Visit Gaye's websites:
Rethink Your Elevator Speech
Success in business depends greatly on your ability to connect with people. Whether you are looking for a job or you are building business relationships, you want to be able to tell people who you are and what you do (or what you are looking for).
This is where the “elevator speech” becomes part of the conversation.
You’ve been told of its importance, and you’ve been sold on its benefits. Good. How about rethinking how you use that elevator speech?
Amy Lindgren is one of my favorite career strategists. Her article in our local St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper last Sunday shed some good light on how to more effectively use this tool.
Two take-aways from her article:
1) The relationship comes first. Don’t use your introduction as a platform presentation. Get to know the other person and share your story as part of developing a new relationship.
2) Memorizing your elevator speech makes it sound…memorized. Know the points you want to make and wind them into your conversation. Use your introduction to guide the conversation.
I’d encourage you to read Amy’s article. (She also had excellent suggestions on the use of emails during your job search.)
Your networking should be all about building and nurturing relationships. Always ask: what can I do for you to move your career or business forward?
Businesses are built on relationships. Not elevator speeches.
