Caithness entrepreneurs get pitch perfect

26th January 2019

This February, entrepreneurs in Caithness have the chance to attend a workshop that will leave them pitch perfect.

Business leaders will develop and hone their business pitches thanks to a workshop organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) through its Entrepreneurial Academy.

The pitching skills workshop, which is free to attend, takes place in Thurso on 21st February 2019. The event follows workshops on brand development, delivering a digital strategy and entrepreneurial sales last year; all of which aim to help entrepreneurs of businesses and social enterprises improve key skills.

Delivered by Maryanne Johnston, who has provided pitching and presentation skills training to entrepreneurs and employees from start-up stage to large, established corporates, she hopes to give Caithness business leaders the tools to communicate effectively when under pressure. Maryanne's past clients have had huge success; from helping fledging entrepreneurs secure Scottish Edge funding to preparing corporate clients for new business pitches worth millions of pounds.

Eann Sinclair, area manager for Caithness and Sutherland at HIE, said: "Pitching does not come naturally to everyone and increasingly, it is such an important skill to have. I'm delighted that Maryanne is coming to Thurso to deliver the pitching skills workshop - a workshop that past attendees have said is incredibly useful. She will help attendees to get their message, personality and credibility across as well as give techniques to conquer nerves to ensure every pitch is clear and concise."

Commenting on the upcoming pitching skills workshop, Maryanne Johnston added: "I believe that everyone can communicate effectively when they are relaxed, and it’s the stress, pressure and rush of adrenalin that can throw you off. Many people believe you have to put on a show when pitching your business, but I encourage people to be themselves. An investor or new client needs you to be the best version of yourself, not you putting on a performance. I help people build their confidence, calm nerves and handle adrenalin, and find new, efficient ways to show their business proposition in the best possible light.

“Whether you’re pitching for investment that could see your business expand globally, selling a product to customers or speaking at a conference, the basic principles of pitching are all the same. I think it’s a life skill everyone needs, whatever your business sector or position."

Entrepreneurs, or staff, of growing companies and social enterprises or those with ambition to scale that are interested in attending the free one-day workshop should sign up at http://www.hie.co.uk/business-support/entrepreneurship/entrepreneurial-academy

The pitching skills workshop takes place at Caithness Horizons, Thurso, on 21st February 2019.