Business communications

Every business has to talk to someone in order to trade. And not everyone is good at communicating. Even if they are good at communicating, they don't necessarily win the deal. Only the best win the deal, and that has to do with communication, particularly if competition is tight.

Chalestra has provided, and continues to provide, solutions that win. It is true that it hasn't always won, but some say that if Chalestra can't win: no-one can. In the event that we lose, we commit huge effort to finding out why. We do this because our reputation and status are critical to us. Fortunately, losses are rare these days.

Our communications service is a world-class service, often critical to Chalestras clients. The service helps them precisely demonstrate their mission strategies, strengths and goals.

Our presentation services are successful in providing the real punch behind a communication objective.

Communication is vital because it creates buy-in to commercial projects, particularly from staff, the public, shareholders and others. In short, it's an enabling gateway.

Business challenges

Most business owners are not prepared to handle challenges to their business. The answer to any business challenge is always a sales pitch. More often, though, people, perhaps in their frustration, resort to personal recriminations. But, then, how many business people have a sales pitch prepared that can be called on a moments notice, “anywhere, anytime, anyhow”?

Sales pitches

Having sales pitches prepared are vital. If you have more than one stream of work, then a sales pitch is required for each. In addition, in that scenario, there should, perhaps, be a sales brief that covers all of the streams: an overview, if you like. Unfortunately, sales pitches are always difficult to remember, particularly when you’re under pressure.

Facing strangers

It’s the easiest thing in the world to make a sale pitch to close friends. Conversely, it’s the hardest thing to pitch to strangers: will they bite your head off? Confidence plays a key role, and becoming confident about your business is key to delivering any kind of success.

Warships go to play. It happens a lot. UK ships go out to sea to play with the Russian fleets, and the American fleets and any other fleet they can find. Why would you send a multi-billion pound warship ‘to play’? It’s actually very important. It helps them develop their skills, their dexterity, and their knowledge. It allows them to find out their weaknesses without much cost. Watch puppies at play, and wonder why they do it.

Playing is equally important in delivering sales pitches. By playing, you will be able to switch tactics if your sale pitch is going down like a lead balloon. People also notice people who play (provided they can be serious too!), which offers the opportunity to develop new leads.

Looking good

It’s actually true that people are never very good at looking good. Most people will go with the flow, which is not really harnessing the opportunity. Celebrities, politicians and others spend fortunes on trying to look good. But, in the personal sense, looking good is a matter of perception: looking the best will look awful to some people.

In business, it’s vital. It’s as vital as products themselves looking good. Consumer will always choose the better looking product, if all else is equal. It’s about gaining the first impressions over any competition you might have. Coming second does not win deals.

Presentation, the act of putting your business in front of others, is also a skill. It’s about bringing the power of your offering to bear on your potential customer. Plonking it front of them won’t do, and high drama is often too much. It’s vital to research your audience before you present to them.

You most personal critic

Confidence is knowing you’re doing it right. Many people stand back, take a look at their project, and decide it’s wrong. They may be right. And they may be wrong. One way to find out is after the event, which would be too late in many circumstances. The only way to prove you’re right is by constantly winning deals. If that’s not happening, then you are probably approaching the project wrongly. Anyone who is presenting ought to have a sympathetic audience, or professional support: somebody who knows what they are doing, who can criticise you, and can reliably help you to the start line.

Chalestra’s job

Chalestra spends a lot of time with international banks and consultants, helping them communicate with both customers and potential customers. We work on the sales pitches, we work on the approach, we work on the language, and on the way they communicate.

Contact Chalestra to help you improve your communication projects.