Podcast Recap: Mastering Storytelling for Business Growth and High Valuations with Valerie Chan
In this episode of the Badass Women in Business Podcast, hosts Aggie Chydzinski and Cristy O’Connor welcome Valerie Chan, a PR expert and founder of Plat4orm, a strategic public relations firm. The discussion centers on the importance of storytelling in increasing a company's valuation and preparing for potential acquisitions. Valerie shares insights on the role of storytelling in highly regulated industries, the impact of PR during economic shifts, and her personal journey from practicing law to running a successful PR firm. The conversation also touches on diversity in corporate success, Valerie's Oxford talk on the subject, and her newly released book, "The Ultimate Self-Help Guide for the Child of an Asian Tiger Mom."
Introductions and Professional Journey Aggie kicks off the episode by introducing Valerie, highlighting the laughter and fresh perspective she brings to their sessions. Valerie, who consults with Aggie's company, shares her background in public relations and law, emphasizing how Aggie's growth strategies have been instrumental in Plat4orm's success over the past year.
Importance of Storytelling in Business The conversation shifts to the significance of storytelling in the business world. Valerie explains how storytelling can help sell a company for its desired valuation. By crafting a story arc and go-to-market strategy based on future goals, businesses can enhance their market presence and appeal to potential buyers. Valerie emphasizes that understanding a company's long-term vision is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative that drives enterprise value.
PR in Highly Regulated Industries Valerie delves into Plat4orm's niche, serving clients in FinTech, legal tech, InsureTech, and other regulated sectors. She explains the challenges and strategies for PR in these industries, highlighting the importance of creating relatable and compliant messaging. Valerie shares examples of successful storytelling that have helped clients navigate complex legal landscapes and achieve significant growth.
Economic Impact on Marketing The discussion also touches on the economic impact on marketing and PR strategies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Valerie notes that while some companies experienced downturns, others saw dramatic increases in demand for PR services as they sought new ways to connect with clients. She discusses how clients reallocated budgets to focus on ROI and strategic marketing efforts, often doubling down on PR and technology to maximize returns.
Valerie's Career Journey Cristy inquires about Valerie's transition from practicing attorney to PR professional. Valerie recounts her fascination with law, sparked by a jury duty experience, and her journey through law school and litigation. She shares how the demands of her legal career led to a realization that she preferred the dynamic, storytelling aspect of PR. This shift allowed her to leverage her legal expertise in the highly regulated industries Plat4orm serves.
Diversity and Corporate Success Aggie brings up Valerie's recent Oxford talk on the critical role of diversity in corporate success, which garnered over 500,000 views. Valerie discusses her motivation for addressing this topic, drawing from her experiences as an Asian American woman and her sister's challenges in tech. She stresses that genuine diversity efforts require change management principles and leadership commitment. Valerie's talk highlights the need for top-down strategies to foster an inclusive corporate culture.
Valerie's Book and Mental Health Advocacy Valerie shares details about her new book, "The Ultimate Self-Help Guide for the Child of an Asian Tiger Mom," written under the pen name Victoria Ha. The book, a blend of humor and serious insights, explores Valerie's journey of self-discovery and healing from cultural and familial patterns. She hopes it will help others navigate similar experiences and find inner peace.
Personal Reflections and Future Goals Cristy asks Valerie about the role of storytelling in her own business. Valerie admits that while Plat4orm excels in client storytelling, her personal narrative has often taken a backseat. She reflects on the cultural and familial influences that shaped her approach and expresses a renewed focus on integrating her story with Plat4orm's brand.
Conclusion and Contact Information The episode concludes with Valerie providing her contact information for those interested in connecting. She can be reached via LinkedIn or email at Valerie@plat4orm.com. Aggie and Cristy thank Valerie for her enlightening insights and look forward to future conversations.
Show Notes:
Hosts: Aggie and Cristy
Guest: Valerie Chan, Founder of Plat4orm
Topics Covered:
Importance of Storytelling in Business:
How storytelling helps in selling a company for its desired valuation.
Crafting a story arc and go-to-market strategy based on future goals.
PR in Highly Regulated Industries:
Challenges and strategies for PR in fintech, legal tech, and insure tech.
Examples of successful storytelling in these industries.
Economic Impact on Marketing:
Changes in marketing and PR strategies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Client budget reallocations and the focus on ROI in marketing efforts.
Valerie's Career Journey:
Transition from PR to law and back to PR.
Experiences and lessons learned from litigation and working in-house.
Diversity and Corporate Success:
Valerie's Oxford talk on the critical role of diversity in business.
The importance of change management principles in promoting diversity.
Valerie's Book:
"The Ultimate Self-Help Guide for the Child of an Asian Tiger Mom" by Victoria Ha.
Insights into balancing personal identity with cultural expectations.
Personal Reflections:
Cultural upbringing and its impact on personal and professional life.
The importance of self-recognition and validation in achieving success.
Key Quotes:
"The art of storytelling is super important and ultimately going to actually help sell a company for the dollars that they want to get."
"Understanding who you want to be in five years and three years allows you to craft a story arc and fit in a go-to-market strategy."
Connect with Valerie:
LinkedIn: Valerie Chan
Website: Plat4orm
Closing Notes:
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