THE ELEVATOR PITCH

“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things”-Bruce Barton

In this fast-paced life with all its enigmatic realities, where everyone is preoccupied with trying to make things happen, where the business environment, nay, life itself manifests as dynamic, unpredictable and far-reaching all at once, the aphorism that we may or perhaps will never again “get the chance to make a first impression” rings as true as ever.
According to an Investopedia, an elevator pitch is a slang term that refers to a brief speech that outlines the idea for a person, product, service, or project. The very concept of an elevation pitch represents a smash and grab victory.
A case study, you have looked forward to meeting the global CEO of a fast moving consumer goods company and there you are, in an elevator, or in the lobby of a club or waiting to be checked into an airplane, and there he was, the global CEO himself, right in front of you. This global CEO, has, in his hands, the keys to ascendancy in your professional life as there is currently an expatriate sales role to fill in Los Angeles, California. And you only have 60 seconds and 75 words to live an indelible first impression.
How can you pull of this heist?
First step must be an Introduction, in sales parlance, this is known as breaking the ice. It is essentially a quick introduction of self or company, as the case may be. Here, I assume the role of the hypothetical staff that finds he’s or herself in close proximity to the global CEO. An apt introduction is seen below:
My name is Onyinye Prisca Anyakee.
I have always looked forward to meeting you!
Next up will a brief summary of what you do and might take the shape below.
I am a multinational pharmaceutical sales representative
With distinctive competence in pharmaceutical brand
development.
After which, you explain what you want as seen below.

I have always admired your work at RB and I feel that
I can strengthen RB’s brand development efforts in Lagos,
while gleaning from your wealth of knowledge.
The next and final step might then be to finish with a call to action and might be worded as follows.

Can I call you by 5pm today to discuss the vacant
territory sales manager role in Lagos?

Hence, the full elevator pitch might take this form:

My name is Onyinye Prisca Anyakee.
I have always looked forward to meeting you!

I am a multinational pharmaceutical sales representative
With distinctive competence in pharmaceutical brand
development.

I have always admired your work at RB and I feel that
I can strengthen RB’s brand development efforts in Lagos,
while gleaning from your wealth of knowledge.

Can I call you by 5pm today to discuss the vacant
territory sales manager role in Lagos?

It is important to note here that the four steps that formed our framework for the elevator pitch is not standardized as their other variations depending on what is to be achieved.

#MMBA3