My Experience: Crafting Our 1-min Elevator Pitch in Nigeria (Part 2)

Welcome back readers! I am also saying this to myself.

Because... January 2024 has been exceptionally busy for me since my return from Lagos. It's been a whirlwind with the start of two accelerator programmes. I'm deeply grateful for the double blessings from by God, especially considering the challenges of 2023 from 9-5 stress, health related issues and naysayers . Yet, I proudly wear the title of Bounce back Queen. It serves as a reminder that it's important not to heed negative opinions. Instead, persevere with grace and faith.

This month has also revolved around preparing the KP team, involving tasks such as building our 2024 tracker and crafting a POAP (plan on a page) – a format I adore for its visual appeal. The focus has been overwhelmingly on business-related activities, leaving me with minimal time to open my laptop and put thoughts into words. However, here we are now, and it feels incredibly satisfying to have my fingers clicking away on the keyboard - I love the sound. Most importantly, I get to share the tips and knowledge of Day 1 of the Entertainment Week Lagos Programme (EWLP) which focused on pitch perfection.

On Thursday, 14th December, early in the morning, I arrived and met the additional cohort. One founder, in particular, was directing efforts towards virtual reality in the tourism industry. This piqued my interest, especially since my last visit to Nigeria was in 2015 during my internship at TVC. Jesse's concept would not only attract local customers but also appeal to the diaspora, like myself, seeking a connection to Nigeria's history from afar. I genuinely believe that one of the significant benefits of programmes like this is the opportunity to build a network and engage in collaborations.

Having Kemdi Ebi, CEO at Versus, as our mentor significantly eased the initial apprehension of the first day. He inquired about our idea and motivations, prompting us to delve into the reasons behind embarking on this entrepreneurial journey. This proved beneficial as we were quickly thrown into the deep end for a raw pitch. Despite my background in politics and a penchant for public speaking, I must confess that I felt a bit rusty. However, upon reflection, I appreciate the experience of not being at my best, as it allowed me to receive valuable feedback. Here's a breakdown of the a structure you can use:

1. Introduction: “Hi I’m [name], a [position title] at [company name]. It’s great to meet you!”
2. Problem: “Since you work with [company name or industry] I figured you’d be interested to know that [problem + interesting statistic].”
3. Solution: “The great part about working at [your company’s name] is that we’ve been able to fix just that problem by [solution].”
4. Value proposition: “In fact, we’re the only company that offers [value proposition].”
5. CTA: “I think our solution could really help you. Are you available this week to speak further on this?”

Tele's Tip: Leverage ChatGPT to assist in refining and fine-tuning as needed. There is nothing wrong with using tools to help.

Next, we had a meeting with Seun Alley, the CEO of Fez Delivery. I was eagerly anticipating this encounter based on my prior research and the significant impact she has had in Nigeria. Seun is pioneering the use of electric vehicles for delivery in Nigeria and has recently incorporated lockers as a part of her service. My mind was racing with possibilities due to the evident business synergy.

I derive immense satisfaction from listening to the stories of fellow founders because it reassures me that my struggles, fears, and anxieties are common experiences. In addition to sharing their challenges, founders like Seun often provide solutions. She shared a remarkable example of a challenge brought to her attention by a customer, which she ingeniously turned into an additional service offering.

In summary, my initial day left me exhilarated, and the energy gained was essential as we had homework to craft our perfect pitch for day 2. I'll be sharing all the adventures and insights soon.

Thank you.

Tele Lawal