Eight steps to Creating, Delivering, and Executing Your Elevator Pitch – An Article by our Director of Project Management

The following article was written by RAM’s Director of Project Management, Jesse Unke.
“So who are you and what do you do?” A very simple question that should be easy enough to answer, but often is not. I have put together eight steps to creating, delivering, and executing on your elevator pitch. For each step I have answered the prompts with my own information. Take this format and try for yourself – happy pitching!
So what is an elevator pitch?
  • A brief, persuasive introduction used to spark interest in you and/or what your organization does.
  • Should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name.
  • Should be interesting, memorable, and succinct.
  • Needs to explain what makes you and/or your organization unique.
My eight steps fall under three phases:
  • Create
  • Deliver
  • Execute
  • What is your name?

Jesse Unke

  • What is your role?

Director of Project Management

  • What organization are you with?

RAM

Put it together:

“I’m Jesse Unke, Director of Project Management with RAM.”

  • What does your organization do/services offered? What expertise do you have?

RAM provides project delivery leadership on horizontal infrastructure projects on behalf of our clients

  • What sectors does your organization service, and/or what sectors do you service?

RAM services the utility, transportation, infrastructure, energy, and marine sectors

  • Who are your clients/past clients?

I work with public and private clients including contractors, private industries, utility companies, and municipalities

Put it together:

“I provide project delivery leadership on horizontal infrastructure projects on behalf of my clients, and service the utility, transportation, infrastructure, energy, and marine sectors.”

  • What is your value proposition? Why do your clients work with your organization and/or you?

RAM takes a constructability-focused approach to the delivery of horizontal infrastructure projects

  • Add an interesting fact or stat to be persuasive and spark interest

RAM is unique in that we provide services to both owners and contractors, and understand how both parties approach projects, giving us a 360-degree view on providing leadership for our clients

Put it together:

“My team takes a constructability-focused approach to the delivery of horizontal infrastructure projects, and we’re unique in that we provide services to both owners and contractors, understanding how both parties approach projects, giving us a 360-degree view on providing leadership for our clients.”

Put it all together, for the complete pitch:

“I’m Jesse Unke, Director of Project Management with RAM. I provide project delivery leadership on horizontal infrastructure projects on behalf of my clients, and service the utility, transportation, infrastructure, energy, and marine sectors.

I work with both public and private clients including contractors, private industries, utility companies, and municipalities. My team takes a constructability-focused approach to the delivery of horizontal infrastructure projects, and we’re unique in that we provide services to both owners and contractors, understanding how both parties approach projects, giving us a 360-degree view on providing leadership for our clients.”

Engage the other party with a question(s) – look to make a connection/common ground, and create an opportunity for further discussion.

Make the connection:

  • Request to connect on LinkedIn
  • Request a meeting or phone call
  • Offer a case study or article applicable to the conversation
  • Offer to make an introduction to someone in your network

Close the pitch with:

  • Business card exchange (in-person)
  • Email exchange (virtual)

Make notes of the conversation for future reference. This is especially key when meeting many people at an event.

Follow up with the most appropriate form of communication, in a timely manner:

  • Email
  • Phone call
  • LinkedIn
Delivery Tips
  • Positive body language, both in person and via virtual platforms
  • Eye contact, speak wiht confidence, both in person and via virtual platforms
  • Kepe it natural and conversational – avoid making it sound too scripted and rehearsed.
Jesse is Director of Project Management with RAM and enjoys being actively engaged in the project management/engineering community, volunteering with the PMI Canadian Westcoast Chapter (CWCC), and Young Professionals in Energy (YPE). Jesse is also President of the British Columbia Construction Roundtable (BCCR). Interested in hearing more from Jesse Unke on his networking experience? Connect with him today.