New Delhi, July 29, 2016: They say it takes a mere 30 seconds to make an impression, positive or negative, on someone new. With this in mind and in the spirit of ‘Talk in an Elevator Day’ on 29 July – dedicated to encouraging the stepping out of comfort zones and making small talk with strangers – Holiday Inn Express® has these suggestions to help master the art of the elevator pitch to create an impactful impression straight away. ‘Talk in an Elevator Day’ is celebrated annually across the world on the last Friday in July.

The humble elevator pitch, or speech, is designed to ‘break the ice’ and lead to deeper dialogue about a specific idea or topic, be that yourself, your organisation or your product. As the name suggests, it’s short enough to get your concept across in the time taken to travel between floors while riding in an elevator.

To effectively communicate a memorable, engaging snapshot of yourself that encapsulates who you are, what you are trying to achieve and how you can succeed, consider following these simple, straightforward tips:

  • Show empathy by highlighting an issue the other person can relate to
  • ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if…?’ Suggest an objective solution you can follow through on
  • Differentiate yourself by explaining what it is that makes you and your offering unique
  • Don’t forget to pursue a relationship! Request to connect again in the future

Take the time to practice your speech out loud, alone and in front of a mirror, to ensure it flows and importantly, comes across as conversational and genuine. Dedicating it to memory will make it easier to deliver in a social or business situation, where nerves can sometimes get the best of us and potentially jeopardise an otherwise successful introduction to someone new.

With a captivating elevator pitch up your sleeve, make a visit to the Great Room the next time you stay at a Holiday Inn Express hotel, and try your hand at creating a lasting impression on a new acquaintance or fellow guest.

The Great Room is a comfortable and inviting space featured across all centrally located Holiday Inn Express hotels, encompassing an open-plan restaurant and lounge area. Fuel your productivity and get an early start to your day with a free Express Start Breakfast or Grab & Go option, or wind down over a refreshing beverage with colleagues and friends in the evening.

Complete with modern furnishings and equipped with free Wi-Fi connectivity, the Great Room serves as a multifunctional common area where smart and savvy travellers can choose to connect online, or mingle and relax after a full day of business commitments.

Embrace ‘Talk in an Elevator Day’ with an open mind and let smart conversation open doors to a field of opportunities when you stay refreshed and travel smarter with Holiday Inn Express.

Across India, there are five Holiday Inn Express properties open in centre-of-action locations, in Ahmedabad at Ashram Road, in Chennai at Old Mahabalipuram Road and at Mahindra World City, in Delhi at New Delhi International Airport T3, in Hyderabad at Gachibowli; and 17 Holiday Inn Express hotels are due to open in three to five years. What’s more, the Holiday Inn Express interiors are vibrant and contemporary in design to exude energy. There are currently over 2,400 Holiday Inn Express hotels open across the globe, with a further 628 hotels due to open in the next three to five years.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)