I recently ask for input on what you would like more information on and as a result a couple of you suggested Elevator Speeches.
Elevator Speeches
- Given the name elevator speeches are obviously meant to be the time of an elevator ride, which is about 15 seconds to 2 minutes. Think of it as a sound bite or a newspaper headline
- It’s being able to use the brief chance encounter, such as with senior administration, key department leaders, key physicians or other VIPS/informal leaders.
- While these examples are in your organization also think about being at a professional meeting and running into the ASHP president or state president, professional organization executive officer, school of pharmacy dean, speaker you admire, etc.
- Elevator speeches are being ready to take advantage of these chance encounters.
- In developing elevator speeches think through your purpose, what you want to achieve so you make the best use of the time.
- Some suggested areas to think about are communicating pharmacy’s value such as cost effectiveness, patient safety, regulatory compliance, etc. Don’t assume others truly understand what pharmacy does even nurses and physicians
- Also think about marketing yourself as not just a pharmacist and leader but as a significant contributor to the whole organization.
- Keys to keep in mind, as you develop your elevator speeches, are thinking about what’s in it for the other person. In other words what are the challenges they are dealing with, so you need to know your organization beyond just the pharmacy.
- Obviously be careful of the terminology you use so you connect with the person.
- Make it memorable and powerful so they will want to follow up with you.
- Another way to think of this is making pharmacy’s work visible.
- Let me give you an example. For the CEO. Jennifer thanks for being sure pharmacy was consulted about the HCAPS. We have implemented a program where our clinical pharmacists visit every patient on discharge to discuss what they need to take at home and we call them in two days to see what questions they may have. We have already seen improvement in the survey scores. We are exploring with the Cardiac physicians actually providing on discharge the patient with their discharge meds in packing that will enhance them taking their doses and not being readmitted
- As another example, for the state chapter president, Hi I am Sara White from Stanford and met you last year at this meeting. Great meeting. As my children are now teenagers I now have the time to assist the organization in anyway I can so keep me in mind when appointments are made. Here is my business card.
- Creating an Elevator Pitch
- It can take some time to get your pitch right. You'll likely go through several versions before finding one that is compelling, and that sounds natural in conversation.
- Follow these steps to create a great pitch, but bear in mind that you'll need to vary your approach depending on what your pitch is about and to whom you are talking.
- Identify Your Goal
- Start by thinking about the objective of your pitch.
- For instance, do you want to be sure folks appreciate what pharmacy does? Do you have a great new service idea that you want to pitch to an executive? Or do you want a simple and engaging speech to explain what your leadership ?
- Explain What You Do
- Start your pitch by describing what your department does. Focus on the problems that you solve and how you help people. If you can, add information or a statistic that shows the value in what you do.
- Ask yourself this question as you start writing: what do you want the person to remember most about you?
- Keep in mind that your pitch should excite you first; after all, if you don't get excited about what you're saying, neither will your encounter. Your pitch should bring a smile to your face and quicken your heartbeat. People may not remember everything that you say, but they will likely remember your enthusiasm.
- Communicate Your Value
- Your elevator pitch also needs to communicate your expertise and what pharmacy brings to patient care every day
- Practice
- Like anything else, practice makes perfect. Remember, how you say it is just as important as what you say. If you don't practice, it's likely that you'll talk too fast, sound unnatural, or forget important elements of your pitch.
- Set a goal to practice your pitch regularly. The more you practice, the more natural your pitch will become. You want it to sound like a smooth conversation.
- Make sure that you're aware of your body language as you communicate a lot through it
Comments are always welcome.