Wilmington Tennis is a startup in the greater Toronto area trying to move through public procurement to get the ball rolling on their tennis programs that support the community. Working with public organizations is easier said than done, and takes a specific strategy to get into the hearts and minds of the decision makers.
"To get noticed in a highly structured organization, Mr. Taylor suggests finding people to champion your project. “You have to knock on a bunch of doors, talk to as many people as you can, wherever you go. You never know who is going to be the one to help you move it forward.”
That means networking beyond the organization too. Attending events and galas where politicians, influencers, celebrities and businesspeople will be, and talking up your project is key. “Get in people’s faces, that’s what you have to do,” says Mr. Taylor.
Be sure you have a strong pitch and that pitch is not just about your short-term goals, but a larger vision. “If that vision is big enough, you could get some big players on board.” Eventually, you’ll talk to someone who gets passionate about your project too, and has the right connections to trigger action."
Read the full article here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/tennis-startup-keeps-hitting-the-wall-with-toronto-school-board/article21912742/