Old School Sales Calls: The Backbone of Entrepreneurial Success
In an era dominated by digital communication, the value of face-to-face interaction has never been more critical. My recent visit to the offices of Innovate BC highlighted a troubling trend: the doors were closed to entrepreneurs like me. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reviving old-school sales calls and in-person meetings to truly foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
InnovateBC: A Missed Opportunity for Innovation
InnovateBC, an organization ostensibly at the forefront of fostering innovation, failed to demonstrate this during my visit. The two senior people I wanted to chat with were not in the office, and nobody present was capable of dealing with an entrepreneur.
The office was not open to the public and instead has a super fancy intercom system that asked you who you want to meet and then would email them. Ok, that’s going to work out – I am still waiting for a reply to the email, and it’s now been 5 days - entrepreneurs count weekends.
Anyway, back to entrepreneurs dropping in, it is required! And the lack of accessibility is a clear remnant of the COVID era that is now being institutionalized. This is baffling and concerning for any organization whose mandate is to foster collaboration. How can we expect to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem when the very institutions meant to support us are closed off?
The workforce at InnovateBC seems more focused on the optics and marketing of innovation rather than actually fostering it. This needs to change now, as Canadian productivity is under threat if we continue to isolate our entrepreneurs from the resources and connections they need to succeed.
The Power of Old School Sales Calls
Old-school sales calls are not just about selling a product or service; they are about building relationships, trust, and the kind of quality hunches that lead to groundbreaking ideas. When people meet, connect, and interact in person, they can share insights and spark creativity in ways that virtual meetings simply cannot replicate.
Face-to-face interactions help in:
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A Call to Action: #EntrepreneurCallOut
It’s time to bring back the spirit of entrepreneurship to the offices of InnovateBC. I am committed to being an entrepreneur in residence at InnovateBC for a 4-hour shift once a week, purely as a volunteer with no obligations, for the joy of entrepreneurship and mentoring. But I can’t do it alone. I am calling on nine other entrepreneurs in Vancouver to join me in this endeavor. Together, we can create a dynamic environment that guarantees increased productivity and fosters true innovation.
By creating a regular presence of active entrepreneurs at InnovateBC, we can:
Are you with me?
Join me in this 100% volunteer initiative to make InnovateBC a welcoming space for all entrepreneurs. Let’s bring back the human element to innovation and ensure that our entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives.
#EntrepreneurCallOut
Let's make this happen. Together, we can transform InnovateBC into a vibrant, open, and productive hub for all entrepreneurs in Vancouver.
About Vik Khanna
Vik Khanna has a rich history of supporting entrepreneurial initiatives in British Columbia. As a past president of TiE Vancouver and founder of the TiE Vancouver Young Entrepreneur program, Vik has been deeply involved in mentoring and guiding young entrepreneurs. His commitment to fostering innovation and education is evident in his various roles, including as the founder of The Visual Thinking Company and his past engagement with the BCIC Mentor Program, and years of volunteering for the Vancouver DPAC. This initiative is another step in his ongoing dedication to building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Vancouver.
Fractional Chief Entrepreneur
4 个月Vik Khanna have you looked into the BC Acceleration Network organizations listed on InnovateBC's website? These are nonprofit partners that InnovateBC funds to deliver services as you suggest on their behalf. This explains why you may not have found a retail presence for InnovateBC directly. Note, InnovateBC's model has consistently focused on serving provincial government priorities, guided by traditional economic development ethos, which is why it may seem like a square peg in a round hole to many. If your wish is to advocate for continuous improvement, you should aim to meet with MLAs David Eby and Brenda Bailey as they are whom have been elected to formulate an economic plan and allocate public investments. Personally, I would suggest ones time would be better served taking a page from https://www.ycombinator.com/, www.WonderbyDeloitte.ca and https://www.csisoftware.com/ designing a "made in country" model that is investor driven.