A business portfolio is the collection of products and services that a company provides. It can also refer to a company’s set of businesses, brands, holdings, and investments.
Because the business portfolio basically showcases what you have achieved and are capable of as a company, it’s necessary to organize it properly.
When you have a comprehensive, impressive, and professional business portfolio, you will be able to establish credibility in your market. And when you build credibility, you will be perceived as a competent company worth considering.
As such, you’ll be able to attract potential customers interested in what you’re offering. Sales lead to profit, so ultimately a good business portfolio can help your company grow financially.
When you first started to build a property investment portfolio, you made sure to keep a detailed record of your property investments.
It’s the same with a business portfolio. It relies a lot on detailed records and documentation to make it as complete as possible.
So where to start? Here’s all you need to know about organizing and presenting your portfolio and making it a great tool for marketing your business.
What to Include in Your Business Portfolio
1. Start with your company profile.
The first must-have item in your business portfolio is the most obvious.
Who are you and what do you do? Your business portfolio should contain your company profile, which serves to introduce your company to potential clients. This can help you build your business’ brand as it allows people to have a quick look into your company.
Your company profile should have the following information:
- Company history.
Date established, founders, reasons and circumstances behind founding.
- About the company.
A detailed description about what the company does and what it can offer the target market.
- Branches or locations.
Where is your business based? Do you have other locations aside from your main office?
- Team profile.
Number of employees, roster of officers/staff.
In some companies where the academic background is relevant, information about team members’ educational background and credentials are included. That means courses taken, degrees completed, certifications earned, vocational training completed, workshops attended, and so on.
- Accomplishments.
What has your company done so far? A list of your achievements can boost your market appeal, so don’t be shy to share what you have accomplished.
This may include awards or recognition you received from websites, foundations, magazines, and other organizations. Sponsorships and roles in local event. Accreditations by recognized groups in your field; and initiatives you have started to assist charity groups or directly aid those in need.
Sharing what you have done further adds credibility to your company. It shows how you have a firm foothold in the market while also making a difference.
- Contact information.
Give your audience all they need to know if they want to communicate with you.
Provide your business address, telephone and fax numbers, email address, and website URL.
If you’re also putting up your portfolio online, add an easy-to-use contact form that website visitors can use to send inquiries.
2. Present your vision, mission, objectives, and standards.
A company’s mission statements, goals, and standards provide the framework that guides the company in making business decisions and planning for the future.
What does your company believe in and what do you strive for? What do you see yourself achieving in the next 10 years. How are you going to go about achieving your objectives?
This information will provide your target market an idea of what they can expect from you. What you believe in and what you strive to do, along with the values you uphold, can also attract potential investors who share your vision for the future.
3. Discuss your products and services.
The essence of a business portfolio lies in the presentation of a company’s products and services.
This is what you need to focus on when organizing your portfolio because you really need to make sure the descriptions of your offerings are as detailed as possible.
If you’re in retail for example, it is necessary to include the material (cotton, nylon, canvas, rubber, etc.), product dimensions (in both metric and imperial units of measurement), colors available, care instructions, and the like.
If you’re a service-based business, you need to include what each service entails. Together with how long the process usually is, the qualifications of the team member conducting the service, and other relevant information.
It is recommended to show images of the products and services offered and from different angles. Especially for products where the design or structure of the sides and back are relevant.
A good visual addition to your business portfolio is a gallery showing your products in use, or customers availing of your services. Before-and-after pictures that show what your products or services can achieve are also ideal.
4. Cite business connections and professional affiliations.
It’s like that adage of showing who your friends are so people can determine your character. By enumerating your affiliations, you’ll be able to show people that you’re not just dabbling in the industry and you actually work to expand your network.
After all, membership in professional organizations takes more than just paying a fee. Avoid simply listing down all your professional “friends”. Write the role you play or position you have within the group as well as the responsibilities you take on.
Include the contact information of the group/s should potential clients and investors look into your network of business connections.
5. Share success stories, testimonials, performance reviews, and references.
To further build credibility and convince potential clients and investors, you can prove your worth by including feedback and success stories from satisfied customers. As well as testimonials and performance reviews from associates.
Ask them if you can give their contact information to interested clients for reference purposes.
And that’s what you need to organize for your portfolio to help you gain that competitive edge and build credibility in your target market.
Which part of the business portfolio does your company find difficulty organizing? Share it with us so we can help each other out!
About the author:
This article was written by Emily Simmons, who had her start in entrepreneurship at age 11 selling handmade hair clips to friends. She’s now sharing what she has learned about starting and growing a business.