Archive for the ‘Mike Perrin’ category

Delivering Effective Presentations

April 16th, 2010

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Ever wondered how Steve Jobs does what he does so well? Do you have an important presentation coming up? This post is all about you and how you can deliver an effective and engaging presentation.

I recently had the opportunity to present a full business plan to a panel of investors, and current successful entrepreneurs. It somewhat resembled the format of the popular television shows; Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank. As much as I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect, I shared the stage with some fellow classmates and was not alone. The presentation went well, just as expected but as a team we followed some simple steps that have been drilled into us for the last two years. These steps are the backbone of delivering effective presentations, time after time.

Now once again I need to say I am by no means a specialist in presentations, however as a graduating business student presentations have become a regular event for me. From instructor to instructor, topic to topic, the content varies but the format and delivery are one in the same. I have developed a simple system based on the teachings in college that can be used, and will be used in future presentation delivery.

The first step of preparing a presentation is always the most challenging because you don’t know where to begin. So how do you begin? The important word that you’ve all heard before is plan. Yes I said it… a presentation will not be very effective without any planning. Planning doesn’t need to be complicated or extremely in depth, it just needs to be done. So what is there to plan? I use a blank piece of paper or computer document and write down all the topics and points that could be presented. This provides scope and direction.

The next step – organize. Have you ever tried to drive somewhere new without a map? In most cases it’s pretty difficult. Organizing the information is basically creating a roadmap for the presentation. It helps when you move into the writing stage, by already having guidance and structure. It also helps when creating your visual aids. Most people these days use a video or PowerPoint format for presentations, which is solely based on the structure.

Delivering effective presentations is not all about writing. In fact you’re not writing a story here at all. The writing stage is where you fill in all the key points for each section in your organized plan. Bullet form is best, and should be kept in bullet form for easy transfer of thoughts to presentation cue cards or notes. The information needs to be concise and to the point. Your understanding of this information needs to be bang on and easily recalled.

Now that we have basically created the entire presentation it’s time to focus on those visual aids. PowerPoint is the most versatile and popular choice when it comes to visual aids. There are some simple rules for PowerPoint that makes it extremely effective and not detrimental to your presentation:

Follow the 5X5 or 6X6 rule when creating slides. Content should be simple and should fill two thirds of your slides
Slides should be simple, elegant and very readable
Use Simple Sans Serif fonts on slides such as Calibri, Times New Roman, and Arial
Bold and colors are great ways to emphasise words
The data needs to be very concise, just highlight key points, vocally you can deliver much more information

So we have a completed PowerPoint and a well structured presentation that is simple and in point form. The next step in preparation for delivery is a run through its important to test slides and visuals ahead of time, this will eliminate mid-presentation crisis. Run through your part a few times and elaborate on the points in a few different ways to see which way flows the best.

Delivering the presentation is the most important step, but if you have followed these simple guidelines it does not need to be nerve wracking. Be confident, engaging and relaxed. Open with a question or attention grabber, this takes the initial heat off. Give yourself or have someone give you a clear introduction. Your credibility doesn’t really matter but it helps build confidence when your audience understands what you’re all about. Pause, pause, and pause again. A simple pause between slides or concept creates a powerful break in the presentation and gives you a chance to gather your thoughts.

As a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. principle, I try to incorporate it into everything I do. Keep it simple stupid. That’s the motto and it works, especially when it comes to presentations. As I stated previously, presentations become a part of college life. I often don’t struggle when it comes to delivering presentations because I take myself through these same steps every time. The corporate world, sales, and entrepreneurship all involve the ability to deliver effective presentations. So stop being scared, take the stage, and rock it! Delivering effective presentations is a simple process, and doesn’t need to be complicated or hard. It just needs to be engaging and if you follow the steps, you will be successful each and every time.

Cheers to sharing the stage one day,

Mike Perrin

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Posted in Mike Perrin, Miscellaneous

Tags: apple dragons den effective presentations Marketing presentations public speaking sales shark tank speaker speaking steve jobs

Partnering with an “A” company to make a difference

April 8th, 2010

What are the differences between A, B, C and D, companies and what should you look for?

The traditional corporate culture which was based on serving the company over any other needs is falling by the wayside quickly. The past mentality which involved looking for job security at the big stable corporation has changed substantially. The business landscape has changed drastically, exposing a vast array of exceptional business opportunities with great purpose. As stated in The MAX Code, “The new model of success is this: Find or create a cause you care about deeply, one that embodies your core passions and highest values, and devote your life to that cause with entrepreneurial fervor, speed, and agility.”

As a business administration student, about to graduate, I am told every day to go out and apply for jobs. The focus is all about getting the foot in the door at some big company, which is easier than you, may think. In fact these companies come to the school all the time, to recruit ambitious students. So what would the response be if my resume contained this “my goals are to make a positive difference in society and for individuals, where profit is just a by product of fulfilling that mission.” Employers don’t want the strong minded individual with a purpose! They would prefer “hard working, enthusiastic, business administration graduate looking to further my skills in the industry and meet the goals of the organization.”

Now, I’m not saying that the above mentality is wrong in anyway, it’s just not with the times. I would rather align myself with an opportunity that has similar goals and values that I have, and who wants to work with me to achieve those values. Which lead me to the concept of partnering with an “A” company.

So what makes a company an “A” company and how does it differ from a B, C or D company. “B” companies put their mission behind generating profit, “C” companies are completely focused on the money and don’t even consider the mission. Lastly, “D” companies exist with the sole purposed of making profit at the expense of others. “A” companies operate with intention to fulfill their mission and social responsibility, with profit being the function of fulfilling that mission. These companies exist to serve people and make society and the world a better place.

The Quit Your Job Early team has “A” company motives, and has partnered with an “A” company named MAX International. We exist to inform and educate people in the areas of financial intelligence and passive income, while providing a vehicle to achieve the perfect lifestyle. Living the perfect lifestyle provides you with the ability to spend time fulfilling your personal goals and ambitions. The Quit Your Job Early motives include: flexibility, mobility, health and wealth.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the corporate environment for years, or if you’re a student like me, the message is the same. The future is in the opportunity the best fits YOU, while being true to a mission and social responsibility. If that mission is solid and truthful, profit will always follow closely. I urge you to do your research before you partner with any company, and look for that “A” company.

Cheers to your future “A” company partnership,

Mike Perrin

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Posted in Mike Perrin, Miscellaneous

Tags: Choosing your network marketing upline How to choose your Upline Live Your Perfect Lifestyle MLM Industry Secrets Passive Income Streams Quit Your Job Tips Residual Income Business Options Residual Income Streams

Social media can impact your business in a big way…

April 2nd, 2010

Can social media impact your business both positively and negatively?

One of the most influential and effective mediums for sharing information and forming relationships is social media. This includes blogs, social networking sites such as facebook, youtube, twitter, and linkedin, as well as social bookmarking and other community oriented websites. Sharing photos with friends, reconnecting with old friends, forming new relationships, customer service, the list of reasons to use social media is endless. So how can social media impact your business both positively and negatively?

Social media is a powerful tool that can be used to form relationships and share information with a vast network of people. There is a huge opportunity for businesses to interact with both their current and future customers. That being said, it’s important that the business understands the power social media can have, and if used incorrectly can potentially do more harm than good. Two short examples of how social media has impacted businesses in a big way can be found below:

Case #1 – Jetstar Airlines, Australia

Based on recent social media success, Jetstar has recently announced that 40% of its new marketing budget will be directed towards social media. This is a bold move by Jetstar, which they feel is one of their most effective ways of informing passengers of new route launches, special offers and announcements, sale and news updates, and responses to customer inquiries. Last year, Jetstar ran an exclusive sale to its twitter users to help celebrate the airlines fifth birthday. With 6,000 twitter followers in Australia, the airline was able to sell 1000 seats for 2cents per seat in two hours! Impressive! This is a great example of the positive impact social media can have on a business.

Case #2 – Nestle’s Facebook Page

A recent post to the Nestle facebook fan page, contained an offensive statement regarding customers with altered Nestle logos as their profile pictures. Nestle reacted rather quickly to a statement and it drew hundreds of offensive and defensive statements within minutes! Some people say this is a PR nightmare, while others have stated that this actually helped Nestle. Either way, the person running Nestle’s fan page should have taken a more relaxed approach.

As seen above, social media can impact a business in a big way. I personally think social media is a great medium for interacting with large audiences, building relationships, and sharing valuable information. However as a student of the internet, and an experienced entrepreneur I understand the risks. My advice to you is to jump on the social media bandwagon and be careful with your comments!

Cheers to your social media empire,

Mike Perrin

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Posted in Mike Perrin, Miscellaneous, Perfect Lifestyle Cool Stuff, Videos, etc

Tags: article marketing facebook linkedin Passive Income social marketing social media twitter youtube

Tax savings and tax expenditures, how can you benefit?

March 31st, 2010

How can your home business benefit from these so called savings and what are the differences between savings and expenditures?

With the Canadian income tax deadline approaching on April 30, 2010 there is a rush of people trying to get that anticipated return. As a graduating business student and entrepreneur I have realized how important it is to understand how tax credits and tax expenditures can impact any business. There actually is a big difference between tax expenditures and tax credits. So how can your business benefit from these tax options?

One of my textbooks refers to tax expenditure as “a revenue loss caused by the exclusion of some item from the tax base (Rosen).” Non refundable tax credits are tax expenditures because they count as deductions from the tax base but yet no actual transaction of money exists. Meaning that any deduction such as education tax credits, business tax credits, personal tax credits that are non-refundable, are simply exclusions to the tax base on behalf of the government. This is a benefit to us.

The Government’s goal for offering tax credits to students and business owners is to reward them for the commitment to getting an education or starting a business. It’s more of an investment by the government on students and entrepreneurs with the expectation that they will bring value to the work force. Educated people tend to earn more, or are more likely to start a business and become assets to the Canadian economy. This investment in the work force is beneficial to the future

Non-refundable tax credit options include: public transit passes, home renovation expenses, interest on student loans, tuition, textbook, and education credits, home buyer credits, and many others. For a complete list of non-refundable tax credits, check out the Canada Revenue Agency.

Tax savings such as the $2,844 you get back after the two years of being enrolled in my diploma program, are paid out in the income tax return. Therefore a payout of cash is a tax savings, as you are actually receiving the money based on your income; another benefit to us.

It’s really important to understand the difference between these benefits so that us as business owners and individuals can get the best possible return. The government doesn’t make these rules for nothing! IF you file your taxes yourself, you need to have a clear understanding of how to maximize each category. That being said, even if you have a good accountant it is important to have a clear idea of what you’re entitled to when it comes to taxes.

As a business owner, you are also entitled to “write off” tax deductible expenses. These expenses are still incurred by the business however the government waves the tax come tax time. Tax deductible expenses include: advertising and promotion, administrative fees, business taxes, bank fees, conventions, dues and subscriptions, insurance, interest, licenses and fees, meals and entertainment, office supplies, professional fees, rent, property taxes, travel, telephones, etc. The deductible expenses vary depending on where the office is located; if it’s a home office, if there is automobiles involved, etc. Important: All business expenses must be incurred to earn income to be considered tax deductible. Again, you should consult with an accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency for their list of allowable expenses.

One of the many benefits of owning a business is the tax advantages. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, and can make a big difference in your finances. If you don’t use an accountant, I highly recommend finding a good one. I have never met anyone who regretted it.

Cheers to a healthy tax return,

Mike Perrin

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Posted in 1: Financial I.Q: Learn 2 Earn, Mike Perrin, Miscellaneous

Tags: Business Ownership Business Taxes Canada Revenue Agency GST savings Income Tax Personal Taxes Self Employment student taxes tax credits Tax Deadline tax expenditures Tax return tax savings tax tips

Is your business leveraging the internet? It should be…

March 9th, 2010

From everyday transactions to customer relations, there is a demand for your business to experience leverage online.

It doesn’t matter if you have a traditional storefront business or provide a service of some sort; you need to be on the internet. In fact the guy who invented web 2.0 said himself that “the internet is still in its infancy”. More and more people are connected everyday via smart phone, laptop, or the personal computer. Even some of North America’s largest companies are incorporating online business into their 2010 marketing plans.

Proctor and Gamble; the world’s largest household products manufacturer, plans to launch a full scale eStore this spring. In attempts to provide a direct retail channel to its consumers for the everyday goods that the company sells. The company already sells some products online through Wal-mart, amazon.com, and alice.com. In 2009 online sales through these existing channels generated $500 million in sales, which was only 0.6 percent of the total sales for 2009.

Bob Wiegand, co founder of alice.com, told Reuters “it’s a trend that’s way overdue. It’s way behind the other industries”.

Not only are online retailers finding success in emerging markets, but it’s clear that traditional business models are being adapted to the online generation. An actual online store is not the only reason to be connected. Promotions, advertising, and general communication with customers can all be increased through the use of the internet and various mediums on the web. Social networking sites such as facebook and twitter, social bookmarking sites, blogs and flat out online advertising are all instrumental in many businesses’s success already.

So what are you waiting for? Incorporate the power of leverage that the web can provide into your business in 2010 and watch your sales grow.

Cheers to your future success!

Mike Perrin

The Promised Land - Kelowna, BC

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Posted in Mike Perrin, Miscellaneous

You’re actually closer to success than it seems…

February 6th, 2010

The reality is; you are actually closer to success than it seems.

It seems that most successful people have some sort of opinion or advice to offer in terms of what it takes to achieve success, or simply what success even means. There are all kinds of personal development books, blogs, training programs, and even consultants out there that all focus on the keys to becoming successful. However there is one message that seems to pop up no matter where you look, and it happens every day. You’re actually closer to success than it seems, and it shows all the time.

Its simple, almost too simple however it is very important. One of the biggest mistakes people make is giving up when they are so close to succeeding! It doesn’t matter if it is a large corporation, small business, personal relationship, or playing a sport. The same challenge exists, and more often than not, most people are actually closer to success than it seems

2009 was a real eye opener for me when it comes to realizing how crucial this mistake can be. It was just today that a peer told me they lost over six thousand dollars because of a mutual fund that was hit by the recession. The problem here wasn’t that the fund took a dive, the problem is the cold feet kicked in and they got out of their investment and put the money into savings at a much lower interest rate! Since the time that the fund dropped and the loss took place, the mutual fund has regained almost 40%! That money would not have been lost had it be left in the fund.

You don’t have to be taking part in investing, or making crucial business decisions to learn from this mistake. You just need to be human. Everyone makes mistakes, in fact that’s one of the best ways to learn. The message here is that too many times when something is a little out of our comfort zone, we panic and react. Most of the time if we would take a little extra time, or get a couple more opinions, we would realise the reality that around that corner usually lies success! Don’t let cold feet set in, you’re actually closer to success than it seems.

Cheers to your future success.

Mike Perrin