Discussion 1

An elevator speech is an excellent way to convey your skills while networking and seeking employment. Prior to entering into this discussion forum, review the Forbes Mentor Week // Dr. Murad Abel  (Links to an external site.)video (Abel, 2015) that addresses the concept of “elevator speeches,” the Forbes Mentor Week // Dr. Marcus Crayton // Ashford University (Links to an external site.) video (Crayton, 2015) about how branding applies to you personally and professionally, and the Forbes Mentor Week // Dr. Karen Lynne-Daniels Ivy // Ashford University (Links to an external site.) video (Ivy, 2015) about navigating the future with your personal action plan. An elevator speech is a one-minute summary of who you are, why you are qualified, and what you have to offer the organization or industry. A brief sales pitch will ensure that you are prepared to discuss your career goals whenever the opportunity presents itself. In addition to the videos listed above, review the following two Forbes’ articles:

• The Perfect Elevator Pitch To Land A Job (Links to an external site.)
• How to Craft an Elevator Speech That Makes a Big Impact (Links to an external site.)

After you have read the articles, develop your elevator speech. The elevator speech should focus on how you practice leadership. Record the audio to your speech using one of the following options:

• Vocaroo (Links to an external site.) (PC, Mac, and Mobile device)
• iTalk (Mac Only App) (Links to an external site.)
• Voki (Links to an external site.)

Once you have completed your recording, share your elevator speech with the class by copying and pasting the link of your recording into the body of your initial post. If you are having trouble recording your elevator speech, please contact your instructor.

Listen to/view two of your peers’ elevator speeches and comment on how well they presented the following information: who they are, why they are qualified, and what they have to offer the organization or industry.

Example Elevator Speech

Hi, my name is John and I am a student at Ashford University completing my Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management. For the past five years, I have worked in a leadership role in the food service industry, where I was able to reduce costs and increase revenues. I am seeking to increase my management responsibilities and move into a district manager role where I can help improve company productivity and increase profitability.

Required Resources

Text

Abraham, S. (2012). Strategic management for organizations. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

• Chapter 1: Strategic Management
• Chapter 2: Leadership, Governance, Values, and Culture
• Chapter 3: Strategic Thinking

Articles

Collamer, N. (2014, February 4). The perfect elevator pitch to land a job (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/02/04/the-perfect-elevator-pitch-to-land-a-job/

• This article provides information about how a 30 second summary about being the perfect candidate can help during a job interview and will assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum this week.
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Ryan, L. (2014, October 12). Forget cover letters – Write a pain letter, instead! (Links to an external site.) Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2014/10/12/forget-cover-letters-write-a-pain-letter-instead/

• The article provides information about how a pain letter may be a replacement for a cover letter and will assist you in your Cover Letter journal this week.
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Ryan, L. (2014, November 7). Stop! Don’t send that cover letter (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2014/11/07/stop-dont-send-that-cover-letter/

• This article provides information about pain letters and will assist you in your Cover Letter journal this week.
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Schawbel, D. (2012, September 9). How to craft an elevator speech that makes a big impact (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2012/09/05/how-to-craft-an-elevator-speech-that-makes-a-big-impact/

• This article provides information about the importance of elevator speeches and will assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum this week.
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Shavin, N. (2014, July 16). Tips for the perfect resume and cover letter (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/naomishavin/2014/07/16/tips-for-the-perfect-resume-and-cover-letter/

• This article provides tips about resumes and cover letters and will assist you in your Cover Letter journal this week.
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Multimedia

Abel, M. [Ashford University]. (2015, July 30).  Forbes Mentor Week // Dr. Murad Abel (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tQIFLVToqc&feature=youtu.be

• In this video, Dr. Murad Abel provides information about showcasing your skills to a future boss or business ally and enables you to craft the perfect “elevator speech” to make a memorable impression. This video will assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum this week. This video has closed captioning and a transcript.
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Crayton, M. [Ashford University]. (2015, July 29). Forbes Mentor Week // Dr. Marcus Crayton // Ashford University (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gio83k9jtgQ&feature=youtu.be

• In this video, Dr. Marcus Crayton provides information about how to make sure hiring managers, recruiters, and peers are primarily focused on you and shows you the critical elements of your brand and how you can boost your profile in-person and online. This video will assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week. This video has closed captioning and a transcript.
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Ivy, K. L-D. [Ashford University]. (2015, July 27). Forbes Mentor Week // Dr. Karen Lynne-Daniels Ivy // Ashford University (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/wath?v=A4fSedq0_HI

• In this video, Dr. Karen Lynne-Daniels Ivy provides information about how to make sure hiring managers, recruiters, and peers are primarily focused on you and shows you the critical elements of your brand and how you can boost your profile in-person and online. This video will assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week. This video has closed captioning and a transcript.
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Recommended Resources

Articles

Arends, B. (2014). Pixar’s secret management trick (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/brettarends/2014/06/03/pixars-secret-management-trick/

• This  article provides information about Pixar’s management strategies and may assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week.
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Guthrie, D. (2014). Miami Dolphins: Leadership, organizational culture and empty words (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougguthrie/2014/02/25/miami-dolphins-leadership-organizational-culture-and-empty-words/

• This article provides information about the culture within the organization and may assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week.
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Kotter, J. (2012). The key to changing organizational culture (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2012/09/27/the-key-to-changing-organizational-culture/

• This article provides information about the solution to making changes in organizational culture and may assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week.
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Moorhead, P. (2014). Lenovo’s plans to acquire IBM’s X86 server business could be its best strategic decision yet (Links to an external site.). Forbes. Retrieved form http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2014/04/17/lenovos-plans-to-acquire-ibms-x86-server-business-could-be-its-best-strategic-decision-yet/

• This article provides information about Lenovo’s future acquisition plans and may assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week.
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Olsen, E. (n.d.).  Mission statements (Links to an external site.). OnStrategy. Retrieved from http://mystrategicplan.com/resources/mission-statements/#Defining%20Your%20Mission _math_education

• This article provides information about how to create a strategic mission statement and may assist you in your Elevator Speech discussion forum and Cover Letter journal this week.
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