Elevator pitches…
Thursday, May 1st, 2008If we were riding in an elevator, I could tell you what I do in 30 seconds or less. If I kept it really brief, I could tell you in about 3 seconds, in three words (one of them a contraction).
But it probably wouldn’t include a sentence along the lines of: “I help businesses solve problems,” or “I help businesses become more efficient through the use of technology.”
Maybe I am way off base here, but I don’t like to hear those kinds of vague answers to the question: “What do you do?”
There is a school of thought that believes the so-called elevator pitch should start along those lines. It’s supposed to draw the listener in, to ask more questions and become engaged. Personally, I’ll ask another question when I get that answer for three reasons, none of them being that I’m intrigued or truly interested.
1) The responder didn’t really answer my question, 2) It bothers me that they were so vague, and 3) It’s pretty rude to ask a question and walk away after hearing a one-line, five-second answer. Politeness alone dictates at a least minute or two of chit-chat before moving on.
Yes, that actually may be what they do in their job. That may actually be the end result of their work day, and the value they bring to their clients. But what is wrong with saying, “I’m a butcher.” “I’m a baker.” “I’m a candlestick maker.” Or even “I’m a management consultant.” As a listener, that will engage me or it won’t. And if I’m truly engaged and asking a lot of questions, it will be for the right reasons–because I care about that person or what they do.
What do you think?
