Your elevator speech

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of working with an expert in Elevator Speeches, who like me specializes in media and presentation training – specifically in “helping clients craft pithy 30-second descriptions of their companies.” Our work is part-consultancy, part mirror, in that we capture clients using video and show them the impressions they give their audience. We coach executives from dry speeches to crafted confidence in only a few days.

We’ve bonded over the fact that we’ve each many stories about many well-known or high-powered executives who could not deliver their elevator speech, much less cater it for every different listener. It is remarkable to learn of the opportunities people missed by not knowing what my Aunt describes as their “main thing.” Imagine how much of an impression is delivered in this short, compelling sentence.

Furthermore – think of the value in learning others’ value statements: Imagine not just being able to deliver your own elevator speech, but in introducing people to one another essentially using their elevator speech.

So, what to you do?

“I wish I had an answer to that, because I’m getting tired of answering that question.” ~ Yogi Berra