Last week in our coaching community, members engaged in lively conversations around the intersection of humor and business strategy, spurring discussions on how coaches can incorporate levity without losing professionalism. There was a buzz around crafting effective elevator pitches, particularly focusing on real-world applications. We also delved into the importance of self-regulation for coaches, with members exploring continuing education opportunities to refine this skill. Finally, the community shared strategies for helping junior project managers take charge of their schedules, highlighting the nuanced role of a coach in fostering independence.
This Week’s Hot Topics
The day profit met punchline
A fascinating thread on blending humor with profit-generating strategies. Members shared how a well-timed joke can enhance client relationships and even boost business outcomes. Read more here
Elevator pitch met an elevator
This discussion is all about crafting pitches that actually work in real-life scenarios. It’s not just about the theory; members are talking about pitches that have been put to the test. Read more here
CE options that teach coach self-regulation
A practical conversation on continuing education courses that help coaches stay composed and effective. Valuable for anyone looking to enhance their self-management skills. Read more here
Coaching junior PMs on schedule ownership
This topic covers the art of guiding junior project managers to own their schedules. It’s about empowering them to be proactive and self-sufficient. Read more here
Looking forward to seeing how these discussions evolve. Stay engaged and keep sharing your insights.
Tested humor in 30-second elevator pitches by adding one self-deprecating line tied to the value prop — “I automate the boring parts so my calendar finally forgives me” — and booked calls rose about 15% in two weeks. If it takes over 3 seconds to land or needs context, I cut it; this HBR piece explains why: https://hbr.org/2019/05/the-benefits-of-laughing-at-work.
Building on @jane_doe123, I’ve had the best results with a value–wink–value pitch: lead with the outcome, add one line like ‘think of me as your team’s pit stop crew,’ then the ask, which bumped intro call bookings about 15%… Caveat: I skip the wink with finance or cross‑cultural groups and let a quick stat be the ‘punchline’ instead.
Last week I tested a 20‑second elevator pitch: lead with a concrete outcome, add one clean line like “so your Monday feels like Thursday afternoon,” then ask a sharp question. Booked 6/20 intros (vs 3/20); with risk‑averse CFOs I skip the joke and open with the question. Appreciate @jane_doe123 pushing brevity here.
Quick win for me: keep the pitch straight, then put the humor in the same‑day follow‑up — one callback to their own phrasing in a two‑line recap lifted reply rate about 22%; if the room’s formal, skip the wink. @jane_doe123 have you tried moving the joke to the email instead of the intro?
On the ‘without losing professionalism’ bit, I moved the humor to the Zoom waiting-room text and calendar note (a tiny callback to their words), kept the intro pure outcome, and saw show-up rates tick up about 12%. Caveat: with finance/legal buyers I wait for a green-light moment, then use one safe metaphor; if you want a primer, this HBR piece is solid: https://hbr.org/2013/05/leading-with-humor.