode touches on the evolution of business development and the willingness to embrace change and new ideas, showcasing Rodney's openness to growth and adaptation in the industry.

Throughout the episode, Rodney and host Kelly Kennedy reflect on the challenges and opportunities in business development, drawing from their experiences to emphasize the necessity of pushing oneself into uncomfortable corners to achieve growth. They discuss the evolution of their roles and the need to adapt mindsets to navigate the changing landscape of business development. The episode also highlights Rodney's background in sales and marketing, underscoring the importance of being open to learning from others, regardless of their experience level. Overall, Episode 98 provides valuable insights into goal setting, gratitude, and the continuous evolution of business development, as shared by Rodney Lover and Kelly Kennedy.

Key Takeaways:

1. Set clear goals for the year, both big and small, and write them down.
2. Document and celebrate the wins, no matter how small, throughout the year.
3. Practice gratitude regularly and acknowledge the blessings in life.
4. Recognize the importance of outside funding and support for growth and development.
5. Embrace discomfort and challenges as opportunities for growth and evolution.
6. Be open to new ideas and outside opinions, regardless of your experience or background.
7. Adapt and evolve with the changing industry and business landscape.
8. Recognize the value of pushing oneself into uncomfortable corners to achieve growth.
9. Emphasize the importance of mindset change for personal and professional development.
10. Acknowledge that valuable change often comes through challenges and difficult times.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

In Episode 97 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly expresses his gratitude to Dan Balaban, CEO and executive chair at Greengate Power, for sharing insights into large-scale renewable solar wind projects. Kennedy discusses the value of maximizing travel time by listening to audiobooks, drawing from his own experience of extensive driving for business meetings. He emphasizes the importance of staying committed to finishing audiobooks within a reasonable time frame and advises against listening while going to bed to ensure retention of content. Kennedy recommends using opportunities like snow shoveling and yard work to listen to audiobooks and highlights the benefits of Audible subscriptions for accessing a wide range of books with favorable narrators.

In addition, Episode 97 provides practical tips for success in audiobook consumption, such as promptly returning books with unfavorable narrators and making use of Audible's subscription benefits. Kennedy's insights cater to business professionals and executives who seek to optimize their time and knowledge acquisition through audiobooks, reflecting his own journey of transitioning from limited traditional book reading to embracing audiobooks as a valuable learning tool. The episode underscores the significance of leveraging audiobooks for personal and professional development, aligning with Kennedy's commitment to providing actionable strategies for business growth and success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Stay committed to finishing audiobooks in a reasonable time to retain the information effectively.
2. Avoid listening to audiobooks while going to bed to ensure better retention of the content.
3. Utilize opportunities like snow shoveling, yard work, and other mindless tasks to listen to audiobooks effectively.
4. Consider using Audible for audiobook subscriptions, as it is a valuable investment for audiobook needs.
5. If the narrator's voice is not suitable, consider returning the audiobook to ensure a better listening experience.
6. Maximize travel time by listening to audiobooks during long drives or commutes.
7. Take advantage of Audible's credit system to access books at a discounted price.
8. Prioritize finishing audiobooks within a week or two to keep the information fresh and cohesive.
9. Consider audiobooks as a valuable resource for learning and personal development, especially for individuals with busy schedules.
10. Embrace audiobooks as a means to gain knowledge and insights while engaging in daily activities.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

In Episode 96 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy interviews Dan Balaban, the Executive Chair and CEO of Greengate Power. Dan shares his entrepreneurial journey, from writing a million lines of code in his one-bedroom apartment to successfully launching Greengate. He discusses the company's vision to prove the viability of large-scale renewables in Canada, particularly in Alberta, and the challenges and successes they encountered along the way. Despite being a relatively small team of around 12 executives, Greengate has managed to lead the development of over $2 billion worth of projects, showcasing their efficient use of resources and strategic partnerships.

Throughout the episode, Dan and Kelly delve into the growth of the renewable energy industry in Alberta, the unique opportunities and challenges it presents, and the need for other provinces to step up in the green energy sector. Dan also emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurs taking care of themselves and finding balance amidst the challenges of building and sustaining a successful business. The episode concludes with Kelly's well wishes for an amazing 2024.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace renewable energy resources and explore opportunities in wind and solar energy.
2. Consider entering deregulated power generation markets to allow for commercial innovation.
3. Navigate through regulatory hurdles and find buyers for power to justify the economics of renewable energy projects.
4. Encourage other provinces to step up their efforts in renewable energy development.
5. Ensure that the entrepreneurial journey is sustainable by taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally.
6. Start small and grow steadily, leveraging third-party consultants and advisors to manage project development.
7. Stay consistent with the initial vision of the company and be proud of the accomplishments achieved.
8. Focus on proving the viability of large-scale renewables in the market.
9. Build a strong team of hardworking individuals who can wear many hats and work with great partners to share the workload.
10. Keep an eye on industry trends and technological advancements to identify new project opportunities, such as the decreasing costs of solar energy.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

Episode 95 of The Business Development Podcast, hosted by Kelly Kennedy, is centered around the theme of positivity. In this episode, Kennedy expresses his gratitude to the listeners, sponsors, and expert guests who have supported the show's journey thus far. He highlights the importance of positivity in personal and professional growth, emphasizing that adopting a positive mindset can lead to transformative changes in one's life. Kennedy also shares his own experience of initially doubting his ability to become a podcaster but overcoming those doubts through consistency, dedication, and a commitment to personal growth. He encourages listeners to believe in themselves and take leaps in pursuing their passions and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Throughout the episode, Kennedy reflects on the podcast's achievements, including its best month and week ever in December. He emphasizes that the success of the show and the personal growth of its audience would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the listeners. Kennedy expresses his determination to continue releasing two episodes per week in 2024, and he invites listeners to join him on the journey of personal and professional development. With an upcoming milestone of the 100th episode, Kennedy promises to deliver content that educates, inspires, and encourages listeners to achieve great things. Ultimately, Episode 95 serves as a reminder of the power of positivity and the potential for growth and success when one embraces a positive mindset.

Key Takeaways:

1. Positivity is critical in business development and entrepreneurship.
2. Having a positive mindset can help you overcome challenges and move forward.
3. Positivity can be learned and ingrained into your subconscious.
4. Believing in yourself is essential for personal and business growth.
5. Positivity can bring success and open doors for business relationships.
6. Being positive and optimistic can change your life.
7. Positivity is contagious and can inspire others.
8. It is important to look for the good in things and be grateful.
9. Positivity can be a natural way of living for some people.
10. Positivity is a mindset that can be developed, even in the face of rejection and setbacks.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

In Episode 94 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy interviews Ben Spangl, a renowned mindset and performance coach, entrepreneur, podcaster, and professional speaker. As they celebrate the new year in 2024, Ben shares his personal journey and the commitment it takes to host a podcast, highlighting the dedication and effort involved. He reflects on his initial hesitation to start a podcast and how personal development played a crucial role in his life. Ben's insights and experiences have propelled The Pursuit, his podcast, into the top 1 percent of all podcasts globally. This inspiring episode provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs and business development professionals looking to grow their businesses.

In this special new year's episode, Kelly Kennedy interviews Ben Spangl, a respected mindset and performance coach, entrepreneur, podcaster, and professional speaker. They delve into the topic of starting a podcast and the commitment it requires. Ben shares his own experience with podcasting, remarking on the dedication and effort it takes to maintain a successful show. He emphasizes the importance of personal development in his journey and how it has shaped his life. As a top-ranked podcast globally, Ben's insights and wisdom offer valuable advice to entrepreneurs and business development professionals. Listeners are inspired to think ahead and make the necessary commitment and effort to achieve their goals in the new year.

Key Takeaways:

1. Personal development is crucial for success and happiness.
2. Starting a podcast requires dedication and effort.
3. Financial success does not necessarily bring happiness.
4. The journey to success may be challenging and require sacrifices.
5. Being in business development requires commitment and hard work.
6. It's important to think ahead and plan for the future.
7. Money is not the sole measure of success.
8. It's important to follow one's passion and not conform to societal expectations.
9. Personal experiences and upbringing can shape one's career choices.
10. Networking and connecting with other entrepreneurs and podcasters is valuable for personal and professional growth.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

Episode 93 of The Business Development Podcast, hosted by Kelly Kennedy, focused on setting business development resolutions for the year 2024. Kennedy expressed his gratitude to the listeners and reiterated his commitment to continue providing valuable content throughout the upcoming year. He emphasized the importance of implementing CRM systems and encouraged those who hadn't done so to catch up by listening to previous episodes on CRMs. Kennedy also highlighted the significance of regularly reevaluating target lists and marketing materials to ensure they accurately reflect the organization's goals and reflect the current state of the company. He provided practical advice on reaching out to potential clients and emphasized the need for commitment and consistency in business development efforts.

In addition, Kennedy discussed the concept of meeting calculation in the episode. He stressed the need to prioritize target lists, categorizing them by location, industry, and sub-industry, to ensure efficient and effective business development. Kennedy shared that a maximum of 60 organizations should be included in the weekly follow-up stage for those conducting business development five days a week. He emphasized the importance of making phone calls when necessary to establish contact and build meaningful relationships. Overall, the episode provided insights and strategies to achieve business growth goals in the year 2024.

Key Takeaways:

1. Set specific goals for business growth and develop strategies to achieve them.
2. Regularly evaluate and reevaluate partnerships with other companies to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
3. Commit to continuous learning and improvement in business development practices.
4. Reevaluate marketing materials to ensure they accurately represent the organization and resonate with the target audience.
5. Make a commitment to yourself and hold yourself accountable to achieve your goals.
6. Utilize CRM systems effectively to manage customer relationships and track business development efforts.
7. Separate target lists by location, industry, and sub-industry to prioritize and focus efforts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

In Episode 92 of The Business Development Podcast with Kelly Kennedy and Tash Jefferies, the focus is on accelerator programs and their importance in the startup ecosystem. Tash Jefferies, an experienced mentor in accelerator programs, shares her journey and passion for helping founders through these programs. She discusses the various aspects and benefits of accelerator programs, including mentorship, fundraising, and acquiring customers. Tash emphasizes the need for creativity in running experiments and coming up with ideas that will move the needle for startups. Overall, the episode highlights the value of accelerator programs in providing founders with the necessary tools and support to succeed in their businesses.

In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy is joined by Tash Jefferies, an expert in accelerator programs. Tash shares her personal experience and the importance of mentorship in these programs. They delve into the details of accelerator programs, including investor readiness, managing data rooms, and cap tables. Tash also emphasizes the significance of creativity and experimentation in running successful startups. The episode highlights the value of accelerator programs in providing founders with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support to grow their businesses.

Key Takeaways:

1. Accelerator programs are beneficial for startup founders in helping them acquire customers and receive funding.
2. Mentorship is a valuable aspect of accelerator programs and can greatly impact a founder's success.
3. The role of a mentor in an accelerator program involves providing guidance and support to founders in various areas such as sales, marketing, HR, operations, and fundraising.
4. A mentor's experience and expertise in running experiments, acquiring customers, and managing business operations are crucial for founders' growth.
5. The success of a startup in an accelerator program is measured by its ability to attract investors and generate revenue.
6. Resilience and openness to growth are important qualities for founders participating in accelerator programs.
7. A key focus in an accelerator program is identifying and implementing strategies that will have a significant impact on a startup's growth.
8. Creativity plays a vital role in coming up with ideas and experiments to acquire more customers and increase revenue.
9. Accelerator programs provide founders with a toolkit of skills and knowledge that can be applied to future ventures.
10. Building a strong network of connections and maintaining relationships with fellow founders and mentors is valuable for ongoing support and collaboration in the startup ecosystem.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

In episode 91 of The Business Development Podcast, host Kelly Kennedy addresses community questions and provides valuable insight on various topics. He emphasizes the importance of speaking to the challenges faced by clients and the value that businesses can provide to solve those challenges. Kelly encourages listeners to consistently implement and stick to business development processes to improve their skills. He also announces that the podcast has been submitted for the Webby Awards and asks for support from the community. Overall, the episode offers practical advice and highlights the significance of value proposition in business development.

In episode 91, host Kelly Kennedy takes on community questions, discussing the need for a value proposition cover letter when submitting proposals. He advises speaking to clients' challenges and explaining how the proposed solution addresses those challenges. Kelly acknowledges the support and engagement of the listeners, expressing gratitude for their continued involvement. The episode also touches on the slower season for podcasting in December and encourages community participation by leaving voicemails with questions and feedback. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and emphasizes the importance of consistent effort in business development.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consistency is key in business development.
2. Speaking to the value that you provide to clients is crucial.
3. It is important to define and communicate the value proposition to customers.
4. AI can enhance business development but consistency and showing up consistently is still essential.
5. Speaking to the challenge and how your proposal will solve it is important in a cover letter.
6. It is helpful to have a process and stick to it in business development.
7. Companies often fall into the pitfall of not speaking to the value they provide.
8. It is helpful to have a value proposition in your proposal that communicates the value you will provide to the client.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums

Episode 90 of The Business Development Podcast features Ruthann Weeks, the founder of Harmony in The Workplace. The episode focuses on topics of diversity, inclusion, and mental health in the workplace. Ruthann shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned throughout her career, including the challenges she faced and how she overcame them. She emphasizes the importance of taking a pause, considering different perspectives, and being trauma-informed in order to build strong relationships. Ruthann also discusses her passion for facilitation and helping others learn and grow. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and practical strategies for creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

In summary, episode 90 of The Business Development Podcast with Ruthann Weeks delves into topics of diversity, inclusion, and mental health in the workplace. Ruthann reflects on her own career journey, sharing the challenges she encountered and the lessons she learned. She emphasizes the significance of taking a pause to consider different perspectives, being trauma-informed, and building strong relationships. Ruthann's passion for facilitation and helping others learn and grow is also highlighted. The episode provides valuable insights and practical strategies for creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Contextual information is important in understanding someone's perspective and intentions.
2. It's important to take the time to get to know someone before making assumptions about them.
3. Facing difficulties can lead to personal growth and learning.
4. It's important to assume that people are doing their best with their current level of awareness.
5. The power of the pause can help us consider what we don't know about a situation and make more informed decisions.
6. Mental health and mindset can have a profound impact on physical health.
7. Compartmentalizing challenges may not be the best approach in the long run.
8. Diversity, inclusion, and mental health are important topics to discuss and address in the workplace.
9. Facilitation and helping others learn and grow can be fulfilling and impactful work.
10. Being trauma-informed can improve relationships and understanding in various contexts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums