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Hey guys, I’ve joined the networking group BNI and every few months you get to get up and give a 10 minute presentation. I’m a little stumped on what to do mine on though… I figure I can show some before and after pictures and I’d like to go into detail on how we clean but to be honest I don’t really know in depth why our process works. You all have any other ideas for topics or some info I could say on our process?
This is a great thread. I have a presentation coming up on the 27th of Feb and I’m looking for some ideas too.
These are just my opinions:
#1. SELL YOURSELF AS A PERSON! As the saying goes, don’t sell the steak, sell the sizzle. You are the sizzle. Give some personal info about yourself. If you went to college, where? Where did you grow up? Married? Kids? Hobbies? Give them an interesting fact about yourself that makes you unique in some way. Don’t make this the bulk of your presentation, but touch on some areas. I have soooooo many customers that I have something in common with that helps keep them loyal to me. (by the way, when you are in customers homes, I always look for a potential common bond with the customer that I then strike up conversation about…just don’t make it look like you’re casing the place.)
#2. SELL YOURSELF AS A BUSINESSMAN/WOMAN! Why are you a good business person? Did you have a previous job that directly makes you a better business person or carpet cleaner? Why are you a good carpet cleaner? Are you trained? Do you answer your phone and return calls promptly? Do you care about your customers and take pride in your work? Do you clean carpet the right way instead of hurrying through each job as fast as you can? These are just some of the things that should make you better than 95% of the other guys. (By the way, you should answer yes to all the above questions.)
#3. Sell our product and the way we clean carpet. Pre-inspect carpet. Upfront pricing. Dry in 1 hr. Environmentally friendly. Whatever you think will be hot points for them. With this in mind, tailor your speech to your audience. You probably know what each of them does, so look at that and find the ways that you can potentially help each of them directly. Dry in 1 hr is great with realtors or property mgmt people. Are you a one person operation? This is a big selling point if you are the one doing the cleaning and someone is worried about theft while you’re there.
If you think you have the time left and the situation allows it, do a demonstration of some sort whether it is using the buffer and showing the dirt on the pad or showing before and after pics. Otherwise, bring in a carpet scrap and spill some wine on it at the beginning of your presentation. At the end, spray on some red dye remover and get it out. That should impress. Test this at home first though just in case! Also, I am a huge fan of giving away small spotter bottles and cleaning charts. You could even have a drawing for a large spotter bottle.
Just some thoughts….
Ditto!
I have a notebook. It starts out with “Letters of Recommendations” (6-8 pages), followed by Evaluation Cards (have 20-50), and then before and after pictures.(15-20 sets). I talk about it first. Then pass it around and go to the frabric protector cleanex samples. Use the water on one and leave it. Do it again on another and run the water off, and pass it around. At the end refer to the water still puddling on the cleanex. People love them, they are a big hit! Keep the focus on quality. “If it isn’t quality, it doesn’t matter.”Another talk point is how much percent your business has grown since last year! (If 2006 was only a parchal year, 2007 numbers will sound fantastic!)(Neil King for example had an increase in business of 249%!!!!!!) (even “A sistained increase of 20% or higher each year…” will do nicely.
If you run out of things to say, open it up for questions.The cub scout motto is: “Keep it simple, make it fun!”
My bad.
Neil King ONLY had a 2006-2007 growth of 245% increase in business. Please except my apology.
As Gordon stated, the protected tissue test has always been a huge hit at home shows, presentations, training, etc. If you place a treated tissue on the table in front of every member and then (I would recommend some type of dark soda, it shows off best) and let them see how well our products work. Visuals are very important, perhaps having a couple of carpet samples with rust, red punch, and then using our red dye remover & rust remover. This was a big hit at our last home show two weeks ago.
You may want to have some giva-a-ways (nothing too big) at the end of your presentation; this is a nice closing to a terrific presentation.
I belonged to a BNI group for a short time and did the presentation and let me tell you this…10 minutes will fly by….I explained HWE as well as HB process. Passed around some before and afters as well. Did’nt really have enough time for a good Q&A. Practice your SPEEL the night before and you will see just how short a time you have.
GOOD LUCKThis one particular organization helped put me on the map. I used my 10min and gave a demonstration of how the system works. (ended up cleaning for the restaurant on a qtrly basis). Make things fun! I once used a pair of briefs (tighty whiteys) to demonstrate our protectant. A bit on the odd side I would admit. (For those who know me its not so odd) Sprayed the briefs the night before. The next morning showed how water/moisture stains “bead” off the briefs thereby demonstrating how our product protect not only your carpets and upholstery but one can wear one pair of shorts for a whole week and save time and money later!
It got the point accross and we all had fun in the end.
Don:
I think you gave the phrase “10 Brief Minutes” a whole new meaning.
During my 2 minute presentation at a networking group yesterday; I ended my presentation by saying “we guarantee our work 100% and if you are not completely satisfied; we will replace your carpet for free” After getting everybody’s attention; I reminded them it was April fools. You need to have fun at these meetings if you’re getting up at 6am.
I belong to Letip a similar group i have been very happy . I get 1-3 tips a week . I had to speak last week and I did some red dye removal. while I talked and answered questions. went well
You can call me and i can tell you more Blair 208-524-0140
Trevor and Neil,
Don’t sweat it. 10 minutes feels likea long time to talk, but it will go by quickly. Suggest you focus on points of differentiation between your service and the “other guys” (quality, professionalism, low moisture benefits, etc..). Bring in some clean pads and show them to the members as you talk about how it works. Before and after pictures are a great idea. Also suggest you leave time for “q & a” because there will be more than you think. Good luck.
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