I mentioned the 90-second elevator pitch idea in an earlier entry based on my reading of “The Most Awkward Meeting: New Elevators Sort Employees, Foiling Manners And Face Time” that was published in the WSJ (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703509104576331044032063796.html).
Here is an attempt to formalize an exercise that could fit into one of the pre-speaker “mental wake-up/warm-up” workshop slot that have been under consideration.
PURPOSE: to get students to focus on the most important points, to think on their feet, and have a sense of time when they are trying to persuade someone. They need to appreciate that they need to grab attention and that once they have it, they only have it for a short time. [Aside: this makes me think of another WSJ article (April 24, 2012 issue) I just read “What Cocktail Parties Teach Us” by Melinda Beck (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303459004577361850069498164.html) where the term “cocktail-party effect” is used to describe how the “auditory complex boosts some sounds to help the brain prioritize what’s important.” I’ll reflect on the significance of this in another entry but suffice it say that one needs to gain the FULL attention of the listener to have an effective pitch experience.]
1. We will do this in teams. Whether we use the Project Studio teams, or some other team formation (for variety) is up for consideration. For example, if the number of members in each Project Studio team is quite different, it might be prudent to re-sort the teams so the number of people of team is the same – mainly to make sure we have the best chance of getting through the exercise.
2. Put an assortment of products into a box – one for each participant. Each participant will draw out an item and that becomes their product (or idea) to pitch. Perhaps include an option to employ something of their own.
3. What kind of products? Junk? The hottest gadgets? Weird things? I’ll get back to you on this.
4. After selecting the item, the “pitcher” will have 15 minutes to map out their pitch. I would suggest that the pitch includes a grab, a short set of feature highlights and differentiators, why people are going to be enchanted by it, and how there is competitive advantage. Of course, the pitcher should also use visual clues to steer their pitch as needed. For example, if eye contact is not attained or is lost (looks at watch, smiles at someone else), then it might be time to jump to Plan B or the next grabber.
5. The pitch. Will need some sort of timer, probably in view of the audience but not the pitcher (or maybe both actors).
6. Feedback. The pitchee should give a quick , spontaneous and genuine response when the time is up. It could be something like “I’ll take 100!” or “Send me your business plan” or “Come to my office later and tell me more” or …
7. Maybe we should video these interactions on an iPad for later review?