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Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)
30 Seconds To Impact: Creating A Good First Impression For REAL Wellness
A suggestion for wellness enthusiasts who ride in elevators: Prepare and practice a short explanation of the REAL wellness lifestyle you enjoy that is different from just trying to stay healthy in an ad hoc, make-it-up-as-you-go-along fashion. Sales people practice explaining their product/service in order to make the most of short encounters with potential prospects. Anyone familiar with the world of venture capital understands that he has one chance to make a great first impression. Since time is of the essence, the pitch you make must rise above competing entreaties and enticements. Messages that convey sincerity, creativity and substance stand out from the rest—but a good 30 second pitch involves even more.
Think about it: If someone says, "and what do YOU do?"—in an elevator, for instance, you know you don't have much time to respond in a way that will make an impression, stand out from the crowd, peak interest and create a desire for further contact. Therefore, you do not want to hem and haw, ramble or fail to express what's special about your product or service. Instead, you want to be prepared for such moments of opportunity, the better to get right to important points in a compelling fashion. Most of the time, 30 seconds or less is all you've got, according to Carole Rylander and Charles Maclean, authors of "Crafting Your 30-second Elevator Conversation."
The 30 second interaction should be more like a conversation than a speech! While you can do most of the talking, information must, to some degree, flow two ways. Tune in to the other person, give some sign that you notice his/her nonverbal responses. Some experts, including the authors of the above-noted book, believe that "75% of trusted communication is non-verbal, that every conversation involves a two-way flow of information at all times!"
I'm still thinking about my REAL wellness 30-second elevator commentary. What about you? Do you have a captivating mini-rant ready to go for appropriate occasions of a brief nature? You might, of course, get more than 30 seconds, but you could get less. Either way, having something at the ready that captures your passion for a wellness philosophy and lifestyle seems a good idea.
I've thought about my 30-second piece. It's but a first attempt—I'll make it better after I screw it up once or twice and otherwise test out reactions. One request—as you read this, keep in mind that my model is Homer's Iliad and the Sirens. With dulcet tones, my REAL wellness 30 seconds will be like sweet singing luring sailors and others not to their doom, but to secular salvation. No need for anyone to stop up his ears with wax or to lash herself to the mast out of fear of being powerless to steer away from shipwreck or other ill fate.
Warning: "There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area we call The Elevator Zone.")
A One-Act Drama: A dark and stormy night of the ground floor of a high rise building in a city much like yours. Two strangers enter an empty elevator.Â
"Stranger 1: What an awful night. People suck. The economy is in ruins. Life is meaningless. Nothing matters. Hi—my name is Morton. I sell tobacco products. What do you do?"
Stranger 2 (me): "I promote an alternative to doctors, drugs and disease. (eye contact, smile) It's based on personal responsibility. It's a way to increase quality of life. Ever heard of REAL wellness? (pause as if interested, then continue before he can speak) R-E-A-L is just an acronym—REAL stands for reason, exuberance and liberty. (15 seconds to go) It helps companies save money—and individuals to enjoy life more. It's a positive way of thinking and living. (time's up—end on a cheerful wave goodbye) Have an epic and triumphant evening. Be well."
YOUR elevator 30 second take has to be just right for you—as in my case as seen above, you are not likely to get it just right at first, so play with it and have fun until you find a commentary that's just right, for what you do and how you want to express it.
Good luck. Always look on the bright side of life.
Domain: mentalSubdomain: factual knowledge
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