Tips from Mastercard's Priceless Pitchman

 

AUGUST 22, 2012 Wednesday,

Win the Pitch

Whether you are vying for a highly-prized account, convincing a CFO to loosen the purse strings, or swaying a new team, you need a winning pitch. Here are three steps to compose and deliver it: Know the hidden agenda. Figure out your audience's unspoken emotional motivation. What do they want, need, or value above all else? Connect. Demonstrate that you have the answer for them: something special that solves their needs. Form your argument. Create an exciting narrative where your audience attains their desires. Don't use business-speak, but good old-fashioned storytelling to convincingly convey your pitch.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Win the Pitch: Tips from Mastercard's "Priceless" Pitchman" by Kevin Allen.