News

24 Jan 2012

Probably the fastest and most dramatic makover you can give your pitch is to upgrade your look. Fresh white, high-quality cotton shirts and a pair of Churches for guys. Take note of bold colours for your ties and ask the guys in store for advice on your look. They usually really know their business. Your entrance impact to the pitch goes up several notches for appearance alone. Women know this but while sales are on grab some Versace girls.

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Don't paint over the rust

What follows is some recent advice to a client who is reviewing their pitch and tender skills and is tempted by a quick fix because the pressures and pace the business runs at make it very difficult to pause and reflect about what really needs to be done.

I could have sent it to most of my clients. The pace is so fast now. The pressure on.

“Whatever you do now you must avoid the "painting over the rust" approach that can seem so tempting because of the intense pace you all work at. Yes a respray will make you look new and make you feel good for a while but the underlining issues will not have been tackled.

You need to be as professional at tendering and pitching as you are at your chosen profession.

COMMENTS (1)

Using inspiration to refresh your mindset

Part of what I do is about inspiring you to see what you are really capable of. Underpinning my coaching is my belief that capability lies within us. It's always there just waiting to be turned on by an act of will or circumstances that force us to embrace our hiden talents and abilities. What a joy then for me to be so inspired by the work of John Hegarty, a master of his craft of advertising. His book Hegarty on Advertsing: Turning Intelligence into Magic is chock full of inspiration and insights. For me it's a must read for any pitch professional who wants to connect more strongly to what communication and creativity are really about.

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@NewRooms Country solid snow to Crewe. Thinning now as I approach Chester. But sky says grease those rails baby. Snow to burn on da way. — 1 day 5 hours ago
Now Apple have clarified content ownership for new AppleBooks I'm going to port my Pitch School content into it. Way classier than handouts. — 1 day 5 hours ago
“@sashac: Content Strategy paper.li is out! http://t.co/PiunMQO6 ▸ Top stories today via @socialbulluk @mathurabhay @carverlon” Worth a peek — 1 day 5 hours ago

Imagination alone is not enough though. Think of it as the colour scheme in a special room you are preparing for yourself and your new lover, where you will explore your love. Now you have to pick the furniture to match that mood to encourage it. Content furnishes a pitch like a good chair does a room. Content too should be hand made for each pitch. So often we are presented with the kitchen sink when we only asked to see your studio.