Pitch Perfect with Dragons' Den Winners Magic Whiteboard

Posted: 09 Mar 2012 16:08

Life's a Pitch

Ask anyone in business, and they will say that the key to success is the ability to pitch your ideas effectively. They will probably also be able to tell you plenty of horror stories too!

One team who know all about pitching an idea are Neil and Laura Westwood of Magic Whiteboard www.magicwhiteboard.co.uk

Pitching in front of any potential investor is daunting, but if you’re facing a panel of the most formidable business people in the country it must be especially so. Throw in a couple of TV cameras and the situation becomes even more stressful.

But that’s exactly what Neil and Laura faced when they appeared on Dragons’ Den on BBC Two back in 2008.

After receiving offers from four of the five Dragons, Neil and Laura chose to work with Ryman Chairman Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden and secured a £100,000 investment.

Today a whole range of Magic Whiteboard products are available from 237 Ryman stores nationwide.

Magic Whiteboard have teamed up with Ryman again to sponsor Pitch Perfect , a new comedy from award-winning playwright Jonathan Lewis .

Set in the cut-throat world of advertising, this hilarious play shows what can happen when a pitch goes wrong – essential viewing for anyone who works in business!

Here Neil from Magic Whiteboard shares his top five tips for making the perfect pitch:

1. Prepare what to say
Most people get flustered because they haven’t spent long enough planning what to say. Know your ideas inside out. Rehearse in front of a mirror. Have an answer ready for any question you are likely to be asked, and have one ready for any unlikely questions too.

2. Do your research
Find out everything you can about the people you are pitching to. Make sure what you are saying is compelling and relevant to them – don’t waste their time. Find out how to get there, and don’t be late!

3. Appearances matter
Don’t underestimate the importance of body language and appearance. Visual communication is just as important as verbal communication, maybe even more so. Wear suitable clothing – don’t be underdressed or overdressed. Look like you belong there.

4. Use props
Props can help people visualise your ideas. They also mean you don’t spend the whole pitch reading from a script. Keep it low-tech and make sure everything works. Ensure you have everything you need, but travel light – Magic Whiteboard allows you to turn any surface into a whiteboard, meaning you don’t have to carry flipchart stand with you wherever you go.

5. Believe in yourself
If you don’t have confidence in yourself and your ideas, why would anyone be willing to invest in you?

If only the comic characters in Pitch Perfect had read these tips, things might have gone a bit more smoothly

Pitch Perfect is on at the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick until 17 March.
Book tickets here

Tagged in: Dragon's Den, press release

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