SBDC Shows Entrepreneurs How to Grow Their Business

“Successful Selling,” is as much about building professional relationships as it is about earning your potential client’s business, says Yvette Alexander Slate, Carried the Bag, principal and founder. Each free workshop in this three-part series held at the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC), sponsored in collaboration with the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) covered key business fundamentals. Slate, alongside several business owners, independent contractors, and new entrepreneurs talked openly about how to “earn your client’s business,” by telling your story, showing passion for your work, and meeting the client's needs. Slate also encouraged attendees to treat the initial prospect meeting like an interview—determining if the relationship is a good fit for everyone involved. For Gordon Sherk, the workshop series exceeded his expectations in multiple ways. He says, “I knew the content of this course was something I needed to give my business the best opportunity to turn prospects into customers. What I didn't know was how well the course would equip me to successfully approach prospects with their best interests in mind.” Sherk identified a strength of the course was how Yvette “teaches attendees to do so (approach prospects) in such a way, that a business relationship can develop respectfully by finding out what the prospect really needs and tailoring a proposal to those needs.”

In each session, Slate highlighted key points for new entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike to grow and develop their business. Slate emphasized: Email is for confirmation, not conversation, and You cannot help everyone, that is why we have competitors. Key points like this illustrated the value of the workshop for Susan Haidle, principal at Write Solutions. She notes, “I thought the ‘Successful Selling’ workshop was excellent. Yvette from Carried the Bag was so knowledgeable. With every question we threw at her, she had the experience and expertise to handle it. She made an effort to get to know us and our businesses. I would recommend the workshop and working with Yvette to anyone,” said Haidle. Scott Boles Business Development Manager of Sequent, praised Slate and her “great insight into all steps in the sales process. Yvette broke the steps down well and attacked each step in the process, giving participants a great target of focus.”

Yvette Alexander Slate provides professional development and business sales coaching, alongside sales effectiveness training at Carried the Bag http://carriedthebag.com/. The DEC http://www.dublink.net/ is a virtual, as well as brick and mortar space providing resources to potential and established entrepreneurs throughout Central Ohio.