We all get asked the question. It may be at a party, a networking event, on an airplane, at a school function for our children, at church or just standing in line at a fast food joint.
What do you do?
I have seen many strange responses to this question:
- Some people will look at the ground and kick the dirt.
- Some people will stare at you like a deer in headlights.
- Some people will give you a job title or company name.
- Some people will provide a smart, sarcastic response.
- Some people will stammer and spout some corporate jargon hoping they will impress you.
- A very small percentage of people will give you a short clear description of what they do which causes you to respond, "That sounds cool, tell me more."
I have even changed the question that I ask when I meet someone in public. Instead of "what do you do," I will often ask, "what business are you in?" Which allows someone to provide the simpler answer of giving the company that they work for or the industry that they are in.
But that really is avoiding the issue. Most people have not really given much thought to what they really do. And if you are in business for yourself or in a key position such as sales, giving a vague answer could be costing you money.
If you do not know what you do, then it is almost impossible for someone to help you achieve your goals if you cannot clearly and quickly communicate your purpose in life.
Some people call it an elevator speech.
To me it is very simple. Just give a short, succinct answer to the question, "What do you do?"
I help people expand their business, mind and spirit.
Now it's your turn. In the comments below, tell me what do you do?
What do you do?
I have seen many strange responses to this question:
- Some people will look at the ground and kick the dirt.
- Some people will stare at you like a deer in headlights.
- Some people will give you a job title or company name.
- Some people will provide a smart, sarcastic response.
- Some people will stammer and spout some corporate jargon hoping they will impress you.
- A very small percentage of people will give you a short clear description of what they do which causes you to respond, "That sounds cool, tell me more."
I have even changed the question that I ask when I meet someone in public. Instead of "what do you do," I will often ask, "what business are you in?" Which allows someone to provide the simpler answer of giving the company that they work for or the industry that they are in.
But that really is avoiding the issue. Most people have not really given much thought to what they really do. And if you are in business for yourself or in a key position such as sales, giving a vague answer could be costing you money.
If you do not know what you do, then it is almost impossible for someone to help you achieve your goals if you cannot clearly and quickly communicate your purpose in life.
Some people call it an elevator speech.
To me it is very simple. Just give a short, succinct answer to the question, "What do you do?"
I help people expand their business, mind and spirit.
Now it's your turn. In the comments below, tell me what do you do?
Tim Winders has over 25 years experience as a business owner, entrepreneur, coach and consultant. He founded Accelerate Growth NOW to provide business owners with the training, coaching and resources to double, triple and 10X their business. To learn more and to claim your FREE business growth resources, visit AccelerateGrowthNOW.com.
