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Skirting around the sins of selling

Squamish Women Networking host special presentation by Vancouver-based business coach

The estrogen factor was high at Onatah Coffee Shop on Sept. 23 when over 20 women gathered to listen to highly acclaimed business coach Felicia Lee present the "5 Deadly Sins of Sales."

A business development coach and Ghost CEO Advisor, Lee is also the business development director and Vancouver chapter director for Enterprising Moms Network, an organization supporting mom entrepreneurs with educational resources and networking opportunities. She is also the resident business coach at www.womanzworld.com, a site providing resources for women entrepreneurs worldwide.

Her presentation focused on the five most common mistakes professionals make when selling, and solutions for avoiding these pitfalls.

She said entrepreneurs must understand one call is not enough to close the deal, the relationship is the focus - not what you can get out of the relationship - and building visibility and credibility takes time.

It's also important to establish the emotional connection to your product as a principle selling point, and to use a system, known as a sales funnel, to keep track of sales progress.

It's also key to prospect even when busy with clients, for ongoing business development.

"We are not an island," said Lee. "From tonight, there is already a wonderful community of women entrepreneurs, so I would encourage women to get out there to network, to build that community - don't feel like you have to do this on your own."

Those with the right tools, strategies and mindset can weather tough economic times, she said.

"A calm sea doesn't make a skilled sailor. What I'm seeing is the ones that have the right skills are succeeding and the ones that are just floundering - they haven't done the preparation, they haven't weathered their boats - those are the ones that are failing."

The Squamish Women Networking (SWN) hosted the event, and their next event - INSPIRE to go HIGHER with Squamish-based professional adventure racer Jen Segger - is planned for Nov. 4.

"The purpose of the SWN is to bring professional women together in Squamish for them to make connections, meet new clients, learn some business strategies and share stories," said SWN organizer Lisa Princic.

Her company, Changemakers Toolbox, helps create meaningful business opportunities for all entrepreneurs through personal and business development training.

"Essentially, I want to help entrepreneurs experience fulfillment and success from contributing to society and doing what they love," said Princic.

For more information on the upcoming SWN event, email lisa@changemakerstoolbox.com. Felicia Lee can be contacted by email at Felicia@ghostceo.com.

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