At the end of a long day, you’re heading back to your hotel room. Alone in the elevator, you push the button for floor 26 and want nothing more than room service and maybe a shower before working a few more hours. Before the elevator door closes, a hand slices past the sensor and the doors reopen.
Richard Branson gets on and clicks floor 27.
What do you say?
(Replace Branson with Steve Jobs, Marissa Mayer, Russell Simmons or the person you would most like to meet, either professionally or personally.)
This used to be called having your elevator pitch ready. The truth is, most people don’t want to be pitched, although Sir Richard may be the exception.
Still, it’s important to be able to make the most of this precious moment.
How do you introduce yourself? What do you say after that? Is it a statement or a question? Do you praise them? Talk about yourself? Ask them an interesting question? Tell a joke?
The doors just closed. What do you say?
Add your thoughts in the comments. I’m really interested in what you all think on this one. Don’t forget to include who you would want to meet.
photo credit: Chris Heuer
