1. Presentation Training
The Elevator Pitch

2. 2012 BPC Elevator Pitch Winner

3. Less is more
“If you can’t get your message across in three minutes, you don’t know what you are doing”
“A poor pitch is a bore pitch”

4. Different types of Elevator Pitches The ten second pitch
round table introductions
in answer to the question, ‘What do you do?’
at networking events when you only have one
chance to make a first impression.
at trade fairs to pique interest in potential
customers
phone messages

5. Different types of Elevator Pitches The three minute pitch
presentation to venture capitalists and financiers at conferences
at job interviews
at sales meetings
at recruitment fairs / trade fairs
elevator pitch contests
networking evenings

6. Golden rules Be listener oriented.
Ask yourself, ‘Who is listening to my Elevator Pitch?’
Give the listener a reason to remember you.
An easy to understand Business needs a USP (Unique Selling Point – Alleinstellungsmerkmal). Unless you are in a very hi-tech field, your grandma should be able to understand and describe it to someone else.

7. Golden rules Don’t pitch the idea/product/service!
Pitch what it will do for the investor, for the customer and for the world. A message without a specific request is a wasted opportunity. Mention the benefits for all. Think global – show vision.
Talk in tangibles not in abstractions.
Don’t use buzz or tech speak as it is either too detailed or too vague.

8. Golden rules Practice makes perfect.
Elevator pitches need a lot of preparation and there are consultants who take weeks (and large fees from clients)
to help them to perfect their pitch.
The first aeroplane didn’t fly!

9. Structuring your Pitch
Pique interest of your audience with a ‘hook’ i.e. a question, an amazing fact or a problem.
E.g. ‘We’ve got the biggest chicken and egg problem of anyone here this evening.’
Briefly describe your products/services/ideas.
Outline a need /problem then solve it.

10. Structuring your Pitch
Tell your audience the benefits.
Mention your market.
Mention partners/references.
Call to action - say what you want.
Finish with your own name.

11. Fine Tuning the Pitch Use language you feel comfortable with.
Speak clearly.
Use an analogy
e.g. ‘We are the Yahoo for teens!’
Use word play and a tag line e.g.
‘We start up start-ups.’

12. Fine Tuning the Pitch Try to raise the pulse rate of your audience.
Pique interest but don’t do jokes.
Vary pitch and intonation.
Smile.