crafting your elevator speech what works for introducing yourself to an employer
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CRAFTING YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECH What Works for Introducing Yourself to an Employer. February 27, 2013. C5 CONSULTING, LLC Martha Artiles, Katherine McCary Managing Partners www.consultc5.com Certified WBE, Disability Owned & Operated. Agenda. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CRAFTING YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECHWhat Works for Introducing Yourself to an Employer
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C5 CONSULTING, LLCMartha Artiles, Katherine McCary
Managing Partners www.consultc5.com
Certified WBE, Disability Owned & Operated
February 27, 2013
Agenda The Elevator Speech- Definition, Values & Goals Live Your Messaging: Why, How, What Word Choices Build your Elevator Speech! Test Drive Your Speech Resources Upcoming Webinars
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Elevator Speech
An elevator pitch, elevator speech, or elevator statement is a short summary used to quickly
and simply define a person, profession, product, service, organization or event and its value
proposition.
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Value
Clearly definesWho you are Why you do what you doHow you do itWhat you do
(help employers and people with disabilities)
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Goals
Results Oriented:Creates value/meets a need in the employer
mindGains interest from a prospective employerTakes you to the next step: setting a meeting
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Live your Messaging
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WHY
HOW
WHAT
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Build the Employer Message WHY
Because the future needs everyone. People with disabilities can and want to work. Diversity drives innovation.
HOW We place qualified individuals with disabilities in jobs that help keep
America’s businesses running productively. We help businesses to meet their diversity and compliance goals.
WHAT We work with talent with disabilities who will help your business thrive. Employers report that our individuals are valued members of their teams. Individuals with disabilities are innovative, mature and diverse. Our individuals are job ready in areas: …..
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Messaging Ideas
The future needs everyoneThere is a proven business case of hiring
people with disabilities:Higher retention ratesOffer a diversity of views, opinions
and experiencesExperienced in innovating and
adapting
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Word Choices
List some words that describe you or your organization:
(Hint: Use business terminology, not agency acronyms)
Established, recognized, experienced Professional, business acumen, subject matter expert Responsive, innovative, relationships matter What other business words would you suggest? (CHAT)
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Build YourElevator Speech
WhoWhyHowWhatGoal
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Who
What would you like the listener to remember most about you?
Keep it short: Describe who you areChoose strong, clear words
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Why
Diverse talent drives innovation to maximize business success
People with disabilities are an untapped talent pool
People with disabilities represent every other diversity dimension
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What
State your value phrased as key results or impact.
This is your tag line!This should allow the listener to understand
how you or your organization would add value.
Describe why you are unique.
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How
Describe how you meet employer needsDescribe how you match those needs with your
candidatesShow how what you do is different or better than
others.State your commitment to long term relationship
satisfaction through (how you ensure this): Onsite tours, business research, on-
going support following placement, etc.
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Goal
Concrete, defined and realistic Include a time frame Final step -should be readily apparent to the
listener what you are asking of them
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Tips
Your created speechBe flexible. If your audience asks a question or
looks like he/she wants to interrupt, be willing to go in another direction.
After all a pitch is designed to start a conversation. If that conversation starts sooner than later, well done.
Be careful to keep it personable, not a memorized monologue. It’s a targeted conversation, not a sermon.
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Suggestions for WHY
Connect your organization to business-Diversity initiativeFocus on talent Community commitmentEmployee Resource GroupsEmployee engagement/volunteerismMarketing effortsCompliance (benefit not threat)
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Test Drive Your Speech
Write it down.Get your colleagues to review the written speech.Practice by yourself.Create written scenerios and possible roadblocks. Have your colleagues/employers critique (vet) your
speech.Rewrite if necessary. Learn from experience.Practice, practice, refresh and practice more!
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“Vets for Hire” Sample
Why: The future needs everyone.
How: We place highly qualified veterans with disabilities in jobs that help keep America run smoothly.
What: We work with veterans who will help your business thrive.Employers report that our veterans are unusually dedicated
and professionally mature.Our veterans are job ready in areas like computer
programming, system analysis, etc.
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Who is C5?C5 Consulting, LLC was created by two former senior business executives steeped in global diversity and disability leadership who saw the significant need for collaboration of all those engaged in inclusion strategies to move the employment opportunities forward for individuals with disabilities and gain return on investment for talent and shareholder value. Their combined expertise of more than 65 years in Corporate America means that clients can rely upon their business acumen to help promote diversity for business success. To change the landscape of diversity, disability must be included as a strategy. C5 takes a collaborative approach to moving the needle to full inclusion, benefiting business through innovation, access to talent, increased market share and supplier diversity, therefore improving organizational performance.
Certified WBE, Disability Owned & Operated 20PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
C5 Messaging
Why, What, HowWhy: Diverse talent drives innovation to maximize business successWhat: We change corporate cultureHow: We provide training, education and resources to business and community based organizations to leverage full inclusion
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C5 Elevator Speech
Disability is the emerging diversity dimension with global implications. (why)
We use our 65 years of corporate experience and leverage our professional network in disability inclusion to bring forward best practices. (how)
We provide strategic planning, consulting and training in areas including recruiting/retaining, inclusion for the business and CBO community. (what)
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Q&A
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Resources
Harvard Business School Elevator Pitch Builder(www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/)Mind Your Pitch: www.mindyourpitch.comBusiness Know How:www.businessknowhow.com/money/elevator.htm
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Upcoming Webinars
APSE Webinar Featuring C5: March 27, 1pm EST“Becoming the Provider of Choice for Federal Contractors: How OFCCP Regulations Can Maximize Your Success” http://www.apse.org/registration/webinar/index.cfm
C5 Webinar Series (Six Programs): “Setting the Stage for Disability Inclusion” 4pm ESTMarch 27, April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22, June 5www.consultc5.com
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Our Mission C5 Consulting helps organizations change their culture to include people with
disabilities in the workforce to ensure diversity and business success
Our Services Private and Public Sector, Community Based Organizations, Government,
Business Leadership Network Affiliates
ContactsMartha Artiles, Managing [email protected]
Katherine McCary, Managing [email protected]
www.ConsultC5.com
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C5 Consulting, LLC
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