"Pitch." Have you ever heard this English word? Do not even search for it in the dictionary. Its translation does not match its use in the company practise. Basically it is a short summary, a brief presentation for a company, event, product, organization, or oneself. It is a popular method among project managers, salespeople, marketing specialists and simply anyone who needs to share relevant information quickly and efficiently. Everyone needs that, right? The Business Matters website has pointed out several burning target points related to this topic:
1. Incomprehensibility will fail to make your pitch like Bill Gates' epochal cloud speech. It is nice that you know what "cloud-based" means but what if your audience does not? Follow the rule: If a 12-year child could not understand you, then your pitch is bad.
2. Non-credibility is another of the roadblocks to success. If your superiors respond to your speech by saying, "Yes, we understand that the solution to this situation is inevitable. However, why do you suppose that your solution is the right one?" Make sure that what when you speak, you can always substantiated your ideas with facts and personal experience.
3. Superficiality is the inability to see things in depth or from a larger perspective. Churning out many ideas during the meeting is nice, but it definitely does not prove you are creative. It is preferable to present an idea you can discuss in depth.
4. Unactionability indicates a lack of involving your audience in sharing ideas. Do not try to unilaterally spew your thoughts at people. Try to involve them in the process. Review the discussion, ask for feedback, ask about topics that should be discussed further. Give the audience the feeling that they play an important role in your presentation.
5. Ununiqueness of the communicated content is not so unusual. Remember how many times you have participated in trainings or meetings, trying to listen to the things you have already known. Too many times, right? Nobody says that successful ideas can not be replicated. That is ok. However, how many of you can benefit from hearing it again?
6. Unpreparedness is perhaps the most serious sin of presentations. Maybe you have great answers to all questions but trust me, you probably don't. But it is necessary to be able to give a straight answer to a question on the spot, immediately. You cannot succeed without preparation.
-bn-