Every professional's ‘must have’ is the ability to succinctly and passionately explain what you and/or your business is about.
Many people can describe the function of their business or their job, but often it’s the passion and what makes your business unique that gets left out of the message. Commonly we assume people have some insight into our industry and they may not, so being clear about what you actually offer and avoiding buzzwords or industry-specific language will be beneficial.
To be remembered by people you meet, talk about what makes you and your business stand out from the rest, and what elements of your business might be relevant to them.
HBR have come up with a fantastic tool to help you do this by creating your own Elevator Pitch (named this because it should be able to be delivered in an average elevator ride).
The HBR tool is simple, easy to navigate and guides you through 4 key components WHO > WHAT > WHY > GOAL before consolidating it into one message.
HBR Elevator Pitch Builder - http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/
I recommend everyone do this for both yourself as a professional and for your business. If you offer several services or there are different elements to your business, it is worthwhile having a clear statement for each one. Once you’ve nailed the words, practice it so next time you’re asked ‘What do you do’ you can deliver a relevant, clear and compelling response.
