Know Who YOU Are
At a recent conference an audience member asked the speakers a question. Trying to be as helpful as possible the speaker asked “What do you do?” The person froze up and didn’t know how to answer.
Being a good soul, the speaker asked again, “I mean, what do you do? What sort of work are you in so we can help answer this question as targeted to you as possible.”
I don’t want to pick on this person because this is something I see way to often at an event. Much more then I care to believe. While I don’t want you to pitch me when I ask this question, if anyone is going to know the answer to the question it better be you!
Companies always strive for the perfect “elevator pitch” and I’ve seen more then one conversation about the hipster version now being to fit it within 140 characters so it can go on Twitter.
At the end of the day, you must know your own personal pitch as well. As corny as that sounds if you can’t at least introduce yourself and say what you do then a conference is not going to be as beneficial to you as it can be. Don’t think of it as a pitch, but rather as your personal story.
At a minimum you need to be able to tell me:
- Who you are (first name is fine)
- Where you live (general geography works)
- What you do for work (ok, to not share the company if you don’t want to)
- What drives you (not always the same as where you work)
All of these are basics that I can’t even believe people wouldn’t be prepared to answer. If you don’t want to talk about work, that is cool, but at least be able to talk about yourself.
Take five minutes before the next conference or social gathering to and think about how you’d answer the question, “And you are?”
If I was to ask you that today what would you say?
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Comments(12)
You stole my post! kidding. But I recall sitting next to you during this, and looking at each other incredulously.
I think this is a hidden reason why some people – and businesses – thrive, and others struggle. If YOU can’t define who you are and what you do, from the gut, how can you possibly explain to someone else why you matter? I got scolded myself by a very savvy friend over dinner the other night who caught me being lazy about describing what I do. It matters, and if you can’t put it out there with conviction, no one is going to be inspired enough to find out more.
Thanks for posting.
I think about this question often and I wish I could come up with 140 characters to summarize who I am. I have my hands in a lot of different things that it’s hard to really categorize myself.
I suppose as time goes on more terms for people like myself will be developed, but today I don’t know how to answer this so I will simply continue to use the response “I’m ‘TheDiva’, Google me!”
I am a woodturner and artist from the Buffalo NY area. I am passionate about my work and I love sharing it with others using the new interactive web. I am a giving, helpful educated person who is very approachable and will go out of my way to be of service to others.
An aside: I believe it is “who you are” rather than “what you do” that defines you. I also believe that this is forever manifesting itself. I believe that the rapidly changing web, economic climate, and business trends are forcing people to be chameleons at times and making it harder for people to answer the question that Mitch Joel so often asks “Who are you, and what do you do?”
OK, I’ll have a stab first then, but no 140 character hipster version from me…..
Who am I?
————-
I am David, living near Southampton, on the south coast of the UK. I am a Test Analyst for Ordnance Survey, and my role is to ensure that the systems and data we produce are fit for purpose, and maintain the high standards and reputation of the business.
My main drivers are my involvement with Scouting, Photography and my newly found past-time, Track Marshalling at motor racing events. Scouting drives me because I want to share my knowledge and put back what others gave me when I was a Young Member. Photography because it forces me to be creative, and Marshalling because it is *all* about the Teamwork.
Those three components help me drive through my daily activities in the office.
———–
You know, that feels pretty good writing it down, and may even get put across into my CV.
I agree Keith. I don’t care if your an executive, the janitor or someone in between. I want to get to know the person rather then the job. But, even answering that some people can’t do. Glad to see you can.
And it is getting harder and harder these days to answer I know. I like the way you answer Diva!
Sorry I stole your post Amber. Guess you’ll type faster next time! *grin*
C.C. – exactly! Shouldn’t we all have the elevator pitch about ourselves? I know it’s always the most difficult to talk about ourselves, but at least be able to talk about your company when asked that question. Great advice, C.C.!
Thanks CC! I really wish I had an all inclusive title I could toss around…one that would give just a touch of insight into all that I do. I guess I’m just not creative enough to develop one on my own.
How great would it be if there was a site I could go to and enter in all my details and have it spit out a title and mini profile for me!!
Thanks for pointing this out, C.C. (I saw the Tweets during the conf discussing this very thing – probably between you and Amber!). I experienced trying to describe my “what I do” in my brand new role, and I think I was able to refine it somewhat during the event.
Me: I write the blog Customers Rock! and am passionate about customers and their experience. I am recently the Director of Social Media at Brickfish, a social media advertising network, where I get to do the two things I love: focus on social media and customer loyalty.
Thanks for the tips.
You’re always getting my thinker going.
Just an “Old” beginner trying to learn.
That was a cringe-worthy moment. I was sitting right there. Ouch.
Not only do you need your personal elevator pitch, you need to keep it super consistent and spread it everywhere. I see way too many people with totally different descriptions of themselves across different profile pages, which just confuses people.
The natural human tendency is to categorize. Brogan had a good post a few weeks ago about how he categorizes people when he introduces them to others he knows. Given that we all do it, you must provide people with something to grab on to.
Great post. Don’t you love it when 15 seconds of the real world spawns a whole post and comment thread. Serendipity!
Cheers,
JASON BAER
Good post and tips C.C.
I remember sitting in on that session and the person stumbling on their words when trying to answer. Like you said, it’s all a matter of being able to talk about yourself and showing that you at least understand yourself, if anything.
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