August 2, 2021
Why is developing a business portfolio a good idea? A resume’s purpose is to get you an interview. Similarly, the purpose of an elevator pitch is to get you a meeting. Certainly, a business portfolio does both. It establishes credibility and lets potential clients know you are absolutely the right person/company to hire!
What is included in a business portfolio?
A business portfolio is a series of documents that grouped together showcase your products and services, and highlights your work. Items in your business portfolio may include, but are not limited to:
- Company history
- Credentials and affiliations
- Products and services
- Bio of key team members
- Client/customer testimonials
- Photos
- Successful projects/contracts
Client success story
I had the pleasure of working with Carmelita Morgan of Carma Yoga with Carmelita Morgan earlier this year. Carmelita was able to secure some funding from TechNL to hire me to assist with the development of a digital marketing strategy. As we worked through her marketing materials and planned an approach to promoting her business, she asked me about developing a business portfolio. We started gathering all the information listed above. As Carmelita has discovered with existing clients, there are funding programs out there that her clients can apply for that support hiring her. Consequently, we decided to include a section in her portfolio with the links and descriptions to the programs.
We developed a business growth plan together focusing on her strategic goals. Once she had a plan in mind, it was time to test the validity of her portfolio.
Last week, Carmelita sent her business portfolio to two new potential clients. One immediately hired her for an event later this week, and both are pursuing the funding opportunities with the goal to hire her for a series of events in the fall. I am so proud of Carmelita for taking the time to develop these important documents that support the growth of her business. She told me she felt much better when she had everything down on paper. It gave her confidence to pursue her growth activities. I am very proud of my client, and friend. She has a fabulous reputation already. These documents help build on that and support her strategic initiatives in a professional way.
If you need some assistance in developing a business portfolio, or other strategic documents such as a business plan, growth plan, or mission and vision statements, do not hesitate to connect! ~ Carole
