4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn to distinguish yourself from the competition, January 3, 2010
This review is from: How to Win a Pitch: The Five Fundamentals That Will Distinguish You From the Competition (Paperback)
"How can we distinguish ourselves from the competition when what we are offering is so similar?" That is the first line of the book, How to Win A Pitch, by Joey Asher, an Atlanta-based sales presentation coach and President of the nationally-recognized consulting firm Speechworks.
While his book targets professionals who are pitching to win business or a project for themselves or their organizations, his advice is absolutely essential for job seekers to learn and understand.
Joey offers readers all of the fundamentals to consider when trying to communicate their value to another person or group. Sound familiar? That's exactly what you're doing in a job hunt - trying to make a strong connection to someone to convince them to hire you. Here is a run-down of the fundamentals and their job search applications:
Fundamental #1. Present a solution and nothing else. All too often, people start presentations by talking about themselves. "Before we start, let me tell you about how our company began . . ." Who cares? Your prospect only cares about is how you can save them money, grow their revenues, or reduce their risk. Detail your plan to help your prospect and tell stories about how the plan has worked for others.
Job search application: Hiring managers care about what they want to know and how you solve their problems. You need to learn how to identify and hone in on the most important information to them in order to win the job.
Fundamental #2. Keep it simple. Resist the urge to cover too much ground in the presentation. Pound away at three messages. "We'll build your project on time. We'll meet your budget. We'll deliver quality work." Simplicity always separates you from the competition.
Job search application - Sending a 3-page resume detailing every thing you have done in the last 25 years and/or going on and on ad naseum in an interview is NOT going to win you the job. Focus on the basics - how you have what they want. Demonstrate why and how.
Fundamental #3. Speak with Passion. If you're one of three firms competing, you know that your competition can do a great job. But as one CEO explained, "When it's close, many of the decisions just come down to who connects with us best.". Passion in the voice helps you connect.
Job search application - You need to realize that you are probably not the only one who could do this job. You might not even be the best qualified. But if you can connect with the hiring managers and communicate better than the competition, you will earn the job.
Fundamental #4. Leave half of your time for questions. Questions address what your prospect wants to hear. Your answers almost always separate you. Your competition often makes Q&A an afterthought. Consequently, you can gain an advantage by considering the questions on the front-end.
Job search application - Questions are key. Typically, you're the one answering the questions (in an interview), so answers are important, but it is also important to ASK good questions. Sometimes, a few well-placed questions can really set the job seeker ahead of the crowd.
Fundamental #5. Rehearse. One CEO who has had hundreds of sales presentations stated, "I can always tell who has rehearsed." Most people don't rehearse much. Practicing sets you apart.
Job-search application - I always advise my clients to practice answers to potential interview questions out loud - not inside of their heads! Hearing how you sound and even watching how you look in a mirror can really make a difference in the outcome. I sometimes suggest talking to a pet, or even a stuffed animal!
Joey's book can be a great help for job seekers who could use some help presenting a solution that works, focusing on a simple message so the target can connect, demonstrating passion and managing anxiety. As an added bonus, it is a perfect resource for anyone who needs to "win" presentations once landing in their targeted jobs!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"How To Win a Pitch" Pays You Back Again and Again, April 30, 2009
This review is from: How to Win a Pitch: The Five Fundamentals That Will Distinguish You From the Competition (Paperback)
"How to Win a Pitch" is the real deal. If you sell ideas or capabilities this simple, easy-to-read, easier to follow primer lays out the fundamentals that every business person -- novice to senior executive -- needs to know.
From the first chapter it pays dividends. Joey Asher lays out the fundamentals, shows how they work, and demonstrates that improved, even excellent pitch performance is within everyone's reach.
Following Joey's principles will ensure your firm will win more business, earn more respect and enhance its reputation. And he conveys his wisdom with real world examples and an abundance of common sense.
Read it. Re-read it. And keep "How To Win a Pitch" close at hand.
- Robert Baskin
Managing Director
MS&L Atlanta
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
