Before Digital, there was Dialogue: what BNI taught me about self-introduction

It was back in the early 1990's that I started to attend Business Network International (BNI) meetings, at The Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham.

Once a week breakfasts with like-minded business owners in the town, who took turns to introduce themselves with an Elevator Speech, and then continued, asking for word of mouth referrals from other attendees.

I already knew how to construct an Elevator Speech from my financial services training, but the butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers around me had no clue, nor the accountants, lawyers and, occasionally, dentists - and it was inspiring to see them learn.

Do you know how to construct an Elevator Speech - do you even know that that is?

I presented the attached PDF (along with many other things) at The Campbell Academy last week - and it reminded me to share it with you.

We may live in a digital age, but when someone asks you "what do you do for a living?", it's important to avoid saying "Oh - I'm just a dentist.", as that allows the listener to project their own perception of what they think you do.

Enjoy the PDF. Tomorrow I'l explain how we used to ask for referrals at those BNI meetings, a long time ago, in a galaxy far away.....

The Elevator Speech.pdf

Download PDF • 5.33MB