business, in 30 seconds or less

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of working with an expert in Elevator Speeches, who specializes in media and presentation training – specifically in “helping clients craft pithy 30-second descriptions of their companies.” His work is part-consultancy, part mirror, in that he captures his clients using video and shows them the impressions they give to their audience. I watched him cleverly coach a half-dozen executives from dry speeches to crafted confidence in little more than a day.

What was hard to believe was his 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 was 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

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