Elevators now made to thwart your elevator speech

Been polishing that elevator speech? You may want to go to the building superintendant and get the technology manual instead. Turns out elevators are being programmed in new ways that may thwart your elevator speech if you're not savvy to the changes. From the report on elevator advances in the Wall Street Journal, we learn that the elevator may be a better place to prep than pitch. Among the insights:

• That "door close" button often doesn't really work--it's there to occupy you while you wait. So use that time instead to recall your remarks.
• If your destination is chosen for you in an elevator car programmed to take you, say, to your boss's floor, use the time to prep--not deliver--your remarks for when you land.
• Pitch fast. The article estimates your ride at around 90 seconds, although conditions will vary. Programmed elevators presumably are more efficient at delivering you, offering less pitch time.

You'll get some interesting notes on business cultures where elevator pitches are frowned upon, and those where it's considered essential--as well as at least one contest for crafting them. Want to learn more to craft your elevator pitch? Check out the links below.

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My elevator speech on your elevator speech

A scientist's elevator speech in 45 seconds, by E.O. Wilson

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