Whitney Greer

Here’s a excerpt from Wabi-Sabi at Work about transforming the formulas we think we’re supposed to use into more natural communications. Formulas show up everywhere; from the 30-second elevator pitch to overused buzzwords.  Awareness is the first step toward making choices about what inspires and what locks you into alien behaviors.  See if you recognize [...]Read More »

Just because the money and compensation rock doesn’t mean you’ll survive in a company. Different people, like different species, need the right environment to thrive.  Just as monkeys need to climb and polar bears need to swim, you’re more likely to do well in an environment where the norms correspond with the way you like [...]Read More »

What is happening on Facebook? Once, the place to connect with family in far off places and old high school friends, it’s now gone the way of the Christmas letter. You know, those yearly missives recounting soul-searching trips to India, superhuman children, and a list of accomplishments that sound like the writer is running for office.Read More »

Why are comments spoken over a cup of coffee so much more compelling than the points made in meetings?  Because drinking inspires us to let down our hair, dish a little, and say something real. There are many reasons – HR and legal – why we can’t speak the same way at work.  However, people do [...]Read More »

If your doctor came in a shrink-wrapped package, would you pick him or her off the shelf? Professional branding is based on how you do what you do, not a job description. Read More »

Stop the Elevator Pitch

Here’s a excerpt from Wabi-Sabi at Work about transforming the formulas we think we’re supposed to use into more natural communications.

Formulas show up everywhere; from the 30-second elevator pitch to overused buzzwords.  Awareness is the first step toward making choices about what inspires and what locks you into alien behaviors.  See if you recognize any of the standard practices below and give yourself kudos if you’ve already broken the mold.

Cut the Cable on the Elevator Pitch
When one person asks another, “What do you do?” the person answering often pushes the mental “play” button and launches into pitch mode. He or she assumes the position, standing straighter and locking eyes.  The 30-second elevator spiel is in rerun mode with bored viewers wishing they could fast-forward past the commercial.

TIP: Contrast this scenario with a more genuine approach. Instead of turning on a one-way infomercial download, why not build a conversation? Don’t tick off job description bullets. Share a recent project or moment that jazzed you.  When you’re sparked, others will be interested.

The PowerPoint Crutch
If we had a dime for every time someone comes into a workshop with a 40-slide PowerPoint multimedia show for a 10-minute conversation, we’d be sipping Mai Tais on the beach right now.  Ask why they need a laptop loaded with slides to make three key points and most people confess that while they hate the format, it’s what’s expected.

When a senior vice president asked us to help her prepare her acceptance speech for an industry award for creativity, we didn’t realize it would involve a design team.  In walked two graphic artists, one publicist, her assistant and a multi-media specialist.  Ironic that she was considered the creative one when she relied on a creative entourage.  As the PowerPoint slides started to pile up with data and market research, we had to speak up.   Herding out her posse, we asked her to tell her own story.

She reached a transformational moment when she kicked the PowerPoint habit and presented her amazing professional journey with only one graphic slide she designed herself and used as a backdrop.  When she received a standing ovation, it was for more than an outstanding presentation.  The crowd approval was also for someone who had dared to buck the conventional approach and showed up as her true Wabi-Sabi at Work self.

TIP: Images speak louder than words and aren’t as hard on the eyes.  Create your notes first, not your slides.  Think about an image or graphic that would enhance the point you’re making.  Need inspiration?  Download any speech from a product launch given by Steve Jobs of Apple.

Buzzwords That Won’t Die
We know the B.S. quotient of a company by the length of its buzzword list.  Despite having lost all meaning, terms like ubiquitous, leverage, and value proposition are still flashed around like the latest cell phones.

During a meeting where the word systemic puzzled a group of executives, one savvy manager looked it up only to find out it was being used incorrectly.  The inside joke cracked this team up every time another manager repeated the mistake.  We say, rely on your brains, not buzz.

TIP: Go with quick description, detail, an individual perspective, and conversational language over marketing-speak.  When people can see it, smell it and taste it, your description is working and the connection is made.  If you wouldn’t use the language in conversation over coffee, strike it from your vocabulary.

FOR MORE TIPS, CHECK OUT THE BOOK ON AMAZON.