Dictionary definition of “elevator pitch”

elevator pitch

n. a very short persuasive speech, usually delivered impromptu. Also elevator speech. Subjects: English, Business, Jargon

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Citations: 1989 Gerald J. Hahn American Statistician (May) “Statistics-Aided Manufacturing: A Look Into the Future” vol. 43, no. 2, p. 74: Tom Boardman urges that we always have available a 30-second “elevator speech” for when we ride the elevator with our chief executive officer and are asked, “Well, what’s new in the numbers game?” 1989 Bryan Brumley @ Washington, D.C. (AP) (May 18) “Gold Mine of Gobbledygook”: Elevator speech: a short two- or three-minute briefing. 1996 Bonnie Newman Stanley Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va.) (May 20) “Hiring Manager Has Real-World Tips For Graduates With Lessons To Learn” p. D17: Krueger said his book shows you how to make a “30-second elevator pitch” on voice mail. 1997 Usenet: rec.music.classica (July 5) “Re: Accomplishments of the NEA in Classical Music”: While it can be argued that the cases of poor judgement represent an extremely small amount of the total money that the NEA spends, these lapses make an excelent “Elevator Pitch” case for dismantling the NEA. 1999 Tom Peters Fast Company (May 1) “The Wow Project” no. 24, p. 116: The art of the pitch boils down to what we call “the two-minute elevator spiel.” You’re on your way to your office, and you’re riding the elevator. The doors open, and the CEO gets on. As the doors slowly slide shut, she turns to you and asks, “What are you working on that makes a difference to this company?” Her eyes bore into you. You’re alone in the elevator with the biggest of the big cheeses, and you’ve got two minutes to tell her exactly why your project matters. 2005 Anthony Parinello Getting to VITO (Jan. 25) p. 190: Be very careful! What you say next will make all the difference in the relationship and delivering a stellar elevator pitch.

Posted 24 Mar 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Pithy definition and good contexts, but two minutes is a long elevator ride!

by Asher Skowronek 09 Jul 06, 0345 GMT